Q.
Follow up to the question about how salvation is articulated and do we associate with those of differing views (see Q&A #24 Another Gospel). You did a very good job explaining the real issue: faith in Christ not ourselves. I really appreciated your explanation, however, could you deal with the proper role repentance plays? Thank you.
Jeff
A.
Hello Jeff,
Thank you for your follow-up question!
As I mentioned in Q&A #24 Another Gospel, repentance is the flip-side of faith. The Scripture reveals this, for example, in Acts 19:4, “Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” Here the word repentance equates to the phrase believe on…Christ Jesus. Repentance and faith have different emphases, but are the same in essence. Repentance, often in the aorist tense, focuses more on the moment of transfer of dependence to Jesus, whereas faith, often in the present tense, focuses more on the dependence now on Jesus.
The natural man does not understand spiritual truth on his own (1 Cor. 2:14). So the Spirit convinces the world of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). This is to bring people to see (be convinced) that sin is the problem, hell is the consequence, and Christ alone is the answer—so that they repent—change their thinking by depending on Christ as their Savior. Whether they are pagan idolaters who depend on idols, or self-righteous moralists who depend on themselves, or simply irreligious who don’t care, the Holy Spirit convicts as He convinces people they must depend on Jesus to save them from sin and hell. This is repentance, yet this is faith. Both focus on Christ as the object of salvation.
This is the Gospel! These are the waters that should not be muddied through confusing articulations of Gospel presentation.
John
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Repentance is to be preached and faith is to be preached. When you are truly repented, it is because you have faith in Christ, and when you turn from sin to Christ it is because you are truly repented. Repentance is not just turning from unbelief to belief as I have heard before. My heart is heavy with friends that make empty professions, saying a quick prayer, not interested in coming to church, getting baptized and learning the word of God. Are they saved? Not to doubt him? Profession or prossession? It’s not so much the word repentance to get… Read more »
I do appreciate your heart. The key is to truly deal with sin as the problem, hell as the consequence, and then lift up Jesus only as the answer.