10 Reasons Sin Confession Is Questionable!!!

[joaniemarie]

Yes! And great REST. And when I'm resting in Christ and who I am in Him, sin tends to be far from my mind and heart - freedom FROM sin, just as Romans 6 tells us. Amazing how that works!

View attachment 180969​

Amen., There IS a REST for the people of God.

 

[joaniemarie]

[SUP]
​Hebrews 4:10-


10 [/SUP]For he who has once entered [God’s] rest also has ceased from [the weariness and pain] of human labors, just as God rested from those labors [SUP][f][/SUP]peculiarly His own.
[SUP]
11 [/SUP]Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience [into which those in the wilderness fell].
[SUP]
12 [/SUP]For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the [SUP][g][/SUP]breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.
[SUP]
13 [/SUP]And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, naked and defenseless to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do.
[SUP]
14 [/SUP]Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him].
[SUP]
15 [/SUP]For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.
[SUP]
16 [/SUP]Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].

 

[joaniemarie]

How amazing is the Word of God that He preserved through all these many years! And the Holy Spirit to tie these many and varied beautiful truths together for us all so that we would come to know Him and the power of His resurrection .... He has for us each day. Thank You Jesus.

 

[JGIG]

I don’t know anything about Latin, and quite frankly I don’t care. I am not Catholic, never was Catholic, went to Baptist Sunday school as a child. We had a dual public school system, Protestant and Catholic. Catholics were Papists, idolaters, even if they were our next door neighbour, we had nothing to do with them! My attitude has softened, I know they are mostly lost, think they need to do works to be saved, and need Christ.

So now that we have dispersed with things that have nothing to do with the topic, let’s get back to this nonsense that hypergrace has redefined the real meaning of metanoia. Now Greek is a language I do know well. And what I know is that this nonsense of metanoia meaning "change of mind" was invented by people who don't know Greek at all. Like Joseph Prince, and Paul Ellis, and Bruce, who used to constantly peddle this false definition which I confronted him on numerous times, and he never had an answer.

The fact is, in Greek, like most languages, compound words do 1 of 3 things.

1. They mean the sum of the two words put together. For instance, inside, means on the "in" or "inner" part of something. Like inside a house. Housetop, simply means the top of a house.

This is the kind of word English speakers with little knowledge of grammar, let alone Greek try to make metanoia into.

2. A compound word can intensify the meanings of the two words. Rainstorm conveys a lot more about the kind of storm, and the kind of rain. Together, they create a broader picture than each word in isolation. But, it is still rain and storms!

3. A compound word can mean something totally different from the two words. Butterfly is a perfect example of this. Butterflies are neither made of butter, nor are they flies.

While the foundation of the word metanoia, can be seen as a change of mind, in the Bible, it means so much more!

It means "turning about, conversion." It means turning away from sin. And on the positive side, yes, it certainly means "Turning towards God."

Even Jesus himself said.

"I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32

So, in what way is repentance not connected to sinners?? And when he had risen, what did he say??

"Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem." Luke 24:45-47

Repentance and sin is almost always connected in the Bible.

"God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins." Acts 5:31

Repentance or metanoia μετάνοια is a noun, and it appears 22 times in the NT. There is also the verb metavoeo, μετανοέω, which is found in the Bible 34 times.

When Peter preaches to the crowds on the Day of Pentecost, did Peter say, "Repent and change your mind?" No, he did not!

"And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

All this comes from Bauer, or BDAG, the top Greek lexicon. (3d Edition, page 640)

But, do you know what is most interesting? Bauer lists all the works that say metanoia means "change of mind." In fact, those sources are various ancient Greek writers. Not one place in the Bible is metanoia used to mean "change of mind." It always has to do with "turning from sin."

Now, why do you think that is?

Very simple! Jesus was a Jew, and his disciples were Jews, and most of the NT writers were Jews. That means, they totally believed in the revelation of the OT. They understood the Fall in the Garden of Eden, and the sacrifice of animals to provide skins for Adam and Eve. They understood that a sacrifice and shedding of blood was necessary for sins. They understood the role of priests and Levites, and how Jesus fulfilled all those shadows.

