The Cross of Christ Alone Can Save

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by mfblume

But repentance is also CONFESSION that sin is sin, and that is what I had not done.

Buried in the muck and mire of all the bloviating that's been going on, here is what I figured might emerge at some point.

Mike, can you expound on this some? (please, not an hour long sermon) I'd like to know the theology behind this statement, specifically, your scriptural basis.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by notofworks

Buried in the muck and mire of all the bloviating that's been going on, here is what I figured might emerge at some point.

Mike, can you expound on this some? (please, not an hour long sermon) I'd like to know the theology behind this statement, specifically, your scriptural basis.

Repentance is:

WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY:

1. To feel pain, sorrow or regret for something done or spoken; as, to repent that we have lost much time in idleness or sensual pleasure; to repent that we have injured or wounded the feelings of a friend. A person repents only of what he himself has done or said.

Greek definition:

G3340
μετανοέω
metanoeō
met-an-o-eh'-o
From G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent.

Compunction is a "pricking of the heart". It is what the people who heard Peter preach experienced when we read their hearts were pricked in Acts 2:37.

When one is pricked in their hearts over sin, they want release from it.

1 John 1:9 KJV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Only God can pardon sin when we confess it to God. And confession of sin is caused by a heavy impression in our souls that produces a godly sorrow.

Adam Clarke explained that 1 John 1:9 as follows, and notice how he quotes 2 Cor 7:9-11, which I quote below Clarke's words:

...and a man that truly confesses his sin is one that the Spirit of God has convinced of it, and has shown him its exceeding sinfulness, and filled him with a godly sorrow for it, and given him repentance unto salvation, that needeth not to be repented of

2 Corinthians 7:9-11 KJV (9) Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. (10) For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. (11) For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Notice it is a godly sorrowing for sin. I HAD NOT DONE THAT, since I refused to accept that what I was doing was sin. I had no godly sorrow for some of the sins I was committing, but I did for other sins. So I would confess nothing for those particular sins, since I would not admit it was sin, although I knew inside it was.

To say more requires more words, so this is as brief as I can make it.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Repentance is:

WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY:

1. To feel pain, sorrow or regret for something done or spoken; as, to repent that we have lost much time in idleness or sensual pleasure; to repent that we have injured or wounded the feelings of a friend. A person repents only of what he himself has done or said.

Greek definition:

G3340
μετανοέω
metanoeō
met-an-o-eh'-o
From G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent.

Compunction is a "pricking of the heart". It is what the people who heard Peter preach experienced when we read their hearts were pricked in Acts 2:37.

When one is pricked in their hearts over sin, they want release from it.

1 John 1:9 KJV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Only God can pardon sin when we confess it to God. And confession of sin is caused by a heavy impression in our souls that produces a godly sorrow.

Adam Clarke explained that 1 John 1:9 as follows, and notice how he quotes 2 Cor 7:9-11, which I quote below Clarke's words:

...and a man that truly confesses his sin is one that the Spirit of God has convinced of it, and has shown him its exceeding sinfulness, and filled him with a godly sorrow for it, and given him repentance unto salvation, that needeth not to be repented of

2 Corinthians 7:9-11 KJV (9) Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. (10) For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. (11) For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Notice it is a godly sorrowing for sin. I HAD NOT DONE THAT, since I refused to accept that what I was doing was sin. I had no godly sorrow for some of the sins I was committing, but I did for other sins. So I would confess nothing for those particular sins, since I would not admit it was sin, although I knew inside it was.

To say more requires more words, so this is as brief as I can make it.

Bolded....no, I don't believe it is. Repentance is NOT a Godly sorrow. Repentance is the RESULT of Godly sorrow.

Despite your very thorough explanation, and granted, it's ten times the explanation most could ever give, you still seem to have an element of belief that repentance is a spit & slobber session of begging God for forgiveness. And that's absolutely an element we don't see in scripture.

"Repent" still means "repent", and as you provided the Greek roots for the word we see in scripture, it is a "Turn", or "To think differently". Webster's is fine but that's not the core of the word we see in the bible, which does not mean "To feel pain, sorrow, or regret".

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by notofworks

Bolded....no, I don't believe it is. Repentance is NOT a Godly sorrow.

But the Greek definition says "(morally to feel compunction)"

Repentance is the RESULT of Godly sorrow.

Yes, I can agree with you, partly. But godly sorrow works repentance. But godly sorrow is PART of repentance, too. The Greek definition actually said it! From G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent.

That is the reason we read that the pricking of the heart in Acts 2:37 led to the command from Peter for the people to repent in Acts 2:38. First, the heart is pricked, and then the command to repent is to be fulfilled.

Acts 2:37-38 KJV Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? (38) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, ...

How would you describe someone obeying the command to repent? What do they do when they repent? It is something we choose to do, otherwise neither John the Baptist, Jesus or Peter would tell people they must repent. So it is a work. The only way it is not a work is if we have no choice to accomplish it or not, and it just happens to us without our decision.

Despite your very thorough explanation, and granted, it's ten times the explanation most could ever give, you still seem to have an element of belief that repentance is a spit & slobber session of begging God for forgiveness. And that's absolutely an element we don't see in scripture.

"Repent" still means "repent", and as you provided the Greek roots for the word we see in scripture, it is a "Turn", or "To think differently". Webster's is fine but that's not the core of the word we see in the bible, which does not mean "To feel pain, sorrow, or regret".

