Is repentance of sin necessary for salvation?

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know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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#21
So you never sin?

You never sin in any way?

You never sin in word, deed, or thought?

You are sinlessly perfect in every way?

???

.
Don't you believe what is written in the word of God?
The bible says, you WERE a sinner b4 you came to Christ, but after Christ came into your heart through the word of God, you ARE, present tense, the righteousness of God. And your righteousness is not your own, but Christ in you.
It doesn't have anything to do with me ever having sinned in my life, but who is in me, because as it is written, AS CHRIST IS IN ME, SO AM I IN THIS WORLD.
Are you going to call Christ a sinner?
Then how can you call me or perhaps yourself as sinner?
You CANNOT be both the righteousness of God and a sinner simultaneously.
A sinner is about the same as a son of belial, it is the reciprocal of someone who is just.

SIN'NER, n.

1. One that has voluntarily violated the divine law; a moral agent who has voluntarily disobeyed any divine precept, or neglected any known duty.

2. It is used in contradistinction to saint, to denote an unregenerate person; one who has not received the pardon of his sins.

3. AN offender; a criminal.

As for sinning, God only imputes sin when someone knowingly does wrong or violates their conscience, NOT when they don't know.
If your conscience is clear when you do something, then you are good with God.
But if you do something you think is wrong, EVEN IF IT IS NOT, like eating meat or pork, then God will impute that act as sin.
Why do you think Paul was alive once AND THEN DIED AFTER he received knowledge of the law.
Why do you think children, though they are not born again and do wrong, still go to heaven when they die at an early age.
God does not hold them accountable UNTIL they are grown.
So if I am obedient to what I believe I am led to do and do not violate my conscience, then no, I don't sin, and I certainly am not a sinner.
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,324
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#22
Don't you believe what is written in the word of God?
The bible says, you WERE a sinner b4 you came to Christ, but after Christ came into your heart through the word of God, you ARE, present tense, the righteousness of God. And your righteousness is not your own, but Christ in you.
It doesn't have anything to do with me ever having sinned in my life, but who is in me, because as it is written, AS CHRIST IS IN ME, SO AM I IN THIS WORLD.
Are you going to call Christ a sinner?
Then how can you call me or perhaps yourself as sinner?
You CANNOT be both the righteousness of God and a sinner simultaneously.
A sinner is about the same as a son of belial, it is the reciprocal of someone who is just.

SIN'NER, n.

1. One that has voluntarily violated the divine law; a moral agent who has voluntarily disobeyed any divine precept, or neglected any known duty.

2. It is used in contradistinction to saint, to denote an unregenerate person; one who has not received the pardon of his sins.

3. AN offender; a criminal.

As for sinning, God only imputes sin when someone knowingly does wrong or violates their conscience, NOT when they don't know.
If your conscience is clear when you do something, then you are good with God.
But if you do something you think is wrong, EVEN IF IT IS NOT, like eating meat or pork, then God will impute that act as sin.
Why do you think Paul was alive once AND THEN DIED AFTER he received knowledge of the law.
Why do you think children, though they are not born again and do wrong, still go to heaven when they die at an early age.
God does not hold them accountable UNTIL they are grown.

But you never answered my questions.

Here they are again.


1. So you never sin?

2. You never sin in any way?

3. You never sin in word, deed, or thought?

4. You are sinlessly perfect in every way?


Please answer my questions.
.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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#23
The whole of Gods revelation is about repentance from sin, turning from evil and doing good.
No part of scripture does not mention this, and its aim is to show how and why people need to
do this.

Jonah is referred by Jesus as His sign to the jews, the need to repent, to turn from evil and do good or be
judged. There is no greater example of what repentance is and the meaning of the cross as the atoning sacrifice
that brings eternal forgiveness for our confessed and repented of sins.

