A look at repentance … There is a lot taught about repentance … “I’m Sorry” SORRY, about what? What you did? Or That you got Caught? Paul says there is a difference … 2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. What is true repentance … Read Matthew 21:28-32 Parable of the two sons Luke 15:11-32 Parable of the lost Son True Repentance is Deciding to change … THEN doing it! Repentance involves more than being sorry … it involves restitution. The son repented an restored his father’s faith The lost son repented and was willing to work as a slave Restoration … the act of paying back or making right. Zacchaeus Luke 19:1-8 What does the LAW say … Exodus 22:1-4 Restitution for theft Leviticus 6:2-5 Restitution for Deceit, Lying, Perjury, Robbery Leviticus 24:14-22 Restitution for death of man or beast Who is to be restored? Numbers 5:6-7 “Say to the Israelites: ‘Any man or woman who wrongs another in any way[a] and so is unfaithful to the LORD is guilty and must confess the sin they have committed. They must make full restitution for the wrong they have done, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the person they have wronged.
Repentance, Restitution without it there is no joy in salvation.
David the example … Psalm 51:12-13Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.
RESTITUTION begins with Prayer and Ends with all parties restored.
WHOSE NAMES ARE IN THE BOOK? Exodus 32:32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. Psalm 69:28Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous. Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Philippians 4:3And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. WHOSE NAMES ARE NOT IN THE BOOK? Exodus 32:33And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. 2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: Revelation 13:8And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 17:8The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. HOW DOES A NAME GET INTO THE BOOK? Daniel 12:1And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. John 1:12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 5:24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. DO YOU WANT YOUR SINS BLOTTED OUT OR YOUR NAME BLOTTED OUT? Exodus 32:33And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. Isaiah 44:22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. Colossians 2:9-15 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Revelation 3:5He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Romans 10:9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
We are saved with an Eternal Salvation Hebrews 5:9and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him We are possessors of Eternal Life John 3:16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. We aresecure in an Eternal Covenant Hebrews 13:20Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus… We are liberated by an Eternal Redemption Hebrews 9:12He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining[a] eternal redemption. We have an Eternal House 2 Corinthians 5:1For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. We are called toEternal Glory 1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ… We are kept for anEternal Inheritance Hebrews 9:15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance— We are cheered by anEternal Encouragement 2 Thessalonians 2:16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, We know there is anEternalWeight of Glory 2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory …. We shall dwell in anEternal Dwellings Luke 16:9I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. We are aiming to have an abundant entrance into the EternalKingdom 2 Peter 1:11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Finally, We areescaped from: Eternal SIN Mark 3:29but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin. Eternal Judgement Hebrews 6:2… the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. EternalFire Jude 7… They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
Galatians 1:1Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Philippians 3:10-11That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 1 Thessalonians 1:10And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. To his spiritual son Timothy, he wrote: 2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: 2 Timothy 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. To the Hebrews he wrote: Hebrews 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Hebrews 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: As these texts are read and studied, it is evident that the Apostle Paul lived, preached and staked his life on the truth of the resurrection. In almost every epistle that he wrote he mentioned the Resurrection.
Around 40 AD Peter is sent to the house of Cornelius: (Recorded twice) 1st ⇒ Acts 10:13-15And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
2nd ⇒Acts 11:7-9And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. Acts 11:16Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
About AD 54, while in city of Corinth, the Lord again spoke to Paul: Acts 18:9-10Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.
About AD 57, The Lord told Paul: 2 Corinthians 12:9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Again about AD 59, while in Caesarea the Lord spoke to Paul for the last recorded time: Acts 23:11And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
Does this mean the Lord Jesus talks to man today? Hebrews 1-2God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 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; And just how has the Lord Jesus (God) spoken to us?
On the cross the Lord Jesus said “It is finished” (John 19:30). Then He rose from the dead and walked the earth for 40 days after His resurrection. Then the Lord Jesus ascended into heaven to be seated at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19). Did this mean His personal relationship with man was complete?
