actual sin

American  

noun

Theology.

1. any sin committed by an individual of their own free will, as contrasted with original sin.

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actual sin British  

noun

1. Christianity any sin that a person commits of his own free will and for which he is personally responsible Compare original sin

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Etymology

Origin of actual sin

First recorded in 1450–1500

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

actual sin

Between 1983 and 2013, Felton published more than a dozen books, with the collective message that clutter was, if not an actual sin, at least a failure of self-understanding.

From The New Yorker ● Dec. 8, 2014

By the dogma of the immaculate conception, Roman Catholics regard the Virgin Mary as a unique human person, by virtue of being without original or actual sin.

From Time Magazine Archive

Where will persons go who—such as infants—have not committed actual sin and who, through no fault of theirs, die without baptism?

From Baltimore Catechism, No. 3 by Anonymous

It is composed of both men and women who never married, nor lost their virtue by actual sin.

From The Happiness of Heaven By a Father of the Society of Jesus by F. J. Boudreaux

It is passing strange that those who believe in baptism as the appointed means, whereby a minister reconciles a soul in original sin should hesitate to admit the ministerial power of forgiving actual sin.

From Confession and Absolution by Thomas John Capel