Strong's did not even use the term TURN. But I agree turning is involved since it is thinking differently. But the Greek term included FEELING compunction, which is a sorrow. To feel sorrow and Strong's Greek flatly said that.

And that involves thinking differently about sins. I refused to think that the sin I was in was indeed sin. So the repentance element was to think differently and admit it was indeed sin.

[mfblume]

REPENTANCE (Easton):

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 (Mat_27:3).

(2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge.

(3.) This verb, with 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 (Psa_119:128; Job_42:5, Job_42:6; 2Co_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 (Psa_51:4, Psa_51:9), of pollution (Psa_51:5, Psa_51:7, Psa_51:10), and of helplessness (Psa_51:11; Psa_109:21, Psa_109:22). 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 (Psa_51:1; Psa_130:4).

I had not done the emboldened in regards to certain sins, so I had to repent. And then God gave me His Spirit.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by mfblume

REPENTANCE (Easton):

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 (Mat_27:3).

(2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge.

(3.) This verb, with 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 (Psa_119:128; Job_42:5, Job_42:6; 2Co_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 (Psa_51:4, Psa_51:9), of pollution (Psa_51:5, Psa_51:7, Psa_51:10), and of helplessness (Psa_51:11; Psa_109:21, Psa_109:22). 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 (Psa_51:1; Psa_130:4).

I had not done the emboldened in regards to certain sins, so I had to repent. And then God gave me His Spirit.

So these last two posts would seem to contradict your previous statement that repentance is "A Godly sorrowing for sin." Correct?

And the statement..."It is a change of heart"....Exactly!!! That's what the non-three-steppers have been saying all along. The change of heart is the turning to Christ!

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by notofworks

So these last two post would seem to contradict your previous statement that repentance is "A Godly sorrowing for sin." Correct?

If so, then Strong's concordance contradicts this. Strong's greek deifnition said that repentance includes a feeling of sorrow.

"(morally to feel compunction)" Is that an incorrect Greek Definition, while Strong says it is not? Do you mean Easton is right and Strong is wrong?

And the statement..."It is a change of heart"....Exactly!!! That's what the non-three-steppers have been saying all along. The change of heart is the turning to Christ!

Three steppers have always said it is a change of heart, too.

What would be your response to saying people were commanded to repent? Does that mean people are commanded to have a change of heart? Do we choose to change our hearts or not? Why would Jesus, John the Baptist and Peter command people to repent?

Repentance is also a hatred of sin and turning from sin. THAT was what I was trying to describe when I said I did not release sin. You called that salvation by works.

The Hebrew word for repent (#5162 and 7725) have the connotation of being sorry, regret, and to return, turn back, to restore. It is a verb and indicates an active involvement.

H5162
נחם
nâcham
naw-kham'
A primitive root; properly to sigh, that is, breathe strongly; by implication to be sorry, that is, (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself): - comfort (self), ease [one’s self], repent (-er, -ing, self).

H7725
שׁוּב
shûb
shoob
A primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbially again

[Pressing-On]

Read this in the Amplified this morning:

Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ; for it is God's power working unto salvation (for deliverance from eternal death) to every one who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek,"

I like how that reads!

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Read this in the Amplified this morning:

Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ; for it is God's power working unto salvation (for deliverance from eternal death) to every one who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek,"

I like how that reads!

Pressing-On, you can't use this verse. You can't use this verse. This one is in OUR playbook!! Look what it says..."Salvation to everyone who believes with a personal trust"!!!

Of course, this is just one of dozens of correlating statements in the New Testament.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Repentance is:

WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY:

1. To feel pain, sorrow or regret for something done or spoken; as, to repent that we have lost much time in idleness or sensual pleasure; to repent that we have injured or wounded the feelings of a friend. A person repents only of what he himself has done or said.

Greek definition:

G3340
μετανοέω
metanoeō
met-an-o-eh'-o
From G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent.

Compunction is a "pricking of the heart". It is what the people who heard Peter preach experienced when we read their hearts were pricked in Acts 2:37.

When one is pricked in their hearts over sin, they want release from it.

1 John 1:9 KJV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Only God can pardon sin when we confess it to God. And confession of sin is caused by a heavy impression in our souls that produces a godly sorrow.

Adam Clarke explained that 1 John 1:9 as follows, and notice how he quotes 2 Cor 7:9-11, which I quote below Clarke's words:

...and a man that truly confesses his sin is one that the Spirit of God has convinced of it, and has shown him its exceeding sinfulness, and filled him with a godly sorrow for it, and given him repentance unto salvation, that needeth not to be repented of

2 Corinthians 7:9-11 KJV (9) Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. (10) For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. (11) For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Notice it is a godly sorrowing for sin. I HAD NOT DONE THAT, since I refused to accept that what I was doing was sin. I had no godly sorrow for some of the sins I was committing, but I did for other sins. So I would confess nothing for those particular sins, since I would not admit it was sin, although I knew inside it was.

To say more requires more words, so this is as brief as I can make it.

Mike, I had a long, complicated, educated, and convincing rebuttal to this that would have instantly converted you to a one-stepper, or even a zero-stepper like me. But when I pushed "submit" I had disconnected and lost it. My brilliance is lost in the wind somewhere in techno-outer space.

I'll have to try again.