A Biblical Case For Repentance

[timothyu]

Quoting from God's word:
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 18:3

Exactly... converted from the will of man to the will of God

 

[Just_a_Christian]

I don't think Cornelius example is a good one, especially if I can mention the Samaritans who didn't receive the Holy Spirit until Peter and John laid their hands on them.
Also all Orthodox believe the same since we are in Communion with one another.
And yes, baptism saves you.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. - 1 John 4:1

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. - Acts 17:11

Per God's word we are to try the spirits to see if they are from God. We have another example where the Bereans were more noble because they searched the scriptures, trying that which they were told, to make sure it was of the Truth.
According to you, i.e. the Orthodox, what would I have to do to be saved?

 

[Dave L]

Well, I do not believe an entire Gentile nation today will repent like the city of Nineveh did. That was a unique event. But I believe Israel will repent nationally in the future.

Did the Ninevites go to heaven? No, they reformed and didn't suffer God's wrath.

 

[Dave L]

No. A case for National Repentance would be the Ninevites. They actually sought after forgiveness with the Lord by crying out to God and then this was followed by the fruits of repentance (Which was to forsake their evil ways) (See Jonah 3:6-10). Jesus points to this as an example of repentance in Matthew 12:41.

It was purely physical. They would have had to convert to Judaism and experience the New Birth before you could call them saved in a spiritual sense.

 

[Just_a_Christian]

Jesus had partaken of John's baptism. So if baptism is a part of salvation, was Jesus saved via being baptized? Surely not. Only Spirit baptism is a part of our salvation after we seek forgiveness with the Lord Jesus Christ.

It was the will of the Father that He be baptised. Had He not done that He would not have been the spotless Lamb of God. We also must do His will. Attempting to compare His baptism with ours is as they say...apples and oranges, two totally different things.
In Him

 

[Not David]

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. - 1 John 4:1

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. - Acts 17:11

Per God's word we are to try the spirits to see if they are from God. We have another example where the Bereans were more noble because they searched the scriptures, trying that which they were told, to make sure it was of the Truth.
According to you, i.e. the Orthodox, what would I have to do to be saved?

Both Thessalonians and Bereans were Orthodox.
You need to accept the faith delivered by Christ and the Apostles.

 

[Not David]

Jesus had partaken of John's baptism. So if baptism is a part of salvation, was Jesus saved via being baptized? Surely not. Only Spirit baptism is a part of our salvation after we seek forgiveness with the Lord Jesus Christ.

John's baptism and Christ's baptism are not the same and you know it.

 

[NeedyFollower]

I believe the Sinner’s Prayer is just another way of the Bible saying to “Repent.”

A Biblical Case For Repentance:

At the heart, I believe the Bible teaches that "Repentance" means, "Asking God for forgiveness" (Which of course naturally then leads to the "fruits of repentance", i.e. obedience to the Lord):

Important Note: While I may believe "Repentance" does involve to a certain degree a "change of mind" (like a person changing their mind about their old life of sin), I do not think "Repentance" exclusively means a “change of mind.”

"Asking God for forgiveness of sin" can either refer to: The "Sinner's Prayer" (Initial Salvation) (Romans 10:13), and or the seasoned believer "Confessing one's sin" (Continued Salvation) (See 1 John 1:9, 1 John 2:1).

Anyways, here are my ten points using Scripture showing that "repentance" means "asking God for forgiveness of sin.”

#1. Acts 2:38,
The New Living Translation says in Acts 2:38 to "repent of your sins."
Douay Reheims says in Acts 2:38 to "Do penance."
New Life Version says in Acts 2:38 to "Be sorry for your sins"

#2. Luke 17:3 says, "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him." This doesn't make any sense if "repent" means believe in Jesus (as some teach) or to have a change of mind about sin (as others teach) or to exclusively forsake sin. Yes, we are to forsake sin as a part of repentance but that comes later after repentance (Which is to ask God for forgiveness of our sin). For how can we reconcile with a brother if we do not say we are sorry vs. just going on about life as if we did nothing wrong?

#3. Jesus said in Matthew 12:41 that the Ninevites will rise up in Judgment against this generation because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. If you were to turn to Jonah chapter 3, you would be able to see in Jonah 3:6-10 that the King of the Ninevites had told his people to:

(a) Cry out to God (i.e. Repentance) (See Jonah 3:8).
(b) Turn from their sins or evil ways (i.e. The Natural Fruits of Repentance).​

#4. Matthew 3:6 (which then lines up with Matthew 3:8). Also, in Mark 1:4-5, it says John preached the "baptism of repentance" for the remission of sins (verse 4), and it then defines this "baptism of repentance" by saying they confessed their sins when they were baptized (verse 5).

#5. We see in Acts of the Apostles 8:22 a clear example of Peter telling Simon to "repent" of his wickedness in trying to pay for the Holy Spirit. Peter is telling Simon to make a prayer towards God. For Peter says that he should pray that God might forgive him. In other words, Peter is telling Simon to repent of a one time event of wickedness by way of prayer to GOD. This only makes sense if "repent" means to "ask for forgiveness."

