“And they said, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). Faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the only payment sufficient to pay for all of our sins. Faith is all that is required for you to receive the gift of eternal life. Many are tempted to require or add other works or requirements to be saved. But God says that eternal salvation is not of works, not of yourselves, it is a gracious gift. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us” (Titus 3:5a). Many groups say that there are other requirements other than faith. They say if you add anything, you can add many things to be eternally saved. Adding anything to salvation by grace through faith alone, is false, and is a works-based gospel. Any that do so, are to be accursed (cf. Gal. 1:9).
Often some confuse repentance as an addition. In the King James Version (KJV), “repent” (is observed 46 times), “repented” (32),”repentance” (26), “repenteth” (5), and “repenting” (1), for a total of 110 times in the KJV. About one third or 36 times these words for repentance refer to God where theologians refer to Him “anthropomorphically” being sorry or changing His mind or direction due to prayer or due to the response of others, which is always consistent with His character and attributes. Many are about God, most are not commands, but are descriptions or hope regarding God or others. The various words for repentance just mean to change your mind, be sorry about, regret, think differently, or reverse your decision. So, obviously, repentance must occur when you “turn to God,” and when you “turn to God,” you are necessarily turning away from everything else. This clearly makes repentance an inseparable part of true saving faith, but definitely NOT a separate requirement to be saved. That is why the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 under “IV. Salvation” says, “Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace.“
In my Top 10 Bible Doctrines book (pp. 109-110), I state the following.
“Repentance defined: Isn’t repentance another condition or requirement, or is it the same as faith? Greek “metanoia” – reversal of another’s decision, to think differently, reconsider, a change in mind or direction, to care afterwards, regret (cf. 2Co. 7:9-11). Faith and repentance are not identical, but faith and repentance are inseparable. They are intertwined so that true faith includes repentance as one act, not two separate conditions to be saved. Turning from something to something, can be two separate acts (e.g. “turning from sin to God”). However, turning to something from something is one act (e.g. “turning to God from sin“). When you turn to something, you have to turn away from something, it is impossible not to. Invariably, in turning to God, one always turns away from sin. Biblical, eternal saving repentance is seen in 1Th. 1:9, where God says the Thessalonians “turned to God, from idols.” Also, Paul says in Acts 20:21; he was testifying “repentance towards God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” The direction of eternal salvific repentance is toward God (cf. Acts 9:35; 15:19; 2Cor. 3:16); for if you turn to something, you are always turning from something. This sounds like a fruitless discussion in semantics, but it is not. There is one, and only one condition for salvation and that is true belief. In salvation, the believer is not just turning from sin to God; it is not just not believing in sin, but believing in God); it is turning to God from sin! Similarly, receiving is inseparable from believing. God offers a free gift—you ask (receive) by faith! If you believe, you receive.“
I would love your comments, questions, or any other questions regarding additions cults or false religions attempt to add to God’s gracious free gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Best description ever read about the inseparable nature of repentance and faith!
Great job Dr. Nyberg
I would like to place another bow on why repentance is so important, is inseparable from faith, and clearly not a separate requirement to be eternally saved. First, I would like to say repentance is a great thing. Have you every changed your mind? All wise people do when faced with something better. Eternal salvation is so much better than eternal damnation!
Now, a large majority of the 110 times the words for repentance are found in the Bible it refers to the nation of Israel in both the Old and New Testaments. God begs His chosen people to change their mind and turn to Him from their sin so He can bless and restore them from captivity. Many times repent is observed in the New Testament Gospels it specifically entreats Israel to repent so that God can bless them and return so they can rule and reign with Him in His Kingdom. More than 700 times in Scripture faith is mentioned as the only condition for eternal salvation. Arguably the simplest and clearest Gospel that contains the most quoted sentence in all literature of how to be saved is the Gospel of John. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” In that Gospel, John does not even use any word for repentance, but does use the words for faith or belief about 91 times. True faith certainly entails a person having godly sorrow or regret for their sin and rebellion against God, which leads them to change their mind or repent of their course away from God. They demonstrate their trust in God and His Son’s death, burial, and resurrection to pay the entire price for their sin, which is their only means to eternal life.
Another great technical write-up on repentance and salvation is found in Dallas Theological Seminary’s Doctrinal Statement (May 2022). See the 2nd paragraph under “Article VII—Salvation Only through Christ.” https://ronnyberg.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DTS-Doctrinal-Statement.pdf
For a more thorough explanation of how repentance is involved in eternal salvation and daily sanctification, see page 3, top 2 paragraphs in Lordship Salvation. https://ronnyberg.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lordship-Salvation.pdf
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