Question regarding repentance and salvation

[Jack Matthews]

I was recently involved in a group discussion in which one of the members of the group noted that when salvation is mentioned in the New Testament, it is only connected with repentance when the audience hearing the message is Jewish, and that other places where it is mentioned in a gentile context, repentance is not mentioned, such as the Philippian jailer who asked Paul "What must I do to be saved?" and his response was not "Repent and believe," but simply "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, and your household."

I've always been taught that the New Testament must be taken wholistically, and that the rest of scripture should be interpreted in light of Christ's statement in Matt. 5:17, but it seems that this is a deliberate separation. Has anyone else heard this, or stumbled across it? Does the fact that repentance only being mentioned in a Jewish context mean that there is a reference there to the fact that, as a nation, in spite of their being chosen as the people through whom the savior would come, they must repent because they were also the ones who caused his crucifixion?

 

[canadyjd]

I was recently involved in a group discussion in which one of the members of the group noted that when salvation is mentioned in the New Testament, it is only connected with repentance when the audience hearing the message is Jewish, and that other places where it is mentioned in a gentile context, repentance is not mentioned, such as the Philippian jailer who asked Paul "What must I do to be saved?" and his response was not "Repent and believe," but simply "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, and your household."......

The person who thinks repentance is only mentioned in the New Testament when speaking of Jews is wrong.

The Apostle Paul's sermon in Athens was to Gentiles.

Acts 17:30 "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent."

You may disregard that teaching as unbiblical.

peace to youraying:

 

[fbcodr]

The person who thinks repentance is only mentioned in the New Testament when speaking of Jews is wrong.

The Apostle Paul's sermon in Athens was to Gentiles.

Acts 17:30 "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent."

You may disregard that teaching as unbiblical.

peace to youraying:

AMEN, Repentance and faith are two sides to the same coin for salvation.:applause::thumbsup:

 

[Roman]

Repent unto salvation is a false doctrine

There are 213 more verses that prove salvation is by believing.
In the Gospel of John ( the most reconized Gospel on how one is saved) "Believe" is mentioned 90 times:"Repent is mentioned....NONE....the same amount of verses the false teachers of "repent unto salvation" have to prove one must "REPENT" to be saved.

The Bible clearly teaches that there are but three reasons one would "repent" in the salvation process....
1.unbelief 2.false gods and 3.good works or the works of the Law:Still,to repent from any of these things one must "Believe" first
(You cannot "Repent" or "confess" unless you first "Believe")

Show me in what verse did the Jailer,the Enuch or the thief "repent" to be saved.....and while your at it explain why "repent" is not mentioned even once in the Gospel of John.

 

[canadyjd]

There are 213 more verses that prove salvation is by believing.....Show me in what verse did the Jailer,the Enuch or the thief "repent" to be saved.....and while your at it explain why "repent" is not mentioned even once in the Gospel of John.

The OP was asking whether repentance was ever mentioned to the Gentiles or only to the Jews.

Acts 17:30 "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent."

All men everywhere should repent. That means everybody, every single person on the planet.

He isn't asking about whether "repentance" comes before or after "belief".

peace to youraying:

 

[David Michael Harris]

AMEN, Repentance and faith are two sides to the same coin for salvation.:applause::thumbsup:

I would say believing and repenting are wrapped up together, and all because of the drawing of God to Christ. Faith is the gift that God gives us as well as eternal life.

Salvation is by Grace and Grace alone. I would say that mans response is needed to the grace of being drawn to God through Christ.

That's were I am at in my thoughts.

 

[Allan]

The OP was asking whether repentance was ever mentioned to the Gentiles or only to the Jews.

Acts 17:30 "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent."

All men everywhere should repent. That means everybody, every single person on the planet.

He isn't asking about whether "repentance" comes before or after "belief".

peace to youraying:

Very true JD. You can not have belief without repentance, else what is the person believing in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection for?

Jesus tells us in Luk that unless you repent you shall all likewise perish and also in John that God so love the world..whosoever believes shall not perish..

In both instances we see both the lack of repenting and the lack of believing having the same effect... perishing. And you also have in both instances that to do them results in not perishing (eternal life).

If a person believes in Christ for their salvation, then it must also be true they understand what Christ did for their sins/sinfulness. As such, it necessarily follows that if one believes this then one must have also been convicted of their sins and life styles for which Christ died, and from this conviction that brouth forth faith also manifestes itself at the same time in repentance or a repentant heart.

 

[Tom Butler]

Very true JD. You can not have belief without repentance, else what is the person believing in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection for?

Jesus tells us in Luk that unless you repent you shall all likewise perish and also in John that God so love the world..whosoever believes shall not perish..

In both instances we see both the lack of repenting and the lack of believing having the same effect... perishing. And you also have in both instances that to do them results in not perishing (eternal life).

If a person believes in Christ for their salvation, then it must also be true they understand what Christ did for their sins/sinfulness. As such, it necessarily follows that if one believes this then one must have also been convicted of their sins and life styles for which Christ died, and from this conviction that brouth forth faith also manifestes itself at the same time in repentance or a repentant heart.

Right on the money, Allan. And so are the others of you who have expressed similar views.

There is a view floating around out there that all one has to do is trust Christ for salvation, yet not have to turn from sin at the same time.

