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Repent and Believe: The Biblical Response to the Gospel

Repent and Believe - Biblical Salvation

Repent and Believe: The Biblical Response to the Gospel

Unbelievers should tremble before the immense holiness of God. The reality of sin is not something to be ignored—it should shake the soul and bring deep conviction. Yet, alongside this sobering truth, the redemptive work of Christ should thrill sinners with hope and joy.

This tension between God’s holiness, man’s sin, and Christ’s sacrifice should provoke the same desperate question that pierced the hearts of those who heard Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost:

“Brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37)

The gospel of Jesus Christ demands a response. Passive indifference is not an option. Every sinner either rejects the truth of the gospel and continues in rebellion or cries out for salvation through Christ alone.

The True Call of the Gospel: Repent and Believe

The Bible never commands sinners to “walk an aisle,” “pray a prayer,” or “sign a card.” Nowhere does Scripture teach assurance of salvation based on a one-time emotional decision. Jesus does not beg at the door of a sinner’s heart, waiting for acceptance. Instead, the Bible makes it clear—we desperately need His acceptance.

From Genesis to Revelation, the call is consistent: Repent and believe.

What Is Saving Faith?

True saving faith is not shallow belief or mental agreement. It is a sinner recognizing his hopeless condition and trusting in Christ as the perfect substitute who bore God’s wrath.

The apostle Paul calls the gospel “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). John MacArthur explains:

“Salvation is not merely professing Christianity, nor baptism, moral reform, church membership, or good works. Salvation is believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, abandoning self-righteousness, and trusting in His finished work.”

Paul emphasizes in Ephesians 2:8-9 that salvation is a gift of God, not a result of works. Even the ability to believe comes by grace.

Throughout Scripture, the command is clear:

  • Jesus told Nicodemus: “Whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
  • Paul and Silas told the Philippian jailer: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:30–31).
  • Peter declared: “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

What Is True Repentance?

But faith cannot be separated from repentance. Genuine belief in Christ produces a turning away from sin.

The Greek word metanoia means “change of mind,” but biblically it goes further—it means a change of direction, a turning from sin and turning to God.

Paul described the repentance of the Thessalonians: “You turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9).

Jesus Himself warned: “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:5).

Repentance is not a human work added to salvation; it is a gift from God (Acts 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25), just like faith.

Faith and Repentance: Inseparable Truths

Throughout history, some have preached a false gospel of “easy-believism”—a message that offers salvation without repentance. But this cheap grace leads people into false assurance, deceiving them into thinking they are saved while their lives remain unchanged.

Scripture teaches that true faith always produces obedience:

  • “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life” (John 3:36).
  • “A great many became obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7).
  • “He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9).

The Reformers rightly said: “We are justified by faith alone, but saving faith is never alone.”

Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin, inseparable and both gifts of God’s grace.

The Evangelistic Message: Holiness, Sin, Christ, and Response

If we are to preach the gospel faithfully, we must:

  1. Present the holiness of God.
  2. Expose the depravity of man.
  3. Proclaim the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
  4. Call sinners to repent and believe.

The work of conversion belongs to God alone, but the call to proclaim truth belongs to us.

Final Call

The biblical call is clear: Repent of your sins, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and be saved. There is no other way to eternal life.

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