DAY 29 - 31 Days of Evangelism Tips and Training

Is Repentance Necessary for Salvation?

It is true that there are numerous Bible verses that speak of the promise of salvation, with no mention of repentance. These merely say to "believe" on Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9). However, the Bible makes it clear that God is holy and man is sinful, and that sin makes a separation between the two (Isaiah 59:1,2). Without repentance from sin, wicked men cannot have fellowship with a holy God. We are dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1) and until we forsake them through repentance, we cannot be made alive in Christ. 

The Scriptures speak of "repentance unto life" (Acts 11:18). We turn from sin to the Savior. This is why Paul preached "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21). The first public word Jesus preached was "repent" (Matthew 4:17). John the Baptist began his ministry the same way (Matthew 3:2). Jesus told His hearers that without repentance, they would perish (Luke 13:3). 

If belief is all that is necessary for salvation, then the logical conclusion is that one need never repent. However, the Bible tells us that a false convert "believes" and yet is not saved (Luke 8:13); he remains a "worker of iniquity." Look at the warning of Scripture: "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth" (1 John 1:6). The Scriptures also say, "He that covers his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesses and forsakes them [repentance] shall have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13). Jesus said that there was joy in heaven over one sinner who "repents" (Luke 15:10). If there is no repentance, there is no joy because there is no salvation. 

When Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost, he commanded his hearers to repent "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). Without repentance, there is no remission of sins; we are still under His wrath. Peter further said, "Repent . . . and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19). We cannot be "converted" unless we repent. God Himself "commands all men everywhere [leaving no exceptions] to repent" (Acts 17:30). Peter said a similar thing at Pentecost: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you" (Acts 2:38). 

If repentance wasn’t necessary for salvation, why then did Jesus command that repentance be preached to all nations (Luke 24:47)? With so many Scriptures speaking of the necessity of repentance for salvation, one can only suspect that those who preach salvation without repentance are strangers to repentance themselves, and thus strangers to true conversion.

Source: The Evidence Bible. This KJV bible has been commended by Josh McDowell, Dr. D. James Kennedy, and Franklin Graham.

DAY 2 - 31 Days of Evangelism Tips and Training

Good Morning Warriors,

For these 31 days I am going to post as much info as I possibly can. Being a great witness for Christ takes practice and knowledge. We must present the gospel message often and learn as much as we can to be most effective. BUT, there is one often overlooked tool that we need and it is the greatest: the HOLY SPIRIT. We CANNOT go into all the world in our own strength and we will not have the power of God on our lives if we are not saved ourselves.

What I am about to share is not to cast doubt on what has transpired between you and the Lord, but false converts ARE a sad fact of life. Many will stand before Christ, thinking they have been saved from God's wrath, and hear the words, "Depart from Me, ye worker of iniquity, I never knew you." It pains me to even write that statement, but it will be an awful reality for many. We must do as even the great Apostle Paul did -- examine and test ourselves to see if we are truly in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5). It pays to be sure. Our eternal destiny is at stake!!!

I want you to go ahead and bookmark this blog page to your internet service provider so you can have all this info for future reference. Even if you are certain after reading this that you belong to Christ it contains some great verses, etc. that you can use to help others make sure they are saved as well. I would rather cast some doubt and make a person think than to allow anyone to go on believing they are secure when they are not.

Tomorrow, we will follow up on the verses below and we will find out how to know for sure that we are saved. We MUST know without a doubt that we belong to God! There are only two final destinations in the end. Let's make sure we are heading to the right one! Eternity is a long time to be wrong!

I pray that God will be with you as you read the following:

WARNINGS AND SATANIC DECEPTIONS IN SALVATION

The Devil has provided many alternatives to the new birth, and multitudes are confused by false professions of salvation. Note the Bible's warnings:

(1)  A person can believe in God and not be saved (James 2:19).

James 2:19

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

(2) A person can pray to Jesus and not be saved (Matthew 7:22-23).

                 Matthew 7:22-23

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

(3) A person can prophesy in Jesus' name and not be saved (Matthew 7:22-23).

(4) A person can do wonderful works in Jesus' name and not be saved (Matthew 7:22-23).

(5) A person can have a zeal for God and not be saved (Romans 10:2-3).

Romans 10:2-3

2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

(6) A person can have a zeal to make proselytes (a new convert to a doctrine or religion) for God and not be saved (Matthew 23:15).

Matthew 23:15

15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

(7) A person can be very interested in Jesus Christ and not be saved (Matthew 19:16-22).

Matthew 19:16-22

16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

(8) A person can profess to know God and not be saved (Titus 1:16).

Titus 1:16

16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

(9)  A person can follow and serve Christ and not be saved (John 6:64-70).

John 6:64-70

64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. 70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?