The Jews knew that although Greek words had certain connotations, but they took those Greek words, and attached Hebrew or Jewish ways of thinking. NO Jew would ever think that the sacrifice for sin was "changing their minds." How ridiculous!

When they came to Christ, it was second nature for them to understand the purpose and work of a high priest was to offer a sacrifice for the sins of the people, and that Jesus was the new high priest.

"For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins" Hebrews 5:1

"So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”;

6 as he says also in another place,
“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5:5-6


Pleased Undergrace, no more copy and pastes about Latin, when it has NOTHING to do with Greek or Hebrew, nothing to do with the moving of God to save his people, from Genesis 3 to the book of Revelation.

"and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood."Revelation 1:5

This message that once we are justified we are perfect, we don't have to do anything more, is a lie of the devil. True, it is God that saves - totally! But, the Bible is clear, that we won't be perfect till we see Jesus face to face.

The thing I just don't get, why would you want to lie, and deny your sins? Why would you lie and pretend you have done nothing wrong, because you were saved a year ago, or 10 years ago, or 50 years ago!?

We need to confess our sins, not just occasionally, but when they happen. We need to seek God, and he will help us turn away from those sins, and that is yet another factor in growing in character in the Lord. It would be terrible if someone stayed in the same place as when they were saved! I'm so glad that I have the opportunity to pray to God, to let him know my sins, and in turn, to watch him transforming me and working in my life.

Finally, the Word of God is clear, that we do feel pain when we are led to repent. Do none of you read the Bible, except as mediated through some cult leader? We are hurt or sad, when we become aware of our sins. Very clear in this following passage that we come to repentance when we are made aware of our sins, and we grieve them, or we are made sad by them, or sorry!

"Now I rejoice, not because you were made sad, but because you were made sad to the point of repentance. For you were made sad as God intended, so that you were not harmed in any way by us." 2 Cor. 7:9 NET

TLB puts it perfectly:

"Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you but because the pain turned you to God." 2 Cor. 7:9a

As for not repenting from sin, let us look at the last part of the last letter Paul wrote, which was to the Corinthians, very late in his life, from Rome, where he was under guard.

"I am afraid that when I come again, my God may humiliate me before you, and I will grieve for many of those who previously sinned and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and licentiousness that they have practiced." 2 Cor. 12:21

My advice is that you read the Bible from cover to cover a few times, and learn what it is about. Hypergrace and Word Faith are both lies, and they have nothing to do with the truth the lies in the Bible. Stay away from the internet and false teachers, who would lead even the very elect astray and you will grow the way God intended!

My, my!

All those words you felt a need to write to tell us all what repent means instead of just posting the Greek definition for it and letting the reader decide.

So I'll do it.


Let's take every verse you quoted above except Acts 2:38 and 2 Cor. 12:21 and look at the Greek word for repentance:

Strong's G3341 - metanoia - μετάνοια

1. a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done​

Now for Acts 2:38 and 2 Cor. 12:21:

Strong's G3340 - metanoeō - μετανοέω

​

1. to change one's mind, i.e. to repent
2. to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins
   "Repentance (metanoia, 'change of mind') involves a turning with contrition from sin to God; the repentant sinner is in the proper condition to accept the divine forgiveness." (F. F. Bruce. The Acts of the Apostles[Greek Text Commentary], London: Tyndale, 1952, p. 97.)​

And Angela, I have a question for you. If one who is in Christ does not confess sins for forgiveness they commit, what happens to them? Please use Scripture for your answer, not a wall of your own text.


-JGIG

 

[Shamah]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]1 John 1:8-10, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us."

[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Psalm 32:5, “I acknowledged my sin to You, And my crookedness I did not hide. I have said, “I confess my transgressions to [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]יהוה[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif],” And You forgave the crookedness of my sin. Selah.”[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Hebrews 7:23, “And indeed, those that became priests were many, because they were prevented by death from continuing, but He, because He remains forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save completely those who draw near to Yah through Him, ever living to make intercession for them.”[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]

[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Messiah Yahshua, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

1 John/Yahanan 2:6, "He who says he abides in Him, is himself also obligated to walk as He walked."

1 John 3:24, “And the one guarding His commands stays in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He stays in us, by the Spirit which He gave us.”[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]
John/Yahanan 15:5-16, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, produces much fruit; but without Me, you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away like a branch, and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and letting My words; abide in you, you will ask what you will, and it will be done for you. In this is My Father glorified: when you produce much fruit; and in this way you become My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you; continue in My love. If you keep My Commands, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's Commands, and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be complete. This is My Command: Love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: that one would lay down his life on behalf of his brothers. You are My brothers, if you do whatever I command you."[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]
[/FONT]

 

[joaniemarie]

My, my!

All those words you felt a need to write to tell us all what repent means instead of just posting the Greek definition for it and letting the reader decide.

So I'll do it.


Let's take every verse you quoted above except Acts 2:38 and 2 Cor. 12:21 and look at the Greek word for repentance:

Strong's G3341 - metanoia - μετάνοια

1. a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done​

Now for Acts 2:38 and 2 Cor. 12:21:

Strong's G3340 - metanoeō - μετανοέω

​

1. to change one's mind, i.e. to repent
2. to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins
   "Repentance (metanoia, 'change of mind') involves a turning with contrition from sin to God; the repentant sinner is in the proper condition to accept the divine forgiveness." (F. F. Bruce. The Acts of the Apostles[Greek Text Commentary], London: Tyndale, 1952, p. 97.)​

And Angela, I have a question for you. If one who is in Christ does not confess sins for forgiveness they commit, what happens to them? Please use Scripture for your answer, not a wall of your own text.


-JGIG

I think it is so contrary to human thought about resting. Most of us thought it was being deligent and working and striving and "burning out for Jesus" bettering ourselves with all our good works and that was what pleased God. No., it's ENTERING INTO HIS REST.

When we rest IN Christ it is then that we are strong. When we are weak and weary and that is ALL THE TIME on our own... We must daily find rest and help in time of need.... THAT IS DAILY. How silly and religious we are in our Christianity making it a work of the flesh instead of a flowing of the spirit.

It reminds me of when Peter was walking on the water to Jesus. Peter was doing great and then the winds and waves came and he got his attention on the storms of life and he got scared and started sinking. Think about it... Peter was NOT walking on the calm water by his own power... Jesus was doing that. So how foolish of Peter (and us) to think when the storms of life come we are any less saved and sanctified!??

Do we think we can do anything apart from Jesus? But that is how our human mind thinks apart from the Holy Spirit. We need Him to daily lead and guide us into all truth. We can no more walk on the calm waters than we can walk on the turbulent waters.

 

[Shamah]

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Revelation 14:13, "And I heard a voice from heaven saying to me: Write: Blessed are the dead, the ones dying in the Messiah from now on! Yes, says the Spirit: because they will rest from their labors, and their works do follow them!"[/FONT]

 

[JGIG]

TOTAL FORGIVENESS
-----------------------------------------------------------​

1. The blood of Jesus has granted us the remission of our sins (Hebrews 10:18).

2. Communion involves consuming bread and wine, representations of Jesus' flesh and blood. The blood representing the remission of our sins/our forgiveness (Matthew 26:27). We remember Jesus and that which He attained on our behalf through His suffering (the forgiveness of sin, reconciliation to the Father).

3. All sin has been forgiven through Jesus because He is the sacrifice for sin, once and for all (Hebrews 10:10-14).

4. If Christ is not risen, you are dead in your sins. He is risen though, and so you are not dead in your sins (1 Corinthians 15:17).

