Doctrine of the Past - Repentance

The Work of Jesus Christ is seen in 3 stages: past, present, and future.

This work is presented in His 3 offices: prophet, priest, King.

As Prophet he speaks for God, As Priest He mediates between man and God, As King He rules in your heart and the world.

This work is performed in 3 tasks: Redemption, Representation, Renewal

The phrases of this work: we are saved from the penalty of sin, we are being saved from the POWER of sin, we shall be saved from the Presence of sin.

The terms of these works are: Justification, Sanctification, Glorification.

Hebrews 9:24–28 (KJV 1900)

24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Revelation 1:8 (KJV 1900)

8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Now understand, that this is just an outline.

Christ’s work cannot just be limited to these works because He is God, Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent.

As Prophet, Christ speaks to the people for God.

Old Testament Proof

Deuteronomy 18:18–19 (KJV 1900)

18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

Luke 7:16 (KJV 1900)

16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

Acts 3:22–23 (KJV 1900)

22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

Acts 7:37 (KJV 1900)

37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.

New Testament proof

Matthew 21:11 (KJV 1900)

11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

Luke 10:22 (KJV 1900)

22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

Hebrews 1:2 (KJV 1900)

2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Present Prophetic Ministry

John 16:13–15 (KJV 1900)

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

As Priest, Christ Speaks to God For the People

Hebrews 4:14–15 (KJV 1900)

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 7:17–28 (KJV 1900)

17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:

21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)

22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV 1900)

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

As King, Christ Reigns Over the People As God

Matthew 21:5 (KJV 1900)

5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

John 12:15 (KJV 1900)

15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.

The Lord Jesus Christ is King in the sense that He seeks to rule in the Kingdom of God.

The past work of Christ centers upon the cross of Calvary.

The cross is central to the Bible.

We preach Christ crucified!

Jesus Christ did not come to be a Teacher (though He taught,) to set a good example, (though He did,) to bring social revolution to Palestine, etc., etc., He cam to “seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

Landmarks of Baptist Doctrine, Pastor Robert J. Sargent

Man was born to live - Christ was born to die.

This past aspect of Christ’s work centers around His death and resurrection.

Hebrews 6:1 (KJV 1900)

1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Today, we want to deal with the first half of salvation and God’s past work.

Repentance.

Repentance deals with satisfaction of the Holiness of God.

Faith deals with satisfaction of the Love of God.

Repentance and faith belong to the human side of salvation in that they are man’s response to the preaching of the Word of God.

Repentance is the negative aspect - turning from sin.

Faith is the positive aspect — turning to Christ.

The very basic first principle of the oracles of God is that both need to be accepted and both need to be preached in order for a relationship with Christ to begin.

Acts 20:21 (KJV 1900)

21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mark 1:15 (KJV 1900)

15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Acts 26:20 (KJV 1900)

20 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 for repentance.

Hebrews 6:1 (KJV 1900)

1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Today, I want us to understand Repentance and next week we will look at Faith.

The Attention of Repentance

Preached by John the Baptist.

Matthew 3:1–2 (KJV 1900)

1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 3:8 (KJV 1900)

8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

Preached by Jesus Christ

Matthew 4:17 (KJV 1900)

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Preached by the Apostles

Mark 6:12 (KJV 1900)

12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

Acts 2:38 (KJV 1900)

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 26:20 (KJV 1900)

20 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 for repentance.

Acts 17:30 (KJV 1900)

30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

2 Peter 3:9 (KJV 1900)

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Your Salvation Depends on Repentance

Luke 13:3 (KJV 1900)

3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Luke 13:5 (KJV 1900)

5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

James 5:20 (KJV 1900)

20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

The Allusion of Repentance

Repent or repentance occurs 112 times in the Word of God.

Understand, Not every reference of repentance3 in the Word of God is not in connection with sin and salvation.

Genesis 6:6–7 (KJV 1900)

6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

7 And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

Jeremiah 15:6 (KJV 1900)

6 Thou hast forsaken me, saith the Lord, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.

This why context is very important.

Repentance is a change of mind resulting in a change of action.

This definition does agree with every use of repent and repentance including the repentance of God.

Therefore, Repentance as dealing with salvation or for the remission of sins involves a change in our attitude:

1. A change in our attitude toward what we think about sin.

Sin was once enjoyed and celebrated, now sin is seen in its ugliness as God sees it.

Psalm 97:10 (KJV 1900)

10 Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of his saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 38:18 (KJV 1900)

18 For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.

Psalm 51:17 (KJV 1900)

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

2. A change in our attitude toward what we think about God.

Once you despise God, or even had little regard for the work of Christ, now you see Christ as the only hope for salvation.

Repentance is not remorse.

Repentance is not uncontrollable weeping and outward shows of sorrow.

True repentance is not an outward show of emotions - but it always involves a change of heart, a change of mind, and a change of attitude, always resulting in a change of actions.

Matthew 21:29 (KJV 1900)

29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

Too often remorse is seen because of the sorrow of being caught or even a result of the consequences of sin.

2 Corinthians 7:10 (KJV 1900)

10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Repentance = Godly Sorrow

Remorse = Worldly Sorrow

Esau and Judas are both great examples of remorse.

Peter is a great example of repentance.

The Activity of Repentance

Man does not naturally repent.

The Holy Spirit produces conviction.

God grants repentance

by grace operating in the Holy Spirit through the teaching of truth.

2 Timothy 2:25 (KJV 1900)

25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

Through the Preaching of the Word of God.

The Word of God reveals our true condition and the folly of our sin.

Through the Goodness of God.

Romans 2:4 (KJV 1900)

4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Through Chastisement and Church Discipline.

2 Corinthians 7:8–11 (KJV 1900)

8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

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.

Revelation 3:19 (KJV 1900)

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

The Acknowledgment of Repentance

A confession of Sin to God.

Luke 18:13 (KJV 1900)

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

A confession of Faults to Man.

Luke 19:8–9 (KJV 1900)

8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

James 5:16 (KJV 1900)

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

A forsaking of Sin

1 Peter 3:10–11 (KJV 1900)

10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

The Aftermath of Repentance

Joy in Heaven

Pardon and Forgiveness

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

Blessings, Mercy, and Prosperity

Life

Answered Prayer

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV 1900)

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

A Relationship with God begins with repentance.

Are you willing to admit that you are a sinner and out of a relationship with God?