20 I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.
Acts 26
Under the law, the Jews were to turn from their evil way that they might be drawn toward God, but that didn't save them in the respect that they experience the new birth.
Come to think of it, I never repented of my sins when I was born again.
It wasn't until after I received Christ that the things I was doing started bothering me, and then I would repent.
Without the Spirit of God in you, you cannot know everything God wants you to change and neither could you fix without His help.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
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#24
I believe repentance is not necessary for salvation but what side of the subject do the scriptures support?
You are not only contradicting Scripture, but manufacturing your own theology. Obviously quoting an relevant Scriptures won't matter.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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#25
Yes, repentance is required for salvation. Repentance and faith (Acts 20:21)

Repentance and faith is the result of the work of the Holy Spirit drawing as the Word of the Gospel is heard.
Act 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

(BBE) Preaching to Jews and to Greeks the need for a turning of the heart to God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

(CTBible) attesting both to Jews and Greeks the turning of the mind to God, and the belief in our Lord Jesus Christ.

(ERV) I told everyone--Jewish and non-Jewish people--to change and turn to God. I told them all to believe in our Lord Jesus.

(GW) I warned Jews and Greeks to change the way they think and act and to believe in our Lord Jesus.

The scripture is not talking about repenting of general sins, but more of walking apart from God.
Paul is telling them to change their ways and move toward Him, but they still are not born again until they receive Christ by faith.
It is obvious one must come to God, but if they fail to act on the knowledge of Christ's work on the cross for them, they will remain at the door only, and will not be able to enter the sheepfold.
Salvation is by grace THROUGH FAITH, NOT through repentance of one's sins and faith.
The sinner is forgiven of their sins through faith in Christ, NOT because they repented of their sins.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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#26
yes it is

how do you get saved? believe in Jesus

what is unbelief? sin

you must turn from that sin to be saved.
In that sense, that is true.
Repenting from doubt to believing the gospel.

Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye [from your doubting], and believe the gospel.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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#27
Repentance means "change of mind". [True]

We need to change our minds that we can work for our salvation to acknowledging that Christ Jesus has already completed all the work required. [For our justification]

We need to confess that he is the Lord and believe that he has risen from the dead for our justification (Romans 10:9)
Confess, as in acting on what we believe in our hearts, for faith without a corresponding work, is dead.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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#28
Thank you for your kind words.
I just said what I believe to be true.
I hope you don't mind but I saved and filed your post for future reference, along with some of the things I dug up in scripture.
 

Sipsey

Well-known member
Sep 27, 2018
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#29
I don’t think anyone is even capable of repentance until the Holy Spirit begins His work within an individuals heart.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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#30
Repentance

Paul is quite simple about repentance
"I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds." Act 26:20

For those who want to know what repent means look into the history of Israel, the old testament
and Hebrew

Four Steps of Repentance Teshuvah:

1 Forsake the sin (Prov. 28:13). "Sincere repentance is demonstrated when the same temptation to sin, under the same conditions, is resolutely resisted" (Talmud Yoma 86b). Note that according to traditional Jewish views, the atonement is of no avail without repentance (Midrash Sifra). [shuv/strepho]

2 Regret the breach in your relationship with God and others (Psalm 51). [nacham/metanoia]

3 Confess the truth and make amends with those we have harmed (Prov. 28:13; 1 John 1:9; James 5:16, Matt. 5:23-4). Note that we must ask for mechilah (forgiveness from others) before receiving selichah (forgiveness from God). [shuv/strepho]

4 Accept your forgiveness and move forward with the LORD through faith (Phil. 3:13-14; 1 John 1:9). Be comforted by the Presence of the LORD in your life: Nachumu: "Comfort ye my people" (Isa. 40:1). [nacham/metanoia].

