Edited 31 Oct 2011, 28th Dec 2012 and 10th Oct 2014 (see in blue for latest edits)
I have made a number of important changes to this article (since first written) because I have come to realise that the way it was originally presented could lead to misunderstandings and a false representation of what I actually believe. I specifically want to clarify that I do not believe in "Lordship Salvation".
What Is Repentance?
I do not believe in Calvinism nor Arminism as there are serious scriptural errors in both, although they do both hold to "some" truth. In my part, I choose to follow only the teachings of the whole Bible and not follow any particular line of theology. Therefore, the subject of repentance will be dealt directly from the Bible and not from any other theological preconceived position.
All I will say is that "we are saved by grace through faith - not by works lest any man should boast". Question is what about repentance? Is it a work to repent? I will tackle this by asking what does it mean to repent?
Some people (including the Billy Graham organisation) say repentance is simply a change of mind. As I now understand it, he is correct according to the Greek meaning of the word.
Although the word repentance means "a change of mind" it needs to be accompanied with faith. However, surely repentance is much more than a change of mind, isn't it? So many preachers tell seekers that all they need to do is change their mind and believe in Jesus, to be saved. Are they correct? If all that is required is a mental assent, how do they become "born-again"? Many people become superficial/nominal christians because all they have done is have an intellectual mind change, but nothing significant has happened deep within them.
When we look at the scriptures (particularly the New Testament) there is not just a change of mind but a change of heart. When Peter preached on Pentecost, it says that they were CUT TO THE HEART. It was more than just a change of mind because a simple change of mind does not result in conviction of sin or a changed heart.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying:
“yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done.” 2 Cor 7:9-11
The key words were “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation”
When I consider the context of the passage, it IS in regard to believers (not the unsaved). However, scripture often adds a GENERAL piece of teaching (within the specific part) which can be generally applied to all people, such as “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation”.
True repentance is not possible without first having “Godly sorrow” about sin which is a result of the convicting work of the Holy Spirit (not self effort). Granted it does not mention a “turning from sin” but it DOES require a Godly sorrow.
Therefore, true repentance is stimulated by Holy Spirit inspired GODLY sorrow for sin and a recognition/acknowledgement that salvation can be found in no-one else except Jesus.
There surely must come a time in a sinners life when they realise they need salvation from their sin. They learn about the sacrifice Jesus made for their sin and then need to change their mind and agree with God, by placing their faith upon Jesus as the only one who can save them from their sin and bring them into the presence of God.
I believe that this whole process is led and directed by the Holy Spirit who “convicts the world regarding righteousness, sin and judgement”. The Holy Spirit leads a sinner to repentance (which includes a Godly sorrow for sin) and faith in Jesus.
I then ask you: how does
a person become “born-again” or become born as a child of God?
Paul stated that we have become “a new creation in Christ Jesus, all things old have passed away, all things now become new” and “it is no longer I that live but Christ who lives in me”. How can that happen if all they have done is accepted Jesus mentally? Surely we ALL need to receive Jesus into our hearts in order to be born-again? I am not talking about making Jesus Lord of our lives, but simply receiving Him into our hearts. Lordship comes later through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and is NOT dependant on our salvation. This is what I currently believe.
Therefore, true repentance involves the following:
1) firstly a conviction and recognition of your sinful nature which has a tendency to sin and go your own way. "all we like sheep have gone astray, each to his own way".
2) the realisation that you cannot save yourself but need the mercy of God
3) calling upon the Lord to save you from your sins, confessing (not via a priest) your sinfulness and asking for forgiveness based on the eternally beneficial sacrifice made by Jesus for your sin
4) putting your faith/trust in Jesus
5) receiving by faith the free gift of salvation from God through Jesus
6) accepting Jesus to live within you by His Holy Spirit.
The result of all these things is that you become "born again" by the work of the Holy Spirit.
Having said all these things, most of these come automatically when God is drawing you to Himself. Please see my testimony as an example below.
From this point the Holy Spirit will reside in you for all eternity and start a work of changing you from inside out. You do not need works to save you because you are already saved (works cannot save anyway, as we can never be good enough to be saved) but "works" will automatically accompany salvation the more you grow as a Christian. It is works of the Holy Spirit in you as you yield more and more over to God.
My Testimony:
Those who say that repentance is not something we need to do, otherwise it would be a WORK, ie done in our own strength, is silly! God gave us freewill to choose Jesus through repentance or reject Him. I know there is a mystery of predestination and calling involved ("all who the Father calls will come") but we still need to repent. But within all this it is God (by His power) who is bringing us to that place where we come under conviction of sin and the conviction that we need to repent, believe and receive Jesus..
