The Relationship between Repentance and Salvation - Thesis Proposal Example

?Evangelism (theology) An understanding of the relationship between repentance and salvation is essential to comprehend the basic concepts of Evangelism and the requirements of conversion. Significantly, the relationship between repentance and salvation is a well-documented fact all through the Bible, especially the New Testament. This paper undertakes a reflective exploration of the relationship between repentance and salvation in order to establish that salvation is not possible unless one entirely changes one’s way of life, turning away from sin, and accepts faith in Jesus. Introduction The concept of salvation is central to the entire theology of the Christians and it refers to the divine providence by which the God saves his people from biological death as well as spiritual death and offers acceptance into heaven. A related concept, i.e. repentance, is essential prerequisite for the enjoyment of salvation and both the concepts are closely associated in the entire Bible. In the context of the New Testament, an investigation into the relationship between repentance and salvation is significant today because there has been an unwarrantable emphasis on the phrase “faith alone” for salvation in the recent years. Salvation can be understood from four basic perspectives: salvation from sin, salvation from death, salvation from the law, and salvation from the devil. The Bible Reading Method of the Pentecostal point of view brought about the Oneness Pentecostalism, which makes the relationship between repentance and salvation obvious. “Salvation, from the Oneness understanding, was one progressive experience consisting of three distinct experiential phases as outlined in Acts 2.38… The threefold salvation experience as outlined in Acts 2.38 involved repentance, water baptism in the name of Jesus, and Holy Spirit baptism with the evidence of tongues.” (Archer, 82) Therefore, repentance is the most essential and foremost prerequisite for salvation experience in Jesus Christ, and salvation is not complete until a person successfully goes through all these three stages. This paper undertakes a reflective exploration of the relationship between repentance and salvation in order to comprehend some of the basic concepts of Evangelism. Background First of all, it is important to recognize the meaning and idea of repentance in relation to the concept of salvation, and it needs to be done in the background of the Bible, especially the New Testament. In fact, the twisted interpretations of the meaning of the word ‘repentance’ in recent years has affected clear understanding of the term and the Bible does not highlight the common explanation of the term as nothing but a change of life. Significantly, any explanation of the term ‘repentance’ should naturally discuss the relationship between salvation and repentance, in the lights of the teachings of the Bible. “First, it teaches that repentance is essential to salvation. One cannot truly believe unless he repents, and one cannot truly repent unless he believes. Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin (but they are not synonymous terms). Acts 11:18 and 2 Peter 3:9 are two of the many verses that teach that repentance is necessary for salvation.” (Macarthur) Another important biblical passage summing up the relationship between repentance and saving faith is perhaps 2 Timothy 2:25, which refers to ‘repentance to the acknowledging of the truth’. It is fundamental to relate here that the original meaning of the word ‘repentance’ is ‘to have another mind’ and it covers a larger meaning than the ordinary explanation of it as a change in the mind or thinking. Thus, the biblical concept of repentance refers to the complete change of one’s way of life and turning away from sin to pursue the salvation offered by the God. “Biblically, a person who repents does not continue willfully in sin. Repentance is a turning from sin, and it always results in changed behavior (Luke 3:8). While sorrow from sin is not equivalent to repentance, it is certainly an element of scriptural repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10).” (Macarthur) Therefore, it becomes evident that salvation is possible to a human being when he/she adopts a life of genuine repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Hypothesis The relationship between repentance and salvation, as divulged in the New Testament, confirms that one can gain salvation only through repentance, i.e. changing one’s way of life and turning away from sin, and faith. Literature review One of the essential concepts of Christian theology is the hope for salvation which is the promise of God, and it is important to realize that salvation can be comprehended from four basic perspectives such as salvation from sin, salvation from death, salvation from the law, and salvation from the devil. First of all, salvation refers to recovery from sin and its different limitations. One should realize that human beings are born as sinners because of the original sin. (Psalm 51; 5, Romans 3:32, 5:12, 5:15, 5:19) Significantly, mankind is forgiven of original sin and they will be given salvation if they believe in Jesus. Secondly, salvation refers to rescue from death and it is Jesus Christ who saved mankind from death. (Rom 5:12, Rom 5:7, Ephesians 2:1) Thirdly, salvation means liberation from the law. Humankind was condemned to live under the chains of the law, which according to the