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QUESTION 98
I have been told that I cannot repent until I have faith and eternal life. Is this according to the Bible?

ANSWER:
The Gentiles were "...granted repentance unto life." Acts 1:18. Paul, along with all other New Testament preachers preached "...repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 20:21. Jesus said, "Repent and believe the gospel." Mark 1:15. John the Baptist preached, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 3:2.

"Repentance," means a "mind after." It means you agree with God that you have sinned against Him and you are lost. You must repent in order to believe. You have no reason to actually trust Christ fully unless you have that "mind after God." Jesus said, "Repent or perish." Luke 13:3.

The order is, repentance for the forgiveness of sins, and faith for the gift of eternal life. (See Luke 24:47 and John 3:15) He that believeth on the Son has everlasting life." Which came first, the life or the believing?

Dear reader, have you really trusted Christ yet?  Have you come to Him as a repentant sinner and trusted fully in His sacrifice for your sins? This you MUST do in order to be saved.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen