Once a Sheep Always a Sheep, or Salvation Deficit Disorder?

[Tio-Peregrino]

When I was a kid my mom used to watch the 700 Club all the time. I think I prayed with Pat Robertson every time. I didn't have any understanding of the security of my salvation until later in life when I actually dug more into the Word.

[Enlightened]

If you repent, God forgives they go hand in hand....


If you accept the definition of repent to mean believe, then yes you are forgiven.

If you hold to the definition of repent to mean feeling sorry for your sins, or turning from your sins, then that's not belief, and that won't get you forgiven.

[Tio-Peregrino]

Chafer sums it up well here:


Quite contrary to the impression which the usual theology has spread abroad is the correct definition of repentance, the usual idea being that it means sorrow or agony of heart respecting sin and wrongdoing. The true meaning of the word shows that it is a change of mind; and although there may be nothing to preclude that change being accompanied by grief, yet the sorrow itself is not repentance. Instead, it is the reversal of mind.

Another serious Arminian error respecting this doctrine occurs when repentance is added to faith or believing as a condition of salvation. It is true that repentance can very well be required as a condition of salvation, but then only because the change of mind which it is has been involved when turning from every other confidence to the one needful trust in Christ. Such turning about, of course, cannot be achieved without a change of mind. This vital newness of mind is a part of believing, after all, and therefore may be and is used as a synonym for believing at times (cf. Acts 17:30; 20:21; 26:20; Rom. 2:4; 2 Tim. 2:25; 2 Pet. 3:9). Repentance nevertheless cannot be added to believing as a condition of salvation, because upwards of 150 passages of Scripture condition salvation upon believing only (cf. John. 3:16; Acts 16:31). Similarly, the gospel by John, which was written that men might believe and believing have life through Christ's name (John. 20:31), does not use the word repentance. In like manner, the Epistle to the Romans, written to formulate the complete statement of salvation by grace alone, does not use the term repentance in relation to salvation.

Again, confusion over this doctrine arises when it is not made clear that covenant people such as Israel or Christians may repent as a separate act. Throughout the time when the gospel of the kingdom was preached by John the Baptist, Christ, and the Lord's disciples, there issued a call to repentance which was for none other than the anticipated repentance of that Jewish nation, as Matthew 3:2 has indicated: "Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." This is not a gospel call, but one leading to restoration of a covenant people into its right and original relationship to God (cf. Matt. 4:12-17). In like manner, a Christian, once having sinned, may repent as a separate act, whic is something far removed from being saved over again (cf. 2 Cor. 7:8-11).

Repentance itself is one act only and not two. This observation is well illustrated by 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, "...how ye turned to God from idols."



*Lewis Sperry Chafer, Volume 7; Systematic Theology; pp. 265-266; Kregel Publications


More good articles on this here:

Repentance (http://www.e-grace.net/repent.html)

[Tio-Peregrino]

Repent, Greek word = metanoeo, literally means "to change one's mind"

....

Can you show me a verse where it says to "repent of your sins"?

I think this is something that has in a manner of speaking evolved. To repent...to change one's mind inherently means that the person will turn from their sinful life having been indwelled by the Spirit. Turning from their agnosticism, atheism, etc., and changing their mind about the God of Israel will in turn affect their living.

[Enlightened]

I think this is something that has in a manner of speaking evolved. To repent...to change one's mind inherently means that the person will turn from their sinful life having been indwelled by the Spirit. Turning from their agnosticism, atheism, etc., and changing their mind about the God of Israel will in turn affect their living.

:nod

[hilhill]

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9



The meaning of the word repentance has been twisted in recent years to the point that its biblical meaning is now obscured in the minds of many. The idea that genuine repentance could result in anything but a change of life is completely foreign to Scripture.

