According to the Bible it is possible to stop sinning
Unfortunately, in most churches a completely false gospel is taught. They say that it is not possible to stop sinning. Since Jesus died on the cross all our past and future sins were forgiven and it wouldn’t matter whether we continue to sin. Anyone who believes that it is possible to stop sinning will be demonized as an arrogant law keeper.
The good news is that, according to the Bible, it is indeed possible to stop sinning! The Bible is full of verses that prove it. And there is not a single verse that says otherwise.
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. (1 John 3:9-10)
If you are still skeptical about this fact, please finish reading the article before you come up with arguments.
Those who have not been born again yet, would be lying if they said they are without sin
Interestingly, those who claim that it is not possible to stop sinning have only one specific Bible verse to support their theory. This verse is:
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)
But if you look at the entire chapter and take the whole context into consideration, you can see that just a few lines before, it becomes very clear that John is speaking here to people who have not been born again yet and who have therefore not received the Holy Spirit.
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3)
Of course, no person is free from sin until he has been born again and has been sanctified by the Spirit of God. That is a well-known fact. Therefore, the only Bible verse that is supposed to prove that it is not possible to stop sinning isn’t valid. It becomes even clearer if you read the previous section which says that everyone who has fellowship with Jesus is set free from sin.
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:6-7)
However, there is another frequently used Bible verse that is meant to imply that it is not possible to stop sinning:
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. (John 8:7)
But even this claim is not difficult to disprove. Because this scene happened BEFORE Jesus had been crucified and risen again. Thus, the Spirit of God, that can sanctify every believer, had not been poured out yet. What is particularly interesting is what Jesus says afterwards:
And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John 8:11)
Also Paul did not teach that we can’t stop sinning
All other Bible verses that are used to support the claim that it is not possible to stop sinning are misinterpreted verses of Paul. Contrary to what many people believe, Paul did not teach anything else than Jesus and his disciples. But to understand that you have to read his letters completely and not just take particular verses out of context. For example, all verses quoted from Romans 7 become untenable if you read the following chapter Romans 8. Because in Romans 7 Paul solely describes how people are BEFORE they are born again. This means that his description in Romans 7 does not apply to born again believers! The flesh therefore does not count as an valid argument that it is not possible to stop sinning.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8:9-11)
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:12-14)
Paul also said that Jesus died for us while we were still sinners. “Were” clearly shows that a new born believer CAN stop sinning.
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)
Unarguably the clearest evidence that Paul did not believe that we can just continue to sin can be seen in the following Bible verses. Paul said quite clearly several times that no one who doesn’t stop sinning enters the kingdom of God.
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6: 9-10)
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. (Ephesians 5:5-7)
Here is an in-depth article on what Paul actually taught: No longer under law, but under grace – What did Paul teach?
Is it possible to stop sinning?
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. (1 John 3:3-10)
To stop sinning naturally includes the observance of God’s commandments. Because according to the Bible, sinning is breaking the law!
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (1 John 3:4)
However, it involves much more than just keeping God’s commandments. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 shows us how much holier we are supposed to be. Here is just one example:
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28)
Anyone who claims to be born again and still can’t stop sinning is therefore claiming that God and Jesus are sinners and that God is not capable of keeping his own commandments. Because whoever is born again is supposed to be guided by the same spirit as Jesus. Such a person would always obey the will of the Father, just as Jesus did. Paul wrote the following for a good reason:
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. (Galatians 2:20)
Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:15-17)
We are supposed to be as holy as Jesus and walk like him
The Bible’s New Testament teaches us to become like Jesus. And we can only do so by being born of God, receiving the Holy Spirit and being guided by him. Through the Spirit of God we CAN stop sinning.
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29)
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:6)
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. (Matthew 12:50)
The Bible emphasizes several times that we are supposed to be holy:
Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy. (Leviticus 19:2)
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:14-16)
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)
Whoever loves sin, clearly does not want to stop
The sad truth is that people who obsessively try to hold on to the false claim that it is not possible to stop sinning are simply people who do not want to stop sinning. Somewhere deep inside they like sinning and injustice. If someone truly hated sinning, he would be incredibly glad to be told that it is possible to stop sinning. Such a person would not try to justify their sins and claim that they were inevitable. It is written in the Bible:
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:26-27)
The Bible says that the wicked will be revealed. Because whoever loves sinning will gladly believe the common church teaching so that he can continue sinning without getting a bad conscience. But whoever loves God will not be deceived, and instead search for the truth and stop sinning.
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12)
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:17)
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.(Matthew 13:41-42)
So is it possible to stop sinning according to the Bible? Yes, it is!
