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What the Bible Teaches About
Repentance |
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Author: Ethel Meadows |
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Truly the world's greatest need today is Bible
repentance. There has never been a time in the history of the
world when repentance was needed more, or preached less.
Repentance is one of the most disliked, and consequently, most
neglected subjects among people in general. Yet for those who
would find life and peace through the regenerating work of
Calvary, there is no other substitute for it.
What is Repentance?
Job told us something of the meaning of Bible repentance when he
said, "I abhor myself and repent."
Repentance is not only godly sorrow for sin and a determination
to forsake it, but includes such loathing of self because of
sin, as will result in confession and renunciation of it. Godly
repentance will lead to a complete change of conduct, and to
newness of life (II Cor. 5:17.)
Who is to Repent?
All men! God commands all men everywhere to repent. (Acts
17:30.) The Lord said, "Except ye repent, ye shall perish." Luke
13:3.
God's message for the world today is definitely repentance and
turning away from sin. It has always been His message. The
message of repentance was heralded forth with fiery zeal by all
the holy prophets of old. The Old Testament Scriptures are
intermittent throughout with exhortations to repentance as a
means of avoiding God's judgments in the land. And God has not
changed His mind about sin.
The grace dispensation was ushered in with the same message.
Christ's forerunner, John the Baptist, preached repentance and
faith for the remission of sins, saying, "The time is fulfilled,
and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the
gospel." Mark 1:15. He demanded that their lives prove a changed
attitude toward God and sin. (Luke 3:8.)
The importance of repentance is seen in the fact that the Lord
began His first sermon with an exhortation to repent. (Matt.
4:17.) He did not even one time throughout His ministry
insinuate that salvation by grace could be obtained in any other
way than by turning from sin and following Him.
The Lord commanded that repentance and remission of sins be
preached in His name among all nations. (Luke 24:47.) He sent
the twelve apostles to preach repentance and commissioned the
Church to do the same. Peter preached repentance to the
religious leaders of his day.
Repentance is to precede baptism. "Then Peter said unto them,
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift
of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38.
Why is Repentance Necessary?
That sins may be blotted out. (Acts 3:19.) The early disciples
all preached repentance, and God's chosen vessels have not
ceased to preach it down through the ages.
The theory of accepting Christ, joining a church, and being
baptized, over unconfessed and unforsaken sins is nothing short
of deception. For the heart and life remain unchanged.
Jesus said, "...Ye must be born again", John 3:7, at which time
a new name is written in the Book of Life, and without which,
joining every church under heaven will avail nothing, "And
whosoever was not found written in the book of life, was cast
into the lake of fire." Rev. 20:15.
It is impossible to accept Christ without accepting His Word,
and without a resolute purpose to renounce sin and to walk in
His ways. If old things have not passed away and all things
become new, we have not accepted Christ in reality. (II Cor.
5:17.)
Another invention much used by Satan, is the "only believe"
theory. There is a time and place for this, but not until every
sin has been repented of, and Godıs conditons have been met.
Today people, not willing to endure sound doctrine, have heaped
to themselves teachers having itching ears. It is the teachers
who have itching ears, straining to know what will please the
people, and thereby gain for themselves popularity, praise and
worldly gain. And the people would have it so, because they love
their sin, many prefer fables to truth. yet for al this, there
is to be a reckoning. ³The day of the Lord will come as a thief
in the night, in the which the heavens shall pass away with a
great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and
the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned
up.² II Peter 3:10.
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted that your sins may be
blotted out,..." Acts 3:19. "Let the wicked forsake his way, and
the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the
Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he
will abundantly pardon." Isa. 55:7.
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Printed By: Faith Publishing House,
P.O. Box 518, Guthrie, OK 73044 |
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