One of the main teachings of evangelical Christianity is that the death of Jesus was necessary because nothing else can save you from your sins. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22).
In fact, Paul goes even further in Galatians 2:21, where he says, "If righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."
But is that what the Bible really teaches?
It turns out that, over and over in the Bible, God forgives sin without Jesus dying and without any blood being shed:
| If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. |
II Chron. 7:14
Sin is forgiven by God without any blood being shed and without anybody getting crucified. |
| I acknowledged my sin to you, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah. |
Psalm 32:5
Sin is forgiven by God without any blood being shed and without anybody getting crucified. |
| But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all my statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live. |
Ezekiel 18:21-22
Sin is forgiven by God without any blood being shed and without anybody getting crucified. |
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And again he [Jesus] entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that he was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door.
And he preached the word to them. Then they came to him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you." And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" But immediately, when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, he said to them, "Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise, take up your bed and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins" — he said to the paralytic, "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!" |
Mark 2:1-8
Sin is forgiven by God [Jesus] without any blood being shed and without anybody getting crucified. Think about it: This paralytic man could not possibly have believed in the death and resurrection of Jesus because it hadn't happened. |
| For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon you. |
Psalm 86:5
God is ready to forgive — 1000 years before Jesus was even born! No demands for blood or crucifixion. |
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