The "free gift" is received eternally when we repent and believe. The vehicle is still the same - WE need to repent and hand our lives over to the mercy of God, through accepting Christ's sacrifice, to receive forgiveness and become born again. Whether that is in our strength or His we (of ourselves) cannot tell, but we still need to do it!
To say that repentance comes after we receive the free gift of salvation is unscriptural because "grace" has already been given as a result of repentance and belief. On the day of Pentecost Peter answered their question "what must we do to be saved" by saying "REPENT, and be baptised in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins". They had to repent first before being forgiven and receiving the gift of eternal life. They were already convicted of their sins (SORROWFUL) and wanted to be saved, but now they needed to repent and believe in order to be saved.
It is certainly true that conviction of sin is a work of the Holy Spirit. We may have a guilty conscience about wrong doing but it never brings a change of heart unless the Divine work of grace works in our heart by the conviction from the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said "when He comes (the Holy Spirit) He will convict the world concerning righteousness, sin and judgement". But once convicted it leads to repentance and belief.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying that Godly sorrow brings about repentance. So, we need a Godly sorrow about our sins wrought by the Holy spirit HIMSELF, ie a deep conviction in our hearts, prompted by the Holy Spirit, that brings about a change in us. This applies to non-believers as well as believers. Once we have repented (willingly using freewill in His strength) we then receive all that we need to live the Christian life through the power of the Holy Spirit who will now be in us. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". The free gift of salvation and the Holy Spirit comes after repentance and belief. From that moment onwards we are kept by grace - not by works!
I have made a number of important changes to this article (since first written) because I have come to realise that the way it was originally presented could lead to misunderstandings and a false representation of what I actually believe. I specifically want to clarify that I do not believe in "Lordship Salvation".
What Is Repentance?
I do not believe in Calvinism nor Arminism as there are serious scriptural errors in both, although they do both hold to "some" truth. In my part, I choose to follow only the teachings of the whole Bible and not follow any particular line of theology. Therefore, the subject of repentance will be dealt directly from the Bible and not from any other theological preconceived position.
All I will say is that "we are saved by grace through faith - not by works lest any man should boast". Question is what about repentance? Is it a work to repent? I will tackle this by asking what does it mean to repent?
Some people (including the Billy Graham organisation) say repentance is simply a change of mind. As I now understand it, he is correct according to the Greek meaning of the word.
Although the word repentance means "a change of mind" it needs to be accompanied with faith. However, surely repentance is much more than a change of mind, isn't it? So many preachers tell seekers that all they need to do is change their mind and believe in Jesus, to be saved. Are they correct? If all that is required is a mental assent, how do they become "born-again"? Many people become superficial/nominal christians because all they have done is have an intellectual mind change, but nothing significant has happened deep within them.
When we look at the scriptures (particularly the New Testament) there is not just a change of mind but a change of heart. When Peter preached on Pentecost, it says that they were CUT TO THE HEART. It was more than just a change of mind because a simple change of mind does not result in conviction of sin or a changed heart.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying:
“yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done.” 2 Cor 7:9-11
The key words were “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation”
When I consider the context of the passage, it IS in regard to believers (not the unsaved). However, scripture often adds a GENERAL piece of teaching (within the specific part) which can be generally applied to all people, such as “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation”.
True repentance is not possible without first having “Godly sorrow” about sin which is a result of the convicting work of the Holy Spirit (not self effort). Granted it does not mention a “turning from sin” but it DOES require a Godly sorrow.
Therefore, true repentance is stimulated by Holy Spirit inspired GODLY sorrow for sin and a recognition/acknowledgement that salvation can be found in no-one else except Jesus.
There surely must come a time in a sinners life when they realise they need salvation from their sin. They learn about the sacrifice Jesus made for their sin and then need to change their mind and agree with God, by placing their faith upon Jesus as the only one who can save them from their sin and bring them into the presence of God.
I believe that this whole process is led and directed by the Holy Spirit who “convicts the world regarding righteousness, sin and judgement”. The Holy Spirit leads a sinner to repentance (which includes a Godly sorrow for sin) and faith in Jesus.
I then ask you: how does
a person become “born-again” or become born as a child of God?
