Salvation
Doctrine #40: Repent
Doctrine #40
Doctrine #40 Read
You have said WHAT you did was wrong...
You have said WHY you did it...
You have said you do not want to do it again...
Now what? HOW are you going to respond? Remember, what you DO (actions) proves what you believe...
Overview
Repentance is the act of giving or doing something in order to repair the damage from the sin. Repentance is a DO. Repentance is turning the other way from sin and making progress in the opposite direction. Repentance ought to result in more through justice.
Discussion Question
Do you believe you confess without repenting?
Scripture
Exodus 13:17-18
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17And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: 18but God led the people about, by the way of the wilderness by the Red Sea: and the children of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt.
17And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
18But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.
Commentary
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verse 17
God intentionally took them the long way in order to grow them in faith. By the time Israel was ready to take the Promised Land, Egypt was actually on the other side of the Promised Land. They would have had to go through the Promised Land to get back to Egypt. At this point in time, Egypt was still behind them.
This was another example of God bringing the Israelites from bad to good through worse: From Egypt (bad) to the Promised Land (good) through the wilderness (worse).
Commentary · verses 18-19
Moses took Joseph's bones, re: Genesis 50:25.
Numbers 23:19-20
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19God is not a man, that he should lie, Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and will he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and will he not make it good?
20Behold, I have received commandment to bless: And he hath blessed, and I cannot reverse it.
19God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
20Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.
Commentary
Again, repentance is reversing it. Doing the opposite. This passage said God isn't a man. God doesn't lie that He should repent. This meant God doesn't repent of sin because God doesn't sin. However, God does go the opposite way. Do you think God has ever gone the opposite way? God did repent.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 1-30
This chapter covered two prophecies of Balaam.
Commentary · verses 15-19
Here it stated that "God is not a man, that He should lie." Two other accounts in the Bible actually stated that God "cannot lie" (Titus 1:2) and that it is "impossible" for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18).
Commentary · verse 20
Balaam was commanded to bless and that God had blessed them. Balaam could not reverse God's blessing.
Jeremiah 18:7-10
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7At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up and to break down and to destroy it; 8if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
9And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; 10if they do that which is evil in my sight, that they obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.
7At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;
8If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
9And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;
10If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.
Commentary
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verse 7
God was asking at what point should He break (judge) the vessel.
Commentary · verse 8
If that vessel (Israel) repented of its evil, God would not break (judge) it.
Commentary · verses 9-10
If Israel turned from the good and did not obey God's Voice, God would repent from the good He said would benefit them. Notice, God was responding to their actions. The different responses were an effect of Israel doing good or doing evil.
Genesis 6:5-7
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5And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6And it repented Jehovah that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
7And Jehovah said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the ground; both man, and beast, and creeping things, and birds of the heavens; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
5And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
7And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
Commentary
We saw this in Doctrine #27: Evil. God repented of making man meant God will never make man again. If God could make man differently than He did, then He was wrong. If God is Right and Just, how would God make man differently than how He had done it? If God would continue to make man, then it would be His fault when they sinned. Before the Flood, God discovered these peoples' HOW/WHY and wasn't going to be responsible for evil in the future by not responding through justice with another "Final Judgment".
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 5-6
At this point in time, the thought process of man was evil: only evil and continually evil. Meaning quantitative and qualitative. God will not make man again.
Commentary · verses 7-8
The ASV got this right by saying "Noah found favor in the eyes of Jehovah." Most other translations stated "grace" instead of "favor." This was not the "grace" of our Salvation and it was different from the Greek word charis.
1 Samuel 15:35
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35And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death; for Samuel mourned for Saul: and Jehovah repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.
35And 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.
Commentary
God repenting of making Saul king meant God would never go through the same process to make a king like He did in 1 Samuel 8. The people requested a king, and God was contrastive. He considered He could be wrong and did it their way. God believed their plan would fail, but the children of Israel chose to learn through experience instead of understanding. With the next king, God did a different process to make David king.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 34-35
Samuel did not see Saul again until his death.
