Correspondence

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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; 3:18-2038Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)
18But those things, which God before had showed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. 19Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: (Acts 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, 3938Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39)), but only those who believe are justified from all things. “Therefore, being justified by faith” (Rom. 5:11Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1)), believers have forgiveness of sins. (Eph. 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7); Col. 1:1414In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:14); Heb. 10:14, 17-1914For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)
17And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (Hebrews 10:17‑19); 1 John 2:1212I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. (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. 12:3131Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. (Matthew 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. 5:19-2119To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 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.
It would then be a fearful error to tell men they are pardoned, whether believers or unbelievers.