5. Jesus was sent to reconcile us to God, if we still have sin on our account (held against us), we remain condemned. However, there is no condemnation in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:1). Therefore our sin has been forgiven and has experienced remission (back to point 1).

6. Jesus being the sufficient sacrifice that He is for all sin, there is no more offering for sin (Hebrews 10:18). Therefore, there is nothing more to do in order for sin to experience remission/forgiveness. Jesus did it.

7. We are justified by faith, not works. We do not earn salvation (saved by grace through faith), we believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, paying the penalty for our sins (death), and resurrected on the third day for our justification (Romans 5:1, Romans 3:28, Romans 4:5). So forgiveness then is a matter of faith in the Son of God.

8. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin(Hebrews 9:22). Remission occurs through blood shed, the method described in God's word. So what does that make of any method otherwise mentioned?

9. We may enter God's presence boldly, something we could not do if our sin was not forgiven. We would die! The blood of Jesus has made our sins of scarlet as white as snow and we do not have to have reservations going before Him (Hebrews 10:19-22).

10. Seeking forgiveness through anything other than faith in Christ is to trample underfoot the Son of God, considering His blood as common (not able to do that which God says it does; being the same as the blood of bulls and goats that are not able to take away sin) and attempts to find another offering, if you will (see point 6), when there remains no more sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 10:29). We are forgiven through Christ and Him crucified. This is the profession of our faith.

It is for these reasons that we have total forgiveness. We are redeemed and forgiven of all sin. This does not mean we stop repenting, but it does mean that we no longer seek forgiveness from God because the Father has forgiven us for Christ's sake. We may express gratitude, worship, and praise to the Lord for His mercy and grace. Thank Him for the Gospel, that we are reconciled to God, forgiven, and our sins paid in full by the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Messiah.

Ephesians 4:32 King James Version (KJV)

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.​

Oh I know there is another thread on this topic as well, but I wanted to start fresh with clear and concise points. Are you willing to consider these points, or is your mind made up? Do you disagree with them, and how so? Has this given you some food for thought?

Well done, Ben.

Thanks so much for giving clarity in this area. Praying that others are willing to take a fresh look at what the Scriptures plainly say on this issue!

-JGIG

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

While the foundation of the word metanoia, can be seen as a change of mind, in the Bible, it means so much more!

It means "turning about, conversion." It means turning away from sin. And on the positive side, yes, it certainly means "Turning towards God."

Changing one's mind is just the first part of repentance. Changing one's mind without a corresponding action is meaningless.

Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be blotted out, Acts 3:19​

 

[Johnny_B]

It is not that we do not acknowledge sin before God, it is that we do not do so for the obtainment of forgiveness. Look at the OP as to why. We have forgiveness from God the Father for Christ's sake. To seek forgiveness is to ignore what Jesus has accomplished on our behalf (and there is no other way around it).

Just because a person doesn't confess their sin in order to obtain forgiveness doesn't mean they are against repentance. Repentance is still a part of our walk of sanctification and walking in the will of God for our lives. Sin confession as a believer is not for the sake of forgiveness but transparency. God already sees all things, being omniscient, but it is because there is no condemnation that we may be open about such shortcomings, not being condemned, and may have confidence towards God. We desire righteousness, so it is no shame to have no closed doors before God, asking Him to cleanse (sanctify) us.

Repentance is part of our justification process and confession or the testimony of the forgiveness of the Lord is part of the sanctification process. The confession is also the witness that His Word is in us, thst His will brought us forth or caused us to be born again by the Word of truth.

James 1:18 “Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

Ephesians 1:13 “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,”

I Peter 1:22-23 “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;”

Notice that in I Peter it is done from a purified soul, which also reveals that confession and brotherly love is part of the testimony that we are born again.

 

[lightbearer]

And what I know is that this nonsense of metanoia meaning "change of mind" was invented by people who don't know Greek at all. Like Joseph Prince, and Paul Ellis, and Bruce, who used to constantly peddle this false definition which I confronted him on numerous times, and he never had an answer.

