Can a killer atone for his/her sins?

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John Bailif · Follow

Musician (2008–present)4y

Yup. However, they must know that Jesus died for their sins already, so there is nothing a
person can do to earn salvation. It's simply believing in the death and resurrection of Christ
Jesus and living to be an example for others.

Obviously if they murdered someone in the U.S. they would have to be a Christian in prison.
Which is better than not being a Christian at all when you stand before God.
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Jackie Walker · Follow

BAAS in Business, Tarleton State University (Graduated 2005)4y

The Apostle Paul was a murderer, of a sort. As a Pharisee named Saul, he went from Jewish
town to Jewish town, looking for Jewish Christians to arrest and take back to Jerusalem, to
make them stand trial before the Sanhedrin so they could be killed for the horrible crime of
being Christians.

Then, on a journey to Damascus, Jesus got Saul’s attention in a big way. Acts chapter 9 tells
the story. There was a big flash of light, and Saul fell from his horse. Then he heard a voice
ask, “Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

“Who are you, Lord,” Saul asked. (When someone blinds you and knocks you off your horse in
that time and place, you called the Lord!!)

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now, get up and go into the city, and you will be told
what you must do.”

Saul goes into the city blind, and fasts for 3 days, until a Christian is sent to him, to tell him
what to do. And Jesus changes his name to Paul.

Acts 22:3-5 (NIV)

And Paul said, 3 "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under
Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as
any of you are today. 4 I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both
men and women and throwing them into prison, 5 as also the high priest and all the Council
can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there
to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.

Now, as to even killers being forgiven:

1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV)

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the
world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.

We established that Paul saw himself as a murderer. He helped the Jewish Ruling Council
(the Sanhedrin) track down Christians and kill them. After his own conversion, this bothered
his conscience, UNTIL he realized that even this was atoned for by the Savior of the World,
Christ Jesus.

So, if a killer wants forgiveness, s/he must do what any other sinner must do:

1. Hear the Gospel

2. Believe it is true to the point that they are willing to make changes in their lives.
3. Repent - turn away from their old sinful way of life.
4. Confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God
5. Be Baptized - be buried (fully immersed) with Christ in water to simulate his death,
burial and resurrection. THEN rise from the water to walk in newness of life. The old
man is dead to sin, and new man lives for God.

Jesus will atone for the killer just as he atoned for me and every other Christian since the Day
of Pentecost. Hallelujah!
529 viewsAnswer requested by Wyndell Lee II

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How do I atone for my sins of having accidentally killed many pets when I was younger?
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Karen Cox · Follow

7y

Save as many lives as you can. Even to the extent of releasing worms or crickets destined to
be fish bait. Donate to pet rescues. Do what you can to helps others, people and animals. Let
kindness be your path.