Is Repentance Necessary for Salvation?

What exactly does the Bible mean by “repent”? And how should it be presented in evangelism?

Believers often hear repentance emphasized, yet definitions can vary widely—sometimes leading to confusion about the gospel itself. Is repentance a change of mind? A turning from sin? A commitment to reform one’s life?

Years ago, J. F. Strombeck wrote, “It is often said, and that most earnestly, that ‘to believe’ is not sufficient for a man to be saved. In addition thereto one must repent and also confess one’s sins. If these two are needed in addition to faith, why does John not mention them in his Gospel? He does not do so a single time, and still he claims to have written for the purpose of enabling man to receive eternal life (Ch. 20:31). Is it possible that he leaves two vital conditions out of his message? If so, then one who possesses the Gospel according to John and no other part of the Bible cannot find eternal life thereby.”

He then asked, “Are repentance and confession, then, not necessary to salvation?” That is an excellent question. The latest paper produced by the Biblical Resource Group addresses that question and more. The Role of Repentance in Evangelism carefully examines the key passages, clarifies common misunderstandings, and seeks to bring biblical precision to how repentance relates to faith in Christ. If you would like to read this paper, it can be found here:

https://www.sanfordbiblechurch.org/gallery/BRG_The_Role_of_Repentance_in_Evangelism.pdf

The next paper we will tackle is The Basis of Assurance of Salvation.

On a personal note, I recently received the results of a Cologuard test, which came back positive. In previous years, it has been negative. I have made an appointment with a gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy. For me, the hardest part is not knowing what the future holds. My personality tends toward pessimism—the cup being half empty—and the enemy can certainly use those thoughts as a tool for discouragement.

I am reminded of Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” For me, the challenge is to keep my mind from drifting toward pessimism and instead to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Blessings,

Bob

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The Object of Our Faith

Some people say faith moves mountains. That is not true. God moves mountains.

Faith is no better than its object. Faith in faith is nothing but positive thinking. If you put faith in positive thinking, you are going to become discouraged.

There are some who teach that if you will simply believe God for something, that He will give you that thing. That is simply not true.

If you try to apply that teaching to your life, after a while Satan is going to say, “You really don’t have what it takes.”

Don’t get the idea that because your faith is weak that your prayers are not reaching heaven. Weak faith in God is better than strong faith in anything else. Faith is what counts. It is not the size of your faith, it is the object of your faith that really counts.

—Adrian Rogers