This article will address the false Reformed Baptist (and others) teaching of repentance as a change of mind only. Repentance from sin is not a condition of salvation or necessarily the fruit of salvation, according to these folks. From my perspective, most Baptists are actually partial Calvinists of some sort. They not only do not understand the definition of free will, but also hold mistaken views about grace. (And yes, they say the same thing about me!) Some Baptists are called Free Will Baptists, yet they also embrace eternal security, which is actually a tenet of Augustinian Calvinism’s determinism. Once saved, you lose your free will to get out of a relationship with Christ. You are saved whether or not you want to remain saved. Free will applies only to the decision to believe in Christ; once you do, you lose free will. Most Calvinists believe in a non-free, free will, which is a contradiction in terms, which they have no problem with.
What is the grace of God, and what does it do?
As for grace, Calvinists lack a Biblical understanding of grace, despite their supposed emphasis on grace. Their grace is actually a license to sin with impunity. The five-point Calvinist logically maintains that grace must be irresistible if we can’t participate in our own salvation. Partial Calvinists believe that grace is resistible until we profess faith in Christ, after which it becomes irresistible. It makes no sense. They also lose sight of what the Bible actually teaches about the grace of God. Their idea of grace is God overlooking their sins and not sending them to hell. That is not grace; it is license to sin with impunity, which is injustice. Here is a much better definition of the grace of God.
“But speak these things which become sound doctrine………………For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Titus 2:1-12. Titus tells us that the grace of God leads us to godly living. Not a word about grace covering our sins, but grace empowering us not to sin. So much for the Calvinistic definition of grace as a covering or excusing sin. God’s grace brings us to full repentance from sin.
Lastly, Calvinists, partial Calvinists, and many Arminians also have an unbiblical understanding of repentance as a change of mind only and not the forsaking of all sin. Those who confess and forsake their sins will find the mercy of God. It must be confession and forsake, not simply confession.
Ezekiel 18:30 says, “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin” emphasis added. Now tell me, if you can with a straight face, that repentance is a change of mind only and not the forsaking of sin, and I will marvel at your unteachableness.
Jeremiah 25:5 reads, “They said, turn ye again now everyone from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your father ever and ever.” There can be no doubt that the prophet was calling everyone to repent of their sins (evil ways and doings). This is the message of the entire Bible. That said, the word repent, as it applies to God, doesn’t mean repentance from sin. It means God has changed His mind.
Revelation 2:5 says this, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove their candlestick out his place, except thou repent.” What could this mean if it doesn’t mean turn away from your wickedness? What are the first works, if not repentance from sin and faith in God?
In 1 John 3:6, it states, “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” Those who live in sin and teach others that living in sin is a normal Christian experience do not know God, despite their claims to know Him extremely well. This verse, like all the others, tells the reader that repentance is not simply a change of mind, but the forsaking of sin.
Revelation 9:21-21 says the following, “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: Neither repented they of their murder, nor of the sorceries, nor of the fornication, nor of their thefts.” How many verses must be quoted before Christians will believe the Word of God? Repentance is the gospel of Jesus Christ. And it is a turning away from disobedience to obedience. It is turning from sin to righteousness. Repentance is much more than a change of mind. It is a change of heart, will, and purpose or end for which we live.
Mike D. writes, “Sin and selfishness are conditions of the heart and cannot be separated as repentance and turning from sin ALSO cannot be made into TWO separate events, they are ONE in the Same thing, commanded as the imperative of initially turning to God (not a suggestion). You do NOT turn from sin as an aftermath of salvation, but a precursor, and then a continuance of salvation (faithfulness, fidelity). Repentance for Remission of sins, in Luke 24:47, means the sin MUST Stop BEFORE Pardon is granted and regeneration takes place. Sin is rebellion against God, His will, and His laws. All of it must cease when coming to Christ in repentance. All this makes it possible for God to forgive our sins and grant us pardon through our repentance. To suggest we come to God confessing our sins, asking for forgiveness and pardon before we repent of our rebellion against God, makes no sense at all. Would this not be a great injustice on God’s part to pardon those who are still in rebellion against the government of God?”
