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New Hampshire Confession of Faith #8

Pastor Ronnie Wolfe

Acts 20:21 

VIII. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH

We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour. 

  1. FAITH AND REPENTANCE ARE INSEPARABLE
    1. Faith and Repentance are not the same thing
      1. Godly repentance and faith cannot exist apart from each other.
      2. Man's repentance and faith can exist separately, but they are not effectual for salvation
    2. Repentance is a duty
      1. It is not a mere human duty but a divine and sacred imperative.
      2. External repentance will not suffice for godly repentance
      3. Internal repentance is the only repentance that brings salvation
      4. 2 Corinthians 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
      5. God calls on all men to repent - Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
    3. Faith is also a duty
      1. Believing in Christ is both a duty and a grace
      2. God calls on all men to believe - Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
    4. The uniting of repentance and faith is also a sacred duty
      1. Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
      2. 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,
      3. 2 Corinthians 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.


  2. REPENTANCE AND FAITH ARE A RESULT OF THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
    1. There is a human repentance (see D,3 above: "but the sorrow of the world worketh death."
    2. Man cannot produce this repentance himself. He does not have the ability to bring about a repentance that is spiritual in nature. Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
    3. The Holy Spirit convicts of sin and brings the heart to know his sin - John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
    4. The Holy Spirit shows us the object of our faith
      1. We have heard of Jesus Christ with our ears many times and know him in the flesh
      2. But the Holy Spirit gives us hearing with the ear of faith, and our faith finds its object, Jesus Christ.
    5. The Holy Spirit quickens (or makes alive) our spiritual conscience (from the dead) so that we can grasp the concept of salvation
      1. The Spirit of God gives life - 2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
    6. God grants repentance - Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
    7. The Holy Spirit gives faith - Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith ... et al.


  3. REPENTANCE AND FAITH HAVE RESULTS
    1. When a person has both repentance and faith, he has a three-fold response:
      1. He has Contrition, or sorrow for sin against a holy God.
      2. He has Confession of sin before God.
      3. He has Supplication, or he will call out unto God - Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Acts 2:21; Joel 2:32).
    2. When a person has both repentance and faith, he has a three-fold acceptance of Jesus
      1. Jesus is accepted as Prophet
      2. Jesus is accepted as Priest
      3. Jesus is accepted as King
    3. When a person has both repentance and faith, he has complete reliance on Jesus through his faith that he exercised when he repented.
      4.  

 

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