Commentary · verse 35
1 Samuel 13-15 covered Saul's rebellion against God and Samuel's last encounter with Saul.
Matthew 11:20-22
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20Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not.
21Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you.
20Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
21Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
Commentary
We saw this passage in Doctrine #36: Free Will. Our ability to repent shows God doesn't make us repent. God isn't "all-powerful" over the will of people. Repentance is proof of our free will. If God made us repent, then He could make all of us repent, and there would be no hell. In fact, it would be His fault if anyone went to hell. Clearly, it is our responsibility to repent.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 20-24
Jesus predicted judgment on these unbelieving cities. Jesus also stated the judgment would be more and less tolerable. This passage showed us that cities would be judged, and the judgment would be to a greater or lesser degree as a result of Justice.
Matthew 12:41
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41The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.
41The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
Commentary
Jesus said the same thing about Nineveh and Jonah. Jesus offered us peace with God, and showed us HOW to humble ourselves: He emptied himself as a servant. We can turn from our natural way of thinking and turn to God's way of Thinking. Here's the story from Jonah.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verse 41
Jesus tied together the sign that did require faith to Jonah's experience, and then used that to talk about how the city of Nineveh had repented and would be able to judge Jesus' current generation. This also was a continuation of the theme from Matthew 11:20-24 concerning cities being judged.
7And he made proclamation and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; let them not feed, nor drink water; 8but let them be covered with sackcloth, both man and beast, and let them cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in his hands.
9Who knoweth whether God will not turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
10And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil which he said he would do unto them; and he did it not.
7And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
8But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.
9Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
10And 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.
Commentary
The people of Nineveh repented of their sin. God repented of the prophecy sent through Jonah. Notice, confession was not mentioned, only repentance. God saw their actions and He repented. Did you notice that God gave them a WHY for their sins, and HOW to repent?
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 6-7
A fast was proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the king.
Commentary · verse 8
Notice, this decree from the king told people what to do: pray to God and turn from the violence in their hands. Ceasing from work and praying to God definitely addressed cause #3: prosperous ease (idleness of time). It was a call to repentance to turn from the evil way. Ceasing from the violence that was in their hands could have addressed cause #4: strengthening the hand of the poor. There were at least two other references in the Old Testament that showed dealing with the poor affected judgment:
- In Daniel 4:27, Daniel gave Nebuchadnezzar the following ways to delay the judgment that was prophesied in the king's dream: "...break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor..."
- In Amos 8:4, God stated the following about Israel when He was declaring judgment: "Hear this, O ye that would swallow up the needy, and cause the poor of the land to fail."
Also, God had stated to Solomon, in 2 Chronicles 7:14, how to avoid judgment: "If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
Commentary · verse 9
The people did not expect God to turn away from His anger, they hoped He would. Regardless, the Ninevites addressed at least three (and possibly all four) of the causes for Sodom's judgment. How did God respond to this?
Commentary · verse 10
The Ninevites were repentant and God saw their works and repented of the evil He was going to do to them. It appeared that Nineveh's response to do the opposite of the causes of Sodom's judgment caused God to not follow through on what was prophesied through Jonah. Notice, God stated He would have spared Sodom for ten righteous people. As far as we know only three made it out: Lot and his two daughters. Also, God did not spare the world from the Flood for the sake of eight people: Noah, three sons and all four wives. Clearly, more than ten Ninevites confessed and repented. Would God have spared Nineveh if only ten people had addressed the four causes of judgment?
Exodus 10:16-17
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16Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against Jehovah your God, and against you.
17Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and entreat Jehovah your God, that he may take away from me this death only.
16Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you.
17Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only.
Commentary
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 14-16
Pharaoh confessed. It seemed that Pharaoh did respond to being reached through experience. Would it last this time?
Commentary · verses 17-19
God removed the locusts from the land, after Moses asked Him to do so.
9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Commentary
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verse 9
Doctrine: God does not equal out Justice immediately because He is giving everyone enough time to repent because His Will is that none perish and that all would come to repentance.
