by John Bunch
March 12, 2025
After receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, every believer must be baptized in water. When this happens, his or her past sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus.
Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38 (NASB 2020)
If another believer sins, Jesus commands us to rebuke him or her privately, then with one or two others, then with the church. Only if all three attempts fail is the sinning believer to be treated as an evildoer.
Now if your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that ON THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY MATTER MAY BE CONFIRMED. And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, he is to be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Matthew 18:15-17 (NASB 2020)
It is very important not to escalate the situation any faster than this. Doing so will cause unnecessary embarrassment. It could also damage a person's reputation. In the worst case, it could cause criminal accusations and possible penalties.
Of course, Jesus is the brother of all believers, so he rebukes them Himself.
Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
Revelation 3:19 (NASB 2020)
The believer confesses sins and receives forgiveness.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 (NASB 2020)
As a result of this process, the believer changes his or her mind, deciding not to repeat the sin.