The Cross of Christ Alone Can Save

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Pel,
I think Paul says that repentance is a work. Therefore, baptism must also be a work.

Paul tells King Agrippa, "But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet (deserving/suitable) for repentance." (Acts 26:20)

If John, the forerunner, was preaching the "baptism of repentance", then Paul was preaching it also, except that Paul would have included the infilling of the Holy Ghost. I believe as MB put it - "And Spirit infilling with tongues is where we also do something. But we speak as the Spirit gives utterance. It is cooperation in all cases! The Spirit does not simply come on us without any mental assent required for anything."

James 2:17 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."

I don't see that it's saying repentance IS a work. "they should repent and turn to God" AND "do works meet for repentance."

The good works are caused by repentance, therefore they are in agreement with the nature of true repentance. The NKJ says "befitting" of repentance.

Also, James is saying true faith brings forth good works in a believer. A little different that saying good works creates belief or faith...

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I don't see that it's saying repentance IS a work. "they should repent and turn to God" AND "do works meet for repentance."

The good works are caused by repentance, therefore they are in agreement with the nature of true repentance. The NKJ says "befitting" of repentance.

Yes, I agree with that. "...and also among the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works and live lives consistent with and worthy of their repentance."

I think that you have to, also, consciously repent (think differently). That is a work (deed) and something we are engaged in. I think that if you are morally feeling compunction (sense of guilt), you are going to have your mental faculties involved. Therefore, it is a work. There are no free passes into the Kingdom.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Yes, I agree with that. "...and also among the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works and live lives consistent with and worthy of their repentance."

I think that you have to, also, consciously repent (think differently). That is a work (deed) and something we are engaged in. I think that if you are morally feeling compunction (sense of guilt), you are going to have your mental faculties involved. Therefore, it is a work. There are no free passes into the Kingdom.

I am just not ready to say that myself. I would think it much more appropriate to say it is the work of the Spirit which I simply yield to. The yielding is not so much an intellectual decision as it is the inner man receiving the message... no "works" involved. "God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

For it is God who is producing in you both the desire and the ability to do what pleases him. ISV

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I am just not ready to say that myself. I would think it much more appropriate to say it is the work of the Spirit. "God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

For it is God who is producing in you both the desire and the ability to do what pleases him. ISV

Yes, I also agree, except, you have to be willing to comply. That is engaging in an act. He isn't doing all of the work alone. We are working together in unity.

It's just coming across that nothing is being done or demanded of our part. But that isn't true.

1 Peter 4:17 "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?"

Action is required to be saved.