Baptism And Repentance

Mark 1:4, “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Acts 11:16, “Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.” Acts 11:21, “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.”

Carefully notice in our text passage in Acts 11:21 that they “TURNED UNTO THE LORD,” not FROM THEIR SINS! There are numerous great misunderstanding about “repentance” in the churches. Such verses as Mark 1:4 confuse many unlearned churchgoers, because they do not take into account the rest of the Bible. Mark 1:4 reads, “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” By itself, this verse seems like It is teaching Baptismal Regeneration, but it certainly is NOT. Mark 1:4 is referenced in Acts 11:16, “Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.” 

And a few verses later we read in Acts 11:21, “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” This is Biblical repentance. It is acknowledging one's self as a needy sinner,  and turning to the Lord by faith in the Gospel to be saved. Jesus doesn't forgive sin, Jesus paid for our sins on the cross! Therefore, forgiveness is a gift to them who BELIEVE THE GOSPEL.

Here's a doctrinally sound excellent book on the baptisms of the Bible, titled: “A Biblical Examination Of Baptism” (.pdf book by Pastor Max D. Younce). ...

The ONLY thing that you need to repent of to be saved is whatever it is that's been keeping you from coming to Christ to be saved.

Please note that NO mention of baptism is found in Acts 11 other than the one reference to John the Baptist in verse 16. Clearly, water baptism was not required for their salvation in Acts 16, just is it has never been required. John preached the same Gospel of Jesus Christ, as we preach today, that is, salvation by grace through faith in Christ's sacrifice on the cross, His burial, and bodily resurrection the third day, plus or minus nothing (Ephesians 2:8-9; 1st Corinthians 15:1-4; Titus 3:5).

The “Repent Of Your Sins” Heresy (Awesome! The Bible says that God “repented”—was it from His sins?) 

The “Repent Of Your Sins” Heresy (by Pastor Steven L. Anderson)

'Repentance From Sin' For Salvation Is Not Taught In The Bible (Dr. Don Boyd) 

Faith is the only righteous thing that I can do!

Dr. Jack Hyles 100% correctly and Biblically states concerning repentance:

“Repentance is not some little silly, 'I'm sorry.' Repentance is not simply a fear of God. Repentance is not a monk fasting and afflicting his body in a monastery. Repentance is not remorse because of sin's consequences. Repentance is not penance performed before the pope as you kiss his toe... Repentance is not being sorry for what I've done wrong. It is not confessing one's sins to a priest. It is not just conviction of sin. It is not the signing of a pledge of abstinence. Repentance is that thing when you come before God and see yourself as you are, and see Him as he is, and say with Isaiah 'Woe is me, for I am unclean!'” —Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001), a quote from the timeless MP3 sermon, 'THE GOODNESS OF GOD LEADETH TO REPENTANCE!'

Baptism Of Repentance (or Repentance Unto Life)

Biblical repentance is simply TURNING UNTO THE LORD by faith to receive the gift of forgiveness for one's sins. Acts 20:21 speaks of “REPENTANCE TOWARD GOD.” Acts 11:18 reads, “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” Repentance is a gift from God, a grace not of human works.

Notice that the Bible does NOT call this a repentance from sins. The “baptism of repentance” in Mark 1:4 is clearly not referring to water baptism, but to the “baptism of repentance.” This is the repentance unto life which can only be found in Christ Jesus. The Word of God does NOT teach that we must give up our sins to be saved. Christ came to save us from our sins, not we ourselves from sin. Consider the following definitions:

• penitence = sorrow for sins
• penance = making amend for one's sins
• reformation = turning from one's sins
• repentance = a change of mind
• regeneration = the new birth

The Bible does not require penitence, penance or reformation to be saved. Only repentance (a change of mind) is necessary, which facilitates believing, which is salvation!

Not one verse in the Bible commands us to turn from sin to receive God's free gift of eternal life. You don't have to forsake your sinful ways to be saved. If this were true, then no one could be saved because we are all sinners incapable of ceasing from sin. Even the best of Christians still commit sin! Believers shouldn't commit sin, but the fact of the matter is that we all do. So how can you tell an unsaved person to give up their sins to be saved? What percentage of sins must a person give up to be saved? The answer is none! Christ bore the weight of our sins upon the cross so that we wouldn't have to. Anyone who places the weight of sin upon the sinner's shoulder is preaching a false Gospel. Our part in salvation is simply to acknowledge that we are a needy sinner in God's eyes and BELIEVE THE GOSPEL (Romans 3:19). Jesus paid it all, nothing to Him I owe!!!

As I mentioned, there is a woeful misunderstanding about repentance circulating in our churches today. Acts 11:21, “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” Biblical repentance is TURNING to Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. The Bible doesn't say they turned from their sins, it says they turned to the Lord. Jesus doesn't forgive sin, He paid for our sins on the cross. 1st John 2:12, “I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.” 1st John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God doesn't forgive you when you ask Him to forgive you, He forgiveness you when you place you trust in His only begotten Son.

Forgiveness of sins is a free gift, that you simply receive BY FAITH. 2nd Peter 2:1, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” Jesus bought even false prophets! Christ died for all humanity, because all have sinned...

Romans 5:6-9, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”

Bible repentance is a change of mind. Mark 1:15 proclaims, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Notice here that repentance led to believing the Gospel. No mention is made about making a commitment to Christ, surrendering all to Him, nor of forsaking one's sinful bad habits to be saved. The object of repentance is not turning from sins (which would be reformation), it is believing the Gospel (which produces the miracle of regeneration. Redemption is a work of God the Son. Regeneration is the work of God the Holy Spirit. Justification is the work of God the Father as He declares the sinner righteous in the Son. Conversion then becomes the work of the church as we change the use and purpose of a life.