Talk of JESUS . com

Tag: nehemiah

The Apostles Creed 10 the Remission (forgiveness) of Sins
We believe in ..the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins…

The Apostles’ Creed — foundational to our Apostolic Christian faith

Today we have reached the second to last points of our brief look at the Apostles’ creed, the forgiveness or remission of sins.

(We’ll also take a brief glance at ‘the communion of saints,’ mentioned in part in our previous look at the Church.)

For an overview and more instructive view of the outline of our SERIES, take a look at the Roman Creed below:

I BELIEVE or WE BELIEVE IN:

Structure of Christian CREEDS

Here’s a brief outline found originally in The Roman Creed:
1. I BELIEVE IN God almighty (or the Father almighty)
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord
3. Who was born of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
4. Who was crucified under Pontius Pilate and was buried
5. And on the third day rose from the dead
6. Who ascended into heaven
7. Siteth at the right hand of the Father
8. Whence He cometh to judge the living and the dead
9. (I or WE believe in:) The Holy Ghost
10. The Holy Church
11. The remission of Sins
12. The resurrection of the flesh
- (and life everlasting).
source: apostles-creed.org

The early church taught what is basically in the Apostles creed…

It was not till heresies and divisions in the church that any creeds were established.

source:

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in

the communion of the Saints,
```
If you haven't read our previous post about the Church you may find helpful definitions not repeated here. 
```
The Apostles Creed 9 We Believe in The Holy Church

Last time we addressed one of the two definitions included in this section of the Apostles Creed:
- hagios
  - most holy thing, a saint
Today let’s also take a brief look at what the Creed means by communion.

(In a sense, it’s not what you think of first.)

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized..

Acts of the Apostles 2:41a KJV
```
(Now they are the saints or Holy ones of Christ, because of the remission of their sins.) 
```
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine

and fellowship, G2842

and in breaking of bread,

and in prayers.

Acts of the Apostles 2:42 KJV

Note that communion here is the fellowship of the saints whick follows learning the teaching or doctrine of the Apostles.

AND that Communion (as we call it) is a corporate breaking of the bread [klasis artos], a symbolic remembrance of Christ’s broken body.

They devoted themselves to

(from the CSB) (and in addition to;)
- the apostles’ teaching,
- to the fellowship (communion of the saints),
- to the breaking of bread,
- and to prayer.
ALL these together, as Christ’s local church, to keep them holy and separate from the sin and surrounding sinners of whom they once embraced.

κοινωνία koinōnía, koy-nohn-ee’-ah; from G2844; partnership, i.e. (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction (giving to the benefit of the church):—(to) communicate(-ation), communion, (contri-)distribution, fellowship.

Source: BlueLetterBible.org

I believe in

the forgiveness of sins

Nehemiah 9:
```
After the Hebrews had abandoned the Law of Moses and their priest Ezra reads it to the people.
```
.. the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.
```
repentant prayer
```
.. And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers,
```
sanctification or holiness apart from the sin of their former life
```
and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.
```
Confession to God precedes asking for forgiveness. 
```
But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,

And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage:

but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.

Nehamiah 9:16-17 KJV

the remission of sins,
```
Admittedly 'remission from the Creed is a little 'King James' in its sound. But recognize the New Testament application with which you may be able to relate from a familiar prayer and Scripture. 
```
Forgive us our debts
```
(Which comes from this OT application of the Law)
```
“At the end of every seven years you shall grant a remission of debts.

מִקֵּץ שֶׁבַע־שָׁנִים תַּעֲשֶׂה שְׁמִטָּה׃

Deuteronomy 18:1 LSB

‘And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Gospel of Matthew 6:12 LSB

“For if you forgive others for their transgressions,

your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

“But if you do not forgive others,

then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

Matthew 6:14-15 LSB – the teaching of Jesus, the Son of Man, to followers

paraptōma – transgressions
- to fall beside or near something
- a lapse or deviation from truth and uprightness
  - a sin, misdeed
Do you imagine that God, in His Holiness and perfect justice, can allow any of these sins or transgressions — without Someone paying your debt?

And you were dead in your transgressions G3900 and sins..

Apostle Paul to the Ephesians 2:1

For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 NIV

The remission of Sins through Christ
- the concept of “wages,” which implies a payment or consequence that is earned. In the biblical context,
- sin refers to any action, thought, or attitude that falls short of God’s holiness and commands.
- Death here is both physical and spiritual, indicating separation from God.
  - Theologically, this underscores the seriousness of sin and its inevitable outcome without divine intervention.
Contrasting with the earned wages of sin, the “gift of God” emphasizes grace, which is unmerited favor. Eternal life is not something humans can earn; it is a gift freely given by God.

