| 2. Fundamentals vs. New Age -> Repentance vs New Age Repentance -> Conscious Intention |
The intention Must be Conscious, Deliberate.
No rational being can believe (commit) on (eis-for the purpose or result of) the Lord Jesus Christ (life for Life) without first deciding in his mind this is better than his sinful state. For repentance, a deliberate turning to God or changing of mind (intention) rationally, consciously, is mandatory; otherwise it could only be reported as a mindless event. "Why did you do that?" "I don't know."
Or another scenario, which fits the New Age doctrines about salvation, could be, "Why did you do that?" "Oh, Jesus promised that because of what He did for me, I will go to Heaven if I just accept His free gift, so why not? I'd be crazy not to, wouldn't I? Why don't you get it too and then we'll still have time to go out to the bar later, and pick up somebody." Did Christ and the Apostles and any scriptures teach that? Where is a changed mind, a changed intention?
Upholding Dispensationalism, formally starting in 1830 in England and in the USA after 1900, The Scofield Bible (1904) and the Dallas Theological Seminary (1924) teachings concerning repentance not being necessary for the past 110 years is antinomialism (lawlessness) in the most blatant form possible. No wonder our society is now destroyed by Godless unholy practices and teachings of the so-called Christian churches, nearly all Godless apostates today (2000). We are now in the Laodicean church age of Rev 3:14-22.
Not a work
Repentance was commanded by Christ when he preached the gospel saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent (imperative mood, meaning it is commanded) ye, and believe (imperative mood, also commanded) the gospel." Mark 1:15 After His resurrection, "Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things." Luke 24:45-48
When Peter defended his going to Cornelius's house, we are told that the Jewish believers, "When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto (eis--for the purpose of or result of) Life." Acts 11:18 Paul taught that the "goodness of God led people to repentance," Rom.2:4, and that "now God is commanding all men everywhere to repent." Acts 17:30
Repentance is not in itself any outward act, or restitution, although this may occur in the person after believing, and in His newborn state be led to make restitution. Repentance is also not stopping sinning before he can believe (commit), although this will certainly result as the person continues to believe (commit) and be obedient to the Holy Spirit within his spirit.
An outward change will become apparent if repentance is present. This is not a "work of repentance", as a Catholic penance, but a change in behavior resulting from committing and obedience of now indwelling faith. These works are a manifestation of something that has already happened in their spirit, they are a product ....... John the Baptist clearly said:
"Bring forth, therefore, fruits worthy of repentance, and begin 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.
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree, therefore, which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire" (Luke 3:8-9). Paul in Acts 19:4 gives an interesting insight into the baptism of repentance of John (Acts 13:24, Lk 3:3, and Mrk 1:4) by further stating that "John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." After he baptized Jesus, it is recorded that John himself proclaimed publicly that Jesus was the Christ, whom he was preaching.
"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is He of whom I said, After me cometh a Man which is preferred before me: for He was before me. And I knew Him not: but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him. And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus." John 1:29-37 Then John's message became the same as Christ's message concerning repenting and believing on Christ Jesus, Himself. And John and Jesus disciples both baptized people thereafter. The salvation message has never changed. Even the Old Testament saints looked forward to their souls' salvation by their future coming Redeemer.
The sacrificial system was a shadow of the repentance and commitment of the soul seeking forgiveness and a saving relationship to their future Saviour, Lord God. When Christ came, both John the Baptist and Christ said now repent and believe (commit) in your hearts for the promise to your forefathers of a Redeemer, Lord Jesus Christ, is now fulfilled.
But, Israel in their flesh, wanted an earthly king..........
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