Is Repentance a Condition for Salvation?
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It is if you are doing evil. Repent means to turn from something simply. In this case turning from the kingdom of the Devil to the kingdom of God since in the end of course Jesus kills the kingdom of the Devil by the edge of the ultimate Sword and saves the people of the kingdom of God at the day of the resurrection.
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The question you ask is a biblical principle, but it is limited to God's power.
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
For me, there are 70 or 8 billion people in the world, and I can't bring the gospel to everyone at all, so what can I do? Pray and believe that all people can know the truth and live forever, which is to be love others as yourself.
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
For me, there are 70 or 8 billion people in the world, and I can't bring the gospel to everyone at all, so what can I do? Pray and believe that all people can know the truth and live forever, which is to be love others as yourself.
Yes, because Jesus said...
...I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13: 5)
Just a sample in the book of Acts...
Acts 2:
37When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what should we do? ”
38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each 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 20
20And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 3:19
19Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
5:31
31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
8:22
21Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
11:18
18When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
13:24
23Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: 24When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
17:30
30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
26:20
20But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
That is not all in the book of Acts. I would have to spend a very long time posting them all, just in Acts alone. Then there are many various forms of the word the other books of the New Testament.
There is a good discussion about this from Dr. Wayne Grudem in his response to Free Grace Theology in his book "Free Grace" Theology: 5 Ways It Diminishes the Gospel"
...I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13: 5)
Just a sample in the book of Acts...
Acts 2:
37When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what should we do? ”
38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each 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 20
20And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 3:19
19Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
5:31
31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
8:22
21Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
11:18
18When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
13:24
23Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: 24When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
17:30
30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
26:20
20But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
That is not all in the book of Acts. I would have to spend a very long time posting them all, just in Acts alone. Then there are many various forms of the word the other books of the New Testament.
There is a good discussion about this from Dr. Wayne Grudem in his response to Free Grace Theology in his book "Free Grace" Theology: 5 Ways It Diminishes the Gospel"
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God only save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15:
"The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost."
Luke 5:32
"I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Repentance is literally a change of mind. What we once considered acceptable we realise in not acceptable to God. Very few people consider themselves bad. That is why the Holy Spirit has to convict people that they are sinners. (John 16:8). This requires the true gospel to be preached. "Come to Jesus, He has a wonderful plan for your life" is not the gospel." Neither is inviting Jesus into your heart the way to be born again. A change of mind (repentance) precedes a change of heart, which is something God does.
The one convicted of being a sinner realises that he has offended the almighty God. The self righteous person thinks he has God's approval so he has no need to repent.
Luke 18:
9To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable: 10“Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’
13But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ 14I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
"The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost."
Luke 5:32
"I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Repentance is literally a change of mind. What we once considered acceptable we realise in not acceptable to God. Very few people consider themselves bad. That is why the Holy Spirit has to convict people that they are sinners. (John 16:8). This requires the true gospel to be preached. "Come to Jesus, He has a wonderful plan for your life" is not the gospel." Neither is inviting Jesus into your heart the way to be born again. A change of mind (repentance) precedes a change of heart, which is something God does.
The one convicted of being a sinner realises that he has offended the almighty God. The self righteous person thinks he has God's approval so he has no need to repent.
Luke 18:
9To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable: 10“Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’
13But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ 14I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
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Okay, so if someone we were witnessing to asks what repentance means, what would you say? I have a funny feeling you are going to respond, "It means to turn away from your sins."
Okay, so going a step further, what does "turning from your sins" look like? What sort of attitude are we to take? Are there any actions to take? What sort of mindset are we to have.
Okay, so going a step further, what does "turning from your sins" look like? What sort of attitude are we to take? Are there any actions to take? What sort of mindset are we to have.
No, actually I do. My motivation for asking these questions is to help prepare me to witness to more people. Truth is, I am scared to death of it, and would like to draw insight from real people on this site. The canned presentations from the myriad of books and websites fall flat.
I am assuming that regular posters who are mature followers witness to people regularly. I need their instruction. If I have offended you, I am sorry.
I am assuming that regular posters who are mature followers witness to people regularly. I need their instruction. If I have offended you, I am sorry.
My motivation for asking these questions is to help prepare me to witness to more people. Truth is, I am scared to death of it, and would like to draw insight from real people on this site. The canned presentations from the myriad of books and websites fall flat.
I am assuming that regular posters who are mature followers witness to people regularly. I need their instruction. If I have offended you, I am sorry.
I am assuming that regular posters who are mature followers witness to people regularly. I need their instruction. If I have offended you, I am sorry.
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