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Handout #39 |
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The Christian should no longer sin |
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| Remind
yourself of the text in Handout #1. Hermas is speaking with the angel of
penitence, other-wise called the Pastor.
Hermas--I have heard from some teachers that there is no second repentance beyond the one given when we went down into the water and received remission of our former sins. The Pastor--You have heard correctly, for that is so. For he who has received remission of sin ought never to sin again, but to live in purity. But the Lord, who knows the heart and knows all things beforehand, knew the weakness of man and the subtlety of the devil... Being merciful, therefore, he had mercy on his creation and established this repentance, and to me was the control of this repentance given. And I tell you, after that great and holy calling if a man be tempted by the devil and sin, he has one repentance, but if he sin and repent repeatedly, it is unprofitable for such a man, for he shall hardly live. Shepherd of Hermas, Mandates 4, 3, 1-6. |
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