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.
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.
Usually, for an individual to ask this question, they are in trouble, in need or lost. And the Philippian jailer who asked Paul and Silas this question, realized he was lost. And of course they gave him a direct answer.
Acts 16:31-32And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
What exactly
did they mean to Believe and be Saved? Let’s look into some writings of Paul.
In his letter to the Church at Corinth he explained the Gospel:
1 Corinthians 15:1-4Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
The Gospel which can save us is to believe Christ Jesus Died (on the cross) for our sins, according to the scripture
was buried, according to the scripture
and on the third day rose alive, according to the scripture
There is (and always has been) a lot of confusion about what one must do to be saved in this age of grace. Then again there are those who don’t believe they have a need to be saved. But for the ones who want to be saved from an eternal damnation, which everyone faces after death (Hebrews 9:27), a study of God’s word, just looking at references of where SHALL BE SAVED are used will reveal just how one can (must) be saved.
All references found in the Old
Testament speak to the Jew (Israel):
Numbers 10:9 has to do with Israel under God’s protection in the time of WAR. And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the Lord your God, and ye shallbesaved from your enemies.
In Psalm 80 it again appears this has to do with the physical protection of Israel as they serve God: 80:3 Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shallbesaved. 80:7Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shallbesaved. 80:19Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shallbesaved.
Proverbs 28:18 (read surrounding verses) also appears to be speaking of physical life on earth: Whoso walketh uprightly shallbesaved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
Now in Isaiah the text appears to be speaking of eternal salvation: 45:17But Israel shallbesaved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end. 64:5 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shallbesaved.
Then in Jeremiah SHALL BE SAVED speaks prophetically about the time of TRIBULATION (which is yet to come). 17:14Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shallbesaved: for thou art my praise. 23:6 In his days Judah shallbesaved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness. 30:7Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shallbesaved out of it.
Then in the New Testament (the Gospels) we find the words of Jesus speaking to JEWS:
Matthew 10:22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shallbesaved. Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall besaved. Mark 13:13And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall besaved. Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shallbesaved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. John 10:9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shallbe saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
After the resurrection Peter tells the Jews (Israel) how to be saved (Spiritually): Acts 2:21And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shallbesaved.
Confess is actually a very easy word to understand. The Greek word is homologue which literally means “to speak alike or the same, and referred to the idea of agreement or consent (especially in law courts).” It means to confess, profess, proclaim, acknowledge, state openly, declare with a “sense of promise,” affirmation, commitment, public intention.
Matthew 3:6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Mark 1:5The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John 1:20He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” Acts 19:18Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. James 5:16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
The above verses apply to the Nation (and individual Jew) of Israel. The below verses apply the age of Grace.
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. 2 Corinthians 9:13Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 1 Timothy 6:12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:13In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 2 Timothy 2:19Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
There is much said about confession
of sins both to be saved before and also after salvation.
Let’s see what Paul taught his
Gentile converts about confession:
Romans 10:9-10That 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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Looking at this passage (vs 9,10) it would appear that the confession is “Jesus is God” and when you believe that and speak (confess) it out loud (with your mouth) you will 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.
Whether you do it in this life or not,
you will do it after death.
Romans 15:9And 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.
The door of salvation isopen to Jews and Gentiles because God is now declaring it. Philippians 2:11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
See Romans 14:11. Now, in this life or Later in the after life. JESUS IS LORD (GOD)!
James 1:21, 2:14, 5:15, 5:20,1 Peter 3:20-21, 4:18,2 Peter 2:5, Jude 1:5,1:23, Revelation 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. The Apostle Paul, writing to the believing Hebrews reminded them of saved: Hebrews 5:7, 7:25 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. And as the apostle went to the gentiles he made much of being saved, becoming a new creature and obtaining eternal life. And it’s interesting to look at it letter by letter. Romans 5:9-10, 8:24, 9:27, 10:1, 10:9, 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.Romans 11:14, 11:26, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 1:21,3:15,5:5,9:22,10:33,15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: Ephesians 2:5 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. 2 Thessalonians 2:10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 1 Timothy 1:15, 2:4, 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
It’s amazing that the term “Born Again” is only used three times in the scripture. But the need to be saved is stressed throughout the New Testament.
One final thought on saved (this is after
the Great White Throne Judgement).
Revelation 21:24And the nations of them which aresaved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
And then God sends Peter to a house of Gentiles (Jewish prostilites): Acts 11:14Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shallbesaved.
Then in Acts 15 (read the whole chapter) the 12 Apostles agree with Paul (and Barnabs) that God has sent Paul to the Gentiles with the message of Salvation and they (the 12) were to go to the house of Israel (Jews): Acts 15:11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shallbesaved, even as they.
Following Paul and his ministry to the Gentiles the way of being saved for eternal life is made very clear: Romans 11:13For I speak to you Gentiles, in as much as I am the apostle of the Gentiles… Romans 5:9-10 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shallbesaved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shallbesaved by his life. Romans 9:27Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shallbesaved: Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall besaved.
Even though Paul was the apostle of the Gentile, he never forgot his Jewish brethren and their need of salvation: Romans 2:10But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also totheGentile: Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is nodifference: Romans 10:12 For there is nodifference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. Romans 11:26And so all Israel shallbesaved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
And after salvation, our service (works) for God will mean something (read all of 1 Corinthians 3:9-15): 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shallbesaved; yet so as by fire. Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
REMEMBER saved people do not become sinless… they just sin less…
