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< > Appendix The catastrophic effects of the doctrine of "Original Sin" Augustine’s doctrine of “Original Sin” has concealed from the Church, a great deal of Christ’s great sufferings for us. Many who believe in Augustine’s doctrine of “Original Sin” do not realise the disastrous effects that it has had on the doctrine of the Church. I am sure that most Christians will strongly disagree with Augustine’s monstrous doctrine that every child is “born in sin” and spiritually depraved, and will go to Hell forever, like the very worst sinner, if they are not baptised. This contradicts the Scriptures, which state that God creates our souls and spirits; how could God create something sinful? Is.57v16. “For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.” In Heb.12v9. God is called “the Father of our spirits." (NIV and Robertson) Augustine’s theology also does away with free will; his theology can be briefly summed up as follows. We read on page 317, of “God’s Strategy in Human History,” by Paul Marston and Roger Forster. “Augustine taught that when Adam sinned, all his descendants sinned “in” him and so shared in and inherited the guilt of the act.” End of quote. Some one else has said: “The only way any are saved is by God intervening and choosing some, whom He calls His elect, to be saved. This choosing is totally arbitrary and independent of those chosen. Those thus chosen cannot ever be lost or fall from grace. To the converse, those not arbitrarily chosen before the foundation of the World to everlasting life, are irrevocably doomed to Hell, having absolutely no hope of salvation, regardless of what they do, or do not do.” End of quote. We read on page 307 of “God’s Strategy in Human History by Paul Marston and Roger Forster. “Augustine also said that, “Faith itself was an irresistible gift given by God to a few people, whom he had selected on some basis known only to Himself. God could have given it to others had He so chosen. Without God’s irresistible gift of faith, no man could perform any good, whether in thought, will, affection, or action.” End of quote. By the introduction of this lie, Augustine removes the whole truth and concept that man possesses a freewill and is individually responsible for their own individual actions. It has the effect of removing personal responsibility for one’s actions and sins. Augustine’s doctrine of “Original Sin” has also produced two more major errors in theology. Augustine’s doctrine of “Original Sin” directly contradicts the truth about repentance. When God tells us to repent, it means that we are responsible, and can be blamed for the wrong that we do. The doctrine of “Original Sin” denies that people have the ability to repent, or that they possess free will. It has made people feel that they are not personally responsible for their sins, and that they cannot help sinning, because they were born sinners. People say that they have inherited a sin nature from Adam, and cannot live right because of that. However, this is not what God says; God commands us to repent of our sins, and tells us that we can help sinning, and need not have committed any sins. God does not say that we cannot help sinning, He says that repentance that brings forth the fruit of a holy life, is the way to obtain forgiveness, and acceptance with Him. Those who hide behind the bush of “Original Sin” as an excuse for their sins, are in reality blaming God for making them so. The theme of repentance is seen in all the Scriptures. 2Kings.8v47. Ezek.18v30. In Rom.1v18-32., Paul castigates the holding down of the truth revealed in creation, which has resulted in the most deplorable wickedness and immorality. Paul states that mankind is without an excuse, for they have rejected both the revelation of God’s eternal power and deity in Creation and the light of their own conscience. God has manifested Himself to and in mankind, but mankind’s determined wickedness has meant that God has had to give them up to their evil ways. Mankind does not have any excuse for their sin, and that includes the excuse of the doctrine of “Original Sin.” Rom.1v19,20,24,26,28. Paul tells us in Acts.17v30,31., that God commands everyone to repent, this means that everyone could have lived righteous lives, even with the limited light that they had. We read, "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, v31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." In John.1v9., we read that Jesus illumines every child that is born. “Illumines,” is “photizei” the present active indicative of “photizo” 5461; which means, to shed rays, to light up, to illumine, Thayer adds, “to enlighten, spiritually, to imbue with saving knowledge.” The present tense shows that this is a continuous present tense action, and not a brief or temporary act. We read in Mt.18v1-10. and 19v14., that Jesus said that children are fit for Heaven, and are like the inhabitants of Heaven, accept it. We read in Isaiah.53v6., that mankind is not “born astray” but “goes astray.” Paul confirms this in Rom.7v9., where he states that he was born spiritually alive to God, and that he died spiritually when he personally sinned. Paul again states this fact in Rom.3v12., “They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Note well. In Ps.51v5., it is David’s mother who is the sinner, not David. “In sin did my mother conceive me.” John the Baptist preached Repentance. Mark.1v4. “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Mt.3v8. "Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance.” See also Luke.3v3. and Acts.13v24 Repentance was a vital part of Christ’s Gospel preaching. Mk1v14,15. v14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, v15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. We read in Mt.9v13., "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." See Luke.5v32. In Luke.24v46,47., the risen Saviour states that repentance and remission of sins was to be preached to all nations. v46 “And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: v47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” The early Church preached that repentance was an vital prerequisite before people could know forgiveness of sins. We read in Acts.2v38., “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” See also Acts.3v19,20. v19 “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; v20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you.” And again in Acts.20v21. “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Note Acts.11v18. “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” Paul witnesses to King Agrippa in Acts.26v19,20., v19 "Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, v20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.” We read in 2Pet.3v9., “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Paul writes in 2Tim.2v25,26. v25 “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; v26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” Paul states in 2 Cor.7v9,10., v9 “Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. v10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” Mankind often despises and rejects God’s great mercy with fearful consequences. Rom.2v3-6. v3 “And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? v4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? v5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, v6 who "will render to each one according to his deeds.” Jesus comes to His Churches and demands repentance where it is necessary. The Churches at Ephesus and Pergamos are told to repent. Rev.2v5,16. “The Church at Thyatira is told that death awaits them if they fail to repent of their terrible sins. Rev.2v21-23., v21 The Church at Sardis is told to repent. Rev.3v2,3. The Church at Laodicea is told to repent. Rev.3v19,20. In James.5v14-18., we see that repentance and confession of sin and persistent prolonged prayer may often be necessary to experience Divine healing in the Churches. v14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. v15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. v16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. v17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. v18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” Elijah’s persistent prolonged prayer is our example. The doctrine of “Original Sin” attacks the character of God, and denies the true humanity of Christ. The second attack of the doctrine of “Original Sin” is even more serious, for it attacks the character of God and the person and humanity of Jesus Christ our Lord, and brings Docetic Gnosticism back into Church doctrine. This has disastrous effects on a Christian’s perception of God, and their walk with God. Augustine’s doctrine of “Original Sin” is responsible for a great deal of the darkness in the minds of both believers and unbelievers about God, and has greatly hindered the knowledge of the truth about God’s wonderful character. God is Love, His first name is “Compassion,” but Augustine’s doctrine of Original Sin has made God to be an evil despot, for Augustine said that God sends innocent babies, who have not been baptised, into Hell forever, to share the same fate as the very worst sinner. 1John.4v8. Ex.34v6,7. When the Christian accepts Augustine’s doctrine of “Original Sin” as truth, it destroys their ability to perceive the truth about Our Lord being a compassionate, sympathetic and faithful Great High Priest, who is the “Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith”. Christians who believe in “Original Sin,” assume that; if we have been “born in sin,” and have sinful flesh; then, obviously, as our Lord was without sin, then he MUST have had a different kind of flesh and “humanity” to us. This doctrine that Our Lord’s humanity was different from ours, destroys any thought that Jesus can be our example, or a compassionate, sympathetic and faithful Great High Priest. Many preachers have repeatedly said that our Lord’s flesh and blood was different to that of normal humanity. I have heard them say, on