Hope your Christmas went well. Question: How can you preach the gospel without the call to repentance? Especially considering that the call to repentance was central to the first gospel message preached.
Acts 2:38 — 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.
Hi Brother Robust,
Repentance is an immediate effect of being born again by the Holy Spirit not the cause (just like baptism that was quoted in the verse you gave from Peter in Acts 2:38 is not the cause of one having "forgiveness of sins", but an effect or receiving such forgiveness). The Greek word most often used for repentance is "metanoia" and means a change in mind. Prior to being born again, Paul tells us all we have is the "carnal mind" which is at " enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:7). Therefore an unregenerate cannot repent and it is in vain to call upon a dead man to do such. However, after being born again, we are given the "mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16), whereby enabling the child of God to "repent" or have a change in mind in turning from seeking to be justified by works and also a mind that now results in the individual seeking not to sin and wanting to obey the law of God True repentance always results in a change in behavior.
The saints even after gospel conversion continue to experience this repentance more or less all of the rest of their sojourn on earth as they still possess the carnal mind in addition to the mind of Christ that was added upon quickening. For example, David repented when he acknowledged, “I have sinned,” and also Peter went out and wept bitterly. Repentance blessed effect was seen upon the Corinthian Church. Paul rejoiced that they sorrowed to repentance. He says, “For behold this self-same thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you; yea, what clearing of yourselves; yea, what indignation; yea, what fear; yea, what vehement desire; yea, what zeal; yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” II Cor. 7:11. Also, it is worth noting, though the Corinthians Paul wrote to were already converted saved church member brethren, Paul still said unto them, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel..." (1 Corinthians 15:1), thereby showing the preaching of the gospel is still needed and beneficial to the saints even after their gospel conversion.
For those not born again, "... the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness" (1 Corinthians 1:18), however " unto us which
are saved (PRESENT TENSE) it is the power of God." (1 Cor 1:18). Notice only those who already "are saved" receive it as the "power of God", but to the other it is nonsense or "foolishness". The gospels varying effects when heard by the unregenerate as compared to regenerate are seen here, "5 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that
are saved (PRESENT TENSE), and in them that perish:16
To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life." (2 Corinthians 5:15-16). The gospel when preached to the unregenerate is the aroma of death.
God bless, happy New Year, and sorry for the somewhat long post.
Brother Joe