Revelation 2:20-22
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20But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
21And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication.
22Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of her works.
20Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
Commentary
Jesus stated that He intentionally gave time, had mercy, so that this woman would repent. She chose not to repent. Repentance is proof of our free will. Do you think the modern day church would repent if they were shown they were following traditions of man, instead of the Word of God?
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 18-29
Verses 18-29: the church in Thyatira.
Commentary · verse 20
Did not do well: permitting Jezebel who facilitated fornication.
Note: This Jezebel in Revelation was someone that was living at that time, not the Jezebel from the Old Testament. Notice, the name Thyatira meant "dominating female."
19Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; 20and that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, even Jesus: 21whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old.
19Repent 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;
20And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
21Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
Commentary
Repentance, not confession, results in sins being blotted out. Once again, your actions prove what you believe. Confession is a SAY, which is a WHAT. If you have a Right WHAT with a Wrong or No HOW/WHY it is deception. If repentance does not follow confession, then it is deception! Has anyone ever confessed to you only to do the same action over and over again? Have you ever done the same thing to God?
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 18-19
Peter said to repent so that their sins were "blotted out."
Commentary · verses 20-22
Peter referenced Deuteronomy 18:15.
4John came, who baptized in the wilderness and preached the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins.
4John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Commentary
John the Baptist preached repentance, not confession. Notice, he was in the wilderness. He didn't exert his will over people by standing in public and telling people to confess and repent. He intentionally went away from where the masses were. The individual's act of coming out to him was an act of confession, so all he preached was repentance.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verse 4
John the Baptist preached repentance.
31And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are in health have no need of a physician; but they that are sick.
32I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
31And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
32I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Commentary
Jesus also said His purpose was to call sinners to repentance, not just confession. You would have to be humble to admit that you are a sinner. There is not truth in you if you believe you have no sin. If you are a sinner and you repent, you are following the words of Jesus. What would happen if you do not repent?
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 30-32
Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. Jesus did not have to call the righteous. The righteous have already responded to "the call."
2And he answered and said unto them, Think ye that these Galilæans were sinners above all the Galilæans, because they have suffered these things?
3I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.
2And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things?
3I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Commentary
Jesus said that without repentance, everyone would die as sinners.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 1-5
All men are sinners. Unless you repent, you will perish.
12And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
12And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Commentary
The disciples went out and preached repentance. Their message was a message of action.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 8-13
The Disciples were prevented from looking to the physical by limiting their physical resources. The Disciples went out preaching repentance, casting out demons, and healing the sick.
Matthew 3:8-9
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8Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of 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.
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.
Commentary
Notice, repentance ought to result in fruit/growth/creation/good. We go the opposite way and actually do something good, not just stop the bad act. The impression of a lot of people outside the faith is that "christians" believe in a set of dont's: the Law. That we have defined ourselves by what we do not do. Does repentance create something more in your life, or do you consider it to be bringing you back to "zero"?
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 7-8
The Pharisees and Sadducees were not there for repentance. John preached repentance to people who chose to confess.
Commentary · verses 9-10
John warned them not to think that because they were Jews they were automatically free from being "cast into the fire." These people chose to come out to see John, so John could initiate any confronting message he desired. The people had the right to leave if they didn't like what John the Baptist was preaching.
Luke 24:44-47
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44And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me.
45Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures; 46and he said unto them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day; 47and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Commentary
After Christ rose, He stated that we ought to be preaching repentance to all the nations.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verse 44
Jesus taught the Disciples about Himself from the Torah, the prophets, and the Book of Psalms. There is prophecy in the Book of Psalms.
Commentary · verse 45
Jesus opened their understanding.
Commentary · verses 46-49
Jesus told the disciples to wait until they received power from on high, the Holy Spirit coming on all flesh at Pentecost.
