Kevin Ruffcorn August 1, 2014
https://asanefaith.com/about/
So how did we get the idea that Jesus came into the world to save us from our sins and an eternity in hell?
One of the most common things people do is to confuse John the Baptist’s message with that of Jesus. John prepared the way for Jesus by proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 4:1). When Jesus called people to repentance, it was because the kingdom of God had come near—or arrived (Mark 1:15). Jesus never said anything about believing and being baptized for the forgiveness of sin—Peter did, though. In his first sermon, which is recorded in Acts, Peter calls on people to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sin so that they might receive the Holy Spirit (2:38). Paul, on several occasions, links Jesus’ death and resurrection to the forgiveness of sin (Romans 3:23-25).
Certainly, the idea of Jesus saving us from our sin can be found in the New Testament. That theological concept historically has been emphasized by the church. The themes of sin, repentance, forgiveness and salvation are popular in the church today. I do not mean to argue the theological validity of John the Baptist, Peter, and Paul’s claim. I simply want to point out that wasn’t what Jesus understood his life and ministry to be.
Jesus was much more concerned with the present rather than one’s eternal destiny. Jesus focused on announcing that the Kingdom of God had arrived and inviting people to live in the reality of the kingdom. God’s kingdom was a kingdom of love and grace. This kingdom was the antithesis of the Roman Empire. Followers of Jesus were invited to live lives of peace and mercy and turn from the world’s ways of power and judgment. That same invitation is extended to us today.