#6. Ezekiel 14:6 says,
"Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols;" Repent makes the most sense here if a person is asking God for forgiveness by way of prayer instead of a person just believing in God. Naturally a person believes in God as their Savior if they are planning on forsaking their idols.

#7. We see repentance is the topic of discussion in Luke 15 (Luke 15:6) (Luke 15:10); This is then followed up by the "Parable of the Prodigal Son" with the son desiring to be reconciled with his father. We learn the WAY the Prodigal Son desired to be reconciled with his father when he said,

"I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants." (Luke 15:18-19).

In other words, the Prodigal Son was seeking forgiveness. This ties into the point of repentance in Luke 15:6 and Luke 15:10.

#8. Luke 10:13 says,
"Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes." This rules out the theory that repentance is exclusively forsaking sin. Granted, forsaking sin always follow true repentance (Asking God for forgiveness of one's sins) but forsaking sin is not repentance. The word "repented" here is describing a one time event because they "repented", sitting in sackcloth and ashes. In Jonah 3:6 we learn that the King of Nineveh sat in sackcloth and ashes. In Jonah 3:8, the King of Nineveh tells people to put on sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God (i.e. repentance): and then turn from their evil way (i.e. the fruits of repentance).

#9. John the Baptist says we are to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance (Luke 3:8). Fruits are deeds (or obedience to God). How can repentance be the same thing as the fruit? Is the fruit the same thing as the tree?

#10. Jeremiah 8:6 says, "I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle." Here we see the word "repented of wickedness" tied with the words, "What have I done?" This is an acknowledgement of one's sin to God as a part of asking His forgiveness.


Notable Additional Verses that Deal with Repentance
(But They Do Not Use The Word "Repent" or "Repentance"):

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13).

13 "And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:13-14).

Proverbs 28:13 says whosoever confesses and forsakes sin shall have mercy.

Hi Brother ....I would also add that repentance is not only saying you are sorry but admitting guilt and wrong doing accompanied by grief over it. I noticed years ago two small children and during an altercation , one said she was sorry to her playmate but would not say she was wrong ...only that she was sorry ..Not true repentance . ( Neither is a fear of hell the same as repentance . )

 

[timothyu]

noticed years ago two small children and during an altercation , one said she was sorry to her playmate but would not say she was wrong ...only that she was sorry

So she never changed her abusive ways? God favours the oppressed, not the oppressor.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I don't think Cornelius example is a good one, especially if I can mention the Samaritans who didn't receive the Holy Spirit until Peter and John laid their hands on them.

Cornelius is a good example unless you believe a person can believe the gospel and receive the Spirit and not be saved. The Bible makes it clear that we can be saved by God's grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8) and not of works (Ephesians 2:9). This is where your theology in baptismal salvation begins to crumble (Note: Yes, I believe works of faith play a part in the salvation process, but this is AFTER we are saved by God's grace through faith). Furthermore, Acts 11 says this:

15 "And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." (Acts of the Apostles 11:15-18).

No water baptism needed for salvation here. Repentance was what was needed for life.

Also all Orthodox believe the same since we are in Communion with one another.
And yes, baptism saves you.

Baptism only saves in regards to setting you apart from others by your public pledge before God and men as a part of a good conscience towards God (See 1 Peter 3:21).

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Hi Brother ....I would also add that repentance is not only saying you are sorry but admitting guilt and wrong doing accompanied by grief over it. I noticed years ago two small children and during an altercation , one said she was sorry to her playmate but would not say she was wrong ...only that she was sorry ..Not true repentance . ( Neither is a fear of hell the same as repentance . )

Yes, I agree; Repentance (or seeking forgiveness with God) would include a Godly sorrow, brother (See 2 Corinthians 7:10).

 

[timothyu]

The Bible makes it clear that we can be saved by God's grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8) and not of works (Ephesians 2:9).

Yes , He gave us the Kingdom. A door was opened from the previous restrictions. Available to those of the selfless ways of God rather than the selfish ways of man. The latter have made their own reward.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

The fruit is an extension of the tree, what the tree produces based upon it's purpose. The Kingdom is loving neighbour as self as a way of life, unlike the way of man which has made this world what it is. The fruits are not the fruits of man's will which is gain at the expense of others, but the exact opposite.

Fruits is in reference to deeds (Compare Matthew 3:8 with Acts of the Apostles 26:20; For Acts 26 says, “...do works befitting of repentance.” So if repentance = works (Which is a part of forsaking sin) than the statement in Acts 26 does not make any sense. Repentance has to be different (but related) to works or forsaking sin.

Luke 10:13 says that one can repent sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

"Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes." (Luke 10:13).

So if repentance means to forsake sin, then this verse does not make any sense. How can you forsake sin while sitting in sackcloth and ashes?