It is only through Jesus Christ, His death, and resurrection, that believers receive this gift. Jesus is seen as the fulfillment of Old Testament types and prophecies, such as the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12) and the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53).

Source: BibleHub.org – commentary on Romans 6:23

In Him we have redemption through His blood,

the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

Ephesians 1:7 NKJV

NEXT: Resurrection!

Talk of JESUS . com

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
December 30, 2025
Nehemiah 9 – The People Confess Their Sins
Today’s Short Take on Scripture focuses on confession.

Yesterday this personal conviction came to mind from imprinted corporate confession of the church. (You’re church may not use such a confession, but should they lead us in this way?)

Confession of Sin Before Communion

Corporate Confession of Sin by the Church
```
From the Anglican BCP [Book of Common Prayer] (public domain, source not secure)
```
Minister and People
```
Almighty God,
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
maker of all things, judge of all men:

We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness,
which we from time to time most grievously have committed,
by thought, word, and deed, against thy divine Majesty,
provoking most Justly thy wrath and indignation against us.
We do earnestly repent,
and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings;
the remembrance of them is grievous unto us,
the burden of them is intolerable.
Have mercy upon us,
have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may ever hereafter
serve and please thee in newness of life,
to the honor and glory or thy Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
```
Excerpts Nehemiah 9:
```
New King James Version; Неемія 9
 Ukrainian Bible; Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition; נחמיה The Westminster Leningrad Codex; Неемия 9 New Russian Translation
```
A corporate Confession of Sin after the jews rebuild the second temple

9 Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, and with dust on their heads. Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers..

And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for one-fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God..

“You came down also on Mount Sinai,
And spoke with them from heaven,
And gave them just ordinances and true laws,
Good statutes and commandments.

“But they and our fathers acted proudly,
Hardened their necks,
And did not heed Your commandments.
They refused to obey,
And they were not mindful of Your wonders
That You did among them.
But they hardened their necks,
And in their rebellion [They].. [sinned: a long list of confession]
Nehemiah 16-17a – Corporate Confession of Sin by the people prior to rededication to worship of the Lord God

30 Yet for many years You had patience with them..

But we have done wickedly.
34 Neither our kings nor our princes,
Our priests nor our fathers,
Have kept Your law,
Nor heeded Your commandments and Your testimonies,
With which You testified against them..

“Here we are, servants today!
Nehemiah 9:36a NKJV

For You are God, gracious and merciful.

32 “Now therefore, our God,
The great, the mighty, and awesome God,
Who keeps covenant and mercy:
Do not let all the trouble seem small before You
That has come upon us,
Our kings and our princes,
Our priests and our prophets,
Our fathers and on all Your people,
From the days of the kings of Assyria until this day.

“And because of all this, We make a sure covenant and write it;
Our leaders, our Levites, and our priests seal it.”
9:38 [NKJV] (WLC 10:1)וּבְכָל־זֹאת אֲנַחְנוּ כֹּרְתִים אֲמָנָה וְכֹתְבִים וְעַל הֶֽחָתוּם שָׂרֵינוּ לְוִיֵּנוּ כֹּהֲנֵֽינוּ׃

My question for your COMMENT is:

How should the people confess OUR SINS?
Roger@TalkofJESUS.COM
March 4, 2022
Let’s cut the crap! Are we under Construction?
What Crap?

‘Our CHURCH has no crap to deal with,’ you say.

Nonsense! In a brief post by a reader he addresses such crap using an illustration from Nehemiah.
- Definition
  1. usually vulgar : FECES
  2. usually vulgar : the act of defecating
- slang, sometimes vulgar : NONSENSE, RUBBISH also : STUFF
(O.K. Maybe we don’t take any time to talk of JESUS with our brother or sister in Christ. This Christian could use some construction to fix some of it AND so could others in our CHURCH.))

Since you are a fellow Christian under construction, here’s your chance to COMMENT on any post. Talk of JESUS {dot.com} welcomes your questions and comments.
- IF you would like write what you have to say about SCRIPTURE like the author of today’s repost, just comment on any of our 900+ posts or email me and ask.
Scriptures

Nehemiah 2, 3, 12 excerpts

Original talkofJesus.com post by Bruce Bender

The Dung Gate

From August 23,3013 – TOPIC: Gossip of the Church

Summer 2021 AD {Scriptural} Reruns
- CLICK “…Continue reading ” above,
- THEN Ask a question or comment at the end of this post
- OR email Roger@talkofJesus.com with your reaction, questions & comments.
Stay tuned from more Summer of 2021 Reruns from talkofJESUS.com

(ditto: Summer 2022 – more to come)
July 20, 2021