40 Serious Questions to Ask
“I will build my church (people).” Matthew 16:18
Jesus is building His revelation truth – that He is the Christ – in the hearts of all who are authentically born again and following Him. So, His remnant people are the church – the called out ones.
When we finally become exhausted enough in the journey of “finding a church,” we may then begin to realize that God just wants us to be His church. Church is not where are go but who we are! We perhaps should cease trying to find a church and just be Christ’s church. Yet, if one insists upon finding a church to go to, here are some things that should be considered.
Below is a list of questions to ask when seeking out the ever so rare and elusive, true New Testament fellowship. These same questions should be asked of the current fellowship you may be involved in.
Perhaps we should begin realizing that God is not impressed with our Sunday morning shows, pretensions, and plastic passifications which we perform in His name but not under His lordship (Matt. 7:19-23; Lk. 6:46; 2 Tim. 3:5). The early believers did not “go to church” they were the Church, and met house to house daily to fellowship. Certain specific elements made up their genuine fellowship with Christ and one another (Acts 2:42-47). Friend, read this passage at the end of Acts 2 closely and prayerfully and see how much of a difference there is between commercialized modern church business houses and the early Church model of authentic Christian fellowship.
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:41-47
The early Church setting was prior to the centralizing of “worship services” under the abominable roman religion of Catholicism which is where much of the structure of modern-day evangelical religion comes from.
It is my prediction that many house churches will result from the truth found on this page, which just may reveal that much of the modern church model is not according to the will of the LORD. Please proceed prayerfully.
If you are a pastor, please pray that the LORD will give your heart His gift of repentance, and bring forth fruits consistent with such change.
Perhaps the peril of finding a truth-seeking, truly God-fearing group of believers has never been so pronounced and critical as it is in this late hour, the hour of the foretold great falling away. Yet all wise-virgin believers realize that they must maintain fellowship with God’s true people. This leads them to leave most modern church settings which do not reflect New Testament Christianity see in the Word.
Looking for a good church? Join the club…. Well, on second thought, many whom God has called out of the visible, apostate church world, are simply being His Church in an organic fashion just as after Pentecost when the Church was born (Acts 2:42-47). Church-shopping can be a long and painful process. I gave that up and am now fellowshipping with the LORD’s people daily. Yet, if you insist …. To shorten your search, call the pastor of the church before you visit and ask the following questions. This will save you a lot of Sundays.
1. What is man’s biggest problem, sin or self esteem? Seeker-sensitive and felt-needs churches focus on man’s hurts and problems. The Bible says that man’s biggest problem is sin and depravity and that His need is to repent before a holy God to obtain His mercy and grace to be transformed. Beware of errant programs like Celebrate Recovery which do not honor the One who made man as the only One who can heal men’s lives. For a more in-depth study of the “seeker-sensitive” movement, get Deceivers & False Prophets Among Us 2 full chapters are dedicated to this movement and its practices.
2. What must a man do to inherit eternal life? Repent and trust fully in Christ alone is the Biblical answer. If the word “repent” is never used, say “thank you.”
3. How do you deliver the salvation message? Watch out for “asking for a decision” and “hand raising.” No one is going to sneak into the kingdom of God. Jesus wasn’t ashamed to come and suffer shame and crucifixion for mankind, and told us that anyone ashamed of Him or His Word will be rejected (Mk. 8:34-38). Also, ask the pastor to describe specifically his approach to the lost. Does he encourage people to simply say a prayer, or lay their lives down completely? Does he tell people to ask Jesus into their hearts, or fall upon His mercy in light of their utter sinful depravity, holding nothing back?
4. How hard is it to become a Christian? If the pastor says it is easy, he probably does not understand that dying to self is the hardest thing a person can do.
5. Pastor, How often do you talk about sin, righteousness, and judgment? Balance is key. This should not be the only emphasis, but it should be a regular emphasis as it was with Christ and His apostles which we read about in the Scriptures.
6. Do you preach on “sin” by name, or do you speak of “mistakes”, “addictions”, “disease”, and “shortcomings”? When is the last time you preached the 17 sinful “works of the flesh” named in Galatians 5:19-21? Is God’s Word, Holy Spirit, and true believers the answer, or a psycho-heretical, 12-step program of sinful men? See 2 Peter 1:3-4; 2 Timothy 3:15-17.