I think after reading this article there shouldn’t be any doubts left. According to the Word of God it is possible to stop sinning. Everyone has the free choice to accept the truth as it is written in the Bible and to live accordingly. Unfortunately, believing in a lie is not going to save anyone. Therefore, I sincerely ask you to question everything that you have heard so far and to make sure that it really matches the teachings of the Bible.
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. (1 John 3:9-10)
The Bible is very clear: whoever can’t stop sinning and walks according to his ungodly desires does not have the Spirit of God.
But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. (Jude 1:17-19)
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. (1 Peter 4:1-2)
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The Greek word for “commit” in 1 John 3:9 is ποιεῖ transliterated as poiei. Poiei is a present tense verb which is indicative of continuous or ongoing action. It describes someone who is committing sin repeatedly – not someone who never commits a sin. Thus a more accurate translation of this verse would read something like, “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.” (ESV)
All believers sin on occasion which is forgivable upon repentance as opposed to those believers who make a practice of sinning which this verse warns against.
and ”καὶ And, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small wordsand
“he cannot” δύναται To be able or possible cannot
“sin,”ἁμαρτάνειν Properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e., (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin
Huh?
Actually that is not the meaning of the poiei. Look for use of the same word throughout the New Testament and you will see it is used over and over as a singular act, not practicing or repeating. If you wish to hold to your understanding you must also apply the fact that if we break one commandment, one sin, we are guilty of breaking the entire law. Sinning again and again and again as you claim we do is practicing sin. By your understanding a liar cannot stop lying, a drunk cannot stop drinking, an adulterer cannot stop committing adultery, etc….. What hope for a new life does your belief provide? According to Paul one who steals is to steal no longer, but is to work so as to provide for others. The commands are never to sin less but to cease from the sin, to do it no longer like Jesus told the woman caught in adultery and the man he healed. Your belief disagrees with what Jesus himself taught which is a direct command given to him by his God and Father.
1corintians 3:9-17
Your forgetting that he said if we say we have no sin including him
What is required for a person to become a Christian? As Peter spoke to those who had their hearts pricked, we are to believe, repent of or confess our sins, and be baptized so that we will receive forgiveness of the sins we claim we committed and receive the gift of the spirit. How is it that you wish to claim a Christian who has done this is a liar if he is claiming as a Christian he is no longer sinning, being led by the spirit? Likewise walking in the light as He is in the light requires walking like Jesus, for it says in him there is no sin. No that isn’t a reference to Jesus not sinning but the understanding that those who abide in him cannot sin. Your understanding of 1 John 1 does not work. May God open your eyes. See my longer comment on this website detailing even more on why a Christian can cease from sin.
He also said if we sin we have an advocate in jesus
How many sins does it take to separate a person from God? That would be one and only one. To claim God will not judge you is to deny all of scripture. From the beginning we have been told that if we obey God we will live, but if we disobey we shall die. Have you not read about those who will not enter God’s rest because they were disobedient? God is patient but he cannot have sin abide with Him. For how many sins did God strike down Ananias and Sapphira as an example to us? That would be one. Simon the sorcerer was condemned after becoming a child of God desired to have the power to lay his hands on people to give the spirit of God like the apostles and Peter told him he was condemned for this and this alone. For whom did Jesus said he is the source of salvation? Sinners? Absolutely not. It is for those who obey him. Sinning and repenting over and over again as many claim we do is not obeying Jesus. If you believe it is then you believe Jesus commanded us to sin.
What has God promised us in His word? He has promised that we will never be tempted beyond what we are able to endure and that He will always provide a way out, 1 Corinthians 10:6-14. Notice the examples of what happens to the disobedient, who didn’t rely on God which were given to us as an example.We are also told that if we are lead by the spirit of God we will not obey the desires of the flesh, Galatians 5:16-18. Do you remember how Jesus was able to walk without sinning? We are told he offered himself without blemish through the spirit of God. He did not do it on his own which is why Peter tells us to follow his example, 1 Peter 2:21-25. Have you not read that it is only the righteous that will be saved, whereas the godless man and sinners will not enter, 1 Peter 4:17-19? If a person is committing sin, they are a sinner, not a righteous person.
