jesuswordsonly/recommendedreading/628-works-worthy-of-repentance.html

555 lines
45 KiB
HTML
Raw Permalink Normal View History

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en-gb" lang="en-gb" >
<head>
<base href="https://jesuswordsonly.com/recommendedreading/628-works-worthy-of-repentance.html" />
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" />
<meta name="robots" content="index, follow" />
<meta name="keywords" content="Jesus Words, Jesus Words Only, Jesus Words on Salvation, Did Calvin Murder Servetus, Flaws of Young Earth Science, Ingenious Design, Apostle Paul, False Apostle Paul, Faith Alone, Dispensationalism, Ebionites, Commands of Jesus, Original Gospel of Matthew, Hebrew Matthew" />
<meta name="title" content="Works worthy of Repentance" />
<meta name="author" content="18ptTR" />
<meta name="description" content="Jesus' Words as Primary Focus for Christians" />
<meta name="generator" content="Joomla! 1.5 - Open Source Content Management" />
<title>Works worthy of Repentance</title>
<script type="text/javascript" src="/media/system/js/mootools.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="/media/system/js/caption.js"></script>
<link rel="shortcut icon" href="/images/favicon.ico" />
<link rel="stylesheet" href="/templates/system/css/system.css" type="text/css" />
<link rel="stylesheet" href="/templates/system/css/general.css" type="text/css" />
<link href="/templates/js_relevant/css/template_css.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen" />
<link href="/templates/js_relevant/css/nav.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen" />
<link href="/templates/js_relevant/css/style1.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen" />
<!--[if IE]>
<link href="/templates/js_relevant/css/ie.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen" />
<![endif]-->
<!--[if IE]>
<link href="/templates/js_relevant/css/ie.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen" />
<![endif]-->
<!--[if lte IE 6]>
<style type="text/css">
img { behavior: url(/templates/js_relevant/js/iepngfix.htc); }
</style>
<![endif]-->
</head>
<body>
<div id="main-wrapper">
<div id="header_graphic">
<div class="inside">
<div id="newsflash"> <div class="moduletable">
<table class="contentpaneopen">
<tr>
<td valign="top" ><p><span>“If you believe, unbelievable things can sometimes be possible.” Tim Tebow 2011</span></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" >
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<h1><a href="https://jesuswordsonly.com/" title="Relevant">Relevant</a></h1>
<h2>A Joomla! Template for the Rest of Us</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div class="menubar">
<div id="navmenu">
<script type="text/javascript" src="/templates/js_relevant/js/barmenu.js"></script>
<ul class="menu"><li><a href="https://jesuswordsonly.com/"><span>Home</span></a></li><li class="haschild"><a href="/books.html" class="haschild"><span>Books</span></a><ul><li><a href="/books/jesuswordsonly.html"><span>Jesus' Words Only</span></a></li><li><a href="/books/jesuswordssalvation.html"><span>Jesus' Words on Salvation</span></a></li><li class="haschild"><a href="/books/didcalvinmurderservetus.html" class="child"><span>Did Calvin Murder Servetus?</span></a><ul><li><a href="/books/didcalvinmurderservetus/background-material-did-calvin-murder-servetus.html"><span>Background Material</span></a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/books/hownottosudythebible.html"><span>How Not to Study the Bible</span></a></li><li><a href="/books/flawsofyoungearthscience.html"><span>Flaws of Young Earth Science</span></a></li><li><a href="/books/jesusorpaul.html"><span>Jesus or Paul</span></a></li><li><a href="/books/unintended-disservice.html"><span>Unintended Disservice</span></a></li><li><a href="/books/original-gospel-of-matthew.html"><span>Original Gospel of Matthew</span></a></li><li><a href="/books/commands-of-jesus.html"><span>Commands of Jesus</span></a></li><li><a href="/books/gospel-of-john.html"><span>Gospel of John</span></a></li></ul></li><li id="current" class="active"><a href="/recommendedreading.html"><span>Further Reading</span></a></li><li><a href="/media.html"><span>Media</span></a></li><li class="haschild"><a href="/reviews.html" class="haschild"><span>Reviews</span></a><ul><li><a href="/reviews/jwo-reviews.html"><span>Jesus Words Only</span></a></li><li><a href="/reviews/jwos-reviews.html"><span>Jesus Words on Salvation</span></a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/contactus.html"><span>Contact Us</span></a></li><li><a href="http://www.jesuswordsonly.com/topicindex/753-bookstore.html"><span>Bookstore</span></a></li><li><a href="/topicindex.html"><span>Topic Index</span></a></li><li><a href="/aboutauthor.html"><span>About Author</span></a></li><li><a href="/newsletters.html"><span>Newsletters</span></a></li></ul>
</div>
</div>
<div id="mainbody">
<div id="showcasetop">&nbsp;</div>
<table width="940" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center">
<tr>
<td id="leftcol" valign="top" width="200">
<div class="inside">
<div class="moduleS1">
<div>
<div>
<div>
<h3>Search</h3>
<form action="index.php" method="post">
<div class="searchS1">
<input name="searchword" id="mod_search_searchword" maxlength="20" alt="Search" class="inputboxS1" type="text" size="20" value="search..." onblur="if(this.value=='') this.value='search...';" onfocus="if(this.value=='search...') this.value='';" /> </div>
<input type="hidden" name="task" value="search" />
<input type="hidden" name="option" value="com_search" />
<input type="hidden" name="Itemid" value="3" />
</form> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="moduleS1">
<div>
<div>
<div>
<h3>Questions?</h3>
Please enter your questions, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. As an anti-spam measure, we ask that you re-type the code you see in the box below, prior to clicking "Send Message"<br /><br />
<form name="s5_quick_contact" method="post" action="">
<input class="inputbox" id="namebox" onclick="s5_qc_clearname()" onfocus="s5_qc_clearname()" style="font-size:11px; font-family:arial; width:80%" type="text" value="Name..." name="name"></input><br />
<input class="inputbox" id="emailbox" onclick="s5_qc_clearemail()" onfocus="s5_qc_clearemail()" style="font-size:11px; font-family:arial; width:80%" type="text" value="Email..." name="email"></input><br />
<input class="inputbox" id="subjectbox" onclick="s5_qc_clearsubject()" onfocus="s5_qc_clearsubject()" style="font-size:11px; font-family:arial; width:80%" type="text" value="Subject..." name="subject"></input><br />
<textarea id="messagebox" rows="" cols="" class="inputbox textarea" onclick="s5_qc_clearbody()" onfocus="s5_qc_clearbody()" style="font-size:11px; font-family:arial; overflow:auto;width:80%; height:55px" name="message">Your Message...</textarea><br />
<input class="inputbox" id="spambox" onclick="s5_qc_clearspam()" onfocus="s5_qc_clearspam()" style="font-weight:bold; font-size:11px; font-family:arial; width:80%" type="text" value="Enter The Code 8496" name="verif_box"></input><br />
<input id="email_address" type="hidden" value="" name="email_address"></input>
<input class="button" type="button" onclick="s5_qc_submit()" value="Send Message" ></input>
</form>
<script language="javascript" type="text/javascript">
// <![CDATA[
var s5_qc_spam_text = document.getElementById("spambox").value;
function s5_qc_clearbody() {
if (document.getElementById("messagebox").value == "Your Message...") {
document.getElementById("messagebox").value="";
}
if (document.getElementById("namebox").value.length < 1) {
document.getElementById("namebox").value = "Name...";
}
if (document.getElementById("emailbox").value.length < 1) {
document.getElementById("emailbox").value = "Email...";
}
if (document.getElementById("subjectbox").value.length < 1) {
document.getElementById("subjectbox").value = "Subject...";
}
if (document.getElementById("spambox").value.length < 1) {
document.getElementById("spambox").value = s5_qc_spam_text;
}
}
function s5_qc_clearname() {
if (document.getElementById("namebox").value == "Name...") {
document.getElementById("namebox").value="";
}
if (document.getElementById("messagebox").value.length < 1) {
document.getElementById("messagebox").value = "Your Message...";
}
if (document.getElementById("emailbox").value.length < 1) {
document.getElementById("emailbox").value = "Email...";
}
if (document.getElementById("subjectbox").value.length < 1) {
document.getElementById("subjectbox").value = "Subject...";
}
if (document.getElementById("spambox").value.length < 1) {
document.getElementById("spambox").value = s5_qc_spam_text;
}
}
function s5_qc_clearemail() {
if (document.getElementById("emailbox").value == "Email...") {
document.getElementById("emailbox").value="";
}
if (document.getElementById("namebox").value.length < 1) {
document.getElementById("namebox").value = "Name...";
}
if (document.getElementById("messagebox").value.length < 1) {
document.getElementById("messagebox").value = "Your Message...";
}
if (document.getElementById("subjectbox").value.length < 1) {
document.getElementById("subjectbox").value = "Subject...";
}
if (document.getElementById("spambox").value.length < 1) {
document.getElementById("spambox").value = s5_qc_spam_text;
}
}
function s5_qc_clearsubject() {
if (document.getElementById("subjectbox").value == "Subject...") {
document.getElementById("subjectbox").value="";
}
if (document.getElementById("namebox").value.length < 1) {
document.getElementById("namebox").value = "Name...";
}
if (document.getElementById("emailbox").value.length < 1) {
document.getElementById("emailbox").value = "Email...";
}
if (document.getElementById("messagebox").value.length < 1) {
document.getElementById("messagebox").value = "Your Message...";
}
if (document.getElementById("spambox").value.length < 1) {
document.getElementById("spambox").value = s5_qc_spam_text;
}
}
function s5_qc_clearspam() {
if (document.getElementById("spambox").value == s5_qc_spam_text) {
document.getElementById("spambox").value="";
}
if (document.getElementById("namebox").value.length < 1) {
document.getElementById("namebox").value = "Name...";
}
if (document.getElementById("emailbox").value.length < 1) {
document.getElementById("emailbox").value = "Email...";
}
if (document.getElementById("messagebox").value.length < 1) {
document.getElementById("messagebox").value = "Your Message...";
}
if (document.getElementById("subjectbox").value.length < 1) {
document.getElementById("subjectbox").value = "Subject...";
}
}
function s5_qc_isValidEmail(str_email) {
if (str_email.indexOf(".") > 2 && str_email.indexOf("@") > 0) {
alert('Your email is now being submitted - Thank you!');
document.s5_quick_contact.submit();
}
else {
alert('Your email address is not valid, please check again - Thank you!');
}
}
function s5_qc_submit() {
if (document.getElementById("spambox").value == s5_qc_spam_text || document.getElementById("subjectbox").value == "Subject..." || document.getElementById("namebox").value == "Name..." || document.getElementById("emailbox").value == "Email..." || document.getElementById("messagebox").value == "Your Message...") {
alert('All fields are required, please complete the form - Thank you!');
return false;
}
if (document.getElementById("spambox").value != "8496") {
alert('Your spam verification answer is incorrect.');
return false;
}
var s5_message_holder = document.getElementById("messagebox").value;
var s5_first_message_char = s5_message_holder.charAt(0);
var s5_second_message_char = s5_message_holder.charAt(1);
var s5_third_message_char = s5_message_holder.charAt(2);
var s5_fourth_message_char = s5_message_holder.charAt(3);
if (s5_first_message_char == "<") {
return false;
}
if (s5_first_message_char == "w" && s5_second_message_char == "w" && s5_third_message_char == "w") {
return false;
}
if (s5_first_message_char == "h" && s5_second_message_char == "t" && s5_third_message_char == "t") {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
if (s5_message_holder.indexOf("s5_qc_null") >= 0) {
return false;
}
else {
document.getElementById("email_address").value = "info@jesuswordsonly.com";
var email_str = document.getElementById("emailbox").value;
s5_qc_isValidEmail(email_str);
}
}
// ]]>
</script>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="moduleS1">
<div>
<div>
<div>
<h3>Recommendations</h3>
<p><a href="/recommendedreading/401-music-store-manager.html">Only Jesus</a> (great song by Big Daddy)</p>
<p><a href="http://astore.amazon.com/jwoogm-20?node=1&amp;page=2">What Did Jesus Say?</a> (2012) - 7 topics&nbsp;</p>
<p>None above affiliated with me</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="module">
<div>
<div>
<div>
<a href="/books/jesuswordsonly.html"><img alt="JesusWordsOnS-cropsmall" src="/images/stories/JesusWordsOnS-cropsmall.jpg" width="116" height="117" /></a> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="module">
<div>
<div>
<div>
<a href="/books/jesuswordssalvation.html"><img alt="JesusWordsSalv-crop2" src="/images/stories/JesusWordsSalv-crop2.jpg" width="114" height="146" /></a> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="module">
<div>
<div>
<div>
<a href="/component/content/3-didcalvinmurderservetus/26-calvinfreebookonline.html"><img src="/images/stories/DidCalvinMurderServetusM.jpg" alt="DidCalvinMurderServetusM" height="NaN" width="120" /></a> </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td id="maincol" valign="top">
<div id="breadcrumbs">
<span class="breadcrumbs pathway">
<a href="https://jesuswordsonly.com/" class="pathway">Home</a> <img src="/templates/js_relevant/images/arrow.png" alt="" /> Further Reading</span>
</div>
<table class="contentpaneopen">
<tr>
<td valign="top">
<p><span style="color: #0000ff; font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;" data-mce-mark="1"><strong>Works worthy of Repentance</strong></span></p>
<div style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;">
<div>
<div><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><strong><em>Are Works Worthy Of Repentance to Effectuate God&rsquo;s Forgiveness?</em></strong></span></div>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><a name="pgfId-467538"></a>In the prior chapter, we learned that the lesson of the Be Reconciled Before Sacrifice emphasizes a successful reconciliation with an offended person before you can ask God to accept an atoning sacrifice (i.e., which today means the atonement of Jesus). This running off first to be reconciled is, in effect, mandating a work worthy of repentance.</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><a name="pgfId-469244"></a>Jesus told us one prophet greater than all the prophets ever which preceded Him was John the Baptist. John ranks above Isaiah, Ezekiel, and even Daniel. Thus, John the Baptist&rsquo;s words are the inspired words of Yahweh Almighty. Who says so? Jesus your Lord. Jesus was John&rsquo;s contemporary, and must have heard the very gospel of John heralding the New Covenant. Jesus must have been endorsing 100% everything John said as the true inspired words of God Almighty. Thus, one can say John the Baptist&rsquo;s Gospel was contemporaneously adopted by Jesus.</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><a name="pgfId-469248"></a>To make sure we do not forget that John the Baptist was himself a prophet, we should make it a new habit to refer to John the Baptist as The Prophet John-the-Baptist, just like we might say The Prophet Isaiah. Having Jesus tell us that John was the greatest prophet gives us the absolute assurance that the title the Prophet John-the-Baptist is a correct title.</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><a name="pgfId-467539"></a>Does the Prophet John-the-Baptist ever make works worthy of repentance a clear condition of salvation? Does the Prophet John-the-Baptist ever teach you must have a work worthy of repentance that corresponds to the sin you have committed or you will be sent to the fires of hell? The Prophet John-the-Baptist once clearly said directly:</span></p>
<p class="Quote" style="text-indent: 0pt; margin: 6pt 18pt 6pt 43.199997pt; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: 'ZapfEllipt BT';"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><a name="pgfId-467540"></a>(8) Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.</span></p>
<p class="Quote" style="text-indent: 0pt; margin: 6pt 18pt 6pt 43.199997pt; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: 'ZapfEllipt BT';"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><a name="pgfId-467541"></a>(9) And even now the axe also lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (Luke 3:8-9)(ASV). (See same at Matt. 3:7-10.)</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><a name="pgfId-467542"></a>Here we see a passage that the Modern Gospel completely ignores. You will pause, no doubt, and pick up your Bible to check to verify that this is truly in the Bible.<a href="file:///C:/Users/doug/Dropbox/Writings%20in%20Process/Salvation%20Redraft/Framemaker%20Drafts%20with%20Cuts/To%20Make%20Into%20Online%20Articles/Works%20Worthy%20of%20Repentance.htm#pgfId-467545" class="footnote">1</a></span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">&nbsp;The Prophet John-the-Baptist&rsquo;s meaning could not be plainer. John in verse nine made works essential or otherwise you would be thrown in the fire. In this context, the works were mentioned in the prior verse: works worthy of repentance. Thus, this repentance by works-worthy-of-repentance were absolutely essential or otherwise you would be &ldquo;cast in the fire.&rdquo; John did not say here that works were merely evidence of a saving faith. The Prophet John-the-Baptist said a faith, if barren of good works to match that expression of faith in Jesus, was not unto salvation.&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<h2 class="Heading1" style="text-indent: 0pt; margin: 34pt 48.023987pt 8pt 0pt; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; color: #000000; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: 18pt;">Jesus&rsquo; Message Of Payback According to Your Practices</span></h2>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: 18pt;"><a name="pgfId-469404"></a>This was identical to Jesus&rsquo; principle of leaving your sacrifice at the altar and &lsquo;be reconciled&rsquo; with your neighbor, which was discussed in the last chapter. In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus said the way to receive the benefits of atonement (i.e., imputation of righteousness) was to do whatever it took to appease your offended neighbor. You were going to have to do a work worthy of repentance to achieve reconciliation with the one you offended. Before doing that, Jesus did not want you trying to bring any kind of sacrifice to God. Prophet John makes the same point in Luke chapter three when he talks explicitly of the absolute necessity of works worthy of repentance to avoid being thrown in the fire.</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times;"></span>This then explains Jesus&rsquo; statement in Matthew 16, correctly translated:</span></p>
<p class="Quote" style="text-indent: 0pt; margin: 6pt 18pt 6pt 43.199997pt; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: 'ZapfEllipt BT';"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times;"></span>For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall <strong>give</strong> [replaces incorrect translation as "reward"] every man according to the <strong>practice</strong> [replaces "works"] of each. (Matthew 16:27)</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: 18pt;"><a name="pgfId-467550"></a>The ordinary translation is lacking in two respects. The word translated commonly as reward is &ldquo;give&rdquo; or &ldquo;pay.&rdquo; In Greek, it is <strong>apodidomi</strong>. Also, the word rendered as works is not the word for works used in the New Testament. Everywhere else, the word works in the New Testament is <strong>erga</strong> in Greek. Here, instead, the word is <strong>praxis</strong>. It means practice. On Judgment Day, Jesus will give to each according to &ldquo;the practice of each.&rdquo; Jesus promises to judge by your practice, not according solely to your faith.</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: 18pt;"><a name="pgfId-469318"></a>Hence, Jesus constantly tried to create insecurity about evil practices by threatening to use that as the criterion for judgment of everyone. Jesus repeats this in John&rsquo;s Gospel: &ldquo;And shall come forth, they that have done good deeds, unto the resurrection of life.&rdquo; (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+5%3A29&amp;version=WEB">John 5:29</a>.)</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: 18pt;"><a name="pgfId-467551"></a>This emphasis on repentance onto good works for salvation is why obviously the apostles went out preaching repentance. &ldquo;And they went out and preached that men should repent.&rdquo; (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark+6%3A12&amp;version=WEB">Mark 6:12</a>.) Perhaps this is why among Jesus&rsquo; last messages while on earth was:</span></p>
<p class="Quote" style="text-indent: 0pt; margin: 6pt 18pt 6pt 43.199997pt; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: 'ZapfEllipt BT';"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: 18pt;"><a name="pgfId-467552"></a>And He said to them, &ldquo;Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead the third day; and that <strong><em>repentance for forgiveness of sins</em></strong> should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+24%3A46-47&amp;version=WEB">Lk. 24:46-47</a>.)</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: 18pt;"><a name="pgfId-467553"></a>Simply put, Jesus told the apostles to preach all must repent from sin (not merely have a change in their mind about Jesus&rsquo; identity) to obtain forgiveness. The way Jesus expresses this injunction is that it is already a given that as a matter of fact He suffered and rose. Those facts are beyond question, and believing they are true is not the key point about how to obtain forgiveness of sins. It is assumed the nations will know those simple facts about Jesus&rsquo; suffering and resurrection. The key, instead, is to preach thereafter &ldquo;repentance [from sin] for the forgiveness of sins.&rdquo;</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<h2 class="Heading1" style="text-indent: 0pt; margin: 34pt 48.023987pt 8pt 0pt; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; color: #000000; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">The Bible&rsquo;s Doctrine on Works Worthy of Repentance</span></h2>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><a name="pgfId-467563"></a>So what were these &ldquo;works worthy of repentance&rdquo; that Jesus and the Prophet John-the-Baptist implored on the pain of losing salvation (i.e., being cast into the fire) if you did not do it?</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><a name="pgfId-469473"></a>The Bible required that if you stole, you could not just verbally say you were sorry. You had to pay back what you stole with interest. (Exodus 22:1-15; Leviticus 6:1-5; Numbers 5:5-8; 2 Samuel 12:6.) As Ezekiel says, eternal life<a href="file:///C:/Users/doug/Dropbox/Writings%20in%20Process/Salvation%20Redraft/Framemaker%20Drafts%20with%20Cuts/To%20Make%20Into%20Online%20Articles/Works%20Worthy%20of%20Repentance.htm#pgfId-469682" class="footnote">2</a>&nbsp;is by repentance onto works worthy of repentance:</span></p>
<p class="Quote" style="text-indent: 0pt; margin: 6pt 18pt 6pt 43.199997pt; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: 'ZapfEllipt BT';"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><a name="pgfId-469657"></a>[I]f the wicked restore the pledge, give again that which he had taken by robbery, walk in the statutes of life, committing no iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. (Eze 33:15 ASV.)</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a name="pgfId-467564"></a>When men marry women who God prohibited to marry, God commanded them to divorce. (Ezra 10:3, 11, 1, 19, 44.) To the extent possible, you must take action to undo the wrong God prohibited.</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><a name="pgfId-467565"></a>When Zaccheus repented of sin, and gave what he stole back to those from whom he stole, Jesus said &ldquo;salvation&rdquo; had come to Zaccheus&rsquo; house that day. (Luke 19:8.) Zaccheus undid the wrong he did to the extent possible. He then went even farther beyond that. Jesus promised him salvation as a result.</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"></span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1">[<span style="background-color: #ffff00;">2016 Update: Zaccheus agreed to pay four-fold to the poor the money he stole. This appears in precise fulfillment of the Mosaic Law on repentance in the following fact pattern: 1. If you stole from someone something which you could not later return, you had to pay four-fold rather than with a 20% penalty on top...Exodus 22:1-9. 2. If you could no longer find the victim or a family member, you had to return the stolen item / the money to a priest as a gift of atonement (Numbers 5:5-8)... evidently implying it would go to the poor. This is thus why when Zaccheus tells Jesus he will pay back all he stole by giving four-times what he stole to the poor, Jesus says "this day salvation has come to this house."</span>]</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"></span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;" data-mce-mark="1"><a name="pgfId-469529"></a>This point was elucidated over a century ago in an article appearing in Benjamin Lyon Smith, <em>The Millennial Harbinger Abridged</em> (1902) at 447-50.<a href="file:///C:/Users/doug/Dropbox/Writings%20in%20Process/Salvation%20Redraft/Framemaker%20Drafts%20with%20Cuts/To%20Make%20Into%20Online%20Articles/Works%20Worthy%20of%20Repentance.htm#pgfId-469629" class="footnote">3</a>&nbsp;This article written by Alexander Campbell (the Irish reformer transplanted to the United States) explains the error of the teaching today that supposedly mere sorrow is enough:</span></p>
<p class="Quote" style="text-indent: 0pt; margin: 6pt 18pt 6pt 43.199997pt; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: 'ZapfEllipt BT';"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a name="pgfId-469552"></a>The preachers of repentance &mdash; of the necessity of repentance in order to remission, ought to set this matter fairly and fully before sinners. Do they represent repentance as sorrow for the past, and a determination to reform? How then will the sinner know that he is sorry for his sins against men, or how will the community know that he has repented of such sins, <em><strong>unless full restitution be made?</strong></em> It is impossible that either the sinner himself, or the community who know his sins against men, can have any certain evidence that he is penitent, unless by making all possible restitution. Id., at 448.</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a name="pgfId-469547"></a><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times;">Alexander Campbell goes on to explain that making amends is what is meant by the phrase <strong><em>works worthy of repentance,</em></strong> and is indispensable in salvation.</span></span></p>
<p class="Quote" style="text-indent: 0pt; margin: 6pt 18pt 6pt 43.199997pt; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: 'ZapfEllipt BT';"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><a name="pgfId-469590"></a>&lsquo;Works worthy of repentance&rsquo; is a phrase which can be understood in no other sense than those <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">works which make amends for the harm done to men,</span></strong> and the dishonor done to God, as far as both are possible. Can any man think that he is sorry for that sin or wrong which he has done, when he makes no effort to make amends to him who was injured in person, character, or property, by it? Works worthy of his professed repentance are wanting, so long as any being whom he has injured in person, property, or reputation, is unredressed to the utmost extent of his ability. Id., at 450.</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><a name="pgfId-469543"></a>Let&rsquo;s discuss the texts that illustrate God&rsquo;s principle of works worthy of repentance. This way we will know Jesus&rsquo; requirement to apply His atonement is not mere sorrow about sin</span>.</span></p>
<div>
<h3 class="Heading2" style="text-indent: 0pt; margin: 18pt 0pt 4pt; font-size: 11pt; color: #000000; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a name="pgfId-469411"></a>Example from Leviticus</span></h3>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><a name="pgfId-469414"></a>Leviticus 6: 1-7 explains:</span></p>
<p class="Quote" style="text-indent: 0pt; margin: 6pt 18pt 6pt 43.199997pt; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: 'ZapfEllipt BT';"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a name="pgfId-469435"></a>And the Lord spake to Moses, saying, If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the Lord, and lie to his neighbor in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, (i. e., dealing,) or in a thing taken away by violence, or has deceived his neighbor; or have found that which was lost and lies concerning it, and swears falsely; in any of these that a man does, sinning therein: then it shall be because he has sinned, and is guilty, that <strong>he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he has deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he has found, or all that about which he has sworn falsely: he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it to him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering</strong>. And he shall bring his trespass offering to the Lord, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering to the priest. And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the Lord; and it shall be forgiven him, for any thing of all that he has done, in trespassing therein.</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><a name="pgfId-469459"></a>This passage mandates restitution for the harm done.</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><a name="pgfId-469709"></a>Further, the Law made provision for the case in which the sinner could not find the person against whom he had sinned. In such a case, the repenting sinner was to seek out the kindred of the injured party, and if he could find any kinsman, he was to recompense this kinsman. However, if he could not find a kinsman, he must recompense it to the Lord, besides offering his trespass offering. It was to go into the Lord&rsquo;s treasury. (Num. 5: 7, 8.)</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times;"></span>The principle in all cases of sin against another person was that the sinner &ldquo;shall make amends for the harm he hath done, . . . and shall add the fifth part thereto.&rdquo; (Lev. 5: 16.)</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><a name="pgfId-469481"></a>Adam Clarke, the famous commentator, understands Jesus&rsquo; principle.</span></p>
<p class="Quote" style="text-indent: 0pt; margin: 6pt 18pt 6pt 43.199997pt; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: 'ZapfEllipt BT';"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a name="pgfId-469488"></a>No man should expect mercy at the hand of God, who having wronged his neighbor, <strong><em>refuses, when he has it in his power to make restitution. </em></strong>Were he to weep tears of blood, both the justice and mercy of God would shut out his prayer, if he make not his neighbor amends for the injury he has done him. He is a dishonest man, who illegally holds the property of another in his hands. (Comment on Gen. 40: 2.)&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<h2 class="Heading1" style="text-indent: 0pt; margin: 34pt 48.023987pt 8pt 0pt; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; color: #000000; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Conclusion</span></h2>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><a name="pgfId-469486"></a>Prophet John told the religious rulers to &ldquo;Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance&rdquo; (Matt. 3:8.) He told them not to trust in their election as sons of Abraham. That is not the criteria for salvation that God will employ on judgment day. Instead, bring forth fruit worth of repentance. For every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire.&rdquo; (Matt. 3:10). Jesus repeats this phrase.</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a name="pgfId-469723"></a>When we deciphered &ldquo;works worthy of repentance,&rdquo; we found that the Bible has many passages to explain them. These were works of restitution to make right as much as possible your wrongs. A simple &lsquo;I&rsquo;m sorry&rsquo; does not do the job. Mere repentance from sin (sorrow) is insufficient.</span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">This helps us now to understand what Jesus meant when He said we are not to bring our sacrifice to the sacrifice place (altar) until we are reconciled with the one whom we offended by sin. (Matthew 5:23-24.) Jesus is talking identical to Prophet John-the-Baptist. The work of reconciling to the point one satisfies the one you offended is identical to works worthy of repentance. Both passages are primarily directing us to restitution or making offers satisfactory to resolve the offense we committed against another.</span></p>
<p class="Body" style="text-indent: 0pt; margin: 12pt 0pt 6pt; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"></span></p>
<p class="Quote" style="text-indent: 0pt; margin: 6pt 18pt 6pt 43.199997pt; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: 'ZapfEllipt BT';"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="text-indent: 0pt; margin: 12pt 0pt 6pt; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"></span></p>
<p class="BodyAfterHead" style="text-indent: 36pt; margin: 0pt; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<hr style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;" />
<div class="footnotes" style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;">
<div class="footnote">
<p class="Footnote" style="text-indent: -12pt; margin: 3pt 0pt 0pt 12pt; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><span class="footnoteNumber" data-mce-mark="1">1.</span>&nbsp;<a name="pgfId-467545"></a>We previously discussed this passage in the chapter entitled</span><a href="/recommendedreading/128-chapter-1-jwos.html" style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -12pt;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;">Atonement: Be Reconciled First to the One You Sinned Against.</span></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p class="Footnote" style="text-indent: -12pt; margin: 3pt 0pt 0pt 12pt; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="footnoteNumber" style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: 18pt; background-color: transparent; text-indent: -12pt;" data-mce-mark="1">2.</span><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: 18pt; background-color: transparent; text-indent: -12pt;"></span><a style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: 18pt; text-indent: -12pt; color: #000000;" name="pgfId-469682"></a><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: 18pt; background-color: transparent; text-indent: -12pt;">On how this passage uses life to mean eternal life, and death to mean damnation, see&nbsp;</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/doug/Dropbox/Writings%20in%20Process/Salvation%20Redraft/Framemaker%20Drafts%20with%20Cuts/To%20Make%20Into%20Online%20Articles/Jesus%20Came%20with%20Gospel.htm#14620" class="XRef" style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: 18pt; background-color: transparent; text-indent: -12pt;">See (12) And thou, son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression; and as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall he that is righteous be able to live thereby in the day that he sinneth.</a><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times; font-size: 18pt; background-color: transparent; text-indent: -12pt;">.</span></p>
</div>
<div class="footnote">
<p class="Footnote" style="text-indent: -12pt; margin: 3pt 0pt 0pt 12pt; font-size: 10pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times;"><span class="footnoteNumber" data-mce-mark="1">3.</span>&nbsp;<a name="pgfId-469629"></a>This article was Alexander Campbell&rsquo;s &ldquo;Repentance,&rdquo; The Millennial Harbinger Extra 4 (August 1833): 345-348, reprinted at <a href="http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/blsmith/mha/MHA10805.HTM">http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/blsmith/mha/MHA10805.HTM</a> (last accessed 5/6/2007). Alexander Campbell taught faith and repentance for salvation, leading to the fruit of baptism and confession. (Alexander Campbell, The Christian System (2d ed., 1839) at 64, reprinted at <a href="http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/acampbell/tcs2/TCS219.HTM">http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/acampbell/tcs2/TCS219.HTM</a> (accessed 5/7/2007).</span></p>
</div>
</div> </td>
</tr>
</table>
<span class="article_separator">&nbsp;</span>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<div class="bottom_top"></div>
<div id="bottom">
</div>
</div>
<div id="footer"><strong>Content View Hits</strong> : 18846065<br />
<script type="text/javascript">
var pv = new Array(1,0,0,0,1);
var trdlname = "/downloads";
//<![CDATA[
var regex = /\.(?:doc|eps|jpg|png|svg|xls|ppt|pdf|xls|zip|txt|vsd|vxd|js|css|rar|exe|wma|mov|avi|wmv|mp3)($|\&|\?)/;
//]]>
var trlkname = "/external/";
var trmlname = "/mailto/";
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://jesuswordsonly.com/modules/mod_analytics/gatr.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try {
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-3747914");
pageTracker._initData();
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}
</script>
</div>
<div class="copyright"></div>
</div>
</body>
</html>