Tag Archives: is it necessary to repent in order to be saved? Jesus and repentance

Is repentance necessary for salvation?

Is “repentance” necessary for salvation or does true repentance follow salvation by faith in Jesus as Messiah, alone?

Jesus emphasized the need for “repentance” but is repentance an element of salvation or does repentance manifest subsequent salvation? Can one truly “repent” lest one is born again by the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus?

Discussion, Premise, open for debate…

If one truly “believes” that Jesus is Messiah and desires an eternal relationship with the Father through faith in Jesus, repentance is integral with faith as that saving faith will naturally lead to a life seeking obedience, a new life in Jesus that turns away from the works of the Adamic nature as the conscience is now acutely attuned to compromise with sin; this, through daily sanctification, a work of the indwelling Holy Spirit given to all who believe (Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 1:13:14).

Repentance IS part of the total salvation experience but without the indwelling Holy Spirit given ONLY to those who “believe” (Ephesians 1:13-14; John 3)…true repentance is not possible; therefore, what comes first, the chicken or the egg?

The “desire” to repent is integral with true faith in Jesus as one realizes their need for Jesus’ atonement due their sin nature, but the ability to fulfill the desire to live a holy life is only actuated or made possible “subsequent” belief; this, as true repentance, the power and anointing to truly repent, is not possible void the indwelling Holy Spirit who initiates the “new creation” in Messiah (Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 5:17); so then, does one have to actually verbalize or say they repent of their sin in order to be saved? I think that’s open for debate but suggesting that verbalizing or repenting in order to be saved is a theological stretch, a subtle “works doctrine,” as it’s not practically possible to truly “repent” lest one is “born again” by faith-belief and has then received the indwelling Holy Spirit as Guarantor of New Covenant with the Father; yes, one can express a “desire” or a NEED to repent but desire does not equate to true repentance.

What say YOU? Is “belief”-faith in Jesus as Messiah who died for you the KEY to salvation or must one first repent?

Must one repent and demonstrate evidence of that repentance in conjunction with faith to be saved – or – are the fruits of repentance (Galatians 5) that follows salvation, fruits of righteousness inspired by the indwelling Holy Spirit, the validation and authentication that one’s “faith” is true saving faith; after all, Jesus did say “You will know them by their fruit” (Matthew 7:15-20)?