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The Town Hall Archives
Ahh, the nostalgia.
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| For Salvation to occur, what must happen first? |
| Belief |
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67% |
[ 23 ] |
| Repentance |
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5% |
[ 2 ] |
| Both Happen at Once, They go hand in hand |
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23% |
[ 8 ] |
| Dosen't Matter |
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2% |
[ 1 ] |
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| Total Votes : 34 |
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Amadeo
Senior Member
Joined: 14 Sep 2003
Posts: 1207
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 Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2005 1:41 am Post subject: |
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To repent is to confess your sins and quit doing them (John 8:11). Yes, it is quite necessary for the Christian. Belief without acting on the belief (repentance) results in a dead faith.
(I realize that we Christians are not perfect, but repentance should not be interpreted as praying after you sin with no intention of changing.) |
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Disco Dan
Scholarly Artist
Joined: 27 Dec 2003
Posts: 3723
Location: In the land of Deep but not Profound...
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| Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2005 1:46 am Post subject: |
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| Agreed. |
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Simbelmyne34
Somewhat Aging Member
Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 385
Location: Glued to the Keyboard <")))>(
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| Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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| you have to believe before you can repent! |
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Christian Cowgirl
Doesn't Post Enough to Get a Cool Status
Joined: 29 Aug 2004
Posts: 594
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| Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Simbelmyne34 wrote: | | you have to believe before you can repent! |
Yep, you have to get right with God before repentance means anything. |
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skygazing
Somewhat Aging Member
Joined: 27 Dec 2002
Posts: 324
Location: in front of my computer
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| Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2005 8:00 pm Post subject: |
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| I think I'm the only poster who is even remotely Calvinist...but I think the Bible teaches that in order for either repentance or belief, your spirit must be quickened--made alive--by the Holy Spirit. |
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Zaphod Beeblebrox
President of the Galaxy
Joined: 16 Mar 2003
Posts: 1901
Location: Betelgeuse
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 2:13 am Post subject: |
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I shan't take the time to thoroughly scan this thread, but I'll quote the passage that was used in a sermon by Lon Allison at my church this morning. (Or yesterday morning, as it's now one o'clock Monday morning.)
| Acts 19:2-6 wrote: | 2He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said to him, "No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."
3And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" And they said, "Into John's baptism."
4Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus."
5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. |
Now, looking at the results of the poll, it appears public opinion is not on my side, but I believe this passage demonstrates that repentance comes before belief. John the Baptist preached repentance, preceding the way for Jesus Christ who brought the capacity for belief.
Just a thought that came to mind as I tried to keep awake during church this morning.  |
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Gandalf
Cursor Always on Submit Button Member
Joined: 30 Nov 2002
Posts: 876
Location: Desolation
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 1:06 pm Post subject: |
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I am really impressed how a topic like this can go on for so long with only a few verse, most of which have been taken out of context, having been mentioned. I believe a simple faith in Christ is all that is needed to save a soul from Hell. Faith being defined as trust, or in other words, a simple belief. There are two definitions to repentance, which I shall list and tell you what I believe about them:
Repentance (1) - The recognition of sin and realization of hoplessness without Christ. Agreeing with God about your sin.
Repentance (2) - Turning away from sin. Letting Christ have complete control over one's life and actions. Giving up a lifestyle of sin.
I believe that the first definition is a prerequite of salvation (why would one believe that Christ is the only way to Heaven without first believing one is lost in sin in the first place).
The second is reserved for people who are already Christians. Meaning a non-believer cannot repent in the second definition.
Some basic verse that not only imply but state very plainly that a simple belief is all that is required for salvation:
John 3:15
John 3:16
John 3:36
Acts 16:31
Romans 4:11 (the entire chapter really)
I Thessalonians 4:14
These are just a few verses. For more study on the subject, I would suggest reading the book of John, which is the only book of the Bible written to unbelievers.
As for the verse in James mentioned about demons believing in God, it is NOT a faith in God that saves a person, it is a faith in Christ. There are a lot of people who believe in God but won't be in Heaven because they do not accept His Son as coming in the flesh.
Ephesians 2:8-9 |
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Christian Cowgirl
Doesn't Post Enough to Get a Cool Status
Joined: 29 Aug 2004
Posts: 594
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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| Gandalf wrote: | These are just a few verses. For more study on the subject, I would suggest reading the book of John, which is the only book of the Bible written to unbelievers.
Ephesians 2:8-9 |
How can you suggest to read John to learn more about faith and then put down Eph. 2:8-9? They are in direct contrast: James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Ephesians 2:8-9 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. |
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Amadeo
Senior Member
Joined: 14 Sep 2003
Posts: 1207
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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| James chapter two is also enlightening. |
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Jonathan
Dungeon Master
Joined: 21 Oct 2004
Posts: 2254
Location: Minnesota and/or North Dakota
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| Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 2:27 pm Post subject: |
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Christian Cowgirl, what is meant is that without works, our faith is basically dead. However works alone won't get us to heaven, just doing good things doesn't cut it, like alot of people think.
-Jonathan |
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