Finally, it needs to be said that authentic repentance is a lifestyle, not a "one time deal." We never get past it. Although there is certainly spiritual progress as we walk in grace, all genuine progress comes through ongoing teshuvah. We may repent from a certain action at a given point in time, but that does not mean that no longer need to do teshuvah. Teshuvah is perpetual and timeless, since it corresponds to our spiritual rather than our temporal lives (i.e., chayei olam rather than chayei sha'ah). Indeed, a true penitent is called baal teshuvah , a "master of returning," who is always turning away from self and toward God. We never get beyond the call to "repent and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:15). That is why the season of teshuvah is always timely. The message of Elul and the High Holidays is meant to be carried over throughout the rest of the year.

http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Holidays/Fall_Holidays/Elul/Teshuvah/teshuvah.html

Many heretical teachers call repentance nothing to do with sin or turning to God and walking

in His ways, but they are simply wrong and founding their whole theology on a miss understanding

of the greek word metanoia

In the case of metanoia μετάνοια Bauer, BAGD says the following:

"repentance, turning about, conversion" as a turning away, (from sin). Also the positive aspects of repentance as turning towards God.

"For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death." 2 Cor. 7:10

It is not just changing your approach in your mind.
Jesus tells it like this

"I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:22

Who is Jesus calling to come to repentance?
Sinners! Because sinners are the ones who are called!
Paul is clear that repentance involved grief.

"As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us." 2 Cor. 7:9

And who is this repentance towards? Paul is clear that repentance has to do with God!

20 "how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,
21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 20:20-21
I enjoyed your post too.
I found it to be informative.
Thank you for sharing your insightful knowledge of scripture.
 

RickyZ

Senior Member
Sep 20, 2012
9,635
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#31
Perhaps most believe and have argued that repentance of ones' sins is required for salvation, and at least myself, say otherwise.
I don't know if anyone else believes as I do.
I suppose the issue of repentance revolves around the subject of God's forgiveness for the sinner.
I believe repentance is not necessary for salvation but what side of the subject do the scriptures support?
Repentance is not the key to salvation, but it will show if your salvation is true.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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#32
yeah. I'm thinking you totally didn't get what I said.

Your question asked about repentance toward sin BEFORE regeneration. If we could turn from sin BEFORE becoming born again then Jesus did not have to die.

God cannot and will not save those that THINK THEIR righteousness will save them.
Did I ever.
I apologize sir, I see it now.
I was fixated on the words "we are sinners", and carried that thought through to the rest of your post.
Forgive me for the error, and thank you for the correction.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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#33
The Greek word for "repent" is "metanoia" (noun) and "matanoeo" (verb) you see as defined in the Strongs #3340, 3341: to think differently or afterwards, reconsider. After thought, change of mind. Repentance basically means a "change of mind" and the context must determine what is involved in this change of mind. Where salvation is in view, repentance actually precedes saving faith in Christ and is not a totally separate act from faith. It is actually the same coin with two sides. Repentance is on one side (what you change your mind about) and faith in Christ is on the positive side, the new direction of this change of mind. *Repentance and faith are two sides of the same experience of receiving Christ (Acts 20:21).

Certain people misunderstand the term "repentance" to mean completely stop sinning. That is not the Biblical definition of repentance. In the Bible, the word "repent" means to "change your mind." The Bible also tells us that true repentance will result in a change of actions. Acts 26:20 declares, "I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds." This is the fruit of repentance (Matthew 3:8), not the essence of repentance (change of mind). I have heard certain people say, "if you want to be saved, repent of your sins, turn from your sins." If turning from your sins means to stop sinning, then people can only be saved if they stop sinning. And it is unlikely that anyone would be saved in that case, since we don't know anyone who has ever completely stopped sinning.
Believe it or not, I was able to agree with most of your post while finding it informative.
I believe the whole purpose for a sinner to repent of their ways is because it make it difficult, if not impossible, for God to draw them to Christ.
Once they come to Christ, they still need to ACT on the word of God/gospel, in faith, believing what is written of Christ and what He did for them personally.
An impenitent heart is a hard heart, making it difficult for the seed of the word to take root.
Like the heart of the seed that fell by the way side and the fowls of the are came and devoured it up.
Also like the prodigal son before he came to himself.
And as the people whose hearts were waxed gross.

