Rev Dr Quek Suan Yew

When is Forgiveness Withheld?

Today (26 January 2016) on BBC radio, it was announced that Pope Francis apologized for the persecution of Protestants in the past. "In late June, Pope Francis apologized to "the oldest evangelical Church" for the Catholic Church’s persecution during the Middle Ages. "On the part of the Catholic Church, I ask your forgiveness, I ask it for the non-Christian and even inhuman attitudes and behavior that we have showed you," Francis said during the first-ever visit by a pope to a Waldensian church. "In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us!"" [emphasis original -- http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2015/july /pope-apologizes-to-first-evangelicals-for-persecution.html] This was not the first time a pope has apologized for past persecutions. On 13 March 2000 Pope John Paul II did the same. "Saving one of his most audacious initiatives for the twilight of his papacy, John Paul II yesterday attempted to purify the soul of the Roman Catholic Church by making a sweeping apology for 2,000 years of violence, persecution and blunders. From the altar of St Peter's Basilica in Rome he led Catholicism into unchartered territory by seeking forgiveness for sins committed against Jews, heretics, women, Gypsies and native peoples. Fighting through trembles and slurrings caused by Parkinson's disease, the Pope electrified ranks of cardinals and bishops by pleading for a future that would not repeat the mistakes. "Never again," he said. Centuries of hate and rivalry could not recur in the third millennium. "We forgive and we ask forgiveness. We are asking pardon for the divisions among Christians, for the use of violence that some have committed in the service of truth, and for attitudes of mistrust and hostility assumed towards followers of other religions." [http://www.theguardian.com/ world/2000/ mar/13/catholicism.religion]

Many Protestant churches today still observe the 16th century reformation of 1517 when Martin Luther, an ex-Roman Catholic priest, nailed 95 theses on the church gate at Wittenberg. This sparked the Reformation movement that has brought true salvation to the whole world as never before. In order to maintain this path of truth and salvation, the next generation must be constantly reminded of this 16th century new beginning. To forget history would mean that the next generation is doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past. But with this persistent request by the popes to "reconcile" and their asking for forgiveness, it has forced many churches to rethink whether it is still biblical and right to keep reminding the next generation of the 16th century reformation, like someone who is hard hearted and refuses to forgive old wounds. Should we move on and no longer mention the 16th century reformation and forgive and unite with the Roman Catholic Church and let bygones be bygones?

What is the doctrine of biblical forgiveness?

Forgiveness has to involve two parties. There is the forgiver and the "forgivee." The Bible teaches us that the forgiver must always be ready to forgive because of Christ. He must forgive everyone who hurts him as he serves the Lord on earth regardless of the nature of the transgression against him. This is commanded by Christ in Matthew 18:21-22 (KJV), "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." The phrase "seventy times seven" means that the forgiveness from the forgiver is unlimited. He has to keep on forgiving the person who has sinned against him, even if the sin is the same sin. As long as the "forgive" comes to say "I am sorry", the forgiver has to forgive. The basis for this forgiving spirit is that he has been forgiven by God through Christ's precious and priceless blood. To not forgive is as good as saying that the hurt and the loss suffered is more "precious" to him than the blood of Christ. This should never be, for there is no hurt or loss on earth that can be compared to the hurt and loss that Christ had to endure to save us from our sins. Christ followed up this truth with a parable (Matt 18:23-35). If the forgiver refuses to forgive his brother who asks for forgiveness, then Jesus says the heavenly Father will not forgive the forgiver!

The above teaching seems to teach that believers ought to forgive the popes since they did ask for forgiveness. Why is it then that we keep on teaching the 16th century reformation in our churches as if we have not forgiven?

The important point to note is that the above teaching on forgiveness is with reference to personal injuries done. In the case of the popes' requests for forgiveness, it is about doctrine. There are many doctrines that are at stake but the first and foremost one is the doctrine of salvation. This is the doctrine that Martin Luther highlighted when he nailed the 95 theses on the church gate in Wittenberg.

Doctrines are the teachings derived from the perfect Word of God. When a person teaches a wrong doctrine, it is not a personal transgression against a person but a transgression against God. It is God who has been maligned, for it is God's perfect Word that has been taught wrongly.