Mike continues, “The word Repent: is αυτοτιμωρία in the Greek; and penitencia in Spanish. The English word repent comes, via Old French repentir, from Latin: the intensive prefix re + the action verb paeniteo (poeniteo). Paeniteo involves feeling sorrow and pain. If one weighs this with the full council of God in the KJV, it will be proven to be a true definition. In the Hebrew naw-kham ‘to sigh’, that is, breathe strongly with remorse and sorrow, and avenge oneself with zeal. This is exactly what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 7:11, ‘What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of wrongdoing, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire and zeal and what VINDICATION!’ (Paul’s understanding of repentance meant a LOT more than merely changing your mind).”
More from Mike D., “The 1828 Webster’s Dictionary. REPENT, v.i. [L. re and paeniteo, from paena, pain. Gr. See Paint.] This is why keeping his commandments are not grievous, not painful to the conscience or a heavy burden on the mind.
1. To feel pain, sorrow or regret for something done or spoken; as, to repent that we have lost much time in idleness or sensual pleasure; to repent that we have injured or wounded the feelings of a friend. A person repents only of what he himself has done or said.
2. To express sorrow for something past. In theology, to sorrow or be pained for sin, as a violation of God’s holy law, a dishonor to his character and government, and the foulest ingratitude to a Being of infinite benevolence. To remember with sorrow; as, to repent rash words; to repent an injury done to a neighbor; to repent of follies and vices.
Now let’s examine Easton’s Dictionary 1895, which was written after Westcott/Hort work was published. How did he define repentance?
Repentance. There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. (1.) The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. (This is pure unchristian poison according to Mike.)”
There are many types and beliefs that are termed Baptist. As far as I know, most do not see repentance from sin as a condition of salvation like faith. Today’s pastors and teachers are almost unanimous in favor of the sin never stopping in the life of a Christian. That means they have effectively defined repentance as a change of mind only.
Some big names in Christianity even proclaim that God does not expect or demand that the sin must stop ‘Before or After’ salvation. Whiles others will hedge somewhat and say it will stop ‘eventually’ or the person won’t go on sinning indefinitely. But if they do go on sinning indefinitely, many will claim that they were never really born-again Christians to begin with. Many even liken sin to an ‘Addiction or a Disease’ that can never be fully cured. Therefore, the sin ‘never’ stops, as many of them insist. But that assumes “addictions and diseases” can’t be cured once for all. That is a lie and I am living proof as are many others.
Unfortunately, the typical Christian convert is pre-disposed to sin from the start. Doing the right thing from faith working by love is far removed from his thinking. He was told God will accept him ‘covered with sin’ and that God does not expect or demand that the sin stop. Continuing in his sin is a foregone conclusion from the start. That is the gospel of the god of this world (repentance is a change of mind only) but it is not the gospel of Jesus Christ (repentance is the forsaking of sin).
This is the dilemma in the modern evangelical church. Sin is rampant despite all this teaching on the grace of God and the love of God. And despite the many Bible studies, conferences, books and Christian TV. Immorality is spilling out into families and the community. As long as repentance has nothing to do with forsaking of sin or reforming one’s conduct, we can expect much more of the same overflow of wickedness. The pastors cannot admonish immoral behavior because they themselves are confessed ‘sinners’ saved by grace. As we know, some are living in unrepentant sin and those scandals have rocked confidence in the truth of Christianity. Where are the repentant saints who are living as a Christian should live in holiness? Where are those believers who are worthy of the title of being called a Christian. Instead of love, truth and good works; it’s sin and more sin. Excuses on top of excuses. They know nothing about real repentance, Godly sorrow for sin or the cleansing of wrong doing.
