This is a short version of what I have written in the past.. and actually might be more complete in spite of it's shortness.
Here is the long version which is more fully supported and explained.
Repentance means a "change of mind" when we are discussing Repentance with regards to Salvation we aren't actualy trying to define the word Repentance we must define what needs to be repented of. In my long version I get into this concept a lot deeper. Here I just want to look at the things we must change our mind about in the Gospel. Also discussed in the longer version is how confusing what can lead to the change of mind, or what happens because of the change of mind with the actual change of mind is a dangerous error. The fruit is not the tree and the tree is not the fruit. When we focus on the fruit instead of on what brings the fruit we create a religion. We effectively teach people to act like they are saved instead of actually getting saved.
Repentance can be found the middle of Paul's declaration of the Gospel of 1 Cor 15:1-10
1 Cor 15:3-5 reveals the following;
I am a sinner - so I must die
God came and lived according to the Scriptures - He is faithful
God died in my place - the payment for my sin is made (finished)
God rose from the dead - security in Him.
Repentance that saves is a judgment of self, an appraisal of Christ, and the resulting transfer of trust from self to Christ.
Here is the long version which is more fully supported and explained.
Repentance means a "change of mind" when we are discussing Repentance with regards to Salvation we aren't actualy trying to define the word Repentance we must define what needs to be repented of. In my long version I get into this concept a lot deeper. Here I just want to look at the things we must change our mind about in the Gospel. Also discussed in the longer version is how confusing what can lead to the change of mind, or what happens because of the change of mind with the actual change of mind is a dangerous error. The fruit is not the tree and the tree is not the fruit. When we focus on the fruit instead of on what brings the fruit we create a religion. We effectively teach people to act like they are saved instead of actually getting saved.
Repentance can be found the middle of Paul's declaration of the Gospel of 1 Cor 15:1-10
1 Cor 15:3-5 reveals the following;
I am a sinner - so I must die
God came and lived according to the Scriptures - He is faithful
God died in my place - the payment for my sin is made (finished)
God rose from the dead - security in Him.
Repentance that saves is a judgment of self, an appraisal of Christ, and the resulting transfer of trust from self to Christ.
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3 comments:
Here is a copy of a post I made at a forum on the topic of repentance.. the Gospel and the change in a person's life.
Lordship Salvation that one can't be saved unless they proclaim their full submission to the Lordship of Christ. (the list of requirements changes daily.. I see in another thread talk about knowing that Jesus is a Prophet, King... among other things.... ). And that this submission with produce a dramatic change in a person such that a truly saved person will be easily distinguishable from an unsaved person. If a person doesn't show what you believe to be marks of salvation you declare the person unsaved and preach the Gospel to them. (in practice I see more often than not this is not what happens. Instead the person is mocked.)
I say. That the Gospel demands repentance (look in my signature). And that when a person repents (including putting faith in Christ and His work on the Cross) that God WILL save them. Then that the Holy Spirit WILL work in that person's life to conform them to the image of Christ no matter how much that person struggles against it. If the person doesn't show orderly conduct I apply Church discipline to them. The Church discipline escalates as per Scripture, including self examination, all the way to Excommunication when the person is then treated "as though" they are lost. Including being preached the Gospel to them again. (in practice this is VERY hard to do. It demands patients.. gentleness.. restraint and prayer... the demands of this are beyond most of us.)
See the difference is Who is in control. I fully trust that God will do exactly what He says He'll do. So I do not feel the need to make a person promise to do it. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that if a person repents that God WILL save them and that He WILL do exactly what He has promised to do with that person. I need not add to this one little bit.
Here's my examination of adding belief requirements to the Gospel beyond what is revealed in the Gospel 1 Cor 15:1-10
http://onmywalk.blogspot.com/2007/06/of-all-twisted-logic.html
Hello!
You say repentance is simply "changing your mind". Jesus said, "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand." Now substitute your definition. Jesus said, "Change your mind, for the kingdom of God is at hand."
Is that what Jesus meant?
~Mary, daughter of wvjoe on SoBE~
Hi Mary,
If we look in Mark 1 we see that Jesus was preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. The Good News of the Kingdom being right there for Israel. Now Israel had surrendered to the Romans, and were trying to live peaceably with them while being occupied. But God had promised Israel the Land.
She was denying the Kingdom to come, and God came saying Repent and believe the Gospel!
Mark 1:14-15
Yes it is a change of mind, and what the change of mind is about can be found in the text.
Forcing some "turn from your sins and devote yourself to God" on the Text is simply man based theology being inflicted on God's Word.
Kev
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