528. 第6节 真正的悔改是检查自己, 认识并承认自己的罪, 向主祈求帮助, 并开启新生活
圣言的很多经文, 以及主明明白白的话都证实, 人必须千方百计悔改, 人的救恩就取决于此。 为此, 引用以下经文:
约翰宣讲悔改的洗礼, 说, 要结出果子来, 与悔改的心相称 (路加福音3:3, 8; 马可福音1:4)。
从那时候, 耶稣就传起道来, 说: “你们应当悔改”。 (马太福音4:17)
约翰说: “神的国近了! 你们当悔改! ” (马可福音1:14-15)
又:
你们若不悔改, 都要如此灭亡。 (路加福音13:5)
耶稣命祂的门徒要奉祂的名传悔改, 赦罪的道, 直传到万邦。 (路加福音24:47;马可福音6:12)
因此, 彼得就奉耶稣基督的名传悔改和洗礼的道, 使罪赦免。 (路加福音2:38)
还说:
你们当悔改归正, 使你们的罪得以涂抹。 (使徒行传3:19) 保罗传讲说, 他们应处处悔改。 (使徒行传17:30)
保罗先在大马色, 后在耶路撒冷和犹太全地以及外邦, 劝勉他们应当悔改归向神, 行事与悔改的心相称。 (使徒行传26:20)
又对犹太人和希利尼人证明当向神悔改, 信靠我主耶稣基督。 (使徒行传20:21)
主对以弗所的教会说:
有一件事我要责备你, 就是你把起初的爱心离弃了。 所以应当回想你是从哪里坠落的, 并要悔改, 行起初所行的事。 你若不悔改, 我就临到你那里, 把你的灯台从原处挪去。 (启示录2:4-5)
对别迦摩教会说:
又对推雅推喇教会说:
若不悔改所行的, 我要叫她受大患难。 (启示录2:19, 22-23)
对老底嘉会说:
我知道你的行为, 你要发热心, 也要悔改。 (启示录3:15, 19)
一个罪人悔改, 在天上也要这样为他欢喜。 (路加福音15:7) (以及其它类似经文)
从上述经文明显可知, 人必须千方百计悔改, 下文将说明什么样的悔改才是真正的悔改, 以及如何实现悔改。
528. Active Repentance Is Examining Ourselves, Recognizing and Admitting Our Sins, Praying to the Lord, and Beginning a New Life
Many passages in the Word and many unambiguous statements by the Lord there make it clear that we absolutely have to repent and that our salvation depends on it. For now I will give just the following examples. "John preached a baptism of repentance and said, 'Bear fruits worthy of repentance'" (Luke 3:3, 8; Mark 1:4). "Jesus began to preach and said, 'You must repent'" (Matthew 4:17). "Jesus said, 'Repent, because the kingdom of God has become closer'" (Mark 1:14-15). "If you have not practiced repentance, you will all perish" (Luke 13:5). "Jesus preached to his disciples that in his name they should preach repentance and forgiveness of sins to all the nations" (Luke 24:47; Mark 6:12). Therefore "Peter preached repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins" (Acts of the Apostles 2:38). Peter also said, "Repent and turn yourselves around, so that your sins may be wiped out" (Acts of the Apostles 3:19). Paul "preached to all people everywhere that they should repent" (Acts of the Apostles 17:30). Paul "also proclaimed in Damascus, in Jerusalem, throughout the region of Judea, and to the nations, that they should repent, turn themselves to God, and do things that are in keeping with repentance" (Acts of the Apostles 26:20). Paul "also proclaimed to both Jews and Greeks repentance before God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts of the Apostles 20:21). To the church of Ephesus the Lord said, "I have something against you, that you have left behind the goodwill you had at first. Repent. Otherwise if you do not repent, I will remove your lampstand from its place" (Revelation 2:4-5). To the church in Pergamos he said, "I know your works. Repent" (Revelation 2:13, 16). To the church in Thyatira he said, "I will hand you over to affliction if you have not repented of your works" (Revelation 2:19, 22-23). To the church in Laodicea he said, "I know your works. Be zealous and repent" (Revelation 3:15, 19). "There is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:7). There are of course more passages as well.
From these teachings it is clear that we absolutely have to repent. What repentance involves, however, and how we go about it will be shown in what follows.