For those who wish to claim 1John 1 says a person who says they have not sinned is liar, they need to read the rest of 1 John. First issue with saying this is addressed to Christians fails to recognize that a christian is one who has believed and were baptized for the forgiveness of the sins of which they are repenting. The definition of a child of God automatically destroys such a belief. The next issue with such a belief is that in 1 John 2:3-6 we are told that the one who claims to know Jesus but does not keep his commandments is a liar, whereas the one who does keep his commandments has the love of God perfected in them. This is a direct contradiction to the belief that the person who says he has not sinned is a liar, if that verse in chapter 1 was addressing a Christian who has fellowship with God and His son. Later we are told in 3:23 that the ones who abide in God and He in us are the ones who keep His commandments and that we know we abide in Him by the spirit He has given us. This is the same spirit who lead Jesus and will lead us in the same way. It is through the spirit that we are sanctified and he who does not believe this is not regretting Man, but God, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8.
I beg you to believe in the promises and plan of God and take up the shield of faith by which we are able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of satan.
This is an excellent article fantastic. I don’t usually ever look at anyone’s writings or teachings of any kind because I am always disagreeing. This article is spot on though. Thank you for writing it.
Only a self righteous person believes their sinless.
Everyone is picking individual verses losing what the author is teaching. Paul’s central doctrine is (in Adam and
in Christ). All that we were before Christ was in Adam, death. Now we are in Christ, Romans 6:3-7. Being in Adam
produces death and being in Christ produces eternal life. Each of these produce certain characteristics also, either literally being like Adam or being like Christ. Christians act different than the world because we receive the spirit
of Christ making us a new creation. We do not practice sin but we do practice acts of righteousness.
Many teachers say we can’t stop sinning, making the work of God of no avail. We must see the old man dead and allow the Spirit of Christ to govern our actions making us like Him. In the resurrection all that Christ is we will be.
Young Christians (babes in Christ) need to mature bringing glory and honor to our Father God.
Any teaching that a believer can simply “stop sinning” is heresy. Romans says “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of god”.
I’ve seen my pastor sin. I’ve seen elders sin. I’ve seen my parents sin. These are all people who claim to have been saved.
I have never met a sinless person in my life, saved or not. All people sin. All Christians sin, saved or not, and will continue to do so til the grave.
The good news is that Jesus’s death on the cross has saved them from the “eternal consequences” of sin.
Paul said the greatest of sins is pride. To claim that one is now sinless is foolish and boastful. Instead, believers should live in humility and admission that they have always been, and still are, “sinners saved through grace”.
“Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time?” (Ecclesiastes 7:16-17)
If all believers were to stop sinning, there would be no more need for the grace of Jesus and his death would be in vain.
Does this mean we should all go out and murder people? No. But it does mean that we DO continue to sin even after believing, and thankfully we have the grace of Jesus to allow us forgiveness via the love of God.
that verse does not disprove what the article is arguing. that just proves that there has never been a person who has not sinned. the Romans verse doesn’t prove that you cannot stop sinning. Im not claiming I have stopped sinning, I am just someone trying to learn the truth, and I hope to do it lovingly. Peace to you.
There’s no need to cite verses or to engage in rhetorical dispute. Show me the man that does not sin, and I will believe. Yes, it is possible to lead a moral life and uphold the 10 commandments, but it is only late in life, when the flesh is weakened, that humans lose all desire for sin. Anyone who says he doesn’t sin is guilty of 2: falsehood and pride.
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Romans 8:9-13
Right on Jason:: Christians need to understand we are different from the world. God has not only forgiven
all our sins but also has given us His Spirit that we may not practice sin. I am not the same man I was 50 years
ago. I am a new person “in Christ”. At 81 years I realize I am not all I will be and I sure am not what I was. Thanks
Jason for the words of the Apostle Paul. Romans 7 tells what he was and Romans 8 tells what He became.
this is absolutely bananas. no person on this planet saved or unsaved can stop sinning for good. so many things are sins. when you speed, you sin. we all judge others. we all do some sort of sin. the bible does not say you can forsake sin forever. sure, you can stop drinking forever. but you aren’t even aware of all of your sins. also, the corinthians verse isn’t saying all saved people who commit those acts go to hell. the bible is very clear what sin isnt forgivable and it’s none of those. and the verse right after what you provided says “but you were sanctified…” and goes on to say all those people were saved. if you’re saved, even if you struggle with the same sin, you are saved that’s it. if we had to abandon sin to be saved, the bible wouldn’t literally say when Jesus was asked “how do we become saved?”, simply believe Jesus. like go look it up. if more had to be done, why would Jesus not take the time to say, “yeah believe in me and stop sinning and you can live in Heaven.” it literally teaches FAITH ALONE. not one sin can separate you from your ETERNAL REWARD FOR BELIEF. this is lordship salvation and not what the word teaches by any means. you think you can never sin again just because you’re saved?? it’s a sin to not do things that support God. like if you get a tattoo and it isn’t with the intention to serve God in some way, that’s a sin. everything we do has to serve God. i know for a fact everyone in these comments still sin. we are humans. only JESUS & GOD themselves can be perfect from sin. smh i can’t believe people believe this stuff….
