The importance of Repentance (Part 2)

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By Charles E. Wigg

It is a pathetic fact, that today many are 'bribed' into 'making a decision' with the offer of physical healing, or of some 'supernatural experience', or the 'receiving of the gift of the "Holy Spirit", accompanied with speaking in tongues etc. To obtain the desired response, hypnotism and crowd control are used. Then great boasting is made about the large numbers that are 'saved'. Those that respond often continue in a life of sin, and there seems to be no evident change in their lives at all. Thus the Lord's name is brought into disrepute, and even blasphemed by such behavior.

The Master's Example: Let us now look at the perfect example, that of our blessed Master, and see what He did. His is the example that we should follow, and that of His Apostles who were His followers.

In Matthew's Gospel, Ch. 4:17, we hear Him say "Repent: for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand". Here we have an account of the first public preaching of the Gospel, by The King Himself. The first call that He uttered was a call to repentance. Though He possessed the power of miraculous Divine healing, He did not use this as a bribe or an enticement for people to accept His message. Have things changed? Are things different today? Have people become so 'good' that they do not need to repent? In no way! On the contrary, though Christianity has spread to the earth's farthest bounds, yet evil has increased at a very rapid rate, and society is in a very deplorable state. We may deduce then that there is an even greater need for the preaching of repentance today than ever before.

Mark gives us his account of the first public preaching of the Gospel from the lips of the Lord Jesus. Of course He had spoken in the synagogue at Nazareth before this, but there He did not preach the Gospel, but instead introduced Himself, and prophesied His rejection. According to Mark, His first words were, "Repent ye, and believe the Gospel". John the Baptist before Him, had preached against sin, and powerfully emphasized the need for repentance. He preached the baptism of repentance. That those that wished their lives to be changed and cleaned up should be baptized by him. This was a form of ritual purification, and a testimony to that desire.

When the Lord Jesus sent out the twelve, first He gave them power, then instructed them as to what attitude they were to have regarding supplies, money etc. They then went out, and as they began to preach, they "preached that men should repent", Mark, 6:12. This pattern is repeated again and again throughout the New Testament. In Luke 13:3 & 5, the Lord Jesus warned those to whom He spoke what would be the consequence of them refusing to repent. In Luke 16:30, the once rich man, longed for, and prayed that some one would even rise from the dead and go and warn his five brothers not to go to hell. He was convinced that if Lazarus was to rise from the dead and go to them, they would then repent. However Abraham assured him that if they would not listen to the Gospel, and the warnings of scripture, then they would not repent at the preaching of one that rose from the dead. In Acts 2:38, Peter called on the Jews present to repent and to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. This coupling of baptism with repentance had a special significance for the Jews. They were guilty not only of personal sins, but also of national sins. Their representatives had said, "His blood be upon us and our children", Matt. 27:25. For those national sins to be forgiven they needed to be baptized by immersion, thereby cutting themselves off from that nation forever. For in being baptized they professed to die and be buried, as far as the nation of Israel was concerned. Thus they needed to repent of their personal sins, as well as their national sins.

The importance of Repentance (Part 1)

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By Charles E. Wigg

[I have received a number of requests to reproduce the timeless articles of our brethren whom God used to teach us the Scriptures, particularly, the New Testament doctrines. Charles Wigg of Australia has contributed a number of such articles and I am happy to bring to you the once again, with one of his articles on the Importance of Repentance. God has been using Charles [Appachen] as a blessing to many, including me, personally. I request you to continue praying for him as he, although in 80s, is kept well to his age. The article is sent in seven "bitable" pieces so that you might "chew" and "chew-the-cud" until it is absorbed thoroughly in your soul. - Ben@brethrenvoice.net]

"This article is a response to an inquiry from a brother who was most concerned that in these days, (even in brethren Assemblies), it seems that it is no longer fashionable to insist on the necessity for the preaching of repentance as a pre-requisite to salvation.

Though one has no desire to buy into any controversy, yet it seems vital that the truth of the scriptures must be emphasized. Perhaps the lack of the preaching of repentance may account for the very shallow sense of the sinfulness of sin that exists today with many individuals, and in many Assemblies and Churches. I use these two words to describe gatherings of believers. Though the word Assembly is the scriptural meaning of the Greek word 'Ecclesia' yet some believers object to its use, claiming that it is a 'Brethrenism', (which it is not). What I am about to write applies to all evangelical believers, wherever they gather.

We have to admit that it is a very rare occurrence today for genuine conversions to take place. This is very regrettable, and may be attributed to several things. One of these is the 'lukewarm' state of the Church. This is in part brought about by the comforts of materialism that many believers in Western Countries enjoy. Many are more concerned about making money, than they are to be found walking in obedience to the word of God. Most still maintain an affiliation with the local Church, because it is considered respectable to do so. The local Church has become, (to such), a kind of Sunday social club. To attend once a week, especially on Sunday mornings, where the Lord's Supper is observed, is enough for them. They are not interested in attending meetings for the study of the scriptures, or especially for prayer. The burden for lost souls seems almost extinct today with most.

Another thing is that most have no wish to work for the Lord, to undertake responsibilities in the local Church. They will leave that to others, and they wish only to be entertained. Of course if there is an opportunity to show off, to get up on the platform and play some instrument, jigging about with sensual actions copied from the 'pop stars', which are designed to awaken lusts in the hearts of the viewers. But to take a Sunday School class, or to witness for the Lord in their daily life and occupation such persons have neither the desire or the interest. Nevertheless such people are very copious in their criticism of others who do have a burden to serve the Lord.

A study of history will prove that, (in the past), the preaching that was so mightily blessed of God, to the awakening and the conversion to Christ from a life of sin of so many; was preceded by a thunderous condemnation of sin. One man who was mightily used of God in the awakening and the genuine conversion of very many was Mr. Charles Finney. He stated that it was always his practice to preach the law first, as the scripture states that by the Law is the knowledge of sin. Rom. 3:20. The absence of such a clear and powerful preaching of the Law, which magnifies the holiness of God, will lead to a great lack of conviction, and a very shallow sense of the sinfulness of sin. It will lead to the 'easy believe-ism' that is so prevalent today."