How serious is it when we teach a wrong doctrine?
It all depends on the doctrine. If one teaches the doctrine of the Millennium wrongly, his witness on earth will be affected. The doctrine of A-millennialism expects the world to get worse and worse before the return of Christ. This view teaches that all believers will have to go through the Great Tribulation whereby the world will be destroyed by Christ. Believers who subscribe to this erroneous view will be very sombre and will not have much to look forward to except the Great Tribulation (if they happen to be that generation that lives during the return of Christ). However, the believers who hold to the doctrine of Pre-millennialism, whereby all believers today will be raptured and the dead in Christ will be resurrected before the Great Tribulation begins, will possess a blessed hope and joy in their outlook toward life and witness for Christ on earth. The erroneous understanding of the doctrine of the Millennium will result in the loss of joy in witnessing and the abundant life in Christ.

The doctrinal errors of the Roman Catholic Church are far more serious than just losing the joy of salvation in witness! The Roman Catholic Church teaches a doctrine of salvation that adds to the Scriptures. She teaches that to believe in Christ is good but not enough; one must also observe the seven sacraments to complete his salvation.

The Seven Sacraments -- Jesus touches our lives through the sacraments. Our celebrations of the sacraments are signs of Jesus' presence in our lives and a means for receiving his grace. The RC Church celebrates seven sacraments, which are divided into three categories.
The following is taken from Loyola Press – a Jesuit Ministry [http://www.loyolapress.com/ the-seven-sacraments_article2.htm] – [emphases added]

"Sacraments of Initiation
"These sacraments lay the foundation of every Christian life.

"Baptism –In Baptism we receive new life in Christ. Baptism takes away original sin and gives us a new birth in the Holy Spirit. Its sign is the pouring of water.

"Confirmation –Confirmation seals our life of faith in Jesus. Its signs are the laying on of hands on a person’s head, most often by a bishop, and the anointing with oil. Like Baptism, Confirmation is received only once.

"Eucharist –The Eucharist nourishes our life of faith. Its signs are the bread and wine we receive—the Body and Blood of Christ.

"Sacraments of Healing – These sacraments celebrate the healing power of Jesus.

"Penance –Through Penance we receive God's forgiveness. Forgiveness requires being sorry for our sins. In Penance we receive Jesus' healing grace through absolution by the priest. The signs of this sacrament are our confession of sins and the words of absolution.

"Anointing of the Sick –This sacrament unites a sick person’s suffering with that of Jesus and brings forgiveness of sins. Oil, a symbol of strength, is the sign of this sacrament. A person is anointed with oil and receives the laying on of hands from a priest.

"Sacraments at the Service of Communion – These sacraments help members serve the community.

"Matrimony – In Matrimony a baptized man and woman are united with each other as a sign of the unity between Jesus and his Church. Matrimony requires the consent of the couple, as expressed in the marriage promises. The couple and their wedding rings are the signs of this sacrament.

"Holy Orders – In Holy Orders, men are ordained as priests, deacons, or bishops. Priests serve as spiritual leaders of their communities, and deacons serve to remind us of our baptismal call to help others. Bishops carry on the teachings of the apostles. The signs of this sacrament are the laying on of hands and anointing with oil by the bishop."

The underlined portions add to the finished work of Christ. This is salvation by works.

They believe that Mary is the mediatrix whereby she can receive prayers and dispenses salvation to anyone who goes to her. This is another serious error to the Truth of Christ being the ONLY Mediator between God and man in all things spiritual.

"Church Teaching on Mary as Mediatrix of (All) Graces
"Compiled by Fr. William G. Most

"Leo XIII, Encyclical, Supremi Apostolatus officio. Sept 1, 1883. ASS 16, 1883. 1113.
"We judge nothing more powerful and better for this purpose than by religion and devotion to deserve well of the great Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, who is the treasurer [sequestra] of our peace with God, and the mediatrix [administra] of graces....

"Leo XIII, Encyclical, Superiore anno, August 30, 1884. ASS 17, 1884. 49.
"... may He hear the prayers of those who beseech through her, whom He Himself willed to be the mediatrix [administram] of graces.

