What does the Bible say about forgiveness of past sins?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that God freely forgives past sins through faith in Jesus Christ, whose blood cleanses all who repent and trust in Him. All people have sinned and cannot save themselves, but salvation is by grace through faith, not by human merit (Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:8). Peter calls sinners to repent and turn to God so that their sins may be blotted out (Acts 3:19; Acts 2:38). Believers may confess their sins with confidence, for God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse them (1 John 1:7, 9). Christ also remains the advocate for His people, while Scripture warns against hardened, willful rejection of His saving grace (1 John 2:1; Hebrews 10:26-27).
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 1 John 1:9 8 votes
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- 1 John 1:7 4 votes
But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 4 votes
No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
- 1 John 2:1 3 votes
My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.
- Acts 2:38 3 votes
Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Ephesians 2:8 3 votes
for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
- Romans 3:23 2 votes
for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
- Acts 3:19 2 votes
“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,
- Hebrews 10:26-27 2 votes
For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries.
- Hebrews 10:17 2 votes
“I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more.”
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about forgiveness of past sins and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about forgiveness of past sins