Paul stated that we have become “a new creation in Christ Jesus, all things old have passed away, all things now become new” and “it is no longer I that live but Christ who lives in me”. How can that happen if all they have done is accepted Jesus mentally? Surely we ALL need to receive Jesus into our hearts in order to be born-again? I am not talking about making Jesus Lord of our lives, but simply receiving Him into our hearts. Lordship comes later through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and is NOT dependant on our salvation. This is what I currently believe.
Therefore, true repentance involves the following:
1) firstly a conviction and recognition of your sinful nature which has a tendency to sin and go your own way. "all we like sheep have gone astray, each to his own way".
2) the realisation that you cannot save yourself but need the mercy of God
3) calling upon the Lord to save you from your sins, confessing (not via a priest) your sinfulness and asking for forgiveness based on the eternally beneficial sacrifice made by Jesus for your sin
4) putting your faith/trust in Jesus
5) receiving by faith the free gift of salvation from God through Jesus
6) accepting Jesus to live within you by His Holy Spirit.
The result of all these things is that you become "born again" by the work of the Holy Spirit.
Having said all these things, most of these come automatically when God is drawing you to Himself. Please see my testimony as an example below.
From this point the Holy Spirit will reside in you for all eternity and start a work of changing you from inside out. You do not need works to save you because you are already saved (works cannot save anyway, as we can never be good enough to be saved) but "works" will automatically accompany salvation the more you grow as a Christian. It is works of the Holy Spirit in you as you yield more and more over to God.
My Testimony:
In my testimony, I reached a point in my life where I realised my life was meaningless. I had a fear of where I would end up unless I was in a right relationship with God. At that point, I knew there was something wrong with my life but I did not understand that I was a sinner. I knew I was not perfect and did wrong things, but did not understand why Jesus dying on the cross saved us from our sins. A minister explained to me why Jesus cried out "my God, My God, why have you forsaken me". When he explained that my personal sins were nailed upon Jesus, therefore Jesus suffered God's wrath in my place, suddenly the realisation hit me of God's immense love. I then realised that I was a sinner who caused Jesus agony. I did not need to understand everything about repentance etc because the love of God melted my heart causing me to realise I was a sinner and that Jesus died in my place. It tore my heart to think Jesus was dying there because of me. At that moment (there and then) gave my life to Jesus, asking him to save me from my sinfulness and take control of my life, with a determination to go God's way - not mine, from that moment onwards.
It was only later that I learnt what true repentance was. Therefore, you don't need to understand it all now. All God is looking for (at the moment) is an earnestness within you for Jesus to save you from your sins by turning your life over to Him. Beforehand (in a very child-like way) I repented in the way I knew how (at that time) simultaneously as I received Jesus into my heart as my Saviour and Lord.
Those who say that repentance is not something we need to do, otherwise it would be a WORK, ie done in our own strength, is silly! God gave us freewill to choose Jesus through repentance or reject Him. I know there is a mystery of predestination and calling involved ("all who the Father calls will come") but we still need to repent. But within all this it is God (by His power) who is bringing us to that place where we come under conviction of sin and the conviction that we need to repent, believe and receive Jesus..
The "free gift" is received eternally when we repent and believe. The vehicle is still the same - WE need to repent and hand our lives over to the mercy of God, through accepting Christ's sacrifice, to receive forgiveness and become born again. Whether that is in our strength or His we (of ourselves) cannot tell, but we still need to do it!
To say that repentance comes after we receive the free gift of salvation is unscriptural because "grace" has already been given as a result of repentance and belief. On the day of Pentecost Peter answered their question "what must we do to be saved" by saying "REPENT, and be baptised in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins". They had to repent first before being forgiven and receiving the gift of eternal life. They were already convicted of their sins (SORROWFUL) and wanted to be saved, but now they needed to repent and believe in order to be saved.
It is certainly true that conviction of sin is a work of the Holy Spirit. We may have a guilty conscience about wrong doing but it never brings a change of heart unless the Divine work of grace works in our heart by the conviction from the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said "when He comes (the Holy Spirit) He will convict the world concerning righteousness, sin and judgement". But once convicted it leads to repentance and belief.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying that Godly sorrow brings about repentance. So, we need a Godly sorrow about our sins wrought by the Holy spirit HIMSELF, ie a deep conviction in our hearts, prompted by the Holy Spirit, that brings about a change in us. This applies to non-believers as well as believers. Once we have repented (willingly using freewill in His strength) we then receive all that we need to live the Christian life through the power of the Holy Spirit who will now be in us. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". The free gift of salvation and the Holy Spirit comes after repentance and belief. From that moment onwards we are kept by grace - not by works!