528. VI. Real repentance is examining oneself, recognising and acknowledging one's sins, appealing to the Lord and beginning a new life.
There are in the Word many passages and plain sayings of the Lord which establish that the act of repentance is definitely required, and a person's salvation depends upon it. The following quotations will serve for the present.
John preached the baptism of repentance and said, Produce fruit worthy of repentance, Luke 3:3, 8; Mark 1:4.
Jesus began to preach and to say, Repent, Matthew 4:17.
And He said, Repent, because the kingdom of God is at hand, Mark 1:14-15.
Again:
Unless you have repented, you will all perish, Luke 13:5.
Jesus told his disciples that they should in His name preach to all nations repentance and the forgiveness of sins, Luke 24:47; Mark 6:12.
Therefore Peter preached repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sins, Acts of the Apostles 2:38. Peter also said:
Repent and be converted, so that your sins may be wiped out for you, Acts of the Apostles 3:19.
Paul preached to all everywhere that they should repent, Acts of the Apostles 17:30.
Paul also announced in Damascus, in Jerusalem, throughout the whole district of Judaea, and to the gentiles, that they should repent, turn towards God and do deeds worthy of repentance, Acts of the Apostles 26:20.
He also preached both to Jews and to Greeks repentance towards God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Acts of the Apostles 20:21.
The Lord told the church in Ephesus:
I hold it against you that you have abandoned your first love. Repent; otherwise, I will remove your lampstand from its place, if you have not repented, Revelation 2:2, 4-5.
He told the church in Pergamum:
I know your deeds. Repent, Revelation 2:13, 16.
He told the church in Thyatira:
I will hand it over to affliction, if it has not repented of its deeds, Revelation 2:19, 22-23.
He told the church of Laodicaea:
I know your deeds. Be zealous, and repent, Revelation 3:15, 19.
He also said:
There is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, Luke 15:7.
There is more elsewhere. It is plain from these passages that the act of repentance is definitely required; it will be shown in the following sections what kind of repentance, and how it is to be effected.
528. ACTUAL REPENTANCE IS EXAMINING ONESELF, RECOGNIZING AND ACKNOWLEDGING ONE'S SINS, PRAYING TO THE LORD, AND BEGINNING A NEW LIFE.
That man ought by all means to repent, and that his salvation depends thereon, is evident from many passages and plain sayings of the Lord in the Word, from among which the following shall at present be mentioned:
John preached the baptism of repentance, and said, Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance (Luke 3:3, (Luke 3:8; Mark 1:4).
Jesus began to preach and to say, Repent (Matt.4:17).
And He said, Because the kingdom of God is at hand, Repent ye (Mark 1:14-15).
Again:
Except ye repent, ye shall all perish (Luke 13:5).
Jesus commanded His disciples, that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations (Luke 24:47; Mark 6:12).
Therefore Peter preached repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Luke 2:38).
And he also said:
Repent ye and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out (Acts of the Apostles 3:19).
Paul preached that they should all everywhere repent (Acts of the Apostles 17:30).
Paul also declared in Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance (Acts of the Apostles 26:20).
Again he testified both to Jews and to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts of the Apostles 20:21).
The Lord said to the church at Ephesus:
I have against thee, that thou hast left thy first charity; repent, but if not I will move thy lampstand out of its place, except thou repent (Revelation 2:4-5).
To the church at Pergamos:
I know thy works, repent (Rev.2:13, 2:16).
To the church at Thyatira:
I will cast her into great affliction, except they repent of their works (Rev.2:19, 2:22-23).
To the church of the Laodiceans:
I know thy works, be zealous, and repent (Rev.3:15, 3:19).
There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth (Luke 15:7).
(Beside other passages.)
From all this it is clear that men ought by all means to repent; but the quality and mode of their repentance shall be shown in what follows.
528. VI. ACTUAL REPENTANCE CONSISTS IN A MAN'S EXAMINING HIMSELF, RECOGNIZING AND ACKNOWLEDGING HIS SINS, PRAYING TO THE LORD, AND BEGINNING A NEW LIFE.
That repentance is absolutely necessary, and that man's salvation depends on it, may be clearly seen from many passages and plain declarations of the Lord in the Word, of which the following will be here adduced:
John preached the baptism of repentance and said, "Bring forth... fruits worthy of repentance," Luke 3:3, 8; Mark 1:4.
"Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent" Matthew 4:17. And he said, because the kingdom of God is at hand: "Repent ye" Mark 1:14-15;
again,
"Except ye repent, ye shall all... perish" Luke 13:5.
Jesus instructed His disciples "that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations" Luke 24:47; Mark 6:12.
Then Peter preached repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, Acts 2:38; and he also said, "Repent ye... and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" Acts 3:19.
Paul preached to all men everywhere that they should repent, Acts 17:30.
Paul also "Showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance" Acts 26:20; and testified "both to the Jews, and also to the Gentiles, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" Acts 20:21.
The Lord also said to the Church at Ephesus,
"I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love... repent... or else I... will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent" Revelation 2:4-5;
and to the Church in Pergamos,
"I know thy works... Repent" Revelation 2:13, 16;
and to the Church in Thyatira,
I will cast her into great tribulation, except she repent of her deeds, Revelation 2:22;
and to the Church of the Laodiceans,
"I know thy works... be zealous therefore, and repent," Revelation 3:15, 19;
and in another place,
"There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth," Luke 15:7.
There are other passages to the same purpose; and from all these it is evident that repentance is absolutely necessary; but the nature and the manner of repentance will be explained in what follows.
528. Quod actualis Poenitentia sit explorare se, cognoscere et agnoscere sua peccata, supplicare ad Dominum, et novam vitam inchoare.
Quod Poenitentia omnino agenda sit, et quod inde pendeat salus hominis, ex multis locis et evidentibus effatis Domini in Verbo, constat, e quibus haec in praesenti adducentur, Johannes praedicavit baptisma poenitentiae, et dixit, facite fructus dignos poenitentia, Luca 3:3, 8; Marcus 1:4. 1 Incepit Jesus praedicare et dicere, poeniteat vos, Matthaeus 4:17. Et dixit, quia appropinquavit 2 Regnum Dei, poenitentiam agite, Marcus 1:14-15. Tum, 3 Nisi poenitentiam egeritis, omnes peribitis, Luca 13:5. 4 Jesus praecepit discipulis, quod oporteret praedicari in Nomine Ipsius Poenitentiam et Remissionem peccatorum omnibus gentibus, Luca 24:47; Marcus 6:12. Quare Petrus praedicavit poenitentiam et baptisma in nomine Jesu 5 Christi in remissionem peccatorum, Acta 2:38. Et quoque dixit, Agite poenitentiam, et convertite vos, ut deleantur vobis peccata vestra, Acta 3:19. Paulus praedicavit omnibus ubivis, ut poenitentiam agerent, Acta 17:30. Paulus etiam in Damasco, in Hierosolyma, per totam regionem Judaeae, et gentibus, annuntiavit, ut poenitentiam agerent, et converterent se ad Deum, ac ut digna poenitentia opera facerent, Acta 26:20. Et quoque contestatus et Judaeis et Graecis poenitentiam ad Deum, et fidem in Dominum Jesum Christum, Acta 20:21. Dominus dixit ad Ecclesiam 6 Ephesinam, habeo contra te, quod charitatem primam reliqueris, age poenitentiam, sin minus emovebo candelabrum tuum e loco suo, si non poenitentiam egeris, Apocalypsis 2:2, 4-5. Ad Ecclesiam in Pergamo, Novi opera tua, poenitentiam age, Apocalypsis 2:13, 16. 7 Ad Ecclesiam in Thyatiris, 8 Tradam illam in afflictionem, si non poenitentiam egerit ex operibus suis, Apocalypsis 2:19, 22-23. Ad Ecclesiam Laodicensium, 9 Novi opera tua, zelum exerce, et age poenitentiam, Apocalypsis 3:15, 19. Est gaudium in Coelo super uno peccatore poenitentiam agente, 10 Luca 15:7, praeter alibi. Ex his patet, quod Poenitentia omnino agenda sit, sed qualis et quomodo, in sequentibus manifestabitur.
Footnotes:
1. Prima editio: 9.
2. Prima editio: apropinqvavit.
3. Prima editio: tum.
4. Prima editio: 12:5. Prima editio: Jefu.
6. Prima editio: Ecclesinam.
7. Prima editio: 2:16.
8. Prima editio: Thyatyris.
9. Prima editio: Laudicensium.
10. Prima editio: agente.