Mike writes, “Even logic would dictate that an unfaithful husband could not possibly find mercy from his scorned wife without his forsaking all ties with the other woman. How could he come to his wife still attached in some manner to the other woman and ask her forgiveness, claiming that her love for him will help him stop his adultery ‘eventually’ if she will be patient and wait. Someday his desires will change and everything will be normal again. Hogwash, right? But Christians are doing this to God expecting Him to forgive their ongoing adultery. Do you see the fallacy? Do you see the danger? That’s why none of these Pastors or Teachers can say the sin has to stop. Ask any of them, ‘Does the sin have to stop when coming to Christ?” Their various replies reveal that they are wholly ignorant of real Biblical repentance (repentance is not just a change of mind) that leads to saving faith”.
Most common among these pastors is this type of answer: ‘If we had to be perfect before coming to Christ, no one could be saved.’ Does this response not reveal the confusion and ignorance of many pastors? Sinners are by definition imperfect and no one is talking about becoming perfect to be saved. It’s ridiculous. Sinners (not innocent or perfect people) come to Christ for cleansing and forgiveness. Coming and yielding to Christ is what happens in repentance. It includes Godly sorrow and a clearing of wrong doing. It includes making things right as best we can.
These blind pastors are bringing people into their churches under the pretense that God will accept them ‘in their ongoing sin’ (without repenting of sin immediately) and change them bit by bit at a later date. But they are told to never expect the forsaking of all sin to be complete in this life. Christians are to expect to remain habitual sinners all their lives; no one is perfect – they will say. This is a wrong assumption from the start. Just like the scorned wife of an adulterer, God is looking for a changed heart in us and the corresponding deeds/evidence of such a change. The wife, like God, is looking for zealousness in her husband to be cleared of wrong doing. Neither the wife nor God are looking for absolute perfection, as that is impossible for sinners. But they are looking for a new man, a faithful man.
Also, another common response is that; ‘The sin never stops and God does not expect it to stop.” This obviously applies to all of us before salvation. But the alarming fact is that these blind guides insist that sin continues to reign in Christians after they are born again from above with all of its privileges. Repentance from sin is not even mentioned in many evangelical churches. And if alluded to, it’s a ‘confession’ of sinfulness and that’s the end of it. There is no forsaking of sin even mentioned. To them sinning is not the issue with God, but “Receiving Jesus”, “Trusting Jesus”, “Accepting Jesus” and “Believing in Jesus” that is the issue that must be delt with to be saved. That is repentance as a change of mind only, not repentance from sin. Therefore, it is a false view of repentance.
Receiving Jesus may include a desire of some kind to be rid of sinning, some day. Once that is done, the Christian is told that they are secure forever no matter what and no matter how wicked they remain in this life. The free gift of salvation is not the power to live above sin, the flesh and devil, but permission to go on sinning with impunity. Their gospel of Jesus Christ is salvation in sin, not from sin. Therefore, the thief never stops stealing, the adulterer never stops his adultery. The liar never returns to the truth. No one ever makes restitution for their crimes and nothing is ever cleared and cleansed by a zealousness to do what is right. Repentance as a change of mind only is their gospel and the gospel of Jesus is repentance from sin; and a change of mind, heart, behavior, purpose and will.
Not as common, but dangerous nonetheless is this response from many evangelicals; “The person will not go on sinning indefinitely, he will start to make a break from his sin, and eventually he will sin less and be sanctified more.” This is all religious speak for the ‘sin never stops.’ It just sounds correct because it fits into most so-called conversion experiences in the church today. Think about it for a minute. What are we being asked to accept and believe? The husband will ‘start’ to make a break from his adultery? The fornicator will ‘eventually’ return to chastity? The thief will steal less than before? How is any of that repentance? Even human laws would not excuse these crimes unless ‘some’ effort and success are made to reform the conduct of the person committing them. And to be exempt from our state and federal laws the crimes must actually stop. Just having the desire to stop the lawlessness is infinitely short of actually stopping the criminality. Why would we believe that with God it is different? Does that make any sense at all? God expects and demands that your deeds and behavior prove or verify your repentant heart. And then, when you ask for the mercy of God, He will hear you. Stopping the sin eventually, when you get around to it, is NOT stopping it at all, which means there is no salvation.