Mat 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

I think the fear of God, troubles or problem, affliction, and/or the fear of what could happen to them, helps a person come to the point to see the light and desire a higher power to intervene in their life.

Eze 18:30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
Eze 18:31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Psa 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

If God is nigh to them who are humble, broken, and/or contrite, then He must be the opposite towards them who refuse to repent or turn from their way, to God.
That is just to get them to the alter, so to speak, receiving Christ in their heart by faith, would be the next and final step to obtain salvation .
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
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#34
If you mean does one have to be sinless before they are saved the answer is no.

If you mean does a person at least have to try to forsake their sin before they are saved I think the answer is yes.

Otherwise, what are they being saved from?

If a person could completely repent of their sin there would be no need of a Saviour.
No, I'm asking if repenting from one's sins is necessary to receive Christ in their heart.
One would have to come to Christ to receive salvation, but if a person doesn't repent of their sins, will they receive forgiveness of said sins when they ask Christ in their heart?
Do they have to repent of their sins for forgiveness, or is faith in the blood of Christ enough to do the job?
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
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#35
This is truly a silly thing to argue about.
I have been seeing a lot of threads like this starting up lately. Pollution and distraction just for the sake of polluting and distracting? Humor is one thing, This stuff borders on blasphemy.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
3,071
166
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#36
But you never answered my questions.

Here they are again.


1. So you never sin?

2. You never sin in any way?

3. You never sin in word, deed, or thought?

4. You are sinlessly perfect in every way?


Please answer my questions.
.
But I did answer all your questions.
I said, I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
I am therefore NOT, I repeat, NOT a sinner.
I WAS a sinner, BEFORE I came to Christ. But now I am righteous and just.
WHEN I do sin, I repent of said sin or sins, that I may be forgiven AGAIN, and cleansed of all unrighteousness by the blood of Jesus. As it is written.
I do this to remove any curse of the law of sin from taking hold of my life or that of my family's.
At that moment, I am then once again, in fellowship with Christ, and can pray in faith.
If you think I was saying that I have no sin, then you thought wrong.
John clearly said,

1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

I am according to what is written.
 

know1

Senior Member
Aug 27, 2012
3,071
166
63
#37
I have been seeing a lot of threads like this starting up lately. Pollution and distraction just for the sake of polluting and distracting? Humor is one thing, This stuff borders on blasphemy.
Without scripture to backup your statement, your words hold no weight.
It's one thing to accuse and condemn without evident, than it is with.
So there is no pollution or blasphemy UNTIL PROVEN otherwise.
You need to use scripture.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,696
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#38
Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
 
Feb 28, 2016
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#39
true 'repentance' is 'turning from every evil-way and every-evil thing that we have ever done - (life-long-journey)
PS. 34:18.
The LORD is near unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit.

1JOHN 1:9.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2:1.
My little children, these things write I unto you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an
Advocate with The Father, Jesus Christ The Righteous:

HEB. 7:25.
Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing (He ever lives
to make intercession for them).
If we confess our sins', our Saviour pleads with The Father for our sins and our Father forgives them.

ROMANS 5:10.
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son,
much more, being reconciled, we shall be (saved by His life).
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,324
2,413
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#40
But I did answer all your questions.
I said, I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
I am therefore NOT, I repeat, NOT a sinner.
I WAS a sinner, BEFORE I came to Christ. But now I am righteous and just.
WHEN I do sin, I repent of said sin or sins, that I may be forgiven AGAIN, and cleansed of all unrighteousness by the blood of Jesus. As it is written.
I do this to remove any curse of the law of sin from taking hold of my life or that of my family's.
At that moment, I am then once again, in fellowship with Christ, and can pray in faith.
If you think I was saying that I have no sin, then you thought wrong.
John clearly said,

1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

I am according to what is written.

So you admit that you sin, is that correct?

You do commit sin?

..