Oh boy....
Bauer doesn't know Greek?

He disagrees; from the BDAG
μετάνοια, ας, ἡ (μετανοέω) prim. ‘a change of mind’ (Thu. 3, 36, 4; Polyb. 4, 66, 7; Appian, Mithrid. 16 §57; pap [s. New Docs 4, 160; Spicq II 475, 17]; TestSol 12:3 C; JosAs, ApcSed; ApcMos 32; Jos., C. Ap. 1, 274, Ant. 16, 125; Just., Tat.), also w. the nuance of ‘remorse’....

Primarily a change of mind. But with the nuance of 'remorse'.

A noun is a state of being. In other words; The change of mind rather than the verb which is to change the mind.

Anyway....

While the foundation of the word metanoia, can be seen as a change of mind, in the Bible, it means so much more!

Not can be; is. But you are right in that you say, in the Bible, it means so much more!" Amen to that!

It means "turning about, conversion." It means turning away from sin. And on the positive side, yes, it certainly means "Turning towards God."

Even Jesus himself said.

"I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32!

Mainly the NT is comprised from Hebrews speaking Greek. So through the Spirit they chose a Greek word that best fit their Hebrew understanding of repentance.

Let's take a look at how the Hebrews around the time of Christ understood these words shall we. Since the LXX was commonly used then we will look at that. The Noun μετάνοια was only used once in the LXX.

The guileless believe every word; but the astute one comes to repentance. ( Prov. 14:5 ABP)

Here is what it looks like in the KJV. "The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going."

I assume that it was used to translate, "looketh well to his going". However this seems to be a bit of a stretch to me. What do you think?

The verb μετανοέω usage is less ambiguous. It is used 19 times in the Old Testament. Here are the two words it is translated from.


H5162 נָחַם nacham (naw-kham') v.
1. (properly) to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly
2. (by implication) to be sorry
3. (hence, in a favorable sense) to pity, console
4. (reflexively) to rue
5. (hence, unfavorably) to avenge (oneself)

H7725 שׁוּב shuwb (shoob) v.
1. to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point)
2. (generally) to retreat
3. (often adverbially) again

meta noeo H7725 * שׁוּב (šûḇ) shuv hi.

If I am not mistaken in Ancient Greek culture the mind was the center of one's being whereas in the Hebrew eye the gut (heart) was through GOD.

So if one is to repent it comes from GOD's working on the heart. In this we sigh from our inner most being. Our conscience being guided by HIM; that still small voice getting louder and louder. So in that, we retreat turning back to HIM having THE change of mind that can only come from HE THAT WORKS IN US BOTH TO WILL AND DO HIS GOOD PLEASURE.

 

[UnderGrace]

I have not written about Catholics, I have written about Church history prior to the Reformation and the etymology of words which is easily researched.

Etymolgy is essential in any language because as you know the meaning of words changes over time.

I look for the facts trying to be free from bias and one can know a language well and still miss the historical meaning of a word.

Historically speaking, Treadwell Walden, who was a pastor in California wrote a book titled "The Great Meaning of Metanoia" in 1830.

His research is scholarly, he looks at the etymology and the word in context with citations to support his writing.

I love this quote and because it really speaks to the whole meaning of metanoia.....


"The Christian faith is constructive and positive not destructive and remedial" (from the preface)

I would encourage all to read it, he makes excellent connections.


https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc2.ark:/13960/t0dv1fk2g;view=1up;seq=5

I don’t know anything about Latin, and quite frankly I don’t care. I am not Catholic, never was Catholic, went to Baptist Sunday school as a child. We had a dual public school system, Protestant and Catholic. Catholics were Papists, idolaters, even if they were our next door neighbour, we had nothing to do with them! My attitude has softened, I know they are mostly lost, think they need to do works to be saved, and need Christ.