Hi Wary, thanks for your comment. I have taken on board what you have said and will evaluate it later. I will not post it here as it may confuse the readers.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I will say is that being saved by grace through faith (not of ourselves but the gift of God)is a vital issue. The problem is what does it mean by works or of ourselves? Firstly, hand on heart you have to admit that there is sufficient ground to be open to interpretation and certain viewpoints are not a heresy.
Paul told the Galatians that they had fallen from grace because they were still observing the law as if it had some relevance to their salvation. If we start by grace and then follow the law it is effectively saying that grace is not enough - ie heresy.
If we call repentance a "work" I think that is going too far! Where do we stop? We could say that believing in Jesus is a "work" because it IS of ourselves, ie something we do. So repenting and believing go hand in hand BEFORE (or maybe simultaneously) the free gift of salvation is received.
Basically, works involves the flesh - self effort. We cannot save ourselves by self effort. All we can do is present/offer ourselves upon the mercy of God (a work?????). I find it ludicrous to say that we should not do that as it has no place in our redemption because it is something we do.
As I stated Paul told Corinthians that Godly sorrow brings about repentance. Ok, even if repentance was just a change of mind, it is still brought about by first having a Godly sorrow for our sins. Grace comes after or simultaneously as we place our trust (a work by us?)in Him.
The point I am making is that once we throw ourselves upon Jesus (after becoming convicted that we need to be saved from our sins) receive Him as our personal saviour, then the life of grace begins, but not before. It may be that the work of grace was going on in our heart to enable us to repent, but still WE need to respond to Jesus (which could be considered to be a work?).
ReplyDeleteOnce we are born-again (after receiving jesus)we are no longer alone. The Holy Spirit is changing us from within - we are a new creation the old has passed away. From this moment it is all of grace and all of God. He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion until the Day of Christ.
This is why I firmly believe it is impossible for a born-again believer to lose their salvation. You cannot be born and then "unborn". If a person receives Christ into their hearts AFTER genuine repentance, they are eternally secure!
ReplyDeleteIf anyone is questioning whether they were truly saved or whether they ever repented before receiving Christ, just ask yourself the questions:
"is serving Jesus the be all and end all of my life? do I hate sin and impurity? would I rather be with Jesus in Heaven or would rather prolong my life here on Earth? Do I love Jesus and get lost in wonder of His love and goodness? Do I have a tender heart that responds compassionately automatically? Do I have a special love for God's people? do I believe in Jesus with all my heart and soul? Am I trusting Him alone for my salvation? Am I seeking His guidance for my life? Do I seek to glorify Him only?
The above are all evidences that you HAVE been born-again. I guess it is possible to do some of these without being born-again but impossible to do them all. The born-again person will be doing them as a matter of course because the Holy Spirit is working these things within them. You cannot achieve all these by self effort.
If these are not working in your life then you probably still need repent. It is not too late! You can do it now! Just cry out to God confessing your sins and turn your life over to Him now asking to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said "how much more will the Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask". But remember that although you may have a wonderful initial experience as you are filled, the Holy Spirit is NOT a feeling or a power but a Person. You will be empowered to serve God with boldness but you may not always have feelings and cannot rely on having feelings as a "sign" that He is within you, but there will be the above evidences.
Putting together Expected Imminents greek definitions especially of repentance meaning changing ones mind with John Chingfords stress on godly sorrow leading to repentance puts my attention on the word leads or leading. In this sense, the sorrow God gives to us about our own sins and failure toward Him, when honestly received by us, causes us to change our mind! Need in the heart leads and faith in the heart follows. I think this sums up my understanding fairly well.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first look at this site. I saw the link in a gotquestions blog where I was seeking guidance about how best to answer questions that others bring to me.
I will wander around in here more as time allows.
Hi Anonymous
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking out this site and for this contribution. What you have written sounds right and accurate as far as I can tell.
God bless
Just to reiterate. Throughout scriptures there is an indication that a change of mind must be first triggered off by a change of heart (producing a Godly sorrow) which in turn leads to repentance (or a change of mind) which then leads to a change in behaviour.
ReplyDeleteYou see all these things always going hand in hand (throughout the scriptures) whenever a person or a Nation turns to the Lord. We are instructed to "seek the Lord with All our HEART" (not our mind) and then He will be found by us. God wants us to open our hearts and minds to Him. Why? It is possible to love God mentally but our hearts be a long way from Him.
