REPENTANCE: The key to salvation
REPENTANCE IS THE KEY TO SALVATION.
If Jesus said do it, DO IT!! Period.
If you're a Christian, do what Jesus says!! This is as plain as it gets.
IF ITS NOT AN ISSUE OF SALVATION, WHY WOULD JESUS BEGIN TO PREACH TO PEOPLE TO HURRY AND REPENT SINCE THE KINDOM OF HEAVEN IS COMING?
^^^^ TWO MAJOR POINTS HERE: HEAVEN REJOICES WHEN SOMEONE REPENTS...AND SECONDLY, IT STATES THE RIGHTEOUS NEED NO REPENTANCE TO GET INTO HEAVEN BUT OTHER PEOPLE DO!!
*[[All the world renowned biblical scholars are also in agreement.]]
http://biblehub.com/commentaries/romans/2-5.htm
It is true that there are numerous Bible verses that speak of the promise of salvation, with no mention of repentance. These merely say to “believe” on Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9). However, the Bible makes it clear that God is holy and man is sinful, and that sin makes a separation between the two (Isaiah 59:1-2). Without repentance from sin, wicked men cannot have fellowship with a holy God. We are dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1) and until we forsake them through repentance, we cannot be made alive in Christ. The Scriptures speak of “repentance unto life” (Acts 11:18). We turn from sin to the Savior. This is why Paul preached “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). The first public word Jesus preached was “repent” (Matthew 4:17). John the Baptist began his ministry the same way (Matthew 3:2). Jesus told His hearers that without repentance, they would perish (Luke 13:3). If belief is all that is necessary for salvation, then the logical conclusion is that one need never repent. However, the Bible tells us that a false convert “believes” and yet is not saved (Luke 8:13); he remains a “worker of iniquity.” Look at the warning of Scripture: “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1 John 1:6). The Scriptures also say, “He that covers his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesses and forsakes them [repentance] shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). Jesus said that there was joy in heaven over one sinner who “repents” (Luke 15:10). If there is no repentance, there is no joy because there is no salvation. When Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost, he commanded his hearers to repent “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Without repentance, there is no remission of sins; we are still under His wrath. Peter further said, “Repent …and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19). We cannot be “converted” unless we repent. God Himself “commands all men everywhere [leaving no exceptions] to repent” (Acts 17:30). Peter said a similar thing at Pentecost: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you” (Acts 2:38). If repentance wasn’t necessary for salvation, why then did Jesus command that repentance be preached to all nations (Luke 24:47)? With so many Scriptures speaking of the necessity of repentance for salvation, one can only suspect that those who preach salvation without repentance are strangers to repentance themselves, and thus strangers to true conversion.
lets look at some MORE facts…...
lets look at some MORE facts…...
A.) What does the BIBLE say about repentance and people who don't follow Gods word::
2 Corinthians 7:9-11 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.
1 John 1:9 If we confess (repent and acknowledge) our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out
TITUS 1:16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
Luke 13:3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Ezekiel 18:21-23 “But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?
Acts 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
2 Peter 3:9 not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Matthew 15:8 "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."
Proverbs 28:13 Whoever conceals his transgressions (not repent) will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
James 4:8-10 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Isaiah 30:15 “This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”
Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place, unless you repent.
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.
Acts 8:22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.
1 John 2:4 Whoever says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.
Revelation 3:19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
1 John 1:5-10 Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins (repent), he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Mark 1:15 And saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
1 John 3:6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
Psalm 51:7-17 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Luke 15:7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool (if you repent).
1 John 3:8-10 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 9No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.
Revelation 3:3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
Luke 6:46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?
John 14:23-24 23Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. 24“He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.
Acts 20:21 Testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 26:20 that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.
Ezekiel 14:6 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Ezekiel 20:43 And there you shall remember your ways and all your deeds with which you have defiled yourselves, and you shall loathe yourselves for all the evils that you have committed.
Psalm 41:4 As for me, I said, “O Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you!” (repenting)
Mark 1:4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
1 John 2:3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.
Luke 3:3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 3:1-17 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 7:21-23 21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’
Jeremiah 7:5 “For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds (repent), if you truly execute justice one with another."
B.) Do you still go to heaven if you do not repent: No. Absolutely NOT!!! There are many many reasons and verse that have shown this throughout this blog. Such as....
Romans 2:5 “But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.”
This is warning those who have not yet repented due to their stubbornness to acknowledge their sin and their need for the Savior. For those who have this unrepentant heart, all they are doing is “storing up wrath.for the day of God’s wrath” at the time “when his righteous judgment will be revealed” and at which time, it will be too late to repent.
http://biblehub.com/commentaries/romans/2-5.htm
C.) A few Christian sites with more info:
https://carm.org/repentance-necessary-salvation
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2014/10/10/top-7-bible-verses-about-repentance/
http://www.christiananswers.net/evangelism/responses/guidelines.html
http://cgi.org/ten-facts-you-should-know-about-repentance/
https://iamnotashamedofthegospelofchrist.com/2013/02/18/can-you-have-redemption-without-repentance/
D.) The bible says we are all sinners….And Logically It would be impossible to repent for every small sin that one may commit directly prior to their death. For example, if I was cussing and being prideful right before I happened to get into a car crash, it is highly unlikely that I would not be allowed into Heaven because of it. However, larger sins which a person lives in daily, (such as lying, rape, murder, etc) and has had time to repent for yet refuses; those people will certainly be held accountable. No reputable biblical scholar believes that you can live in large sin daily, not repent, and still reach salvation. If you can find one I would be happy to read it. (Remember, not all sins are the same…For example God didnt kill everyone in Soddom and Gomorrah for listening to secular music. Likewise, God does not call all sins abominations or detestable. etc).
