Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 12/27/2007

Question
Hi! I have a question regarding the gospel. There is a current trend in the Baptist denomination that deals with salvation. For example, one Baptist teacher stated that salvation is by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ but without repentance. He believes that repentance is equal to works salvation; according to him and some others, those who repent of their sins cannot be saved because it would be impossible to repent of all sins.
 It makes me more confuse. I do believe that repentance is part of the salvation because of some passages in the Scripture, but I've notice that this difference is so prevalent among Baptists. I don't understand how can some Baptists believe that repentance is in fact another gospel.
 Can you please give me your opinion, I'll definitely read it. Thank you.

Answer
Hi Lorena,

Thank you for this great question.  This issue does confuse a lot of people.  I preached a message on this subject detailing what I believe the Bible teaches about repentance and what kind of repentance is needed for salvation.  I will paste the notes below.  Please read them in detail... I believe that they will help clear up the confusion.

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Think Biblically About Salvation
The Confusion of Misunderstood Repentance

Introduction:

  During my time as pastor of Revival Baptist Church of Walla Walla Washington, I would have the opportunity and privilege of volunteering with Rock of Ages Prison Ministry twice a year.  We would enter the maximum-security correctional facility there in town and go soulwinning from cell to cell.

  One of the inmates I was witnessing to had some very interesting things to say.  When asked about his eternal destiny, he told us that he was not certain.  He went on to tell us that the only way anyone can get to Heaven is to trust in Jesus Christ alone.  We asked if he had done that¡K he had.  So then, why the doubt?  He responded with an answer that burned deeply into my heart: "I am not sure if I have repented thoroughly enough."

  Satan is so subtle!

Genesis 3:1 - Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?  

  This man was so close to salvation, but he was not trusting in Jesus Christ alone for salvation!  He was trusting in his work of repentance from sin!  After that particular incident, I have found that many potential converts have been confused by well-meaning soulwinners.

  Repentance from sin as a requirement for salvation has been inserted into the Gospel of grace alone as a reaction against those who rush professions of faith before true belief is attained.  Hoping to establish themselves in the eyes of their peers, some people do anything possible in order to get someone to pray, citing the promise of Romans 10:13: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

  But do not forget Romans 10:14:         How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
  
  True salvation comes when one truly believes.  So, let us examine the confusion of misunderstood repentance.

I.   We must understand what makes one lost

A.   Not believing in Jesus as Savior

John 3:18 - He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

B.   Unbelievers have God's wrath abiding on them

John 3:36 - He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

     John 5:40 - And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

C.   Unbelievers turn to their own way

Isaiah 53:6 - All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  

II.   We must understand the remedy for unbelief

John 3:15,16,18,36 - 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Acts 16:30-31 - 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Romans 3:19-25 - 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Romans 5:1-2 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 10:9-10,13 - 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.


„»   There cannot be any action on our part that would merit salvation

Galatians 2:21

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 11:6 - And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

III.   The definition of repentance

A.   "Metanoeo" = to change one's mind or purpose, involving a change for the better

B.   Repentance does not necessarily involve repentance from sin

Genesis 6:6 - And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

1 Samuel 15:35 - And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Exodus 32:9-14 - 9 And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: 10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. 11 And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?  12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. 14 And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

Jonah 3:9-10 - 9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? 10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

Amos 7:3,6 - 3 The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD. 6 The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.

C.   Repentance unto salvation

1.   We are commanded to repent in order to obtain salvation

Acts 3:19 - Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

2.   We are to change our minds about the object of our faith

Hebrews 6:1 - Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Romans 10:1-4 - Brethren, my heart¡¦s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God¡¦s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

3.   Peter preached repentance from legalistic system

Acts 2:38,41 - 38 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. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

4.   Paul preached repentance from pagan idolatry

Acts 17:30,34 - 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

IV.   Only born-again believers have the ability to repent from sin

A.   Because the Holy Spirit is required for such an act

1 Corinthians 2:14 -  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

B.   The churches are called to repent

Revelation 2:16 - Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Revelation 2:21-22 - 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

Revelation 3:3 - Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Revelation 3:19 - As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Conclusion:

  Salvation cannot come from any effort we could muster.  We are totally and hopelessly lost and depraved.  There is absolutely no deed, rite, or ritual that will merit God's forgiveness.  God's grace has been offered to all by grace, and that grace is only accessed by faith.

  The repentance that leads to salvation is a change of mind ¡V a transfer of trust.  A sinner does not have the ability to repent until he is saved by grace alone.  Then, once he is saved, the new nature is evidenced by actions of repentance from sin.
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I hope that this helps.

In Christ
Pastor Don