I HAVE REPENTED
So many people today think that all they have to do is say the sinner's prayer by repeating it after someone. Is that enough to be saved? I believe that there is so much more to it.. so many people have believed the Lie that all they have to do is say a sinner's prayer. Let's look at some Scriptures.
Mark 1:5
And there went out to him all the land of Yahudah and those of Yahrushalayim, and all were immersed by him in the river of Yarden, confessing their sins.
Mark 6:12
And they went out and proclaimed that men should make teshuvah. [repentance or turning back. Back to what? Back to YHVH's Commandments in the Torah, Prophets and Writings and to His Covenant.]
Acts 2:38
Then Kepha said to them, Shuv and be immersed everyone of you in the Name of the Master-Yah Yshua the Messiah for the forgiveness of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Ruach HaKodesh. [Holy Spirit]
Acts 26:20
... that they should make teshuvah and turn to YHVH and do mitzvoth [good deeds] meet for teshuvah. Our good deeds should show that we have made teshuvah or repented by turning back to Yah's ways.
Revelation 3:19
...be zealous therefore, and make teshuvah.
We are to be zealous , or devoted to repentance.
What is YHVH's response?
Acts 17:30
For the past times of ignorance YHVH overlooked; but now commands all men everywhere to make teshuvah.
What happens when one sinner repents?Luke 15:7, 10
I say to you, "That likewise joy shall be in the heavens over one sinner that repents, more than over 99 righteous, who need no teshuvah... Likewise," I say to you "There is you in the presence of the heavenly malachim [angels] of YHVH over one sinner that makes teshuvah.
Below is an article on John's baptism for repentance.
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
John did baptize in the wilderness,.... Of Judea, Matthew 3:1, where he first appeared as a preacher; and is the same wilderness Isaiah has respect to in the above prophecy, Isaiah 40:3. The words are best rendered in the Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions; "John was in the wilderness, baptizing and preaching the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins": according to which, the account of the Baptist begins with his name, John; describes the place where he was where he made his first appearance, and continued in, the wilderness; which was not a wild uninhabited place and without people, but had many cities, towns, and villages in it; and also declares his work and ministry there, which was preaching and baptizing: for though baptizing is here put before preaching, yet certain it is, that he first came preaching in these parts; and there baptized such, to whom his preaching was made useful. Baptism is here called, the
baptism of repentance: because John required repentance antecedent to it, and administered it upon profession of repentance, and as an open testification of it; and this for, or unto the remission of sins: not for the obtaining the remission of sins, as if either repentance, or baptism, were the causes of pardon of sin; but the sense is, that John preached that men should repent of their sins, and believe in Christ, who was to come; and upon their repentance and faith, be baptized; in which ordinance, they might be led to a fresh view of the free and full forgiveness of their sins, through Christ; whose blood was to be shed for many, to obtain it: see Acts 2:38.
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We see that it is not enough just to say a sinner's prayer and continue living the way we were. Most people realize that, but then there are those who do not think they need to change their ways to prove that they have repented.
When the early believers were saved, their works showed that they were saved. Their works did not save them, but because they were saved, they did good works.
Revelation 22:14 states: "Blessed are they that do His mitzvoth [Commandments] that they may have the right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the twelve gates into the city.
Don't shoot the messenger! I just am quoting the verse. Bet you never saw that verse in Revelation or skimmed over it not realizing what it means.
Yshua said in John 14:15: "If you love Me, keep My mitzvoth."
Then again in John 14:21 & 23 He said: "He that has My mitzvoth and keeps them, he it is that loves Me... If a man loves Me, he will guard My Words..."
What Commandments and Words? The Renewed Covenant had not been written yet. So it was the Torah, Prophets and Writings that Yshua was referencing to.
Please re-read the above verses to see what they are saying. Have you skimmed over some verses, as we all have? Are you just now realizing what they mean?
Did Yshua really mean it when He said that if we love Him, we will keep His Commandments? What if we don't keep them? What does that say?
I hope you will do a further study on this. The book of 1 John is also a very good book to read again for keeping His Commandments...
Remembering that the Renewed Covenant was just being written at the time of 1 John. Keep that in mind as to which Commandments John was referring to.
Until later...
"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the Only Eloah,
be honor and glory forever and ever. Amein!"
1 Timothy 1:17
Shalom and abundant blessings,
Anna Constance