I wrote this sermon in February 2003.
Introduction: The importance of this issue cannot be overstated.
Galatians 1: 6–9 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
This is not a subject to be imprecise on or careless about. To err into a false gospel is a serious matter. Paul pronounces the divine curse upon a teacher of a false gospel.
There really is only one gospel. Anything that differs from it is a false gospel and must be treated as such. Twice Paul iterates the imperative: “Let him be accursed.”
Why was Paul so vehement about this subject?
So this is certainly a subject that we must be very concerned about and very precise and careful in our understanding of it.
Let’s talk about a few of the fallacies that Ryrie mentions.
Fallacies of Presentation
Certainly sin needs to be a major theme in the presentation of the gospel, but a theme which is even more primary than this is the glory of God.
What Ryrie is dealing with here is those who think salvation is a matter of simply convincing people that the Bible is really true by means of archaeological discoveries (e.g., Noah’s Ark or the Ark of the Covenant), prophetic fulfillment, or philosophical argumentation (i.e., cosmological argument, teleological argument, ontological argument, etc.). Ultimately, the word of God is the only source of saving truth, and its message is sufficient and powerful to save the worst of sinners.
1 Corinthians 2:1 -5 “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
There is often a lot of emotional persuasion that accompanies evangelistic meetings. God can save people apart from our coercion and manipulation of people to make decisions. Not that we shouldn’t appeal to people to make a decision for Christ, but we must present the gospel and our appeals in such a way that God gets the credit rather than the really persuasive evangelist.
Fallacies of Content
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Whether or not Mark 16:16 is a part of the original text or not is not the issue. I am inclined to think it was. Regardless, I don’t think an escape to Spirit baptism is the answer, nor does it solve the problem. Baptism, when it occurs without any qualifiers, refers to water baptism.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto 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 Ghost.
The argument on the basis of the preposition is very weak and unattested. There is not clear passage where εἰς ever means “because of.” Matthew 12:41 is not a good example, in spite of what Ryrie says.
Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
The point of the text is not that baptism washing away sins, but that baptism and conversion took place in a very close time relationship in the early church—the one being the outward manifestation of the inward reality of the other.
Texts that demonstrate the chronological link between conversion and baptism:
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 8:35–38 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Acts 10:45–48 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 16:14–15 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
Acts 16:31–34 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Acts 18:8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
So baptism, being so closely related chronologically in the early church, could be included loosely as a “condition” of salvation. It had of itself no saving efficacy, but was rather the outward manifestation of the inward realty.
Comparison: We might compare it to the relationship between faith and prayer. God’s saves a man by faith, not by prayer. Prayer is rather the expression of the believing heart. The moment a person savingly believes, prior to uttering any words of prayer or not, he is justified. Prayer will offer accompany faith as a manifestation of that inward reality.
This is an important issue, because it concerned the very way of salvation.
The big debate: Lordship salvation vs. Easy believism
The historic debate: Legalism vs. Antinomianism
There are a few questions that I think will be helpful in addressing the issue at hand:
· What is repentance?
· What terms does the NT use for repentance?
· Is repentance necessary?
· Are these conditions to salvation?
· What is repentance?
The fallacy of etymologizing:
The Greek word is μετανόεω or μετάνοια. It is made up of two parts that mean “after” and “to think.” The literally idea then is “to think differently” or “to change your mind.”
The problem with this approach is that word meaning is not determined by etymology but by common usage. Another word that is often used this way is ὁμολογέω. which means to confess. You often hear that the word means “to say the same thing.” But this is falls into the same error of limiting the word strictly to its etymological meaning. It certainly includes that element, but may be much broader. Its usage in context will have to determine that.
So repentance does certainly mean a “change of thinking” about something. But to limit it to that would have to be determined by the contexts.
The Usage of Repentance
Matthew 11:20–21 20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Matthew 12:41 41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
Jonah 3:5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. 6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish." 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.
Matthew 21:28–29 28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
Matthew 27:3 3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
Luke 3:8–9 8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Luke 17:3 3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
Acts 26:20 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
2 Corinthians 7:10 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
2 Corinthians 12:21 21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Revelation 9:20–21 20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: 21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
Revelation 16:11 11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
Conclusion:
While repentance itself begins with a change of mind, it certainly cannot be limited to that. A change in thinking always results in a change of feeling and doing as well, so much so that they cannot be separated.
Repentance is a change of thinking, feeling, and determination that will result in a change of life.
1. A change of thinking about your self and your sin and God and His glory.
2. A change of feeling about your sin and about God and His Christ.
3. A change of will about your sin and about God and His will.
· This will result in a visible change of life.
· What terms does the NT use for repentance?
The biblical data for repentance is broader than the one word μετανοέω/μετάνοια.
There is also the word μεταμέλομαι and στρέφω or ἐπιστρέφω.
So even if μετανοέω did mean simply “a change of mind,” we cannot limit it to just that word.
· Is repentance necessary?
Does any sinner ever go to heaven who will not repent? No. Repentance is absolutely necessary.
· Is this a condition to salvation?
It occurs in the preaching to sinners.
Mark 1:4 4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (Lu. 3:3;
Mark 1:15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Mark 6:12 12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Luke 13:3 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luke 24:47 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Acts 2:38 38 Then Peter said unto 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 Ghost.
Acts 3:19 19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Acts 17:30 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Acts 20:21 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 26:20 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
It is promised forgiveness of sins and life.
Mark 1:4 4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (Lu. 3:3;
Acts 2:38 38 Then Peter said unto 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 Ghost.
Acts 3:19 19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Acts 5:31 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Acts 11:18 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
2 Corinthians 7:10 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
But if it is a condition to salvation, doesn’t it seem like salvation is partly based on works?
Like faith, repentance is a gracious gift:
Acts 5:31 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Acts 11:18 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
2 Timothy 2:25 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
Repentance is not the means of justification.
Although faith and repentance take place at the same time, immediately prior to justification, justification is never said to be by repentance. This is a key issue.
· What is surrender?
Surrender is not technically a biblical term. The concept is very consciously related to repentance. It is essentially submission to God. So the question is whether a person can be saved if he is still reject the rule of God over his life.
· Is surrender necessary?
Matthew 16:24–26 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
· Is surrender a condition to salvation?
It all depends what you mean by that. If we are talking about the submission of mind, emotions, and will to God, then yes, that is nothing more than biblical faith and repentance. But if you are talking about the manifestation of that submission, then surrender is not a precondition to salvation, but a certain and necessary fruit and result.
The key issue really is this concerning the Lordship salvation debate: A person a the time of salvation may not consciously realize any kind of submission to Christ’s lordship over his life, but if he does, he cannot reject it, and when he does come to learn about it, he will certainly submit to it.
· Lot
We assume a lot more about lot than we really know.
· The Ephesian believers
· The Samaritan woman
He offered her the unending satisfaction in the Savior in place of the measly satisfaction of sin.
He taught her to become a worshipper of God in spirit and in truth.
Jesus was not about just getting a profession and leaving it at that.