What Did Jesus Mean?

In this message, Pastor Steve walks through one of the most challenging statements Jesus makes in Scripture: “If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven…” What did Jesus really mean, and what authority has He given to His church? 

By carefully examining the full testimony of Scripture, we see that forgiveness belongs to God alone. Jesus is not giving believers the power to forgive sin, but the responsibility to declare what has already been decided in heaven through the gospel. 

This message clarifies the believer’s role in a powerful way: we are not the source of forgiveness, but the messengers of it. As those sent and empowered by the Spirit, we boldly proclaim that those who trust in Christ are forgiven and those who reject Him remain in their sin.