Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Evangelical
Is the whole world forgiven?

Is the whole world forgiven?

Last updated on: April 3, 2024 at 3:50 pm by Andrew Farley

0 Comments

Is the whole world forgiven? 2024-04-03T15:50:54-05:00 Andrew Farley

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Quick Answer: Is the whole world forgiven? No, the whole world is not forgiven of their sins. Forgiveness is found only in Christ, not in Adam. A person must admit their sinfulness and their need for a Savior in order to be forgiven and cleansed of all their sins (1 John 1:9; Acts 26:17-18).

Diving Deeper: John 1:29 says, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” From this statement, some have concluded that the whole world is forgiven of their sins and that they are only in need of new life now (not forgiveness). However, it is important to note that John uses the present tense “takes away” here. John is simply referring to the fact that Jesus is the propitiation (satisfying sacrifice) for the sins of the Gentile world, not just the Jews.

In Acts 26:17-18, we see further evidence that the world needs to receive forgiveness which is only found in Christ: “I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Notice that people (here, the Gentiles) need to turn from darkness to light in order to receive forgiveness. This means that, without turning from unbelief to belief, they do not possess forgiveness in Christ.

Next, the apostle John writes in Revelation 20:12: ***“***And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.” Twice in this passage, we see the expression “according to what they had done.” Clearly, this means their deeds were judged and therefore not forgiven.

Finally, 1 John 1:9 spells out a condition necessary to get forgiven and cleansed. John writes: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Here, John includes the conditional “if” to state that a person must recognize their sinfulness and need for a Savior in order to be forgiven and cleansed of all unrighteousness. Otherwise, they remain unforgiven and uncleansed of their sins.

Perhaps 2 Corinthians 5 summarizes the situation best as it states that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them, but then it continues on to say “we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). God desires everyone to be forgiven, and Jesus’ sacrifice was enough for the sins of the whole world. But there’s a decision to be made. People have to turn from Satan to God, and turn from darkness to light, so they can receive forgiveness and be cleansed of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9; Acts 26:17-18).

Let’s Make It a Conversation!
1. React to this false statement: There will be many forgiven sinners in Hell.
2. Is it possible to be forgiven but not saved? Why or why not?
3. Every spiritual blessing is in Christ, not in Adam (Ephesians 1:3). How does this factor into the discussion?
4. React to this true statement based on Revelation 20:12-13: If the whole world were forgiven, they wouldn’t be judged for their deeds.

Previous Post

December 12, 2023

Should a believer pursue a special anointing?

Next Post

May 3, 2024 Is suicide an unforgivable sin?

Recent Comments

0 | Leave a Comment

"I agree that the believer has a new heart which loves God and loves righteousness. ..."

Adrian Warnock

Do Christians have a deceitfully wicked ..."

""Some of us have even heard that we are to love God more than our ..."

1another

How can you love God more?

"“Paul was simply presenting his body to Christ because he wanted to do so.” That’s ..."

1another

What are spiritual disciplines?

"I don't know if I've ever used the term, but your point is dangerous heresy, ..."

1another

When did the New Covenant begin?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 December 2023 April 2023 March 2023 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 April 2019 February 2019 January 2019 November 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 December 2016 November 2016 June 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 August 2014 May 2014 December 2013 October 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How many people did Jesus feed with five loaves of bread and two fish?

Select your answer to see how you score.

1,000 2,500 5,000 500