7. Do you believe and teach often that God is holy? If so, when is the last time you preached a whole message using the myriad of Bible passages which speak of the utter holiness of the Almighty and the necessity of such in the life of any person who will be with Him eternally? Hebrews 12:14
8. How “seeker-sensitive” is your church? Men who fear God are sensitive to Him first and foremost, and preach His original Gospel, recorded on the pages of holy Scripture, which begins with “Repent.” (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; Acts 3:19) The seeker-senstive message originates from the selfish motive of enterprising pastors, to grow their numbers by farming their communities, but only the LORD Himself can add to His Church. He does this by His Spirit, when His Word is preached and men come to repentance, laying down their lives for Him.
9. Who do you do church for, visitors or believers? Both is not acceptable. Church should be done for the body of Christ and pagans are welcome to watch and to repent when the call comes.
10. Do you dumb down your sermons? If the pastor says “yes” to this question, he is probably not trying to wean his members from milk to meat. Answers like, “We try to make our sermons relevant and accessible to everyone” reveal that he is not obeying God (Heb. 5:11-6:3). In other words, he is preaching “another gospel” to allure men to his little church business and in order to avoid offending those who give their monies to him. Instead of fearing God and preaching His pure and holy Word, this pastor is being “sensitive” to sinners while defying the Almighty (2 Tim. 4:2-5). He is building his own kingdom, not Christ’s.
11. What is your mixture of topical vs. expository preaching? Topical preaching is fine, but if a pastor never or rarely preaches expositionally (verse by verse), then you are going to be learning from the pastor and not God’s Word.
12. Do your sermons emphasize Bible theology, or are they just relevant? Are they meaty or full of filler stories and facts while purposely avoiding preaching line upon line Scripture truth? Many pastors will say their sermons are relevant. What you are looking for is whether or not they are afraid of biblical theology and sacrificing it on the altar of building their own congregation by withholding full-counsel Bible exposition (Acts 20:20, 27).
13. Describe your youth programs. If fun and games is the major (and usually first) emphasis, you have a youth program that is trying to compete with MTV, instead of calling the youth to repentance and making disciples of those who are born again.
14. Describe your evangelism programs. Don’t just accept, “We have an evangelism committee.” Dig. Are they serious about saving souls? If a local church fellowship is serious about obeying Christ in the Great Commission, they will be reaching those in their own community, first and foremost, not just sending money to Africa, India, or Russia (Acts 1:8).
15. Do you have a Gospel tract rack in your facility? If not, it may be that they are not interested enough in reaching the lost to have done so before now.
16. What church growth model do you follow? Hopefully they don’t have one. Churches should be reaching out to the lost with raw biblical truth, The LORD grows His true Church as He wills and as His people obey Him. Local fellowships that are plugged into new church growth models tend to follow man’s modern ideas rather than the Bibles. This they do because they seek to grow their own local business/agenda, not the kingdom of Heaven.
17. Do you espouse Rick Warren and His purpose-driven books? The Purpose Driven Lifeand The Purpose Driven Church or books by Warren that are full of error. Apostate local churches across the nation have gone crazy over this foolishness, making The Purpose Driven Life a national bestseller. What is most disheartening is that these same fellowships refuse to make God’s Word their Textbook. Rick Warren learned his church growth principles from notorious false prophet Robert Schuller who pastors the Crystal Cathedral. Schuller learned under Norman Vincent Peale, a deceiver posing as a Christian leader who has stated that it is not necessary to be born again and that he found his salvation at a shinto shrine – not Jesus Christ, who said “Ye must be born again.” (Jn. 3:3,7) More on Rick Warren.
18. Do you honor the LORD by celebrating the 66 books of His Word, or do you follow fad teachings via best-selling authors/books? What you are looking for is whether he is excited about and using the Bible as the Textbook of that local fellowship, and not poisoning God’s flock with deception-laced fad books.
19. What version of the Bible do you preach from and why? This is ultra important. If a man has no more discernment than to see and know that the new versions are corrupted, how can he be seen as one who is truly in the fear of God and captivated by His Word and Holy Spirit? Some leaders will even reveal the depth of their blindness by seeking to justify the tens of thousand of words removed from the new versions and numerous perversions of the essential, pillar doctrines that make up the Christian faith. See Bible Versions.