So now that we have dispersed with things that have nothing to do with the topic, let’s get back to this nonsense that hypergrace has redefined the real meaning of metanoia. Now Greek is a language I do know well. And what I know is that this nonsense of metanoia meaning "change of mind" was invented by people who don't know Greek at all. Like Joseph Prince, and Paul Ellis, and Bruce, who used to constantly peddle this false definition which I confronted him on numerous times, and he never had an answer.

The fact is, in Greek, like most languages, compound words do 1 of 3 things.

1. They mean the sum of the two words put together. For instance, inside, means on the "in" or "inner" part of something. Like inside a house. Housetop, simply means the top of a house.

This is the kind of word English speakers with little knowledge of grammar, let alone Greek try to make metanoia into.

2. A compound word can intensify the meanings of the two words. Rainstorm conveys a lot more about the kind of storm, and the kind of rain. Together, they create a broader picture than each word in isolation. But, it is still rain and storms!

3. A compound word can mean something totally different from the two words. Butterfly is a perfect example of this. Butterflies are neither made of butter, nor are they flies.

While the foundation of the word metanoia, can be seen as a change of mind, in the Bible, it means so much more!

It means "turning about, conversion." It means turning away from sin. And on the positive side, yes, it certainly means "Turning towards God."

Even Jesus himself said.

"I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32

So, in what way is repentance not connected to sinners?? And when he had risen, what did he say??

"Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem." Luke 24:45-47

Repentance and sin is almost always connected in the Bible.

"God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins." Acts 5:31

Repentance or metanoia μετάνοια is a noun, and it appears 22 times in the NT. There is also the verb metavoeo, μετανοέω, which is found in the Bible 34 times.

When Peter preaches to the crowds on the Day of Pentecost, did Peter say, "Repent and change your mind?" No, he did not!

"And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

All this comes from Bauer, or BDAG, the top Greek lexicon. (3d Edition, page 640)

But, do you know what is most interesting? Bauer lists all the works that say metanoia means "change of mind." In fact, those sources are various ancient Greek writers. Not one place in the Bible is metanoia used to mean "change of mind." It always has to do with "turning from sin."

Now, why do you think that is?

Very simple! Jesus was a Jew, and his disciples were Jews, and most of the NT writers were Jews. That means, they totally believed in the revelation of the OT. They understood the Fall in the Garden of Eden, and the sacrifice of animals to provide skins for Adam and Eve. They understood that a sacrifice and shedding of blood was necessary for sins. They understood the role of priests and Levites, and how Jesus fulfilled all those shadows.

The Jews knew that although Greek words had certain connotations, but they took those Greek words, and attached Hebrew or Jewish ways of thinking. NO Jew would ever think that the sacrifice for sin was "changing their minds." How ridiculous!

When they came to Christ, it was second nature for them to understand the purpose and work of a high priest was to offer a sacrifice for the sins of the people, and that Jesus was the new high priest.

"For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins" Hebrews 5:1

"So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”;

6 as he says also in another place,
“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5:5-6


Pleased Undergrace, no more copy and pastes about Latin, when it has NOTHING to do with Greek or Hebrew, nothing to do with the moving of God to save his people, from Genesis 3 to the book of Revelation.

"and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood."Revelation 1:5

This message that once we are justified we are perfect, we don't have to do anything more, is a lie of the devil. True, it is God that saves - totally! But, the Bible is clear, that we won't be perfect till we see Jesus face to face.

The thing I just don't get, why would you want to lie, and deny your sins? Why would you lie and pretend you have done nothing wrong, because you were saved a year ago, or 10 years ago, or 50 years ago!?

We need to confess our sins, not just occasionally, but when they happen. We need to seek God, and he will help us turn away from those sins, and that is yet another factor in growing in character in the Lord. It would be terrible if someone stayed in the same place as when they were saved! I'm so glad that I have the opportunity to pray to God, to let him know my sins, and in turn, to watch him transforming me and working in my life.

Finally, the Word of God is clear, that we do feel pain when we are led to repent. Do none of you read the Bible, except as mediated through some cult leader? We are hurt or sad, when we become aware of our sins. Very clear in this following passage that we come to repentance when we are made aware of our sins, and we grieve them, or we are made sad by them, or sorry!

