2. W. P., Manchester. It is utterly unscriptural to preach to the unconverted and tell them their sins are pardoned. Peter did not so preach to the nation of Israel. (Acts 2:38; 3:18-20.) And again to Cornelius and his friends, “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive forgiveness of sins.” Forgiveness of sins was freely preached or proclaimed to all (Acts 13:38, 39), but only those who believe are justified from all things. “Therefore, being justified by faith” (Rom. 5:1), believers have forgiveness of sins. (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; Heb. 10:14, 17-19; 1 John 2:12; compare 1. 9.) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,” &c.
Now Matt. 12:31 does not say all manner of sin is forgiven unto men, &c, but shall be forgiven. Surely this is so to all who believe God, in the forgiveness proclaimed to them. But nowhere does scripture say to the unbeliever, “Your sins are forgiven.” (2 Cor. 5:19-21.) It is, “made him sin,” for us believers, not for them, that is, unbelievers. When Israel shall be born in a day, they will say, “The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” So only can believers say now.
You will also find in scripture, that the dead will be judged, not only for rejecting the gospel but “they were judged every man according to their works.” (Rev. 20:12, 13; Matt. 12:36.)
It would then be a fearful error to tell men they are pardoned, whether believers or unbelievers.