the basis of Acts.20v28., that the blood of Jesus was the blood of God and not human blood. This is a total denial of the humanity of Christ, and in a very subtle and cunning disguise, is the destructive heresy of Docetic Gnosticism. This heresy arose in the Church in the later half of the 1st Century AD, and indeed Paul, in his letters to the Philippians, Colossians and 1Timothy and John in his Gospel, 1st and 2nd John, write very strongly against this heresy. The doctrine of “Original Sin,” revives, in a very subtle way, the Docetic Gnostic heresy of the early Church. However, from the time of Augustine it has arisen in the minds of believers in an undetected manner, so that believers do not recognise it for what it is, a destructive heresy! John says that those who deny the true humanity of Jesus are “Not of God.” They deny our Lord’s victory over the flesh and the Devil. In 1John.4v2., “That Jesus Christ is come in the flesh,” is “Iesoun 2424, Christon 5547, en 1722, sarki 4561 “eleluthota,” 2064. Eleluthota,” is the perfect active participle of “erchomai,” 2064, to come; to appear. The perfect tense indicates that Christ’s coming in the flesh was a well known established fact, and that the effects of Christ’s incarnation are an abiding reality. Jesus was not a Docetic phantom, He had a human body, and as Paul states in Rom.1v3., “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh.” Those who believe this are, “out of God,” “ek tou Theou estin.” The same words, “en” 1722, “sarki” 4561, “eleluthota” 2064, “is come in the flesh,” occur again in 1Jn.4v3., and the apostle John declares that everyone who states that Jesus has not come in the flesh, “is not out of God,” “ek tou Theou ouk estin.” The apostle John goes on to state that those who deny the humanity of Jesus have the spirit of Antichrist, and are influenced by super-human evil angelic spirits. Some reject, “is come in the flesh,” here in 1Jn.4v3., because these words are omitted by A, B, and a few cursives, However they are included in Aleph, G, K, Phi, and most cursives, and the following versions, the Syriac, the Polyglot Arabic, Aethiopic, Coptic, Armenian, and Vulgate; and are recognised by Polycarp, Tertullian, Origen, Cyprian, Ambrose, Ps-Oecumenius, Theophylact, and Augustine. The opponents of Christ's incarnation, and his passion, would be delighted to see these words omitted from the Scriptures. Many of the truths contained in two of the most important books of the New Testament, Romans and Hebrews, are impossible to comprehend, by those who believe in “Original Sin. Understanding Paul’s letter to the Hebrews in based upon a correct knowledge of our Lord’s true humanity, and that our Lord and the believer share exactly the same kind of humanity. Failure to grasp this means that the believer cannot comprehend our Lord as their sympathetic Great High Priest. This truth is part of the doctrine of “repentance from dead works,” which is found in the “first principles of the oracles of God…the principles of the doctrine of Christ,” Heb 5v12 to 6v12., and is dealt with by Paul in Romans 6 to 8. A correct knowledge of this truth, along with others, is vital for the Christian in the last days of this age, the Age of Grace. We will need to know our Lord as our Great High Priest as well as our Saviour, to enable us to overcome the appalling evil conditions that will come upon the world during the last three and a half years of this age, known as The Great Tribulation. We need to know that our Lord has indeed, “been tempted in ALL points like as we are, yet without sin” during His hidden years at Nazareth, and during His Ministry, in a humanity exactly like our own. The knowledge of His tried humanity will strengthen and equip us for the evil last days. This is vital truth. Through His Intercessions and High Priestly ministry, Jesus will keep, guard, protect and strengthen us “in soul” and give us victory and bring us through this terrible time. We shall rise to meet Him in the air at His Second Advent, immediately after the tribulation of those days, at the sounding of the last trumpet. Paul, in writing to Timothy in 1Timothy 3v16., states the vital truth that, “God was manifest in the flesh,” and then immediately in the next verse, 1Timothy.4v1., goes on to state; “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils!” Paul knew that the destructive heresy of Docetic Gnosticism would still be in the Church in the last days and so he warns us against it, by stating that our Lord Jesus did indeed, “come in the flesh,” and had a humanity like our own. The doctrine of “Original Sin” attacks the humanity of Christ, and the end result of this attack, in the days of The Great Tribulation, will be apostasy, Paul says, the effect will be that “some will depart from the faith.” “The Contrast Between Adam and Christ in Their Effect Upon Humanity. Rom.5v12-21. Some say these verses mean that men are forced into sin, and cannot help sinning, because of the sin of Adam. Those who insist that these verses teach that all