"Now I rejoice, not because you were made sad, but because you were made sad to the point of repentance. For you were made sad as God intended, so that you were not harmed in any way by us." 2 Cor. 7:9 NET

TLB puts it perfectly:

"Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you but because the pain turned you to God." 2 Cor. 7:9a

As for not repenting from sin, let us look at the last part of the last letter Paul wrote, which was to the Corinthians, very late in his life, from Rome, where he was under guard.

"I am afraid that when I come again, my God may humiliate me before you, and I will grieve for many of those who previously sinned and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and licentiousness that they have practiced." 2 Cor. 12:21

My advice is that you read the Bible from cover to cover a few times, and learn what it is about. Hypergrace and Word Faith are both lies, and they have nothing to do with the truth the lies in the Bible. Stay away from the internet and false teachers, who would lead even the very elect astray and you will grow the way God intended!

 

[LW97]

Sin confession is about fellowship, not salvation. if you read 1st John Chapter 1 in context, then you see it's about fellowship

 

[UnderGrace]

How freeing......there is NO daily battle to be a son!!

To quote some one else the Christian faith is positive and constructive not merely destructive and remedial

Amen Joanie!!

Amen., The way we win is when we agree with what God's word says about Jesus and what Jesus has done for us and in us.
There is no daily battle to BE a son, that FACT never changes because Jesus settled that by His blood., WE ARE THE SONS OF GOD.

What we have to do is know it by faith and live it by faith. Our situations in this life (as varied and numbered as they are)., NEVER changes who we have been MADE INTO and who we ARE IN CHRIST. But the truth of this SONSHIP given to us by Jesus changes how we live here on earth and how we walk in the Spirit and how we serve Jesus and how we can be used by Him. And how much JOY we will have here on earth.
The JOY of the Lord is our strength. AMEN!!

 

[Johnny_B]

It is not that we do not acknowledge sin before God, it is that we do not do so for the obtainment of forgiveness. Look at the OP as to why. We have forgiveness from God the Father for Christ's sake. To seek forgiveness is to ignore what Jesus has accomplished on our behalf (and there is no other way around it).

Just because a person doesn't confess their sin in order to obtain forgiveness doesn't mean they are against repentance. Repentance is still a part of our walk of sanctification and walking in the will of God for our lives. Sin confession as a believer is not for the sake of forgiveness but transparency. God already sees all things, being omniscient, but it is because there is no condemnation that we may be open about such shortcomings, not being condemned, and may have confidence towards God. We desire righteousness, so it is no shame to have no closed doors before God, asking Him to cleanse (sanctify) us.

Repentance, faith and believing are our part or the recieving of the propitiation. Romans 6:22b-25b “For there is no distinction: 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.”

The Greek word for confess in I John 1:9 is, "homologeō" here is what Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of The New Testament, BAGD Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, says about this word. It means "to assent, to agree with, accord, denotes, either (a) to confess, declare, admit, to say the same thing, profess, admit. I like the commentary from Vine's and The International Dictionary of New Testament Theology (IDNTT), Vine's I John 1:9 "to declare openly by way of speaking out freely, such confession being the effect of deep conviction of facts."

The IDNTT is the greatest explanation, quote "Derived from the legal usage, “homologeō” in I John 1:9 means the confessing and acknowledgement of sins. The one who makes the avowal faces a fact. He tries neither to hide nor deny it. When someone acknowledges and avows his fault thus honestly, he experiences God's faithfulness and righteousness in the forgiveness of sins. The tradition of penitential Psalms is continued in the passages about confession of sins where except in I John 1:9 “exomolegeō” is used. Confession is a sign of repentance (--> Conversion) and thus a mark of the new life of faith. This is seen particularly clearly in Mark 1:5 parallel, where as the Psalms, public confession of sins means also being set free from them. The same is true of Acts 19:18, where the converts confess their earlier magical practices, and of James 5:16, where James exhorts mutual confession of sins, especially where illness is involved." end quote.

