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RenewingMinds
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Repentance
The following are sample quotations from the various works of Miles J. Stanford.
Our natural birth made us members of the fallen, sinful first-Adam race. Our transition from the old sinful race to the new godly race is known as the “new birth.” When we were born again, through “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21), we were born into Him—He became our life (see Col. 3:3, 4).
The healthy new birth, based on deep conviction of sin and repentance toward God, starts out clear and strong with love and devotion to the Saviour.
How to be born again consists of “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). Repentance means to turn about, to change one’s mind. God, the Creator of the universe, asks you to turn from your way and choose His way. And He has personally paid your (Adamic) penalty on the Cross so that you are legally free to make the right choice. “God... commandeth all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30).
Rather, we are to learn to rely upon the cross to deal with the sin principle, as we abide in the risen Lord for our spiritual growth. Then, if we do sin, we depend upon our Advocate in heaven to reestablish our fellowship with the Father, and our Advocate within to repair the spiritual damage by means of conviction, leading us to repentance and confession.
The Lord Jesus did not pray that Peter might not sin, but, having fallen, that his faith would respond to His Lord’s advocacy. His faithful intercession kept Peter from self-centered despair, giving him grace for true repentance, deep sorrow for his sin, purity of conscience, and restoration of fellowship.
Another common error is that of praying for forgiveness, instead of heeding the Word, confessing the sins, and receiving the assurance of forgiveness. One may pray for forgiveness for months, and still not receive the assurance of it. Many admit sin in general, instead of confessing sins in particular. Assurance of forgiveness and cleansing are the sure result of honest and specific confession of sins committed in thought, word, or deed. There may be repentance and brokenness, but this is the result of confession and cleansing, not the cause.
We are first to be witnesses, then soul-winners. When the Lord Jesus is reigning and manifest in us, others will hunger for Him: “Sir, we would see Jesus” (John 12:21). When the Holy Spirit has convicted them of their need for the Savior, they will freely exercise “repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). Thus, they will not be badgered into a decision to get saved before they are convicted of being lost; neither will they be coming to Him to get, but to give. At his conversion, Paul, “trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6).
All of us are going to have sorrow, and none of us should miss its spiritual benefits. “Godly sorrow worketh repentance...while the sorrow of the world worketh death (2 Cor. 7:10).
As we read in Acts 2:14–40, Peter witnessed to them of the risen Lord Jesus Christ whom they had crucified, and the Holy Spirit brought them under conviction of sin. Then he instructed 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 Spirit.” The conditions upon which the Jews received the gift of the Spirit at that time (1st Century) were: belief in Christ, repentance for sin, and water baptism. This was the Gospel of the circumcision, and involved water baptism before receiving the gift of the Spirit. They were to repent of having (representatively) slain their Messiah, and in a figurative way to wash their hands of the crime by being baptized (water). Then the Spirit would indwell them. Paul was saved on the basis of this Gospel of the circumcision (Acts 9:18; 22:16). When we come to Cornelius and the Gentiles being brought into the Church through receiving the gift of the Spirit, we shall see the Gospel of the uncircumcision in action--the very Gospel by which we were born again and baptized into the Body of Christ. “But on the contrary, when they saw that the Gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me [Paul], as the Gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter” (Galatians 2:7). In the Gospel of the uncircumcision the order is: belief in Christ, repentance for sin, reception of the Spirit, and then water baptism--the public confession of identification with Christ in His death and resurrection.
- SEATED
- ASCENDED
- RAISED
- BURIED
- CRUCIFIED