mankind is forced into evil by Adam's sin, must accept that this would make these verses teach ultimate reconciliation for all mankind. The key verses are verses 17,18, and 19; Adam's sin did not force men to be sinners, no more than Christ's atonement forces men to be justified; in both cases the free will of man is the determining factor. Rom.5v12,17. The result of following Adam is spiritual death; the result of following Christ is justification and spiritual life. Is.53v6. Paul compares the severity of God in condemning Adam after one sin, with God's mercy to the Christian after a multitude of sins. Rom.5v16. James.5v19,20. Adam's first sin, the first step away from God, was the beginning of many steps away from God. God dealt immediately with Adam's sin, both for Adam's and the Creation's sake, lest he continued to live forever by partaking continually of the tree of life. Notice the kind and gentle attempts to make Adam and Eve confess their sin, and the thoughtful provision of God, even after their rebellion. The physical death which fell upon the human race after Adam's sin, is not the result of any person's sin, for children still die who have not sinned, Rom.5v14., physical death is the result of the withdrawal of the tree of life. Had not this been done, Adam would have lived in sin forever. Gen.3v22-24. The secret of Paul’s prayer life. Rom.8v26. The Holy Spirit always makes His unlimited abilities available to us when we pray. Paul states, in Rom.8v26., “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (NKJ) “For we know not what we should pray for as we ought,” “katho dei,” “as it is necessary.” Rom.8v26. After about 25 years of Christian experience, Paul states that it was only the Holy Spirit’s aid that prevented him from making mistakes over what to pray for. Note Jn.14v16,17,26. 15v26,27. Jn.16v6,16,17. In the light of this intercession by the Holy Spirit, we can well understand why Paul thanked God in 1Cor.14v18., that he spoke in tongues more than any of the verbose tongue speaking Corinthians. Praying in tongues releases the Holy Spirit’s power gifts, and prayer for the saints according to the will and desires of God. We do not know how to pray “as we ought,” “katho dei,” “as it is necessary,” but the Holy Spirit, “maketh intercession for us;” “huperentungchanei,” 5241, which only occurs here in the New Testament. It is derived from the verb “entungchano,” 1793,” which means "to light upon or fall in with; to go to meet,” and signifies to intercede or negotiate for another. A. T. Robertson says “It is a picturesque word of rescue by one who "happens on," “entungchanei” 1793, one who is in trouble and "in his behalf," “huper,” 5228, pleads "with unuttered groanings" (instrumental case) or with "sighs that baffle words" (Denney).” End of quote. Compare Acts.25v24. Rom.8v34. 11v2. Heb.7v25. Paul tells us in Rom.8v26,27., that the Holy Spirit is always available to us, to take hold with us against our infirmities, weakness, and limitations. “Helps,” poorly expresses the thought in “sunantilambanetai,” the present indicative of “sunantilambanomai,” 4878, “to lend a hand together with, at the same time with one.” It is a compound of” sun,” 4862,” “with,” or “together,” and “anti,” 473, “against,” and “lambanomai,” 2983. “to take and get hold of,” and so, “to actively support and help.” The Holy Spirit comes to enable us to pray, and mightily supplement our weakness and limitations with His infinite abilities, grace and love. The Holy Spirit comes to make the promise real to us that “by His bruise we are healed,” and to reveal to us the ghastly bruising of our Lord’s emotions and body, soul, and spirit, that bought healing for our bodies, souls and spirits. Final Conclusion. God states through the prophet Hosea, in Hosea.4v6., “My people are destroyed (perish) for lack of the knowledge (of ME).” Lack of the correct knowledge about Jesus and the Father. It is vitally important to have a correct interpretation of the Scriptures about the true humanity of Jesus, or we fail to have the true and deep relationship with Jesus and the Father that they, and we, desire. If we fail to understand our Lord’s humanity, we will not realise the extent of the sufferings of Jesus for us. A correct knowledge about Christ’s humanity sets us spiritually free, it enables us to see the full horrendous nature of His sufferings for us, and His matchless dedicated love for us. It enables us to see His great desire to make us whole in body, soul, and spirit, and to experience healing and wholeness through His great power and love. See John.17v17. "Sanctify them through (“en” 1722, in, by, with, through) Your truth. Your word is truth.” See John.8v31,32. “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. v32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (NKJ) < >
The Disastrous Effects Of The Doctrine Of Original Sin \| By His Stripes We Are Healed \| The Book Of Revelation \| The Second Coming Of Christ \| The Baptism And Gifts Of The Holy Spirit \| The Comforter Is Come