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and NOT by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:24-26
sin is missing the mark. we all miss the mark. repentance is not turning from sin but acknowledging you are a sinner and need grace and forgiveness which is through faith alone. not faith and add a long list. this doctrine is false and places people in a no win situation and leads to depression or the opposite, to pride (of life)
dying to the lusts of the flesh is not giving up ice cream and pastries but having pride in what can be accomplished through the flesh.
I am a sinner and I need a Savior. there will never be a day where I can say, I have no sin. the truth is just that. if we say we have no sin, the truth is not in us. the Holy Spirit convicts us that we are sinners (saved by grace)
I had a pastor who once said, that he had not sinned the prior day. I guess he didn’t need grace that day. that’s pride my friend’s.
be the tax collector and not the Christian Pharisee.
Jesus came into thevworld the save sinners. first you need to admit you are one.
when I look around to those around me, guys, drug addicts, those who practice adultery, porn, gamblers, drinkers, watching r rated movies, listening to rock music and add hundreds of other moral conditions of the heart and mind I find that as I compare myself to these sinners, I declare that I am a sinner extraordinaire.
repentance is turning from pride of self towards God and righteousness through faith in Jesus and what He accomplished on the cross. There is my boast.
Boom, it is finished. Now that’s the good news.
The comments by those coming against this article truly show us why few will make Heaven. Just as the scripture says.
James 4:17 Therefore the one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it to them it is sin
1 Corinthians 15:34 Become sober-minded as you ought and stop sinning for some have no knowledge of GOD. I speak this to your shame
Genesis 4:6-7
Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?
7 “If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” 7 “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
It is true, we who are in Christ CAN and ARE to stop sinning. That being said, we are in a learning process and may make a mistake here and there. Therefore, we are to confess our sin and ask God to forgive us. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2) This information can be found also on the website: https://word4today.net/the-word-of-god#fadff403-1799-4f90-a4d2-03a1760c355b
so like, completely theoretically, if I were to say, Rob a bank, it wouldn’t be sin? Would you simply argue that this is because I was not a Christian merely a pretender? Cause I cannot lie this makes no sense. Fun Fact: there were people who really did love Jesus, and still participated in the Crusades way back in medieval times. They murdered people in the name of God, would you say this was not sin? What about Peter? Was Peter a Christian? Cause he reportedly did sin, even after Jesus was crucified. Galatians 2:11-14 says, “11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I [Paul] opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.[a] 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”” Jesus said that Gentiles could receive the Holy Spirit and be born again, (Acts 10:45, among other verses). Now let us assume for a moment, that the only way we can confirm that Bible character is 100% a Christian is if they receive the Holy Spirit, (Not saying this is the only way you can be a Christian, but if the Bible says someone received the Holy Spirit, then they definitely were a Christian without a doubt), assuming this, we can reason that before Peter committed this act of hypocrisy he was a Christian, since the Holy Spirit had already come upon him (Acts 2:3-4, the Holy Spirit comes up on all the people in the room, including Peter). under your logic, this means one of two things. A) Peter wasn’t really a Christian when he committed hypocrisy, which is ridiculous as I just proved, or B) What Peter did wasn’t sin. Peter clearly did sin here, so that means both of these are false. But is this still not enough evidence? Let me use an example from your own life. Assuming you call yourself a Christian, I’m going to tell you that you’ve sinned since then. I’ll even take it a step further and say you’ve sinned in the past year, the past month, and even today. Jesus said, “But I tell you, anyone who has looked at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:28) But I tell you, anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgement. Again anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca’ is answerable to court. And anyone who says ‘You Fool!’ will be in danger of the fires of hell. (Matthew 5:22)” You have sinned since becoming a Christian, and you will continue to do so. This is what makes Jesus sacrifice so huge. He paid for your sins, and will continue to do so.
Also, I’d just like to say. As much as I disagree with pretty much all of the things on this website, I do respect your opinion, and honestly just think that it’s cool that some people are rethinking theology that we all take for granted. I urge you to try something though, don’t argue. I argue for a living, and I can tell you something right now, anyone who comes out of an argument will never think that they were wrong without an insane amount of humility. And so I urge you to try something. Read your Bibles without looking for examples to use in your arguments. Instead, look at Jesus. Look at how he lived his life, and think about two things. 1) What does Salvation mean? How did he achieve it? 2) Who is Jesus? Is He a man? Is He God? Why does His death mean any more than someone elses?