The real answer for most all evangelical Christians is that the sin never stops until we die and go to heaven. In our glorified state, the sin stops because God magically changes us all at once. Then and only then will the sin stop. These folks actually believe that death, not Jesus, is our real savior. This like the others is not the gospel of Jesus Christ and is not the grace of God. And finally, their repentance is a change of mind but not of heart, will, behavior and purpose.
You might ask, what did the early church believe? In a subsequent article we will get into much more detail on this but for now let us consider just a couple of quotes. These are quotes by the ones taught by the Apostles themselves, second generation saints. I trust you will be amazed and blessed.
QUOTE: “Do you, therefore, show me yourself, whether you are not an adulterer, or a fornicator, or a thief, or a robber, or a purloiner; whether you do not corrupt boys; whether you are not insolent, or a slanderer, or passionate, or envious, or proud, or supercilious; whether you are not a brawler, or covetous, or disobedient to parents; and whether you do not sell your children; for to those who do these things God is not manifest, unless they have first cleansed themselves from all impurity. All these things, then, involve you in darkness, as when a filmy defilement on the eyes prevents one from beholding the light of the sun: thus also do iniquities, man, involve you in darkness, so that you cannot see God. For the Lord says, “Ye are of your father the devil; and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.” But among the lies, the false prophets also told some true things. And in reality, they prophesied “in an ecstasy,” as the servants of the apostate. And the Shepherd, the angel of repentance, says to Hermas, of the false prophet: “For he speaks some truths. For the devil fills him with his own spirit, if perchance he may be able to cast down any one from what is right.” (Hermas)
Quote: “Also, is what in each case the end of all cries aloud. So that even in the case of one who has done the greatest good deeds in his life, but at the end has run headlong into wickedness, all his former pains are profitless to him, since at the catastrophe of the drama he has given up his part; while it is possible for the man who formerly led a bad and dissolute life, on afterwards repenting, to overcome in the time after repentance the evil conduct of a long time. But it needs great carefulness, just as bodies that have suffered by protracted disease need regimen and special attention. Thief, dost thou wish to get forgiveness? Steal no more. Adulterer, burn no more. Fornicator, live for the future chastely. Thou who hast robbed, give back, and give back more than [thou took]. False witness, practice truth. Perjurer, swear no more, and extirpate the rest of the passions, wrath, lust, grief, fear; that thou mayest be found at the end to have previously in this world been reconciled to the adversary.” Hermas.
Quote: “He bade the baptism of repentance lead the way, with the view of first preparing, by means of the sign and seal of repentance, them whom He was calling, through grace, to (inherit) the promise surely made to Abraham. John holds not his peace, saying, “Enter upon repentance, for now shall salvation approach the nations”–the Lord, that is, bringing salvation according to God’s promise. To Him John, as His harbinger, directed the repentance (which he preached), whose province was the purging of men’s minds, that whatever defilement inveterate error had imparted, whatever contamination in the heart of man ignorance had engendered, that repentance should sweep and scrape away, and cast out of doors, and thus prepare the home of the heart, by making it clean, for the Holy Spirit, who was about to supervene, that He might with pleasure introduce Himself there-into, together with His celestial blessings. Of these blessings the title is briefly one the salvation of man–the abolition of former sins being the preliminary step.” Hermas. (These quotes were contained in Mike’s articles.)
From the Old Testament, to the New Testament and early church, the message of repentance from sin and not simply repentance as a change of mind has been the gospel. As I said, a later article will have other early Christian quotes about what they believed about true repentance.