Appendix

The catastrophic effects of the doctrine of "Original Sin"

Augustine’s doctrine of “Original Sin” has concealed from the Church, a great deal of Christ’s great sufferings for us. Many who believe in Augustine’s doctrine of “Original Sin” do not realise the disastrous effects that it has had on the doctrine of the Church. I am sure that most Christians will strongly disagree with Augustine’s monstrous doctrine that every child is “born in sin” and spiritually depraved, and will go to Hell forever, like the very worst sinner, if they are not baptised. This contradicts the Scriptures, which state that God creates our souls and spirits; how could God create something sinful? Is.57v16. “For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.” In Heb.12v9. God is called “the Father of our spirits." (NIV and Robertson)

Augustine’s theology also does away with free will; his theology can be briefly summed up as follows.
We read on page 317, of “God’s Strategy in Human History,” by Paul Marston and Roger Forster. “Augustine taught that when Adam sinned, all his descendants sinned “in” him and so shared in and inherited the guilt of the act.” End of quote.

Some one else has said: “The only way any are saved is by God intervening and choosing some, whom He calls His elect, to be saved. This choosing is totally arbitrary and independent of those chosen. Those thus chosen cannot ever be lost or fall from grace. To the converse, those not arbitrarily chosen before the foundation of the World to everlasting life, are irrevocably doomed to Hell, having absolutely no hope of salvation, regardless of what they do, or do not do.” End of quote.

We read on page 307 of “God’s Strategy in Human History by Paul Marston and Roger Forster. “Augustine also said that, “Faith itself was an irresistible gift given by God to a few people, whom he had selected on some basis known only to Himself. God could have given it to others had He so chosen. Without God’s irresistible gift of faith, no man could perform any good, whether in thought, will, affection, or action.” End of quote.

By the introduction of this lie, Augustine removes the whole truth and concept that man possesses a freewill and is individually responsible for their own individual actions. It has the effect of removing personal responsibility for one’s actions and sins.

Augustine’s doctrine of “Original Sin” has also produced two more major errors in theology.

Augustine’s doctrine of “Original Sin” directly contradicts the truth about repentance.
When God tells us to repent, it means that we are responsible, and can be blamed for the wrong that we do. The doctrine of “Original Sin” denies that people have the ability to repent, or that they possess free will. It has made people feel that they are not personally responsible for their sins, and that they cannot help sinning, because they were born sinners. People say that they have inherited a sin nature from Adam, and cannot live right because of that. However, this is not what God says; God commands us to repent of our sins, and tells us that we can help sinning, and need not have committed any sins. God does not say that we cannot help sinning, He says that repentance that brings forth the fruit of a holy life, is the way to obtain forgiveness, and acceptance with Him. Those who hide behind the bush of “Original Sin” as an excuse for their sins, are in reality blaming God for making them so. The theme of repentance is seen in all the Scriptures. 2Kings.8v47. Ezek.18v30.

In Rom.1v18-32., Paul castigates the holding down of the truth revealed in creation, which has resulted in the most deplorable wickedness and immorality. Paul states that mankind is without an excuse, for they have rejected both the revelation of God’s eternal power and deity in Creation and the light of their own conscience. God has manifested Himself to and in mankind, but mankind’s determined wickedness has meant that God has had to give them up to their evil ways. Mankind does not have any excuse for their sin, and that includes the excuse of the doctrine of “Original Sin.” Rom.1v19,20,24,26,28.

Paul tells us in Acts.17v30,31., that God commands everyone to repent, this means that everyone could have lived righteous lives, even with the limited light that they had. We read, "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, v31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."

In John.1v9., we read that Jesus illumines every child that is born. “Illumines,” is “photizei” the present active indicative of “photizo” 5461; which means, to shed rays, to light up, to illumine, Thayer adds, “to enlighten, spiritually, to imbue with saving knowledge.” The present tense shows that this is a continuous present tense action, and not a brief or temporary act. We read in Mt.18v1-10. and 19v14., that Jesus said that children are fit for Heaven, and are like the inhabitants of Heaven, accept it.