Bible is the law of sin and death. (Rom8:2) However, Jesus liberated human beings from the chains of the law, and through repentance and faith in Jesus, one can achieve this salvation from the law. Finally, salvation refers to rescue from the devil which is an accuser. (1Pet 5:8, Luke 22:31) Whereas the devil is constantly on the search for men who have been condemned by the law, Jesus saved human beings from the sin, the law, and the devil. It is through repentance and faith in Him that human beings can enjoy the ultimate salvation in Jesus Christ. “The need for human repentance – changed human behavior – for a renewed or continued relationship with God is a consistent teaching throughout the Bible… In the New Testament letters, we find the Apostles teaching that God’s patience, kindness, and grace are supposed to lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4).” (McCoy) Therefore, salvation and repentance are presented as closely connected concepts all though the Bible, the Old and New Testament. In a reflective analysis of the true meaning of faith in Jesus Christ, it becomes lucid that the Bible presents repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as the essential components of salvation. The Apostolic teachings subsequent to the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus emphasized the need for repentance and faith in Jesus as a means of achieving eternal salvation from death, sin, the devil, and the law. The first apostolic sermon brought an essential question to the forefront and the people asked them what they should do. The reply given by Peter was nothing but “Repent”, which means one should change his mind about Jesus Christ, because repentance saves human beings from all the chains of life and death. It is fundamental to realize that repentance all through the history of human beings brought eternal salvation to them. Significantly, biblical repentance involves changing one’s mind to accept the faith in Jesus and it has close association with eternal salvation of human beings. “An interesting sidelight – ‘repent’ in Acts 2.38 is a command… The lordship/discipleship/mastery teaching apparently makes repentance and faith two distinct and necessary requirements for salvation.” (Ryrie, 87) Therefore, the ultimate relationship between repentance and salvation is an established fact in the Bible, especially the New Testament. It is also essential to maintain that repentance and faith are the basic components of salvation, and repentance stands for faith in several parts of the New Testament. (Luke 24.46-47, Acts 5.31, 11.18, Hebrews 6.6, and 2 Peter 3.9) A profound exploration of the crucial relationship between repentance and salvation confirms that repentance is the basic precondition for the experience of conversion which is the first step towards full salvation. Significantly, repentance is essential for the reestablishment of the personal relationship with God and it is the fundamental precondition for conversion or spiritual rebirth. According to the theologies of the Pentecostal movement, repentance and conversion are the initial components of salvation and repentance should be realized as a human activity, the personal act of turning toward God in sorrow for sin and in conscious need for salvation. “The initial experience of salvation involved both repentance and conversion – the first forming the necessary platform for the second. This order of events was fixed… Because repentance, by admitting its own lack and need of assistance, opened the door to faith, and faith was the only means by which any human being could receive salvation.” (Jacobsen, 175) Methodology This research paper proposes to undertake a qualitative analysis of the relationship between repentance and salvation as reveled throughout the Bible, especially the New Testament. Thus, the chief method of data collection is the review of biblical teachings and interpretations, based on sound theological perspectives. An analysis of the available literature on the topic such as articles, books, interpretations of the Bible, theological papers, etc will be used. Conclusion In conclusion, it is fundamental to comprehend that the relationship between repentance and salvation is a well-documented fact all through the Bible, especially the New Testament. A profound exploration of the relationship between repentance and salvation maintains that they are two underlying and crucial concepts of Evangelism. Thus, it becomes evident that repentance is the basic precondition for the experience of conversion which is the first step towards full salvation. Human beings can reach the doors of faith only through absolute repentance and the reestablishment of the personal relationship with God, and it ultimately leads them to eternal salvation. Works Cited Archer, Kenneth J. A Pentecostal Hermeneutic for the Twenty-First Century: Spirit, Scripture and Community. London: Continuum International Publishing Group. 2004. P 82. Jacobsen, Douglas Gordon. Thinking in the Spirit: Theologies of the Early Pentecostal Movement. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press. 2003. P 175. Macarthur, John. “What is repentance and how does it relate to salvation?” Unleashing God’s Truth. Grace to You. March 14, 2011. . McCoy, Charles E. “Repentance and Salvation.” A Ministry of Severn Christian Church (Severn, Maryland). 2006. March 14, 2011. . Ryrie, Charles C. So Great Salvation: What It Means to Believe in Jesus Christ. Moody Publishers. 1997. P 87. Read More