Results 1 - 5 of 5
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | How do you say "repent" gently? | Acts 3:26 | Aixen7z4 | 96932 | ||
How do you explain the concept of repentance to a person who is not saved? The word "Repent" may seem harsh and demanding; it may even have connotations of condemnation. And yet, it has its place in a presentation of the Gospel. It is, along with faith, something that God requires if a person will be saved. How do you break this news gently, say, to a friend? I say this to encourage us to not leave it out if we find that it's unpleasant. A person who professes faith without exercising repentance may find himself with an empty profession. We may not want to give someone a false assurance of salvation. And yet, I say, the word "Repent" seems harsh. How do you present it? Peter seems to be saying in Acts 3 (Note verse 26) that God is turning us to himself. Yes, the very thing he is asking us to do, he is helping us to do. The Old Testament saints seem to have understood this as they prayed "Turn us again, O God" (See Psalm 80 and 85, for example). It occurs to me that when a person is willing to listen to the Gospel it shows the Holy Spirit is inclining his heart away from sin and toward God. We might ask the sinner to recognize this, to be thankful for it, and to cooperate with it. |
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2 | How do you say "repent" gently? | Acts 3:26 | glory777 | 96934 | ||
Aixen7z4- I may be wrong, but I don't think a person can come to the point of accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior unless he comes to the point of repentence. If you are not broken, knowing how needy you are for a Savior, you will not accept One. That involves brokenness, and in that brokenness a desire to change, something we can't do on our own. It is having a deep sorrow, not just being sorry, for the way you are living, but a desperation, knowing nothing you can do can make you acceptable in the eyes of God, and knowing that only Jesus death and ressurection can make you acceptable. Only the Holy Spirit working in someone can make him understand this. It is only so many words to those who won't believe. God bless, Debbie |
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3 | How do you say "repent" gently? | Acts 3:26 | John Reformed | 96950 | ||
Dear Debbie, You are not wrong. In fact you are absolutely right! Acts 5:31 "He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Acts 11:18 When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life." 2 Tim 2:25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, Repentance - There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. (1.) The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3). (2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised. Evangelical repentance consists of (1) a true sense of one's own guilt and sinfulness; (2) an apprehension of God's mercy in Christ; (3) an actual hatred of sin (Ps. 119:128; Job 42:5, 6; 2 Cor. 7:10) and turning from it to God; and (4) a persistent endeavour after a holy life in a walking with God in the way of his commandments. The true penitent is conscious of guilt (Ps. 51:4, 9), of pollution (51:5, 7, 10), and of helplessness (51:11; 109:21, 22). Thus he apprehends himself to be just what God has always seen him to be and declares him to be. But repentance comprehends not only such a sense of sin, but also an apprehension of mercy, without which there can be no true repentance (Ps. 51:1; 130:4). (Easton's Bible Dictionary) Repentance is essential. But it is not a work which we manufacture or summon up by way of human will-power. Rather, it is a grace bestowed by God upon those whom He calls. Thank you for sharing your God-given insight on this important aspect of salvation. God Bless, John |
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4 | How do you say "repent" gently? | Acts 3:26 | Aixen7z4 | 97087 | ||
Surely you are correct, J.R., that "Repentance is essential" (Luke 13:3), and that it is "not a work which we manufacture" (John 1:13). One must also agree with Debbie that it takes "the Holy Spirit working in someone" (John 16:8). And now this seems to be a good common meeting ground where a Calvinist and an Armenian can witness to someone together. They can both tell them that God is commanding them to repent (Acts 17:30) and that it is he who is giving them the desire (Phil 2:13) and the privilege (Acts 11:18) and the ability to repent (Lam 5:21). It does seem that we should be able to present this is a pleasant, attractive, appealing way (as in Isaiah 1:18). They may not always accept the opportunity to do it (as in Isaiah 30:15) but they would not be able to blame us for being too harsh. |
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5 | How do you say "repent" gently? | Acts 3:26 | John Reformed | 97092 | ||
Rom 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; It is indeed a pleasant experience when fellow christians find themselves in one accord. I also believe that if we take Isa 1:18 as our model, we must not neglect verse 20 and the consequences of continued rebellion in unbelief. Your thoughts? John |
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