We read in Isaiah.53v6., that mankind is not “born astray” but “goes astray.” Paul confirms this in Rom.7v9., where he states that he was born spiritually alive to God, and that he died spiritually when he personally sinned. Paul again states this fact in Rom.3v12., “They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Note well. In Ps.51v5., it is David’s mother who is the sinner, not David. “In sin did my mother conceive me.”

John the Baptist preached Repentance. Mark.1v4. “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Mt.3v8. "Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance.” See also Luke.3v3. and Acts.13v24

Repentance was a vital part of Christ’s Gospel preaching. Mk1v14,15. v14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, v15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. We read in Mt.9v13., "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." See Luke.5v32.

In Luke.24v46,47., the risen Saviour states that repentance and remission of sins was to be preached to all nations. v46 “And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: v47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

The early Church preached that repentance was an vital prerequisite before people could know forgiveness of sins.
We read in Acts.2v38., “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” See also Acts.3v19,20. v19 “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; v20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you.” And again in Acts.20v21. “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Note Acts.11v18. “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”

Paul witnesses to King Agrippa in Acts.26v19,20., v19 "Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, v20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.”

We read in 2Pet.3v9., “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Paul writes in 2Tim.2v25,26. v25 “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; v26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

Paul states in 2 Cor.7v9,10., v9 “Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. v10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”

Mankind often despises and rejects God’s great mercy with fearful consequences. Rom.2v3-6. v3 “And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? v4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? v5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, v6 who "will render to each one according to his deeds.”

Jesus comes to His Churches and demands repentance where it is necessary.
The Churches at Ephesus and Pergamos are told to repent. Rev.2v5,16. “The Church at Thyatira is told that death awaits them if they fail to repent of their terrible sins. Rev.2v21-23., v21 The Church at Sardis is told to repent. Rev.3v2,3. The Church at Laodicea is told to repent. Rev.3v19,20.

In James.5v14-18., we see that repentance and confession of sin and persistent prolonged prayer may often be necessary to experience Divine healing in the Churches. v14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. v15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. v16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. v17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. v18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” Elijah’s persistent prolonged prayer is our example.

The doctrine of “Original Sin” attacks the character of God, and denies the true humanity of Christ.
The second attack of the doctrine of “Original Sin” is even more serious, for it attacks the character of God and the person and humanity of Jesus Christ our Lord, and brings Docetic Gnosticism back into Church doctrine. This has disastrous effects on a Christian’s perception of God, and their walk with God. Augustine’s doctrine of “Original Sin” is responsible for a great deal of the darkness in the minds of both believers and unbelievers about God, and has greatly hindered the knowledge of the truth about God’s wonderful character. God is Love, His first name is “Compassion,” but Augustine’s doctrine of Original Sin has made God to be an evil despot, for Augustine said that God sends innocent babies, who have not been baptised, into Hell forever, to share the same fate as the very worst sinner. 1John.4v8. Ex.34v6,7. When the Christian accepts Augustine’s doctrine of “Original Sin” as truth, it destroys their ability to perceive the truth about Our Lord being a compassionate, sympathetic and faithful Great High Priest, who is the “Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith”. Christians who believe in “Original Sin,” assume that; if we have been “born in sin,” and have sinful flesh; then, obviously, as our Lord was without sin, then he MUST have had a different kind of flesh and “humanity” to us. This doctrine that Our Lord’s humanity was different from ours, destroys any thought that Jesus can be our example, or a compassionate, sympathetic and faithful Great High Priest.

Many preachers have repeatedly said that our Lord’s flesh and blood was different to that of normal humanity. I have heard them say, on the basis of Acts.20v28., that the blood of Jesus was the blood of God and not human blood. This is a total denial of the humanity of Christ, and in a very subtle and cunning disguise, is the destructive heresy of Docetic Gnosticism. This heresy arose in the Church in the later half of the 1st Century AD, and indeed Paul, in his letters to the Philippians, Colossians and 1Timothy and John in his Gospel, 1st and 2nd John, write very strongly against this heresy. The doctrine of “Original Sin,” revives, in a very subtle way, the Docetic Gnostic heresy of the early Church. However, from the time of Augustine it has arisen in the minds of believers in an undetected manner, so that believers do not recognise it for what it is, a destructive heresy! John says that those who deny the true humanity of Jesus are “Not of God.” They deny our Lord’s victory over the flesh and the Devil.

