Thanks for sharing this with us, I strongly support you on this "Remember that the promise had a special application to the apostles and to the first disciples. Could they forgive those who in a few days were going to kill their beloved Master?
There are many other places where the importance of forgiveness is highlighted.
(Eph 4:32) "But be kind to one another, merciful, forgiving one another, as God also forgave you in Christ."
(Col 3:13) "Supporting one another, and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another, just as Christ forgave you, so do you."
And while it is true that we do not earn God's forgiveness by forgiving others, it is also true that if we are not able to forgive others, it will seriously question whether we ourselves have been forgiven."