Mark 1:4-5 “John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.”

Notice John is preaching repentance and the people are confessing their sins, which is a sign of the coversion to the life of the faith.

Acts 19:18 “Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices.” These that are confessing and divulging their practices, are believers already they are not confessing to become a believer.

James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” This confession of sins is for suffering and sickness, which sounds like what Paul spoke of in I Corinthians 11:27-32,

“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.”

Where does it say that future sins were forgiven?

Christ died once, for all sins, so when we repent all of our sins are forgiven past, present and future. Jesus does not forgive us of our sin only to the point of repentance, then we are guilty of those that are coming and we would have to ask for forgiveness for the rest of our lives. That would be works salvation, not through faith.

Romans 6:10 “For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.”

Romans 4:5-8 “And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

7“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,and whose sins are covered; 8blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

 

[UnderGrace]

Amen JGIG,

It seems the question was to back me into some "double minded corner"

Silly really

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (from 2 Cor. 5)

​

According to Scripture, yep.

-JGIG

 

[jameen]

I am a Catholic and confessing your sins to the priest is Biblical because Jesus gave the apostles the power to forgive sins and our priests up to the Pope are the successors of the apostles who were given by Jesus the power to forgive sins.

 

[UnderGrace]

Originally Posted by HeRoseFromTheDead
I don't think most people who participate in these discussions believe that repentance means contrition and sorrow.

1) The two are not the same thing. One is GOD, the other is an idea in your mind. Can't focus on both without having a double mind.

2) So you do think that you have been perfected in righteousness.

My identity in Christ is an idea in my mind, okay.

I really wonder whose teachings you follow?

I never said they were the same thing.

Well now I know, I understand perfectly your point of reference/teachings.

If you think our new identity in Christ is "in our mind" and it seems like you are saying this in a perjorative sense then again you have missed the Good News completely.

As well, to be double minded is when two ideas are in conflict, the righteousness of Christ is not in conflict with my identity in Christ. To juxtapose one against the other and say they are in conflict really makes no sense.

Here is some of the verses that tell me about my new identity in Christ

I am washed, justified, and sanctified through Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:11
I am a temple of God. 1 Corinthians 6:19
I am part of Christ’s body. I Corinthians 12:27
I am the fragrance of Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:15
I am a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17
I am righteous in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21

 

[ljs]

I am a Catholic and confessing your sins to the priest is Biblical because Jesus gave the apostles the power to forgive sins and our priests up to the Pope are the successors of the apostles who were given by Jesus the power to forgive sins.

1st Timothy 2:5

" For there is one God , and one Mediator between God and men , the man Christ Jesus

 

[7seasrekeyed]

My, my!

All those words you felt a need to write to tell us all what repent means instead of just posting the Greek definition for it and letting the reader decide.

So I'll do it.


Let's take every verse you quoted above except Acts 2:38 and 2 Cor. 12:21 and look at the Greek word for repentance:

Strong's G3341 - metanoia - μετάνοια

1. a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done​

Now for Acts 2:38 and 2 Cor. 12:21:

Strong's G3340 - metanoeō - μετανοέω

​

1. to change one's mind, i.e. to repent
2. to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins
   "Repentance (metanoia, 'change of mind') involves a turning with contrition from sin to God; the repentant sinner is in the proper condition to accept the divine forgiveness." (F. F. Bruce. The Acts of the Apostles[Greek Text Commentary], London: Tyndale, 1952, p. 97.)​

And Angela, I have a question for you. If one who is in Christ does not confess sins for forgiveness they commit, what happens to them? Please use Scripture for your answer, not a wall of your own text.


-JGIG

well, let the reader decide?

haha...that would be rare

you certainly do not so while I have enjoyed your posts and you certainly write very well, you can hardly tell someone to do what you do not do yourself

this thread is simply two sides taking aim at each other

and the story line never changes