In 1John.4v2., “That Jesus Christ is come in the flesh,” is “Iesoun 2424, Christon 5547, en 1722, sarki 4561 “eleluthota,” 2064. Eleluthota,” is the perfect active participle of “erchomai,” 2064, to come; to appear. The perfect tense indicates that Christ’s coming in the flesh was a well known established fact, and that the effects of Christ’s incarnation are an abiding reality. Jesus was not a Docetic phantom, He had a human body, and as Paul states in Rom.1v3., “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh.” Those who believe this are, “out of God,” “ek tou Theou estin.”

The same words, “en” 1722, “sarki” 4561, “eleluthota” 2064, “is come in the flesh,” occur again in 1Jn.4v3., and the apostle John declares that everyone who states that Jesus has not come in the flesh, “is not out of God,” “ek tou Theou ouk estin.” The apostle John goes on to state that those who deny the humanity of Jesus have the spirit of Antichrist, and are influenced by super-human evil angelic spirits. Some reject, “is come in the flesh,” here in 1Jn.4v3., because these words are omitted by A, B, and a few cursives, However they are included in Aleph, G, K, Phi, and most cursives, and the following versions, the Syriac, the Polyglot Arabic, Aethiopic, Coptic, Armenian, and Vulgate; and are recognised by Polycarp, Tertullian, Origen, Cyprian, Ambrose, Ps-Oecumenius, Theophylact, and Augustine. The opponents of Christ's incarnation, and his passion, would be delighted to see these words omitted from the Scriptures.

Many of the truths contained in two of the most important books of the New Testament, Romans and Hebrews, are impossible to comprehend, by those who believe in “Original Sin. Understanding Paul’s letter to the Hebrews in based upon a correct knowledge of our Lord’s true humanity, and that our Lord and the believer share exactly the same kind of humanity. Failure to grasp this means that the believer cannot comprehend our Lord as their sympathetic Great High Priest. This truth is part of the doctrine of “repentance from dead works,” which is found in the “first principles of the oracles of God…the principles of the doctrine of Christ,” Heb 5v12 to 6v12., and is dealt with by Paul in Romans 6 to 8.

A correct knowledge of this truth, along with others, is vital for the Christian in the last days of this age, the Age of Grace. We will need to know our Lord as our Great High Priest as well as our Saviour, to enable us to overcome the appalling evil conditions that will come upon the world during the last three and a half years of this age, known as The Great Tribulation. We need to know that our Lord has indeed, “been tempted in ALL points like as we are, yet without sin” during His hidden years at Nazareth, and during His Ministry, in a humanity exactly like our own. The knowledge of His tried humanity will strengthen and equip us for the evil last days. This is vital truth. Through His Intercessions and High Priestly ministry, Jesus will keep, guard, protect and strengthen us “in soul” and give us victory and bring us through this terrible time. We shall rise to meet Him in the air at His Second Advent, immediately after the tribulation of those days, at the sounding of the last trumpet.

Paul, in writing to Timothy in 1Timothy 3v16., states the vital truth that, “God was manifest in the flesh,” and then immediately in the next verse, 1Timothy.4v1., goes on to state; “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils!” Paul knew that the destructive heresy of Docetic Gnosticism would still be in the Church in the last days and so he warns us against it, by stating that our Lord Jesus did indeed, “come in the flesh,” and had a humanity like our own. The doctrine of “Original Sin” attacks the humanity of Christ, and the end result of this attack, in the days of The Great Tribulation, will be apostasy, Paul says, the effect will be that “some will depart from the faith.”

“The Contrast Between Adam and Christ in Their Effect Upon Humanity. Rom.5v12-21.
Some say these verses mean that men are forced into sin, and cannot help sinning, because of the sin of Adam. Those who insist that these verses teach that all mankind is forced into evil by Adam's sin, must accept that this would make these verses teach ultimate reconciliation for all mankind. The key verses are verses 17,18, and 19; Adam's sin did not force men to be sinners, no more than Christ's atonement forces men to be justified; in both cases the free will of man is the determining factor. Rom.5v12,17. The result of following Adam is spiritual death; the result of following Christ is justification and spiritual life. Is.53v6.

