2nd Adam;5737171:
All Christians are given the ministry of reconcilation. Do you agree?
I’m speaking specifically about the authority to forgive sins.
This authority was granted to the apostles alone.
Jesus gave his authority to the apostles.
Since he appointed successors, it makes sense that they would use his authority to also appoint successors.
All Christians are not successors of the apostles. We are to follow their traditions and teachings. We are saved through THEIR message.
John 17
Jesus praying for his apostles:
17Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
Jesus Prays for All Believers
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through **their **message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.
Not true----- in order to reconcile a non believer to God you must present the gospel message that Jesus saves us from our sins, that he bore our sins on the cross and that God has forgiven us of our sins. Any Christian can lead a nonChristian to Christ, and should. To lead one to Christ is to assure them that their sins have been forgiven.
All disciples have been given the miniwstry of reconciliation. I am a disciple, are you?