What does the Bible teach about the relationship between salvation and repentance? First, it teaches that repentance is essential to salvation. One cannot truly believe unless he repents, and one cannot truly repent unless he believes. Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin (but they are not synonymous terms). Acts 11:18 and 2 Peter 3:9 are two of the many verses that teach that repentance is necessary for salvation. Perhaps 2 Timothy 2:25 best sums up the relationship between repentance and saving faith when it speaks of "repentance to the acknowledging of the truth" (see also Acts 20:21).

Second, the Greek word for repentance, "metanoia," while it means "to have another mind," cannot properly be defined to exclude a sense of hatred of and penitence for sin. The biblical concept of repentance involves far more than merely a casual change of thinking. Biblically, a person who repents does not continue willfully in sin. Repentance is a turning from sin, and it always results in changed behavior (Luke 3:8). While sorrow from sin is not equivalent to repentance, it is certainly an element of scriptural repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Finally, despite what is being widely taught today, affirming that repentance and acknowledgement of Jesus' lordship are necessary to salvation does not "add" anything to the requirement of faith for salvation. It is not "faith plus repentance" that saves, but rather a repentant faith. The notion that salvation is possible apart from a genuine, heartfelt repentance, which includes a deep hatred of sin, is a relatively new one, neither believed nor taught by the people of God until the twentieth century.
http://www.biblebb.com/files/macqa/IA-repent.htm

:thumb

[HeIsEnough]

I think this is something that has in a manner of speaking evolved. To repent...to change one's mind inherently means that the person will turn from their sinful life having been indwelled by the Spirit. Turning from their agnosticism, atheism, etc., and changing their mind about the God of Israel will in turn affect their living.

The word repent has a context, in all my studies of the word. I think it is best summed up by the Lord telling all men to change your mind on every single thing, and believe every single word of God. As far as I know, men will do what they actually believe. If we believe like God does, then I can't think of a better meaning for repentance.

[His Bride]

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9



The meaning of the word repentance has been twisted in recent years to the point that its biblical meaning is now obscured in the minds of many. The idea that genuine repentance could result in anything but a change of life is completely foreign to Scripture.

What does the Bible teach about the relationship between salvation and repentance? First, it teaches that repentance is essential to salvation. One cannot truly believe unless he repents, and one cannot truly repent unless he believes. Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin (but they are not synonymous terms). Acts 11:18 and 2 Peter 3:9 are two of the many verses that teach that repentance is necessary for salvation. Perhaps 2 Timothy 2:25 best sums up the relationship between repentance and saving faith when it speaks of "repentance to the acknowledging of the truth" (see also Acts 20:21).

Second, the Greek word for repentance, "metanoia," while it means "to have another mind," cannot properly be defined to exclude a sense of hatred of and penitence for sin. The biblical concept of repentance involves far more than merely a casual change of thinking. Biblically, a person who repents does not continue willfully in sin. Repentance is a turning from sin, and it always results in changed behavior (Luke 3:8). While sorrow from sin is not equivalent to repentance, it is certainly an element of scriptural repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Finally, despite what is being widely taught today, affirming that repentance and acknowledgement of Jesus' lordship are necessary to salvation does not "add" anything to the requirement of faith for salvation. It is not "faith plus repentance" that saves, but rather a repentant faith. The notion that salvation is possible apart from a genuine, heartfelt repentance, which includes a deep hatred of sin, is a relatively new one, neither believed nor taught by the people of God until the twentieth century.
http://www.biblebb.com/files/macqa/IA-repent.htm


:thumb:thumb:thumb

[Vickimac]

It all comes down to who does the saving. If Jesus has truly saved a person - then nothing can remove them from his hand.

I see alot of theology that somehow wants to credit Jesus with saving in the first place -but then want to make it up to the person to keep himself saved.

The is only one author of my faith and only one finisher and only one in between and it sure isn't me. Jesus did it all.

Thank heaven it is him I rely on.

[ihope]

The word repent has a context, in all my studies of the word. I think it is best summed up by the Lord telling all men to change your mind on every single thing, and believe every single word of God. As far as I know, men will do what they actually believe. If we believe like God does, then I can't think of a better meaning for repentance.

:thumb Very well stated!

:hug