gross@dg-rtp.dg.com (Gene Gross) (12/11/90)
In response to my posting about salvation and faith, Frank asks about why some have more faith then others and repentance. I didn't quote from his posting only because I want to conserve bandwidth. However, I copied his posting over to my home directory and can refer to it if needs be later. Frank, if you feel that I've missed any major points, well, 2x4's aren't hard to find. ;-) Let me start with repentance. "Repent" is the translation of a Greek verb metanoeo, meaning to have another mind, to change the mind, and is used in the NT to indicate a change of mind in respect to sin, God, and self. This change of mind may, especially in the case of Christians who have fallen into sin, be preceded by sorrow (2 Cor. 7:8-11); but sorrow for sin, though it may cause repentance, is not repentance. The son in Matt. 21:28-29 illustrates true repentance. Now here is a key point that I want to make. Repentance is not an act separate from faith, but saving faith, which is what I make reference to in my previous posting, includes and implies that change of mind which is called repentance. The essence of faith consists in believing and receiving what God has revealed, and may be defined as that trust in the God of the Scriptures and in Jesus Christ whom He has sent, which receives Him as Lord and Savior and impels to loving obedience and good works (John 1:12; Jas 2:14-26). Going back to the passage that I used in my original posting, Eph. 2:8, 9, please notice that the faith that is dealt with there is faith unto salvation. This faith of necessity also requires repentance. Further, I find no evidence that there is a difference as to quality or quantity in this faith as respects persons. The same faith that I received for salvation is the same faith that any other believer receives at this precise moment. Frank, at the moment of salvation, we are on equal footing as regards faith and salvation. None of us may by any meritorious efforts win salvation. I'll post on predestination later. For His glory, Gene
fyfe@cis.ohio-state.edu (Bob Fyfe) (12/14/90)
From article <Dec.11.01.05.13.1990.7718@athos.rutgers.edu>, by gross@dg-rtp.dg.com (Gene Gross): > > Let me start with repentance. "Repent" is the translation of a Greek > verb metanoeo, meaning to have another mind, to change the mind, and is > used in the NT to indicate a change of mind in respect to sin, God, and > self. This change of mind may, especially in the case of Christians who > have fallen into sin, be preceded by sorrow (2 Cor. 7:8-11); but sorrow > for sin, though it may cause repentance, is not repentance. The son in > Matt. 21:28-29 illustrates true repentance. Further explanation of repentance... I agree with Gene regarding the nature of repentance. I would term the sorrow that he refers to in regard to sin as remorse. It's like the difference between sorrow for getting caught stealing the cookies and sorrow for stealing the cookies. Interestingly, there are two men in scripture that both committed similiar acts. We see Judas betraying Jesus in Luke 22:1-5 and then in Luke 22:47:51. We see Peter denying Jesus in the courtyard immediately after that in 22:54-62. This act was also a form of betrayal. What is interesting is their own response to their act. Both had walked with Jesus for the last few years. I think Judas felt remorse and Peter was repentant. One further comment: With repentance the change of heart is accompanied with a corresponding change of action. Someone described repentance to me as walking down the road and then make a 180 degree change, walking in the other direction. You see what you think... Here is Judas's response: Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw tht Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. (Matt. 27:11-5 NIV). Peter's response: Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly. Always becoming, Bob Fyfe Bob Fyfe / EMT-A/ Ham Radio KA8YWQ | INTERNET: fyfe@andy.bgsu.edu University Computer Services | BITNET: fyfe@bgsuopie Bowling Green State University (OH)| UUCP: ...!osu-cis!bgsuvax!fyfe