Paul compares the severity of God in condemning Adam after one sin, with God's mercy to the Christian after a multitude of sins. Rom.5v16. James.5v19,20. Adam's first sin, the first step away from God, was the beginning of many steps away from God. God dealt immediately with Adam's sin, both for Adam's and the Creation's sake, lest he continued to live forever by partaking continually of the tree of life. Notice the kind and gentle attempts to make Adam and Eve confess their sin, and the thoughtful provision of God, even after their rebellion. The physical death which fell upon the human race after Adam's sin, is not the result of any person's sin, for children still die who have not sinned, Rom.5v14., physical death is the result of the withdrawal of the tree of life. Had not this been done, Adam would have lived in sin forever. Gen.3v22-24.

The secret of Paul’s prayer life. Rom.8v26.
The Holy Spirit always makes His unlimited abilities available to us when we pray. Paul states, in Rom.8v26., “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (NKJ) “For we know not what we should pray for as we ought,” “katho dei,” “as it is necessary.” Rom.8v26. After about 25 years of Christian experience, Paul states that it was only the Holy Spirit’s aid that prevented him from making mistakes over what to pray for. Note Jn.14v16,17,26. 15v26,27. Jn.16v6,16,17.

In the light of this intercession by the Holy Spirit, we can well understand why Paul thanked God in 1Cor.14v18., that he spoke in tongues more than any of the verbose tongue speaking Corinthians. Praying in tongues releases the Holy Spirit’s power gifts, and prayer for the saints according to the will and desires of God. We do not know how to pray “as we ought,” “katho dei,” “as it is necessary,” but the Holy Spirit, “maketh intercession for us;” “huperentungchanei,” 5241, which only occurs here in the New Testament. It is derived from the verb “entungchano,” 1793,” which means "to light upon or fall in with; to go to meet,” and signifies to intercede or negotiate for another. A. T. Robertson says “It is a picturesque word of rescue by one who "happens on," “entungchanei” 1793, one who is in trouble and "in his behalf," “huper,” 5228, pleads "with unuttered groanings" (instrumental case) or with "sighs that baffle words" (Denney).” End of quote. Compare Acts.25v24. Rom.8v34. 11v2. Heb.7v25.

Paul tells us in Rom.8v26,27., that the Holy Spirit is always available to us, to take hold with us against our infirmities, weakness, and limitations. “Helps,” poorly expresses the thought in “sunantilambanetai,” the present indicative of “sunantilambanomai,” 4878, “to lend a hand together with, at the same time with one.” It is a compound of” sun,” 4862,” “with,” or “together,” and “anti,” 473, “against,” and “lambanomai,” 2983. “to take and get hold of,” and so, “to actively support and help.” The Holy Spirit comes to enable us to pray, and mightily supplement our weakness and limitations with His infinite abilities, grace and love. The Holy Spirit comes to make the promise real to us that “by His bruise we are healed,” and to reveal to us the ghastly bruising of our Lord’s emotions and body, soul, and spirit, that bought healing for our bodies, souls and spirits.

Final Conclusion.
God states through the prophet Hosea, in Hosea.4v6., “My people are destroyed (perish) for lack of the knowledge (of ME).” Lack of the correct knowledge about Jesus and the Father. It is vitally important to have a correct interpretation of the Scriptures about the true humanity of Jesus, or we fail to have the true and deep relationship with Jesus and the Father that they, and we, desire. If we fail to understand our Lord’s humanity, we will not realise the extent of the sufferings of Jesus for us. A correct knowledge about Christ’s humanity sets us spiritually free, it enables us to see the full horrendous nature of His sufferings for us, and His matchless dedicated love for us. It enables us to see His great desire to make us whole in body, soul, and spirit, and to experience healing and wholeness through His great power and love.

See John.17v17. "Sanctify them through (“en” 1722, in, by, with, through) Your truth. Your word is truth.”

See John.8v31,32. “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. v32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (NKJ)

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