About 36 AD He dealt with Saul: (there are 3 accounts of Saul’s conversion). 1stActs 9:4-6And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. Acts 9:10-16And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. 2nd Acts 22:7-10And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. And I said, What shall I do, LORD? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. Acts 22:18-21And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles 3rdActs 26:14-18And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Matthew records a strange event, and the other three gospel writers never mentioned nor is it anywhere else. Matthew 27 reports on the trial of Jesus before Pilate, the death of Judas, Pilate saying Barabbas, or Jesus?, turning Jesus over to the soldiers for crucifixion, the events on the cross, his death, the earth quake and then: Matthew 27:52-53 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Matthew 27 then continues with his removal from the cross, laid in the tomb, a guard assigned to watch and sealing of the tomb. Reread Matthew 27:52-53 again. Notice when these bodies appeared. “And came out of the graves after his resurrection”. These would have been raised with the same body that the resurrected Lord had. A body of flesh and bone, 1 Corinthians 15:35-58. So, if they won’t face death again, what became of them? Since Jesus was carried into heaven on the first day of resurrection (Luke 24:50-51, Mark 16:19) he may have taken them with him, or he could have taken them with him on the 40th day Acts 1:9. The scripture does not say! But a study of “First Fruits” assures us He did take them to Heaven to be with Him.
Another question, “Who were they”? Some have suggested they were old testament saints. Reread Matthew 27:52-53 again: “went into the holy city, and appeared unto many”. This was not done in secret. They would have had to be known in the city for this to be a miracle, recognized by the Jews.
How important is it that we believe the Lord Jesus was raised from the dead, resurrected back to life and that he rose from the grave after 3 days and 3 nights?
If an individual can not or will not believe this, then Christianity is no different than any other belief in a god. Let’s see what the apostle wrote to the churches in his day. To the Churches he wrote: Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: Romans 4:24-25 But… if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Romans 6:4-5 Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. … Romans 6:9Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; Romans 7:4 Wherefore, …, even to him who is raised from the dead, … Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead … Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, … Romans 14:9For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he … 1 Corinthians 6:14And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise … 1 Corinthians 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third … 1 Corinthians 15:12-13 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 1 Corinthians 15:15-17 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 1 Corinthians 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? … 1 Corinthians 15:42-44So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, … 2 Corinthians 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 2 Corinthians 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
How important is the resurrection of Christ? And what was his body like after the resurrection?
Read John chapter 20. He looked like a man, Mary talked with him in the garden (John 20:14-17). He appeared to his Disciples (John 20:19-20) and proved it was him, in flesh (John 20:25). Later he appeared to Thomas (John 20:27) again proving he was alive, in a body (John 20:39). He had a body of flesh and bones (Luke 24:39) yet he could pass thru locked doors (John 20:26) and he could eat as he dined with them (John 21:12-15, Luke 24:29-30). How important is the resurrection? The answer is found in 1 Corinthians 15:12-18 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. How important is the resurrection? Because he arose, we too shall rise (if we are dead at His coming) and have new bodies. 1 Corinthians 15:35-36 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 1 Corinthians 15:51-53Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
Just as Christ rose with a body of Flesh and Bone (his blood was shed on the alter of God to pay for all sin), we too shall have bodies of flesh and bone. But no BLOOD. The reason: Life is in the blood and thru it is our old nature. It has to be removed.
The word “confess” is the Greek word ekzomologeo, a word that means {to declare, to say out loud, to exclaim, to divulge, or to blurt}. Just what is CONFESSION; when and how are we to do it? The Roman Catholic teach that it is asacrament and that sacramental reconciliation is required only for grave or mortal sins—but it is required. It is taught in Christian Churches that to be saved you must REPENT and BE BAPTISED and then you must confess your sins (daily?) or as often as you commit them(?) It is also taught the sinners prayer is required for salvation, where one must confess he is a sinner and beg God to forgive and save him! Now what exactly does the Scripture teach about confession and salvation? The Lord Jesus speaking to Jews said: Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But many Jews, even though they believed that Jesus was Lord and the Son of God, were afraid to publicly confess Him. John 9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: Now Paul, appearing before Felix, the Governor, confessed (not his sin but his belief): Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And Paul’s mission (after he was saved) was to go to the Gentiles: Romans 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. Paul told gentiles (and Jews) just what we are to confess to be saved: Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. That Jesus is God, and we can do it now and be saved or later (after death, when it will be too late to be saved). Romans 14:11For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. James, writing to Jewish believers (1:1-2), is still living UNDER THE LAW. And following the Law he exhorts them to confess their faults (sins) to each other (James 5:12-16) James 5:16 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. John, likewise writing to Jewish believers, was still living UNDER THE LAW. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Note that John exhorted that they (Jewish believers) are to confess Jesus is their Messiah: 1 John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
And last
of all The Lord Jesus will confess the name of all
believers in heaven:
Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
