Accepting forgiveness of sin

The conviction of sin

La 1:20; Jn 16:8–9

See also 1 Ki 8:38–40; Is 6:5; Eze 33:10–11; Ac 16:29

The inward response of faith

Acts 16:31 NASB95

They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

The most marvelous ingredient in the forgiveness of God is that he also forgets, the one thing a human being can never do. Forgetting with God is a divine attribute; God’s forgiveness forgets.

Oswald Chambers

See also Mk 1:14–15; Jn 3:36; Jn 5:24; Ac 13:38–39; Ac 16:25–34; Ro 3:22–26; Ro 10:8–10; Eph 2:8

The outward response of baptism

Acts 22:16 NASB95

‘Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’

See also Mk 1:4–5; Ac 2:38; Ac 8:36; Col 2:11–12; 1 Pe 3:21

Confession of sin

Pr 28:13; 1 Jn 1:9

See also Le 16:20–22; Le 26:40–42; 2 Sa 12:13; Ps 32:3–5; La 3:40; Lk 15:17–20; Ac 19:18

Repentance

Turning towards God

Acts 3:19 NASB95

“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

See also 2 Ch 6:36–39; Is 55:7; Eze 18:21; Mt 3:1–2; Ac 17:30; 2 Co 7:10; 1 Th 1:9

Turning away from sin

John 8:11 NASB95

She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”

See also Je 4:3–4; Lk 19:1–10; Jn 5:14; Ro 6:11–14; 1 Pe 2:11

The making of restitution

Luke 19:8 NASB95

Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.”

See also Le 6:1–7; Nu 5:6–8; Pr 6:30–31; Eze 33:12–16

The forgiveness of others

Luke 11:4 NASB95

‘And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’ ”

See also Mt 6:14–15; Mt 18:21–35; Mk 11:25; Eph 4:32; Col 3:13