Jesus earthly Ministry was to the "Lost Sheep of the House of Israel."
ECT True or False question (Billy Graham)
- Thread starter musterion
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Jesus earthly Ministry was to the "Lost Sheep of the House of Israel."
musterion
Well-known member
A whole lot of people do believe that's what it means -- I'd be willing to wager more do believe that than don't.
musterion
Well-known member
And Graham, baptist that he was, appeared to be one of them:
https://billygraham.org/decision-magazine/january-2007/true-repentance-real-change/
So if he figured "repent" means "change your life" (not just your mind), which in turn means "stop sinning" (which is how your life would look different), then when Graham said "Repentance is a necessary step to salvation," then . . . well . . . you decide what that means.
https://billygraham.org/decision-magazine/january-2007/true-repentance-real-change/
So if he figured "repent" means "change your life" (not just your mind), which in turn means "stop sinning" (which is how your life would look different), then when Graham said "Repentance is a necessary step to salvation," then . . . well . . . you decide what that means.
glorydaz
Well-known member
Well, I think "change your life" can't mean to "stop sinning", since most understand quite well that they continue to have faults. Billy G. was the first to admit being a "sinner". It's unfortunate that there are those who think godly sorrow and repentance are the same thing, but that seems to be quite common.
There is absolutely something that happens to us when we believe. We see ourselves in the light of the presence of God, and in return, when we believe, all things are new. They are new. Our desires change, and that, in turn, means there is a change in our lives.
marhig
Well-known member
2 Corinthians 12:21
And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
What is YOUR definition of the word, "Repent?"
marhig
Well-known member
To regret and turn away from. And for us that is sin.
Have you given up ALL of your sins?
marhig
Well-known member
God is certainty helping and strengthening me to overcome them, i couldn't do it without him. And we will sin till the end of our lives, but we shouldn't keep on wilfully sinning once we are born of God.
musterion
Well-known member
Dearest, I agree with you but the point is, most people DO believe "repent" essentially means "stop sinning," because that's almost 100% of the time how they see the word used.
Even if they also acknowledge and accept the basic meaning of "change your mind," they've overlaid the work of "turning your life around" or however they phrase it on top of the Biblical meaning...because that's how they see it used and that's how they hear it preached.
When THAT wrong definition of "repent" is made part of a gospel presentation, a false gospel is being preached -- something added is being required of the listener that is not found in the saving Gospel of grace (that they stop sinning NOW in addition to trusting Christ's DBR for their sin and justification).
As I've said many times before on this topic: SHOULD people stop sinning? Yes. But Paul never made it a condition of salvation.
Defining "repent" as "stop sinning" does make it a work condition of salvation...something the lost person must do in addition to the work of Christ, if they want to be saved (Lordship Salvation is probably the clearest current example, but not the only one).
exactly.
But if we are not striving to be holy and godly like Jesus, we are not born again.
Jesus says to follow Him.
God is merciful, if we are striving to overcome sins, He will wipe out our sins and being clean.
God looks into our heart.
turbosixx
New member
Acts 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but NOW he commands all people everywhere to repent,
nikolai_42
Well-known member
Interesting that the word "repent" itself means to "rethink". The Greek word means to "change one's mind". Now, if one believes free will means you are capable of acting against your inclinations, then for them repentance is a whole bunch of things being done independently - admitting what is sin is actually sin, believing that they have to turn from sin, actually turning the other way, and then - finally walking away from it step by step. All these become acts of the free will that has to decide if it is going to act in concert with or against whatever the inclination is at the moment. Note that the first two steps (at least) are clearly and unambiguously the work of the Holy Spirit :
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
John 16:7-8
Conviction of sin and direction towards righteousness (which is not in man). Stop and turn.
Now...if the Holy Spirit has done that in a man, why would that man reject what he not only knows to be true, but is convicted of and convinced of? Only if his will is free from being bound by such inclinations. Because as a slave of sin, that same person clearly was unable to turn (nor willing to do so). If God enlightens such a man and shows him his sin and grants him the ability to turn - and the man realizes his former slavery and is turned towards the light, truth and liberty in Christ, how would he decide not to go? He wouldn't (unless the will of man is totally free from any burdens of onus once delivered from the chains of darkness). Nothing, so far, is actually done by man himself.
The last step - walking away from sin - is a direct result of being delivered from slavery to it. And, really, that isn't necessarily a part of immediate repentance, but is the repentance a believer must go through for the remainder of his or her natural life. It is the ongoing part of repentance - but it has its roots entirely in what gave him the immediate repentance to being with - God.
Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Acts 5:31
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 11:18
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
John 16:7-8
Conviction of sin and direction towards righteousness (which is not in man). Stop and turn.
Now...if the Holy Spirit has done that in a man, why would that man reject what he not only knows to be true, but is convicted of and convinced of? Only if his will is free from being bound by such inclinations. Because as a slave of sin, that same person clearly was unable to turn (nor willing to do so). If God enlightens such a man and shows him his sin and grants him the ability to turn - and the man realizes his former slavery and is turned towards the light, truth and liberty in Christ, how would he decide not to go? He wouldn't (unless the will of man is totally free from any burdens of onus once delivered from the chains of darkness). Nothing, so far, is actually done by man himself.
The last step - walking away from sin - is a direct result of being delivered from slavery to it. And, really, that isn't necessarily a part of immediate repentance, but is the repentance a believer must go through for the remainder of his or her natural life. It is the ongoing part of repentance - but it has its roots entirely in what gave him the immediate repentance to being with - God.
Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Acts 5:31
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 11:18
What you are saying is that GOD only helps you out sometimes, but not enough for you to stop sinning.
That's no different from driving a car that keeps breaking down on ya.
andyc
New member
The same as Abraham's gospel, then.
andyc
New member
A bad tree cannot produce good fruit. Repentance makes the tree good in order to produce good fruit.
Mad is all about cutting the bad tree some slack in order to remove the fruit growing obligation all together.
andyc
New member
1 Timothy 5:20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.
andyc
New member
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
