Exploring the 5 "fruits" of a true convert

[BlessedinHim]

I was doing some readin, I have to admit, there are some things I hadnt heard before, so here I am studying it out to see what is right and what is true.

The First fruit of a true convert?

Fruit of Repentence? Never heard of Repentence being a fruit, so, lets look it up and see what we find.

Matthew 3:8 is the verse he cites as the back up verse for this claim.

7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

9And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.



1. Is repentence here being called a fruit?

To me, it doesnt look like it. The fruit is for repentence, it isnt of repentence.

Lets go to the strongs:

Bring forth : [4160] http://cf.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4160&t=kjv

therefore : [3767] http://cf.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3767&t=kjv

fruits : [2590] http://cf.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2590&t=kjv

meet : [514] http://cf.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G514&t=kjv

1) weighing, having weight, having the weight of another thing of like value, worth as much

2) befitting, congruous, corresponding to a thing

3) of one who has merited anything worthy

a) both in a good and a bad sense


Authorized Version (KJV) Translation Count — Total: 41 AV — worthy 35, meet 4, due reward 1, unworthy + 3756 1

for repentance : [3341] http://cf.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3341&t=kjv

What do you think about this?

My personal view at this point: I dont see repentence as a fruit. It just doesnt read that way.

[BlessedinHim]

I have 4 more questions about this, but want to post each one seperately after some discussion has happened after each one. I really want to study this out to see what the scripture is really saying.

[Tall Timbers]

I would say that fruit will follow repentance, or at least should. But repentance in and of itself doesn't seem to me to be fruit. Let's look at the thief on the cross, that is, the one who was promised a very happy ending. He repented right then and there. I think he did have some fruit, and that was the compassion that he showed Jesus to the other thief while they were hanging there.

[FaithContender]

Matthew 3:8 (New American Standard Bible)

8"(A (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%203:8;&version=49;#cen-NASB-23201A))Therefore bear fruit (B (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%203:8;&version=49;#cen-NASB-23201B))in keeping with repentance;


It seems like what He's saying is if you are repentant, you will bear fruit.

[kjlistrom]

I think John was telling the Religious leaders that if they were going to do the Baptizim, than they also needed to show the fruits of the Repentance also, which they probably were not doing.

[matheteou]

I was doing some readin, I have to admit, there are some things I hadnt heard before, so here I am studying it out to see what is right and what is true.

The First fruit of a true convert?

Fruit of Repentence? Never heard of Repentence being a fruit, so, lets look it up and see what we find.

Matthew 3:8 is the verse he cites as the back up verse for this claim.



1. Is repentence here being called a fruit?

To me, it doesnt look like it. The fruit is for repentence, it isnt of repentence.

Lets go to the strongs:

Bring forth : [4160] http://cf.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4160&t=kjv

therefore : [3767] http://cf.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3767&t=kjv

fruits : [2590] http://cf.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2590&t=kjv

meet : [514] http://cf.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G514&t=kjv

1) weighing, having weight, having the weight of another thing of like value, worth as much

2) befitting, congruous, corresponding to a thing

3) of one who has merited anything worthy

a) both in a good and a bad sense


Authorized Version (KJV) Translation Count — Total: 41 AV — worthy 35, meet 4, due reward 1, unworthy + 3756 1

for repentance : [3341] http://cf.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3341&t=kjv

What do you think about this?

My personal view at this point: I dont see repentence as a fruit. It just doesnt read that way.What were you reading?

[Train]

2 Timothy 2:25 seems to indicate that, at least some of the time, repentance is a gift from God.

And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

On the other hand, if repentance is not a fruit then what is it? Is it a prerequisite for salvation? If so, and if it is something acomplished fully or in part by our own will, then doesn't that effectively make our salvation dependant on us?

[BlessedinHim]

2 Timothy 2:25 seems to indicate that, at least some of the time, repentance is a gift from God.



On the other hand, if repentance is not a fruit then what is it? Is it a prerequisite for salvation? If so, and if it is something acomplished fully or in part by our own will, then doesn't that effectively make our salvation dependant on us?

I think you are carrying this away. I posted the strongs on it in the first post. lets stick to what it says. What does that say to you? Does that verse say repentence is a fruit? That is the question. We are not discussing Calvinism, there are plenty of other threads for that.

[BlessedinHim]

What were you reading?

I will get to that after these verses are gone over. I have 4 more.

[Train]

What does that say to you? Does that verse say repentence is a fruit? That is the question.

I think that specific verse is saying that if you're truly repentant then it will be reflected in how you live your life. I don't think that particular passage really addresses where repentance comes from.