20. How much money do you give to missions and the hungry? Again, this reveals the heart of the church. While most churches give to missions, many never consider the poor, widows and fatherless. Most local churches have a token or photo op outreach program or two, yet their hearts do not burn to help the lost, hungry and hurting, because they are in the ministry for themselves, not Christ. Many local church leaders refuse to help fund the genuine ministries within their own fellowship, overlooking the need to minister to their own communities. In many cases this refusal to support godly people among them who do ministry is due to their own condescending perspectives of those they shepherd (they vainly imagine that their useless seminary/Bible College degree grants them authority, while those who do not have such are inferior. If we read the words of Christ, we will discover that usually, the opposite is true).
21. This is not a question. If you ask for the pastor and the receptionist says, “She will be right with you,” hang up before you get transferred. No woman could possibly be the “husband of one wife” which is one of the requirements for an elder (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6).
22. Do you believe the Bible contains no errors or contradictions?
23. Do you believe in a literal 6 day creation?
24. Do you believe in a literal hell and eternal punishment? Diary of a Dead Man Tract
25. When you distribute the Lord’s Supper, do you emphasize the need to examine yourself and repenting of all sin?
26. Can a practicing homosexual, fornicator or adulterer inherit eternal life? 1 Cor. 6:9-10
27. Does your church exercise church discipline? (Matt. 18:15-17) Do you have examples? For example: what if a married couple divorces for non-biblical reasons? What if there is someone fornicating, greedy or stealing? (Eph. 5:5-9)
28. What would be your response to a homosexual couple attending your church?“Repent”? or, “God accepts all the way they are”? What would be your response if that couple requested membership?
29. Do you know those who labor among you? (1 Thess. 5:12) This would include those who teach, nursery workers, and youth volunteers. Do you require beforehand that they answer questions about their core beliefs and salvation, or are all volunteers accepted because of a lack of volunteers?
30. Pastor, do you personally win souls? (Prov. 11:30) Is every Christian suppose to win souls? Do you equip your body to win souls? (not necessarily street evangelism, but not just “Friendship Evangelism” either, but talking to strangers, friends, and family about Christ)
31. Do you, the pastor, fund and promote the propagation of the Word through the printed page/tracts? Do you invest in local souls by supplying Gospel tracts for those who gather to use? Many a leader sends money to help those overseas while letting those in his own community perish. For some pastors, their thought is that the perceived impact in the minds of his congregation will help his own image/cause, making it look like he really cares for people because he sends money overseas. But why not this nation? Is there a nation more in need of truth than America. Where does the Bible tell us to start ministering? See Acts 1:8.
32. Do you (the pastor) believe “Once Saved Always Saved”? If he says “Yes” you may want to introduce him to a few verses of volumes of Bible truth that refute this fable. If he is not teachable, you will be best to part ways quickly. Anyone teaching this doctrine is deceived at best and fulfilling the prophesy in Jude 4 by “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness.”
33. How important is it for the believer to abide (remain in) in the fear of and obedience to the LORD? (John 15) If he doesn’t fully live in worship of God, will he forfeit all like the foolish virgins, or still go to Heaven and just lose his rewards? See also Ezek. 33:12-13; Heb. 3:12-15, etc.
34. Do you believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit are still for today? (tongues, interpretation of, prophecy, 1 Cor. 12,14)
35. When community outreaches are done, is the original Gospel preached? This includes: the holy law to bring conviction of sin, repentance, eternal damnation to all who don’t repent, Heaven, and turning from sin & faith to the end.
36. Why are you in the ministry? Are you consumed with the love and fear of God and moved by His Spirit daily in the care of souls, or is your position merely a profession? Are you crucified with Christ? (Gal. 2:20) What is your daily goal? (Phil. 3)
37. According to the New Testament apostolic pattern, do you preach, warn and teach? (Col. 1:27-29) Do you warn of deceivers and false teachings abounding, and the danger of being spoiled? See Col. 2; Rev. 3:11. Most pastors preach and teach something, but few seek to protect God’s flock by warning them of the many wolves operating in the midst and media world of the modern church.
38. Do you often stress and preach God’s Word concerning the essential nature of personal holiness, a crucified life, and the soon return of Christ? See Lk. 21:34-36; 1 John 2:24-3:3. The return of Christ is the most prevalent doctrine in the New Testament cannon and yet is rarely ever mentioned in the modern church. Astounding omission! For more on the return of Christ, see This Hope.
39. Are you or your affiliated religious organization final authority? Or, is God’s Word? Do you fully and completely possess and teach this revelation? If not, he is a deceiver and false teacher and to be marked and rejected as a heretic. See Rom. 16:17-18; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 4:2-5; Tit. 3:10.
40. Do you give yourself continually to prayer and the ministry of the Word, or are you busy administrating and marketing your local church business? Is the LORD adding to your local fellowship, or are you adding to it by worldly marketing schemes? Are you daily immersing your heart and mind in God’s holy Word, and have you renounced all the falsehoods taught you by men (in seminary or Bible College)? Acts 6:4; 1 Tim. 5:17
Could it be time to go back to the early church model of in-home meetings? Read Acts afresh and pray for understanding and repentance.
Dear Pastor: Open Letter | True and False Assemblies | Essentials of False Leaders | Wolf Expose’
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Articles
The Essential Doctrine of Repentance – If he’s not preaching repentance, he’s false. Read that again. Run.
The Biblical Statement on the Essential Doctrine and Necessity of Repentance – in Life and in the Dispensing of the Original Gospel Message.
Firstly, we should understand that God’s command for us to repent means “turn to Me.” The LORD calls us to Himself.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Regrettably, we seldom hear this word, this Gospel essential. Though nearly never heard in today’s apostate modern church world, according to Christ’s unchanging original Gospel, repentance is an absolute imperative.
Karen Cochran observes:
“It doesn’t seem the word repent is part of the Christian’s vocabulary! In the modern church, it’s all about God accepting you the way you are without any requirements to repent and die to self.”
Note that in modern churches, “Christian” radio, media, books, the word “repent” is rarely if ever heard. Yet Jesus says that repenting is essential to salvation (Luke 13:3, 5, etc.).
The words “repent” and “repentance” appear 72 times in God’s Word – the King James Bible.
God will not forgive the sins of anyone who doesn’t repent – even if they confess their sins every day of their life!
Any “preacher” not preaching repentance is not preaching the original Gospel and is absolutely a fraud! Now, let that sink in and see if you can count the number of “pastors” NOT preaching the first Word of the Gospel – repentance! Get out the calculator! Better yet, count those who ARE preaching repentance and you won’t get to your second hand!
The Essential Doctrine of Repentance has Never been more Needed and Yet has Never been more Scarce!
No person who doesn’t repent will be saved. To deny the need, the absolute necessity of repentance is to deny the LORD who is “Holy, holy, holy” and to deny sin (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8)!
DO WE know the original Gospel message? Where does the relationship begin – between fallen man and God? What is the first divine command for sinners to appropriate the justification of God? Repentance is essential (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Acts 2:38, etc.) Does your pastor use this word, YES THIS BIBLE WORD – “repent”? No, not some modernized, toned down, lame word but the literal word “repent”?
ALL who are living in sin
are on a collision course
with divine justice.
Hell awaits.
COMMUNICATING THE ESSENTIAL DOCTRINE OF REPENTANCE
Let it not drop. In fact this divine command (Acts 17:30) – to “repent” – is nearly if not completely missing from the apostate modern church world and the counterfeits therein. They preach a false gospel because the original Gospel requires repentance to be saved (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 20:21, etc.). Let it not be! Be true to the LORD and preach it.
If Jesus isn’t important enough to you to seek and obey, you do not love Him (John 14:15). You have rejected Him and all your cover up operation is a silly sham that He sees right through. Going to church, reading God’s Word, running through a canned prayer before bedtime or each morning, etc., will never replace getting honest in repentance with the LORD. He will accept nothing short of repentance and laying your life at His holy feet (Ezekiel 18:30; Hosea 10:12). This is called true repentance, something most who claim to be saved have never done (Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19, etc.). They said a prayer. They didn’t repent and Jesus says “Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).
God absolutely requires “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” to save a soul (Acts 20:21). Yet HE is the Savior, not us. WHY did Jesus ever have to come if we could save ourselves? When or if we are emphasizing our own repentance more than the sheer mercy of God in Christ who alone saved our most depraved, wicked souls, we are imbalanced at best. Pour over the words of Titus 3:5-7.
“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21
“Mark 1:15
and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Repent ye, and believe the gospel. These words may be regarded as a summary of the method of salvation. Repentance and faith are the conditions of admission into the Christian covenant. Repentance has a special reference to God the Father, and faith, to Jesus Christ the eternal Son. It is in the gospel that Christ is revealed to us as a Saviour; and therefore we find Jesus Christ, as the object of our faith, distinguished from the Father as the object of our repentance. Repentance of itself is not sufficient—it makes no satisfaction for the Law which we have broken; and hence, over and above repentance, there is required from us faith in the Gospel, wherein Christ is revealed to us as a propitiation for sin, and as the only way of reconciliation with the Father. Without faith repentance becomes despair, and without repentance faith becomes only presumption. Join the two together, and the faithful soul is borne onwards, like a well-balanced vessel, to the haven where it would be.” Pulpit Commentary
In God’s Word, in the Early Church, “REPENT” is repeatedly seen as the very first word, command of the Gospel.
John the Baptist
“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2
Jesus
“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17
Peter
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” Acts 3:19
Christ’s Apostle Paul
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” Acts 17:30
No one will be saved without repenting (Luke 13:3, 5, etc.). AFFIRMATION without salvation, regeneration, is rampant in today’s apostate modern church world. Beware.
One is hard pressed to hear any modern pastor use the word and essential divine command to “repent.” This was foretold for these final days in which we live. Any man not preaching the essential biblical doctrine of repentance, not using the Bible word “repent,” is preaching “another gospel” and is an “accursed” wolf with no exception (Galatians 1:6-9)! Run. If you sit under, if you patronize any preacher who isn’t regularly using the divine essential command to “repent,” you are as deceived and hell bound as this vile antichrist you are bidding Godspeed to (2 John 10-11).
Any preacher not preaching repentance is not preaching the original Gospel and is “accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9). He’s a wolf! Run.
God NEITHER forgives nor blesses any man who doesn’t first repent.
IF he’s not preaching repentance and remission of sins he’s a fraud! No excuse! “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47).
ALL who don’t preach repentance are not preaching the original Gospel of Jesus! This fact clears out 90% of the cowards many call “pastor” in this late hour!
ARE YOU preaching the absolute Gospel essential of repentance beloved of God? Jesus commanded that we do just that.
Beware of the devils who are running around saying that repentance is not needed to be in Christ’s kingdom. They are using the thief on the cross to “prove” their point. Is this conclusive and true?
ANY “MINISTRY” NOT PREACHING REPENTANCE IS ABSOLUTELY FALSE!
It’s laughable and lame that these heretics use the thief on the cross to say that there’s no need for repentance. Unreal. Scripture must be interpreted with Scripture. Jesus says it’s essential to “repent” or one will “perish” (go to Hell). See Luke 13:3, 5. And, the thief on the cross who turned to Jesus (that’s what repentance is defined as!) in his last moments is in glory according to Christ. So, we conclude that Jesus, who knows all things, saw repentance in that man! Bam. Cased closed! Devil exposed.
Repentance: The Essential that Beguiling Wolves Refuse to Preach
WHAT’s the very first word/command of the original Gospel saints? Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Acts 2:38; 3:19, etc.). Are you ready to “give an answer to every man”?
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15
Repentance is a reversal of the direction of one’s life, a full turning to God, away from self. It must be preached as it was the very first word, divine command that proceeded from the mouths of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:2), Jesus (Matthew 4:17), and the apostles (Acts 2:38, 3:19, etc.). Jesus said it is essential (Luke 13:3, 5).
Let’s consider….. Some seem to speak of repentance as merely turning from sin. Is that a complete view? Is repentance more of turning from sin or turning to God? What’s most important? Obviously both are vital and yet, let’s think about how Jesus says “Come unto me…” and “I will draw all men unto me” (Matthew 11:28-30; John 12:32). Coming to God initially and ongoing seems to be a conviction by the Holy Spirit and Law convicting and drawing us to HIM and therefore departing from sin from which we are delivered by His power and grace as we come to Him. First and foremost it seems that true repentance is turning TO God and therefore away from sin, that which displeases Him.
IF you aren’t preaching REPENTANCE you are preaching a false gospel! Repent!
“Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:31
Repentance – Greek: Metaneo/metanoia …. definition from Greek Dictionary – (subject) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication reversal ….
Repentance means a change of mind, turning fully to the LORD, doing a 180, and fully giving ourselves over to Him. When we do, all of us will be His and all we have will be His. If these fruits of being totally abandoned to Him are not resident, the individual has not truly repented – laid down their life. Repentance is a gift as is every good and perfect gift (2 Timothy 2:25; James 1:17).
- If you truly want refreshing, you will receive such when you come to Jesus in true repentance. Read Acts 3:19.
- Confessing sin is NOT repenting. There’s a difference. Admitting your sin and poverty of spirit in surrender before the LORD.
- YOU can confess till you die and will go to Hell if you haven’t truly repented. Repentance is surrender, turning to the LORD from where you are.
Confession of sin is ONLY for those who’ve repented and have a relationship with God. Catholics confess their sins to a sinner wearing a costume but will never be forgiven unless they repent and receive Christ. Jesus says that “Except ye repent (not confess sin) ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Yes confession of sin is a blessing but reserved exclusively for those who are born again and presently in relationship with Christ.
ANY man pretending to represent Christ who is not preaching repentance on a regular basis is a wolf!
There is the initial and ongoing need for repentance. It’s the divine requirement for one to enter God’s kingdom and should be practiced by all believers as needed, ever turning to the LORD fully. No forgiveness of sins is granted outside of it.
Concerning repentance, Geerhardus Vos writes:
“Our Lord’s idea of repentance is as profound and comprehensive as His conception of righteousness. Of the three words that are used in the Greek Gospels to describe the process, one emphasizes the emotional element of regret, sorrow over the past evil course of life, metamelomai; Matt. 12:29-32; a second expresses reversal of the entire mental attitude, metanoeo, Matt. 12:41, Luke 11:32; 15:7, 10; the third denotes a change in the direction of life, one goal being substituted for another, epistrephomai; Matt. 13:15 (and parallels); Luke 17;4, 22:32. Repentance is not limited to any single faculty of the mind: it engages the entire man, intellect, will and affections… Again, in the new life which follows repentance the absolute supremacy of God is the controlling principle. He who repents turns away from the service of mammon and self to the service of God.” (Geerhardus Vos, The Kingdom of God and the Church, P&R, 1972, p. 92-93)
Sadly, the vast majority of modern “pastors” are seminary indoctrinated, Vatican corrupted and use Catholic “bibles” which have removed the word/doctrine repent, repentance. For example, the NKJV removed repent over 40 times! The great falling away! Corrupt Bible Versions
IS IT any wonder repentance is seldom heard? WHEN you realize that the “pastors” we have in the pulpits today are Vatican trained by Jesuit infiltrated seminaries which falsely promote the Catholic “bibles” these pastors now read and get their message from. And, the people they preach to are reading those Vatican “bibles” and so don’t know repentance is an essential, vital biblical doctrine. They have no excuse! King James Bible readers are much sharper, more astute Bible students due to reading the real, preserved Word of our God (Psalms 12:6-7).
Beware of the Vatican Trained Seminarians!
True repentance, when someone truly turns their whole being over to the LORD, without fail, brings a regenerated, a changed life and new lifestyle – a holy life. Refreshing, a clean heart, a clear conscious ensues.
“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” Matthew 3:7-8
Preaching the essential of repentance eliminates easy believism. Anyone preaching a “salvation” without the necessity of real repentance that brings forth fruit, clear proof of that repentance, is preaching a false gospel (Matthew 3:7-10).
“Repentance is to TAKE SIDES with God against yourself. It is a CHANGE of attitude toward SELF, toward SIN, toward GOD, toward CHRIST that is so REAL that it RESULTS in a changed life. It is raising the WHITE FLAG in SURRENDER to God and turning to Christ as your only LORD and Savior. Repentance is NOT a work … works are the fruit of repentance (Ephesians 2:8-10).” Trent Austin
“And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Luke 3:9
To “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance” means to show you have repented by doing God’s work now consistent with your true repentance.