He said "this people worship me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me". That tells me that they are simply using their minds to praise God but not opening their hearts.
Regeneration
ReplyDeleteThe work of regeneration is effected by the grace of God: “By grace ye are saved.”* (Ephesians 2:8) When man complies with the requirements made of him by the Word of God, he will then through the act of faith, by the power and grace of God be born again or brought into spiritual life. He is a new creation. The guilt and condemnation of transgression is gone and he has peace with God. He is translated from the kingdom of darkness into that of God’s dear Son. He has passed from death unto life. He is a branch of the vine, and now lives a sinless life. Although he enjoys much and experiences such peace and glory he learns there is an especial promise of the Father yet in store for him (Luke 24:50). He comes as an obedient child and pleads with the Father for the promise, and God, being more willing to give His children the Holy Spirit than parents are to give good gifts unto their children, sends the Holy Spirit in His cleansing power into his soul and he receives the glorious experience of sanctification.
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteI would like to know what the difference is between a 'born again' Christian and a 'reformed Christian'?
I know that the Reformed Theology is based on Calvinism, but I thought it also has something to do with RJ Rushdoony and the Chalcedon Foundation, all of which confuses me to be honest! And what has all this to do with Dominionism, which to my knowledge is dodgy teaching?! Please help!
Hi Myfanwy
ReplyDeleteI am in the process of checking out reformed theology because I don't know anything about it. Maybe some of my other readers can help?
I have not liked much of Calvin's teachings. this is one here:
ReplyDeleteCalvin differed with the Anabaptists on the role of civil government. Calvin saw government as a necessary agent of God to which Christians had to submit and which they had to actively support. The Anabaptists taught that civil government was only for non-Christians and that those within the kingdom of God had to separate themselves from civil society. Calvin also maintained the tradition of infant baptism, a practice rejected by the Anabaptists in favor of believer’s baptism.
Calvin differed with the Anglicans/Episcopalians on many of the same points as he did with the Church of Rome. Anglicanism broke with the corrupt leadership of the Roman Church but retained many of its teachings.
This is from the reformer's website which I will send to John to look at.
Jesus made it clear making disciples of
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
I think you can have a dedication ceremony for children, but not baptism until they for sure know what they are doing.
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
ReplyDeleteJoh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Joh 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
Joh 3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
Joh 3:11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
Joh 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
Joh 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Joh 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Joh 3:22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
Joh 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
Joh 3:24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
Joh 3:25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
Joh 3:26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
Joh 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Joh 3:28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
Joh 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
Joh 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Joh 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
Joh 3:32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
Joh 3:33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
Joh 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
Joh 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
Joh 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
ReplyDeleteJoh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Jesus himself uttered these words, born again of the spirit of God, when convicted of sin, a person must repent, turn back to God and go HIS way. But it is a learning process, they must be discipled and taught as Jesus said to his disciples, the apostles.
I think the reformed church relies too much, way too much on the writings of men, and I rely squarely on the word of God
Hi
ReplyDeleteJust to let you all know that TODAY, I have made a lot of changes to this article because I now realise the article didn't correctly reflect what I now believe (based upon further biblical study).
I specifically wanted to defend false criticisms about me being a "Lordship Salvation" adherent. The article now BETTER reflects my position.
God bless
Just to inform all my readers that I have made further corrections, to my article, because I noticed some errors in it. The parts I changed TODAY are in blue.
ReplyDeleteHi Everyone,
ReplyDeleteI have been contributing (regarding this subject) within DTW. To see the entire discussion please go to:
http://www.discerningtheworld.com/2012/12/18/the-difference-between-assurance-of-salvation-once-saved-always-saved-and-calvinisms-perseverance-of-the-saints-once-chosen-always-chosen/#comment-230728
and especially (re repentance) start at around comment 86 ie:
http://www.discerningtheworld.com/2012/12/18/the-difference-between-assurance-of-salvation-once-saved-always-saved-and-calvinisms-perseverance-of-the-saints-once-chosen-always-chosen/#comment-231315
In that context, I needed to write something important (not yet published). This is vital regarding the subject of repentance and to expose some false teaching going around
This is my comment. Please let me know your thoughts:
"I once wrote to Jack (the ex preacherman) because on first glance the site looked okay.
The reason I wrote to him was because I was putting together my article on New Calvinism (in 2011) and found his site in the process. I was wanting to get all my facts straight about the whole subject, looking at the distinctions between biblical salvation compared with the false Calvinist version.