What should we think about a professed conversion that does not produce a desire for holy living and obedience to the Savior?

 

[Johnv]

Salvation and repentence are tightly intertwined and inseparable, but not synonynous. The short answer to the OP is this: Repentence is a process, but salvation is an event. A person who gives his/her life to Christ is saved, but repentance is something not just somethign we do when we get saved, it's an attitude we embrace for the rest of our lives.

 

[Revmitchell]

Right on the money, Allan. And so are the others of you who have expressed similar views.

There is a view floating around out there that all one has to do is trust Christ for salvation, yet not have to turn from sin at the same time.

What should we think about a professed conversion that does not produce a desire for holy living and obedience to the Savior?

Amen to all of that! :thumbs:

 

[AnotherBaptist]

Right on the money, Allan. And so are the others of you who have expressed similar views.

There is a view floating around out there that all one has to do is trust Christ for salvation, yet not have to turn from sin at the same time.

What should we think about a professed conversion that does not produce a desire for holy living and obedience to the Savior?

I also agree. I recently read Sproul's book, What is Reformed Theology?. The words "repent" or "repentance" are not found anywhere in his book.

Sproul also centers Reformed Theology squarely on God's Sovereignty. Since he seems to view it as the core of all Reformed Theology, he should understand this about that Sovereignty:

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

God set aside His Sovereignty in Jesus Christ. If Jesus had not been willing to humble Himself in that state, there would be no such thing as Salvation by Grace. I for one am thankful Jesus didn't insist on remaining Sovereign.

 

[zrs6v4]

I also agree. I recently read Sproul's book, What is Reformed Theology?. The words "repent" or "repentance" are not found anywhere in his book.

Sproul also centers Reformed Theology squarely on God's Sovereignty. Since he seems to view it as the core of all Reformed Theology, he should understand this about that Sovereignty:

Are you saying that he doesnt believe in repentance?

 

[Amy.G]

Since repentance means a change of mind, how can one even come to God without changing their mind about sin and it's consequence?

 

[Johnv]

I recently read Sproul's book, What is Reformed Theology?. The words "repent" or "repentance" are not found anywhere in his book.

The word "tribulation" doesn't appear in the book either, but that doesn't mean he doesn't believe in that either. Sproul's book, "Reformed Theology" was a specific book written for a specific purpose. One cannot infer anything based solely on whether a specific word appears in a specific work.

 

[zrs6v4]

I agree with many of these posts.

Repentance is the essence of conversion, it is a change of heart, mind, and direction out of a new desire to trust and serve Christ. By desire I dont mean that it is always a smiley event, but a heart that is hungry for forgiveness, sorry for his past, wanting to change, and needing Christ through the whole thing to be able to serve Him and be free. (beattitudes)

If one doesnt have a true heart change, then he doesnt really trust in Christ or see his need. There is most definitely a connection with the two.

If you don't turn from your life to faith and new life in Christ, then there isnt repentance or faith as they are both parts of the other. Now I think where the works part of repentance comes in is when people see it as a person having to stop sinning before they come to Christ. This isnt true, b/c grace takes you as you are and changes you. Because repentance is a change of heart and desire for Christ the person's heart will naturally hate his sin and desire to pursue a life of righteousness and continual repentance. In the Christian life this plays out pretty dirty in my opinion. In other words, our heart doesnt always desire Christ after our conversion.

When I read the Bible and someone says repent or believe I understand that language as meaning that both are included.

 

[zrs6v4]

The word "tribulation" doesn't appear in the book either, but that doesn't mean he doesn't believe in that either. Sproul's book, "Reformed Theology" was a specific book written for a specific purpose. One cannot infer anything based solely on whether a specific word appears in a specific work.

This is how we ready scripture a lot if times as well.

Ex. This verse doesnt say......... so this means your wrong. :tongue3:

 

[David Michael Harris]

Since repentance means a change of mind, how can one even come to God without changing their mind about sin and it's consequence?

Agreed Amy, it's the work of the Holy Spirit that brings that about in us.

He leads us to Christ. Makes us realize truth.

 

[AnotherBaptist]

Are you saying that he doesnt believe in repentance?

Did I say that? Actually I just mentioned that the words were not in the book. Don't misread me. I respect Sproul. His book, however, is not the Word of God but a book on a systematic theology. As such, it contains much human construct, just as a book on dispensationalism or any other systematic theology would. Human construct which purports to be based on Biblical truths is always (and should be) subject to scrutiny from that same Word. It is what made the Bereans noble.

 

[AnotherBaptist]

The word "tribulation" doesn't appear in the book either, but that doesn't mean he doesn't believe in that either. Sproul's book, "Reformed Theology" was a specific book written for a specific purpose. One cannot infer anything based solely on whether a specific word appears in a specific work.

I answered this in my post above.

 

[zrs6v4]

Did I say that? Actually I just mentioned that the words were not in the book. Don't misread me. I respect Sproul. His book, however, is not the Word of God but a book on a systematic theology. As such, it contains much human construct, just as a book on dispensationalism or any other systematic theology would. Human construct which purports to be based on Biblical truths is always (and should be) subject to scrutiny from that same Word. It is what made the Bereans noble.

I didnt say you did, hehe, I asked you if you were implying that he didnt..