Author: Paul Lehr
November 21, 2016: Pope Francis has extended forgiveness for abortion. All priests around the world have been granted this authority from the Pope. This act of mercy and forgiveness is now a permanent edict from Pope Francis.
Previously, abortion brought automatic excommunication. There were special, technical conditions where excommunication could be avoided. But as of today…
“Pope Francis delineates the path of the future life of the church so that it can always be an instrument of mercy toward everyone, without ever excluding anyone,” Archbishop Fisichella.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/21/world/europe/pope-francis-abortion-priests.html?_r=0
On September 1, 2015, Pope Francis announced he was granting authority to priests to forgive women for the sin of abortion. Women must demonstrate contrition for the forgiveness. The forgiveness was available during the upcoming Catholic holy year of Jubilee. At the time, it was not clear if this forgiveness would be extended after the holy year was completed. Would it be a one-time only offer? The Pope was doing this as an act of mercy during the Catholic year of Jubilee. This Catholic Jubilee year is not to be confused with God’s Jubilee year described by Moses in the Law.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/09/01/pope-allow-priests-forgive-abortion/71502832/
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34118105
The Pope is a very likeable guy. He is the Pope of the people. But, the Pope it is not capable of forgiving sin(s). Francis’ word or decree does not cleanse anybody. We have not seen Francis shed his blood, die, and resurrect back to life. It is the shedding of Christ’s blood that is the forgiveness of sins.
Hebrews 9:12 He (Jesus) entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
Romans 5:9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
Jesus is our High Priest. He is our representative before the Father. At this time (November 2016), we do not need an earthly priest. Pope Francis, a priest, or any other human on earth does not represent us before God the Father.
Hebrews 7:24-26 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens.
With Jesus, forgiveness of sin is not a one-time special offer. “For this year only…” No, you can come to Jesus any time you want. It does not have to be a special year or date. When Jesus dealt with sin, it was taken care of once and for all time. All people covered if they are accepting of His effort and payment.
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.
Romans 6:10a For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all…
The Greek word for “once” is hapax. It means: once, one time, once for all. Christ’s one and only death is enough to cover the sins of the planet across the ages.
Jesus forgives all sins. There is not a list of special exemptions or conditions. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. The Greek word for “all” used by John is pas. Per Strong’s Concordance it means: each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything. All sin is forgiven.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
God saves us from sin via the shed blood of His Son. The fine has been paid. There are no strings or conditions attached. Eternal life is a merciful, gracious gift, plain and simple.
Trend Update: Pope Francis Extends Forgivesness, Abortion, November 2016
