Lessons for the Salvation Seminar

Bible Doctrine of Salvation
Soteriology

Lessons: Salvation, Regeneration, Repentance, Faith, Justification,
How to Be Born Again, Sanctification. 

III. Repentance

Different Aspects of Repentance (Continued...)

Change - Transformation, the necessary effect of repentance. 

   Repentance is the work of God and the cooperation of
   the individual, changing the whole person.

   Change is inevitable and indispensable to repentance.

   The meaning of the Hebrew word for repent is "to turn."

   The meaning of the Greek word for repent is "to
   change over to."

Some Counterfeits or Substitutes for Repentance: 

 1. Religion - turning to a religion but "Having a form of godliness,
    but denying the power thereof..." (2 Timothy 3:5). It is not
    enough to convert to nominal Christianity from another religion
    unless the person becomes regenerated by God's power. 
 2. Regret - The natural emotional feeling of regret or
    unhappiness because something has happened is not
    necessarily repentance. Tears and guilt do not determine a
    genuine turning to God. Ahab tore his clothes, fasted, and sat
    in sackcloth and ashes (the outward signs of repentance - 1
    Kings 21:27; 2 Kings 22:19), and God even reduced the
    sentence or changed the time of judgment to his household,
    but his heart condition, as far as serving God, remained
    unchanged. A drunkard might be sorry or feel regret for the
    shame and suffering his drink has brought but continues to
    drink. He hasn't repented. 
 3. An intellectual understanding of the Word of God and even of
    the plan of salvation--even being convinced that it is right--is
    still not repentance (Acts 24:24-26; Mark 10:21, 22; Acts
    26:26-28; Matthew 11:20). 
 4. A conviction that emotionally shakes the soul, only, can be a
    substitute for repentance. Conviction alone is not a turning to
    God from sin. 

God is "...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
repentance" (1 Peter 3:9). Psalms 38 and 51 are prayers of repentance.

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