Remission of sin: What is it?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The word “remission” is an older English term found in the King James Version. It refers to the forgiveness of sins. Remission points to God’s gracious act of removing sin’s guilt through repentance, faith, and the saving work of Jesus Christ. Eight verses in the KJV use “remission”:

Jesus said that His blood was shed for the remission of sins, showing that forgiveness only comes through His sacrifice (Matthew 26:28). John the Baptist called people to repentance for the remission of sins, preparing them to receive the Messiah (Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3). God promised salvation through the remission of sins in Jesus (Luke 1:77) and commanded that this message be proclaimed to all nations (Luke 24:47). Peter taught that those who repent and believe in Christ receive remission and the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). The apostles later affirmed that forgiveness is available to everyone who believes, both Jew and Gentile (Acts 10:43). Finally, Romans 3:25 explains that remission rests on the righteousness of Christ, whose blood satisfies God’s justice.

Together, these passages show that “remission” refers to forgiveness received through faith in Jesus, whose death and resurrection make full pardon possible.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Old Testament lays the groundwork for understanding remission of sin by showing that God always provided a way to address guilt and restore relationship with Him. For example, God instituted offerings to atone for sins, symbolizing His forgiveness and showing that sin requires a payment for reconciliation (Leviticus 4:20, 5:10).
• The prophets emphasized that God forgives those who repent, confess their sins, and return to Him (2 Chronicles 7:14; Isaiah 1:18).
• The Scriptures hinted that full and permanent forgiveness would come through the Messiah, pointing forward to the New Testament reality of remission in Christ (Isaiah 53:5–6; Zechariah 1:77).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• At the Last Supper, Jesus explained that His blood would be poured out as the final sacrifice for sin: “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28). Remission, in this sense, means total forgiveness made possible by His death.
• John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus by calling people to repent: “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Mark 1:4). Their baptism symbolized turning from sin, but true remission would come through Christ’s sacrifice.
• Zechariah’s prophecy shows that salvation comes through forgiveness: “To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins” (Luke 1:77). The promised Messiah would reveal God’s mercy by eliminating the barrier of sin.
• Luke 3:3 says of John the Baptist, “And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Like Mark’s account, this verse highlights that repentance is the proper response to God’s offer of forgiveness, preparing hearts for Jesus’ ministry.
• The resurrected Christ told His disciples, “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47).Jesus commissioned His followers to proclaim forgiveness through His name. The message of remission was not limited to Israel but extended to every nation.
• At Pentecost, Peter announced that those who turned from sin and believed in Jesus would be forgiven and receive the Holy Spirit, marking the beginning of the church: “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” (Acts 2:38).
• Peter later shared this same truth with Gentiles: “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43). Forgiveness was no longer restricted by nation or background but was available to everyone who believed in Christ.
• In Romans 3:25, Paul explained the foundation of remission—God’s justice was satisfied through the blood of Jesus: “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” Christ’s sacrifice covered past sins and opened the way for full reconciliation with God.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The Etch-A-Sketch was a popular toy in the 70s. Using two knobs, kids could draw simple figures or write on the screen. When they were ready for a different message, they could just shake the toy upside down, and everything would be erased. They could write the word “SIN” on it, shake it upside down, and “SIN” would disappear.

But in our lives, sin doesn’t disappear by our own efforts. Only by putting our faith in Christ’s atoning work on the cross can we have remission of sin.

Believers must share this with a world that desperately needs to know it: sin separates us from God. All have sinned, and that sin brings death and judgment. On our own, we cannot erase our guilt or make ourselves right with a holy God. This is why the message of remission—the full pardon of sin—is so important. No one can be reconciled to the God who made us without repenting of sin and accepting Christ as Savior.

It’s up to us to tell unbelievers that God will remove their guilt, give them His Spirit, and call them His children. He is the One who saves, but it is our responsibility and call to share this truth. Remission is a gift—full forgiveness and new life in Christ. May our hearts be tender towards those who need to hear this truth.

UNDERSTAND

• Remission means full forgiveness of sins.
• Remission is only possible because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, which satisfy God’s justice and restore our relationship with Him.
• Remission is available to all who believe–repenting and trusting in Christ.

REFLECT

• How have you experienced the forgiveness of your sins through Christ, and how does that shape how you live?
• Where do you struggle to trust that God’s remission of sin when you trusted in Jesus was total?
• How does knowing that remission is a gift change the way you approach God?

ENGAGE

• What is the relationship between repentance and the remission of sin?
• In what ways do Old Testament examples of atonement help us better grasp the full significance of remission in the New Testament?
• How does understanding remission as God’s gift through Christ affect the way we share the gospel with others?