A conscience washed clean
I. Imagery of Forgiveness as “Washing”.
A. Objectively (in God’s sight).
1. The blood of Christ (Rev. 1:5).
2. The Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:11; Titus 3:5).
3. The word of God/Christ (John 15:3 – logos; Eph. 5:25-26 –
rhema).
B. Subjectively (for “clean” conscience): baptismal water
(Heb. 1:22; Acts 22:16; see also 1 Pet. 3:21).
1. The outer is meaningless without inner.
2. The inner calls for form in meaningful personal experience.
II. Old Testament background of forgiveness (lit. “release”).
A. Scapegoat “released” into desert (Lev. 16:26).
B. Jubilee “release” of land and debts (Lev. 25; see also Deut.
15:1-3,9).
C. Messiah anointed with God’s Spirit to proclaim “release” to
captives (Isa. 61:1).
III. New Testament concepts relating to forgiveness (“release” of sins).
A. Christ’s blood (Matt. 26:28; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14).
B. Repentance toward God (Lk. 24:47; Acts 2:38; 5:31; 26:28).
C. Faith in the Lord Jesus (Acts 10:43; 13:38-39).
D. Baptism (Lk. 3:3; Acts 2:38).