Acts 17:30-31
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30The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent: 31inasmuch as he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Commentary
After the Holy Spirit was given, Paul stated there were times when God overlooked sin because of ignorance (the Law), but now we need to help people repent because Judgment Day is coming. Remember, now the Law is written on the hearts of everyone and the Spirit of God is on all flesh for us to feel conviction. We would have to make a conscious decision to turn away from God. We have to make a conscious decision not to think like God.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 22-31
Verses 22-31: Paul's Sermon on Mars' Hill.
Commentary · verse 31
Paul stated the people now needed to repent because they were no longer ignorant. Paul supported this premise with something different than scripture or their "scripture." Paul stated an actual physical occurrence: God raised Jesus from the dead.
Romans 11:29-31
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29For the gifts and the calling of God are not repented of.
30For as ye in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience, 31even so have these also now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they also may now obtain mercy.
29For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Commentary
The gifts and calling of God work without repentance. If we needed to wait for people to be perfect in order to benefit from the gifts of the Spirit or the calling of a pastor, then we'd never benefit. However, some people think if their gift to preach, teach, etc. doesn't fail when they are sinning, it means they are allowed to sin. Just because God has given you a gift (WHAT) does not mean that He wants you to use it any way you desire. This is deception.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verses 28-29
Gifts and callings of God are "not repented of." This meant that an unrepentant person could still flow in their gift or calling. If we could only benefit from these gifts and callings through perfect people, we would never experience the benefit of these gifts.
Commentary · verses 30-32
Paul returned to his premise from the end of chapter 1 and the beginning of chapter 2: all of us are sinners. However, Paul's presentation since those chapters added the following fact: God is able to have mercy on all by offering Salvation to all, and our choice to respond to this mercy determines whether we humble ourselves, recognize the value in God, and attain Salvation.
Hebrews 6:1-6
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1Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3And this will we do, if God permit.
4For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, 6and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
1Therefore 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,
2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3And this will we do, if God permit.
4For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Commentary
This verse is misunderstood by many people. We've seen there is no forgiveness for blasphemy of the Holy Spirt and that a person's conscience can be so seared over to the point they don't have the ability to have free will. This verse was covering a different case. Notice, this case only covers a believer. If a person becomes a believer, then willfully sins, it is impossible for them to come back without repentance. They cannot crucify Christ again to start over. They need to repent. It is impossible for us to do anything that would take the place of our choice to repent.
Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage
Commentary · verse 1
Therefore, we ought to progress further than the foundational principles, unto perfection.
Commentary · verse 2
Paul listed the foundational Doctrines: repentance, faith, baptism, laying on of hands, resurrection, and eternal judgment.
Commentary · verses 3-6
Concerning verses 4-6, see also Hebrews 10:26. These verses meant that the only way to gain Salvation is by grace through faith (which begins with repentance/humility). These verses did not mean that if we had already lived of the Holy Spirit and fall away, we cannot again attain Salvation. These verses meant that if we have received this gift and then fall away, we ought to know that there is no other way to attain Salvation, other than through repentance.
We cannot skip over repentance and just act as if Christ was "recrucified." Paul began this chapter stating that the foundational Doctrines should not be repeatedly done because once they were done (and understood) we ought to grow past these to maturity. In verse 6, Paul was building on verse 1: do not try to pretend that you have not sinned and act like this was the first time you received Christ's death on the cross as paying for your sins.
Closing Thoughts
It is possible for people to fall away from the faith; that is part of having a free will. "Once saved always saved" is not the Word of God, but the tradition of man. If you can make a conscious decision to follow God, does that mean that you can make a conscious decision to not follow God?
It is now time to open up one of the most powerful Doctrines we will ever know. These Doctrines have shown you the importance of words and definitions, namely the way God's definitions create.
What would happen if the entire modern church believes something that was taught by a man instead of found within the Word of God? Do you think we would hold God back with our natural way of thinking? Do you think we could hinder God's Will with one definition of a word? How important do you think words really are? Answer this question before continuing...
What is your definition of grace?
We saw this in Doctrine #32: Growth. Repent didn't mean stop. It meant turn around and GO the opposite way. Repentance isn't just stopping the bad act, it is making progress the opposite way.