CAN SIN BE FORGIVEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 203, 28 August 1899, Page 2

CAN SIN BE FORGIVEN.

The first of a series of mission services, to be continued every night this week, was held last evening in the Newmarket Wesleyan Church, when the Key. J. T. Pinfold, Ph.B., preached on the above subject. Taking for his text Acts xiii. 38-9, he said that the text takes us back to Antioch, the centre of Christendom, where the seeds of Christian truth first fell upon heathen soil, and whence the preachers of the Gospel went forth with the express purpose of converting the world to Jesus. It also introduces us to the cardinal doctrine of Christianity. Attention to Mosaic ritual is insufficient to save, human merit can never win forgiveness of sin. Faith in Christ alone can bring salvation. In its essence sin is selfwill, shown in rebellious conduct against Divine commands. God's law having been broken must be made honourable. By Him all that believe are justified. This blessing can only be received by the humbling of self-will-that leads to forgiveness. There can be no true religious life without the knowledge of reconciliation to God. As St. Augustine said, "Man is made for God, and can find no rest till he finds rest in Him." But the text teaches that sin may be pardoned. "Through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sin." And with this truth the whole of the Bible coincides. Forgiveness of sin is promised in the Scriptures, where we see illustrations of the fact that penitent sinners have been pardoned, and the unchangeable character of God elves us the assurance that if we exercise faith in the finished and accepted' work of Jesus we shall be iustified from all things from which we could not be justified by the law of Moses. The sermon closed with an earnest appeal to all present not

to incur the guilt of rejecting the Savioui1, fton.e oould plead ignorance, jo, the text paid, "lie it known unto you," Knowliedgia is the eautse of responsibility, He that believeth not la condemned already, Surrender now to the authority of the Christ, and consecrate your lives to His service*