I wrote (just once) on that site asking sincere questions. The response I got was unbelievably ungracious.
I simply asked them a question to help me understand something. Jack immediately labelled me LS and called me a heretic. He said “your teaching is Lordship salvation which is heresy. We do not accept heretics like you on our site and WILL NOT publish your comments”
That comment (of a year ago) has now been removed.
This is the comment I wrote which was not published (please tell me what is so wrong with it, why he would label me a LS teacher and why I was treated so terrible – it was my very first comment):
Cont. Part 2
ReplyDelete....... This is what I wrote:
“Hi Everyone
I have read everything here and can see the points you are making. However, I notice that no-one mentioned the following passage of scripture.
“yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done.” 2 Cor 7:9-11
The key words were “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation”
When I consider the context of the passage, it IS in regard to believers (not the unsaved). However, scripture often adds a GENERAL piece of teaching (within the specific part) which can be generally applied to all people, such as “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation”.
If repentance means a change of mind, that text could say “Godly sorrow brings about a change of mind which leads to salvation”. Therefore, true repentance is not possible without first having “Godly sorrow” about sin. Granted it does not mention a “turning from sin” but it DOES require a Godly sorrow.
Therefore, true repentance is stimulated by GODLY sorrow for sin and a recognition that salvation can be found in no-one else except Jesus..
There surely must come a time in a sinners life when they realise they need salvation from their sin. They learn about the sacrifice Jesus made for their sin and then need to place their faith upon Jesus as the only one who can save them from their sin and bring them into the presence of God.
I believe that this whole process is led and directed by the Holy Spirit who “convicts the world regarding righteousness, sin and judgement”. The Holy Spirit leads a sinner to repentance (which includes a Godly sorrow for sin) and faith in Jesus.
I then ask you: how does a person become “born-again” or become born as a child of God?
Paul stated that we have become “a new creation in Christ Jesus, all things old have passed away, all things now become new” and “it is no longer I that live but Christ who lives in me”. How can that happen if all they have done is accepted Jesus mentally?
Surely we ALL need to receive Jesus into our hearts in order to be born-again? I am not talking about making Jesus Lord of our lives, but simply receiving Him into our hearts. Lordship comes later through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and is NOT dependant on our salvation. This is what I currently believe.
Please understand, I am not pushing my view. I am actually asking for your explanation. If I have got any of it wrong, I am very happy to be corrected – only I need to be persuaded by clear scriptural evidence.
Thanks and God bless”
Cont. Part 3
ReplyDeleteThose at EX Preacherman site are too obsessed with “straining a gnat” that they “swallow a camel”. They are so very nit picking watching out for every mention of the word repentance to quickly attack us as LS teachers.
On their site, I have just noticed them decimating Luke 13:3 by taking that verse WAY OUT OF context. This is what they do. Like all false teachers they arrive at their doctrine by taking verses out of their proper context and by so doing destroy the doctrine. See how John and Califgracer defend their “repentance” views from
http://expreacherman.com/2012/12/18/dave-hunts-berean-call-promoting-not-only-calvinism-but-now-the-terrible-lordship-salvation-of-ray-comfort/#comment-16153
Why don’t they read on and especially the parable verses 4-9?
The context related to God’s dealings with Israel (the Jews) it was before Jesus died for their sins and it was a final call to Israel to repent otherwise they would perish in their sins and no longer be the “light to the gentiles”. Later on Jesus said “you will not see me again until you say ‘blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord’ and ‘your house is now being left desolate’.
If those at that site would look at verses 2 and 4 they would see that Jesus is referring to repentance from sin. The context is clear “unless you change your minds and stop sinning, you too will perish”.
In the OT it is clear that repentance is understood differently. In 2 Chron 7:14 it says ” If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
After Jesus died for our sins by becoming the PERFECT sacrifice we entered into the dispensation of grace, but before then (as in Luke 3) salvation was still dependant on imperfect, incomplete, temporary sacrifices which required a “turning from sin”.
So it is clear from the context of Luke 13 and especially from verses 6-9 that Jesus was looking to Israel (for 3 years) for fruit i.e evidence of fruit that comes with a changed mind i.e repentant hearts leading to a turning from sin.
So, although I agree that under the new covenant of grace a “turning from sin” is no longer required BEFORE salvation and that all that is required is a “looking unto Jesus” for our salvation through faith, Luke 13 shows that the word “repent” clearly has different facets to its meaning and CAN possibly include a Godly sorrow for sins as explained in my comment (to that site) above."