Verses like Proverbs 28:13 holds the key. It says he that confesses and forsakes sin shall have mercy. So it is not just one or the other.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Yes , He gave us the Kingdom. A door was opened from the previous restrictions. Available to those of the selfless ways of God rather than the selfish ways of man. The latter have made their own reward.

You are not being clear here. Please refer to the Bible so I can see where you are coming from.

 

[timothyu]

So if repentance means to forsake sin, then this verse does not make any sense. How cna you forsake sin while sitting in sackcloth and ashes?

If sin has been forsaken then the sinner has changed. The sackcloth and ashes are symbolism of the change but the actual change is in the heart and mind of the sinner. Rejection of the self serving ways of man for the selfless will of God.

 

[Not David]

Cornelius is a good example unless you believe a person can believe the gospel and receive the Spirit and not be saved. The Bible makes it clear that we can be saved by God's grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8) and not of works (Ephesians 2:9). This is where your theology in baptismal salvation begins to crumble (Note: Yes, I believe works of faith play a part in the salvation process, but this is AFTER we are saved by God's grace through faith). Furthermore, Acts 11 says this:

15 "And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." (Acts of the Apostles 11:15-18).

No water baptism needed for salvation here. Repentance was what was needed for life.



Baptism only saves in regards to setting you apart from others by your public pledge before God and men as a part of a good conscience towards God (See 1 Peter 3:21).

Ironic, when did your church was founded? What's its history? With what authority do you say all things?
So instead of trying to imply, I believe in false things, why don't you tell me why haven't you answer me when I mentioned the Samaritans who had the Holy Spirit at the laying of hands? Didn't they believe until Peter and John arrived?

Baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)

 

[Just_a_Christian]

Both Thessalonians and Bereans were Orthodox.
You need to accept the faith delivered by Christ and the Apostles.

I know the history of Christ's church and I know what is taught by Christ and his apostles relating to salvation. The question was straight forward.

 

[Fidelibus]

It is a general prayer of forgiveness to the Father in Jesus name or a prayer of forgiveness to Jesus. It does not have to be those exact words.

It is a general prayer of forgiveness to the Father in Jesus name or a prayer of forgiveness to Jesus. It does not have to be those exact words.

Thank you for your response jason0047, but could I ask, are you a believer of the doctrine.... Sola Scriptura? (the bible alone) The belief that the bible alone is sufficient as a sole rule of faith. If so, would you agree that the examples of the Sinner's Prayer I gave on post #55 are not found in Scripture, and are extra-biblical?

You will find examples of people coming to come via seeking forgiveness with the Lord by prayer.

Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with someone reciting the 'sinner's prayer'. All I am saying is that I don't see in any of those passages on post #2 (or any where else in scripture I could find) where it encourages us to “ask Jesus into our heart.” The only scripture passage I found to even come close to the Protestant versions of the sinners prayer is Luke 18:13,14:

"But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, "O God, be merciful to me a sinner." I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Which is similar to the Scripture passage we Catholics cite in unison at every Mass:

"The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant/soul will be healed."


Again, like I said before, I find nothing wrong with reciting of the Sinner's Prayer. All I am seeking is an acknowledgment from those that adhere to the doctrine of "sola scriptura" (the bible alone) that the sinner's prayer is an extra-biblical, man-made practice.



Thank You and have a Blessed Day.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

It is a general prayer of forgiveness to the Father in Jesus name or a prayer of forgiveness to Jesus. It does not have to be those exact words.

Thank you for your response jason0047, but could I ask, are you a believer of the doctrine.... Sola Scriptura? (the bible alone) The belief that the bible alone is sufficient as a sole rule of faith. If so, would you agree that the examples of the Sinner's Prayer I gave on post #55 are not found in Scripture, and are extra-biblical?




Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with someone reciting the 'sinner's prayer'. All I am saying is that I don't see in any of those passages on post #2 (or any where else in scripture I could find) where it encourages us to “ask Jesus into our heart.” The only scripture passage I found to even come close to the Protestant versions of the sinners prayer is Luke 18:13,14:

"But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, "O God, be merciful to me a sinner." I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Which is similar to the Scripture passage we Catholics cite in unison at every Mass:

"The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant/soul will be healed."


Again, like I said before, I find nothing wrong with reciting of the Sinner's Prayer. All I am seeking is an acknowledgment from those that adhere to the doctrine of "sola scriptura" (the bible alone) that the sinner's prayer is an extra-biblical, man-made practice.



Thank You and have a Blessed Day.

The verses I provided are pretty clear in defense of the Sinner's Prayer in post #2. You have to address each and every one of them if you believe they are not talking about seeking forgiveness with God by way or prayer. Your statement of disagreement does not undo what they say. You have to show us using the context or explaining what the verse really says so as to defend your viewpoint.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

Is The Sinner’s Prayer Biblical?

I will give my answer below (with Scripture).

No

Otherwise Jesus would have lead Nicodemus in a little sinner's prayer.

That sure did not happen.

How old is the sinner's prayer 100 or 150 years old? Leave it up to man to think he can improve on things.

M-Bob