"Vatican II, Lumen gentium ## 61-62.
... in suffering with Him as He died on the cross, she cooperated in the work of the Savior, in an altogether singular way, by obedience, faith, hope, and burning love, to restore supernatural life to souls. As a result she is our Mother in the order of grace. This motherhood of Mary in the economy of grace lasts without interruption, from the consent which she gave in faith at the annunciation, and which she unhesitatingly bore with under the cross, even to the perpetual consummation of all the elect. For after being assumed into heaven, she has not put aside this saving function, but by her manifold intercession, she continues to win the gifts of eternal salvation for us. By her motherly love, she takes care of the brothers of her Son who are still in pilgrimage and in dangers and difficulties, until they be led through to the happy fatherland. For this reason, the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Auxiliatrix, Adiutrix, and Mediatrix. This however is to be so understood that it takes nothing away, or adds nothing to the dignity and efficacy of Christ the one Mediator. For no creature can ever be put on the same level with the Incarnate Word and Redeemer...." [https://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/marya4a.htm]
Vatican 2 may have said that "no creature can ever be put on the same level with the Incarnate Word and Redeemer", but this does not detract from the statements made above that Mary has taken over the mediatorial role of Christ and she has indeed been made at par with Christ as far as Christ's role as the only Mediator between God and man is concerned. The Bible is very clear that Christ alone is the true Mediator and not one else, especially not Mary! 1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV), "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." [emphasis added]

This is a very serious doctrinal error on the part of the Roman Catholic Church. It is no wonder that Martin Luther did what he did at the risk of his life. Anyone who tampers with the doctrine of salvation is anathema according to the Holy Bible. Galatians 1:8-9 (KJV), "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." The reason is that if a person believes in a Christ that is not according to the Bible, he will still die in his sins and end up in hell for eternity! No one who knows the truth in Christ would ever wish this on anyone, not even his worst enemy! We are talking about spending eternity in hell which is a place of great pain and torment with gnashing of teeth for eternity.

Does it then mean that when a person teaches a wrong doctrine he cannot be forgiven? Obviously, it does not. All of us are not perfect and there will be times when we teach erroneously. When we apologise, we will definitely be forgiven IF WE STOP TEACHING THAT WRONG DOCTRINE! To stop teaching the wrong doctrine after repentance is the fruit of genuine sincere repentance. If we say we are sorry for teaching the wrong doctrine, and then continue to teach that wrong doctrine, our apology is obviously not sincere.

First and foremost, a doctrinal error is a sin against God, for it is God and His perfect Word that have been maligned. To repent of this transgression, one has to stop teaching the error which would be the evidence of the sincerity of his repentance from teaching the error. He asks God to forgive him in Christ and must stop teaching the wrong doctrine. He must accept Christ as his Lord and Saviour and start to show forth fruits of repentance by living a life that is in accordance with God's holy and perfect Word.

The second step is that if he has taught this error to others and others have been led astray by his error, then he asks them for forgiveness for teaching erroneously. He caused these who believed in his error to live a life of error and they will surely forgive him if he also stops teaching the error. The repentance is false and insincere if he continues to teach the error.

In the case of the popes who asked for forgiveness, they must first seek forgiveness from God and all the doctrinal errors within the Roman Catholic Church have to be repudiated and expunged. The entire system and their beliefs that are not in accordance with God's holy and perfect Word must be stopped immediately. When these are done, then reconciliation would have begun between God and the popes in Christ. The present pope must accept Christ alone as the only Lord and Saviour and all teachings pertaining to Mary and all the dead saints must be removed and acknowledged as false. Then would there be forgiveness and reconciliation between the popes and the rest of the Christian world.

Unless they reject the doctrinal errors where the Word of God is attacked, their "apology" is meaningless. We can read doctrines and compare them with the perfect Word to evaluate if anyone is teaching a false gospel or not. If they continue to teach that false gospel even after "an apology", we know the apology is false. Therefore forgiveness has to be withheld because there are no fruits of repentance. In the case of personal injury, we must always forgive anyone who has hurt us, for Christ's sake, since we cannot read hearts. When we know the difference between personal injury and a doctrinal error, the issue of forgiveness will be biblically understood and applied to the glory of God. Amen.