E.) What is the main idea of Christianity?? The main tenant of Christianity is Jesus Christ and how the son of God was sent down to die for our sins. This act is what allows us achieve salvation through Christ. However, this can only occur if we ask for forgiveness, repent, and become renewed by turning from our evil ways. Have a look...
Luke 5:32 "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
F.) If repentance is not required to get into heaven then what purpose does baptism serve??
“Repent,” urged Peter, “and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). These divinely inspired words, spoken on the Day of Pentecost, the annual holy day that became the “birthday” of the New Testament church, show that repentance is the first prerequisite for receiving the Holy Spirit. “Repent” was the first command issued on the day the church was “born,” the first word used to answer the all-important question, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (2:37).
G.) If repentance is not required to get into heaven then anyone who says I BELIEVE IN JESUS yet continues daily to be a LIAR, child molester, murderer or rapist can get into heaven without ever saying sorry or asking for forgiveness…This is NOT what the bible teaches. We we are saved by grace meaning we are not worthy of God because we are all sinners. However, if we repent, it is through Jesus, that we can achieve our salvation. He saved us by his grace!
H.) God has commanded us to repent (verses shown above). If we do not do what he says and REPENT, then we are not living for God. If we are not living for GOD, Christ, following or repenting, then we will not get into heaven. Basic biblical theology.
I.) REPENTANCE IS NOT HOW WE GET INTO HEAVEN…REPENTANCE IS what is necessary for salvation to occur. It alone is not what merits such access.
J.) A friend said //If we are in Christ, there is no condemnation for us (Romans 8:1). We belong to Him. Nothing can separate us from Him.// FAIL….By this logic, I can say out loud that I accept Christ as my lord and savior, then go lie, steal, and murder for the next 10 years, die in a car wreck, without ever having repented and still go to heaven. This is assinine and no reputable scholar agree with your friend or his failed interpretation of Romans 8:1. Look at the entire context of the scripture…
Romans 8:1. — As a further answer to the objection mentioned Romans 3:31, that the doctrine of justification by faith made void the law, the apostle here proceeds, with great feeling and energy, to display the many powerful motives which that doctrine, as explained in the preceding chapters, suggests, for engaging both the understanding and the affections of believers to a continued pursuit of holiness. The first motive which he mentions is that contained in this verse, that now, under the new dispensation of the covenant of grace, namely, that of the Messiah, there is no condemnation to true believers, who walk as he here describes, although they may not observe the ceremonies of the Mosaic law. “This greatest of all considerations the apostle begins with, after having pathetically described the terror of the awakened sinner arising from his consciousness of guilt, because if mercy were not with God, he could neither be loved nor obeyed by men.” There is therefore now — In respect of all that has been advanced, since things are as has been shown; no condemnation — From God, either for things present or past. He now comes to speak of deliverance and liberty, in opposition to the state of guilt and bondage described in the latter part of the preceding chapter; resuming the thread of his discourse, which was interrupted, Romans 7:7. To them which are in Christ Jesus — Who are united to Christ by a lively faith in him, and in the truths and promises of his gospel, and so are made members of his mystical body. “The phrase, to be in Christ, saith Le Clerc, is often used by Paul for being a Christian; which observation he borrowed from Castalio, who renders it, Christiani facti; [being made Christians;] but if either of them mean only Christians by profession, or by being only members of the Christian Church, this will by no means agree with this place, or any other of like nature; since freedom from condemnation, and other benefits conferred upon us through Christ, will not follow our being Christians in this sense, but only upon a lively faith in Christ, our union to him by the Spirit, and our being so in him, as to become new creatures, according to Romans 8:9 : If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his; to 2 Corinthians 5:17, If any man be in Christ he is a new creature; and to Galatians 5:24, They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” — Whitby. Who walk not after the flesh — Who are not governed, as to their dispositions and actions, by those appetites which have their seat in the flesh, or by worldly views and interests, or by the dictates and motions of the natural corruption, which in some degree may yet remain in them: but after the Spirit — Namely, the Spirit of God; that is, who are not only habitually governed by reason and conscience, enlightened and renewed by God’s Spirit, but who follow the drawings, exercise the graces, and bring forth the fruits of that Spirit, Ephesians 5:9; Galatians 5:22-23 : where see the notes.
CONCLUSION
"So we have to be careful when we ask if repentance is necessary for salvation. The real question is: "Is repentance the result of salvation?" And the answer to that is yes. But repentance is also part of the message of salvation that commands people to repent because turning from sin is what is right to do. Sin is against the nature of God, and that is why God always commands everyone everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). Just as he also commands that you will be holy (1 Peter 1:16) even though we cannot be holy. God is the standard of perfection, and that standard is not lessened because of our inability. Therefore, repentance is commanded, as is holiness; and we have to depend on God for both.” - MATT SLICK (world renowned Christian Apologist).
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