Did you notice what Jesus promised in verse 9? – “every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire”?
1 John 3:18 says “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”
As usual, as Bible students, we should understand that the actual Scriptures themselves are the best and ultimate definition of any topic. Consider Jesus’ words here…
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33
“But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.” Luke 19:27
The Savior and His blessed salvation does not come into a person’s life until they repent.
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3, 5
Could Jesus have been any plainer? Do you now see that true repentance, as from God’s definition, is essential? No one can be saved if they refuse to acknowledge their sin before a holy God and Judge and turn their lives over to Him unreservedly.
The Very First Word of the True Gospel
“REPENT” is the very first Word/divine command of the original Gospel – Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30; 20:21 etc. ANY man who isn’t constantly teaching and calling men to repent is a vile antichrist Hell bound wolf.
The true Gospel begins with the command to repent doesn’t it? – per John the Baptist, Christ, and Peter the apostle (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30).
“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2
“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17
When the New Testament church was born, the LORD’s apostle Peter preached this which resulted in 3,000 souls being saved:
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:37-38
“Times of refreshing” come only from the LORD upon repentance.
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.” Acts 17:30
Jesus commanded that repentance be preached and any minister, leader, or ministry not preaching “Repent,” is not fulfilling a New Testament purpose and is counterfeit (Luke 24:47).
“God … now commandeth ALLLLL men EVERY WHERE to repent” (Acts 17:30). Could it be more clear?
“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.” Ezekiel 18:30
Repenting means that your life is no longer your own anymore. It’s now all about God and not you, surrendering with nothing withheld to the LORD, falling upon His blessed mercy, broken, contrite, and given over to Him and His blessed Gospel.
To repent is necessary to receive salvation and true repentance always yields the fruit of a totally changed life – from the inside out. Even believing in Jesus in the easy believism manner so prevalently peddled in today’s apostate modern church world will not bring God’s regeneration/salvation (2 Corinthians 5:17-18; Titus 3:5-7). “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19)
With these biblical truths in mind, let us realize that any “ministry” or leader, church, or preacher whose message does not begin with and constantly contain the necessity of repentance, if a false teacher/ministry. This is a major discernment nugget. Please nourish your heart and meditate upon this truth. Look closer at the ministries you may be currently espousing, and ask yourself if they are preaching that men must repent. Make no excuses for mere men. If they are not preaching the divine command to “repent,” that is a false ministry.
Also, to bring forth fruit proving there has been true heart repentance and regeneration should be preached (Matthew 3:7-8).
When Jesus brought salvation to the home of Zacchaeus, genuine repentance yielded restitution in the newly saved man’s life.
Luke 19
1And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:1-10
Of repentance, A.W. Tozer wrote:
“Do a thorough job of repenting. Do not hurry to get it over with. Hasty repentance means shallow spiritual experience and lack of certainty in the whole life. Let godly sorrow do her healing work. Until we allow the consciousness of sin to wound us, we will never develop a fear of evil. It is our wretched habit of tolerating sin that keeps us in our half-dead condition.”
What True Disciples Preach and What Wolves Don’t Preach
In His Great Commission message, the Son of God commanded “That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations.” Here’s the whole verse:
“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24:47
So, is it becoming more clear in your understanding why repentance must be preached in obedience to Jesus? Is it more clear now that any and all ministries and leaders who do not preach repentance are wolves?
If one will begin to observe, he will find that the vast majority of leaders today, claiming to be representing Christ, do not preach repentance. These leaders who refuse to preach the original Gospel message which begins with the divine command to “Repent,” are utterly false. In fact, the Word of God says they are “accursed” for preaching “another gospel” (Galatians 1:6-9).
“I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. 22 But if they had stood in my counsel (if they had preached my Word), and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.” Jeremiah 23:21-22
It’s real simple: God is eternally perfect and therefore unchanging. His requirement for men to repent has not been changed one bit and yet, enterprising, self-serving wolves have “crept in unawares” or undetected by the gullible (Jude 3-4). They have ignored and dodged the hard truths which don’t serve their self-serving purpose to exploit enough people to build their own dreams upon, leading them to darkness and ultimately damnation. Their goal is not to please God at any cost but rather to create a large following – to build their own kingdom (Philippians 3:1-3; 2 Peter 2:1-3). So, they have eliminated the hard truths of the Gospel in order to church the un-churched for their own greedy purpose.
