What did the apostles Peter and Paul mean when they so unreservedly preached the forgiveness of sins to those who listened to them? Did they really mean to convey to their hearers the idea that no one could be sure that he possessed this forgiveness of sins? When in the synagogue of Antioch, Paul said to his audience, “We declare to you glad tidings,” did he entertain the notion that no one could be sure that his sins were forgiven? How could the gospel ever be called “glad tidings” if its only effect were to leave the soul in doubt and anxiety? If indeed it be true that no one can enjoy the assurance of pardon, then the whole style of apostolic preaching should be reversed. We might then expect to find Paul saying to his hearers, “Be it known to you therefore, men and brethren, that no one can ever know, in this life, whether his sins are forgiven or not.” Is there anything like this in the entire range of apostolic preaching and teaching? Do not the apostles everywhere set forth, in the fullest and clearest manner, remission of sins as the necessary result of believing in a crucified and risen Savior? Is there the most remote hint of that which is so much insisted upon by some teachers, namely, that it is a dangerous presumption to believe in the full forgiveness of all our sins? Is there no possibility of ever enjoying, in this world, the comfortable certainty of our eternal security in Christ? Can we not rely upon God’s word, or commit our souls to the sacrifice of Christ?

Can it be possible that the only effect of God’s glad tidings is to leave the soul in hopeless perplexity? Christ has put away sin; but I cannot know it! God has spoken; but I cannot be sure! Alas! Alas! If this is the gospel, then adieu to peace and joy in believing.