You see, the Bible is chock full of Scriptures speaking of God’s holiness and man’s sinfulness and iniquity. Yet, most preachers today refuse to acknowledge such. So, why repent? What’s there to repent of? This is no new thing as we saw in the passage above from Jeremiah. Now, look at what we read in Lamentations 2 concerning false leadership who refuse to preach on sin and the necessity of repentance:
“Thy prophets (false leaders) have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity (bondage from sin); but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment (they’ve entertained and exploited you for their own self-serving purposes).” Lamentation 2:14
The prophet Isaiah was told to reveal God’s view of sins to the people so they could repent and be rescued:
“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Isaiah 58:1
If you are upset at those messengers that are obeying God by marking false prophet wolves today, this proves that you yourself are against the LORD and are His very enemy (Romans 16:17-18; Jude 3-4).
“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matthew 12:30
In the divine economy there is no way to justify such rebellion. Those who do not preach repentance regularly are not preaching the original Gospel and found to be beguilers on this fact alone (Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18-19).
Repentance is a pillar doctrine of Holy Scripture. It’s named as one of the foundational, elementary, principle doctrines of Christ (Hebrews 6:1-3). It is a must to be “born again” and all true Heaven-bound disciples of Jesus who are on the narrow road that leads to life, are speaking this truth.
“Therefore leaving the principles (beginning, elementary truths) of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection (maturity); not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” Hebrews 6:1-2
Of the six principle or elementary doctrines of Christ, the very first one deals with “repentance.”
Repentance is not just confession of sin but rather is turning wholly to the LORD and therefore turning away from all sin (that which He says is sin and displeases Him).
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
The vast majority of modern so-called “evangelicals” don’t personally diligently study the Bible and therefore have no foundational knowledge and understanding of the doctrines of Holy Scripture. So, they are easy to mislead. So many modern “pastors” deceitfully mislead their gullible listeners to believe that Paul was only “the apostle of the grace of God.” These beguiling mis-leaders eliminate and ignore the essential biblical doctrines of repentance, denial of self, taking up the cross, and personal holiness that Paul taught. These things are purposely ignored and made to be an option but not eternally consequential to the soul. What is tragic is that these modern beguilers have misled a whole generation of people to believe they are saved and going to God’s holy Heaven and yet these people have never truly repented.
Of repentance, Brian Sirois notes:
“The Bible (KJV) plainly teaches that the church was COMMANDED to preach REPENTANCE as well as REMISSION OF SINS by GRACE through FAITH. Paul, whose example the church is COMMANDED to follow, preached REPENTANCE as well as GRACE (cf. Luke 24:47; Acts 17:30; Acts 24:25; Hebrews 9:27).
William Booth, the great Christian leader of a century ago, in one of his last major addresses said, ‘I fear the day will come when preachers will preach heaven without hell, and faith without repentance.’ The day that Booth feared would come, has come!”
Genuine, sincere repentance and faith are what God requires to bring a sinner into His kingdom and it doesn’t stop there. One must endure to the end of his earthly life, repenting if needed and continuing to trust Jesus Christ, staying upon the LORD, abiding in rich, vital union and fellowship with Him (Matthew 24:13; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39; 1 John 1:7-9; Revelation 2-3, etc.).
God bless us to repent and walk in the light as He is in the light so that the blood of Jesus will continue to cleanse us and keep us clean (1 John 1:7). Also, the LORD empower each of us with His holy fear to obey Him in telling His original Gospel message which begins with repentance.
Prayer: Father, in the name of Jesus, I am here and now asking You to unite me in a truly abiding relationship with Yourself and Christ – as You define it. Graft me deeper into Thy bosom and Thy cross. Please save me now, wash away all my sins afresh in Your precious blood my LORD Jesus, and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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Abiding
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“Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.” Job 22:21
“nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine”
“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:6
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Abiding
“Be Strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus” – 2 Timothy Chapter 2 [podcast]
A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus
1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
A Workman Approved by God
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
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