Baptism of Repentance

[yomotalking]

I don't agree with you.  I became a christian when I was five years old.

You don't believe that people should understand what they're doing, when they "accept Jesus"?

According to Jesus in the Gospels, a Christian is a person who

Repents of his sins

Denies himself

Counts the cost of following Jesus

Makes other disciples

Refutes false doctrines

Did you do these things at age 5?

OF COURSE I HAD TO REPENT. WHAT DOES A 5-YEAR-OLD HAVE TO REPENT OF?

ANSWER= ORINGINAL SIN.

IT'S WHAT EVERYONE HAS WHETHER THEY ARE 5 OR 105!!!

OBVIOUSLY, AT FIVE, I COULDN'T DO ALL THOSE OTHER THINGS, BUT NEITHER CAN SOMEONE WHO IS CONVERTED ON THEIR DEATH-BED!!!

ACTUALLY I DID HAVE MY FIRST CONVERT AT FIVE!!!!

OOOOOH, DON'T YOU JUST LOVE EXCLAMATION MARKS! (!!!)

[Orr v'emet]

Oh no! Steve just turned red! Ugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW yomo...welcome to worthy! Thanks for sharing with us!

[tsth]

OK, forgive me here, but I'm going to pull a "first" for me. I'm going to demand that since I started this thread, that you all focus on ME, ME, ME!!! :oww:

Ok, no really, take a look at what I said here:

My point was in regard to repentance, as a child, I did not fully comprehend it, as I had not the need so great, as I did as an adult. I had asked Jesus to be my Savior as a child, but the full comprehension of repentance wasn't realized, until I had traveled in much sin, and then was convicted by hearing the TRUTH. I "knew" the Lord, as I traveled through much filth and participated in it. Knowing full well He was aware of it, the difference was, I only took hold of the Lord when "I" felt He was needed in my life, not wanting to recognize that my need was continual. It wasn't until after I had become a full-fledged sin-burdened adult, that was caked in the mire (enduring the reaping of what I had sown and being in bondage,), and I heard the TRUTH of His Word, by a pastor who was not afraid to preach on sin. It was as an adult that I fully realized my sin, and knew that it was more than I could bear. I finally surrendered and have sold out. I now live a different life, that is a 180 from what it was. But it was because I was willing to come into agreement with the Lord/His Word, that I was a mess and so was everything around me. The fallout was tremendous, and until I was willing to agree with Jesus about my sin, my mess, my state, things would have never changed for me. He now lives in me, and enables me to live differently, by the working, effectual power of His Grace. My mind is different now.

As an adult I realized where I had not believed in God's Word, I had not surrendered to Him, and had not followed Him. After coming to terms with this and selling out, I then got baptized. I then received the Holy Spirit.

In all honesty I cannot say whether or not I was saved as a child, or if it was just a receiving of the Word, much like what is spoken of in Acts 8. But I wonder if it wasn't a "sealing" of sorts.........as a child? The fullness of the Holy Spirit did not come until I was an adult and contrite about my sin, my life, and the Truth about it. I believe that is the way it is for many of us. We receive the Word as children, but then come to the realization about the filth of sin as adults, after we have walked in it a while. The problem I see today though, is that the adults are not getting, as Paul Harvey would say, "The Rest of the Story". Adults today are not being called to a true repentance and brokeness over sin. The fullness of the Gospel is not being preached, and the church of today is not being broken over sin. When was the last time you saw someone hit with the reality of "their sin". If you had you'd know it, the brokenness is evident.

Sorry didn't mean to write a book, but I have much to say about these things.

Thanks for asking Johnp.

In His Love,

Suzanne

I think that's why I am extremely troubled when pastors tell people not to doubt their salvation...........thank goodness I did not hear that phrase as an adult, or I might still be stuck in the mire that held me, due to holding on to something that was not completed in me as a child?

I'm not sure i'm getting why steve is the fall guy here? I'm the one that brings this topic to the table, and I am saying from my own experience, what steve says is true. Am I the only one who is willing to say that at 10, I did not fully comprehend repentance, and that as an adult I did have a great need to REPENT, even though by today's standards, I would be told I do not have that need, because I was saved at 10?, and thus would have been left in the mire?

Is there no one else who's had this experience as an adult?

In His Love,

Suzanne

Now, again I ask, am I the only one who had this type of experienced??? Saved as a child, but (for lack of a better term) REALLY SAVED as an adult after true, heartfelt, repentance?

My husband and I have pondered this, as he had much the same experience. He said, maybe it is a "sealing" of sorts. As children we readily receive God's Word at the hearing of it............which promises a journey of life that will bring us to salvation as adults? Just a thought?

Thanks all for pondering this with me.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[stevehut]

1- OF COURSE I HAD TO REPENT. WHAT DOES A 5-YEAR-OLD HAVE TO REPENT OF? ANSWER= ORINGINAL SIN.

2-OBVIOUSLY, AT FIVE, I COULDN'T DO ALL THOSE OTHER THINGS, BUT NEITHER CAN SOMEONE WHO IS CONVERTED ON THEIR DEATH-BED!

1- Um, do you know what repentance is, then? It is turning away from your sins. Original Sin is not something that you did in the first place, that you can repent of.

2- My point exactly. These are things that Jesus expects of his followers, and a young child is incapable of such things.

(How'm I doin', Suz? )

[Orr v'emet]

OK, forgive me here, but I'm going to pull a "first" for me. I'm going to demand that since I started this thread, that you all focus on ME, ME, ME!!! 

Okay Suzanne...I feel the need to point you to the study forum to read about pride vs. brokenness! HA! I AM TOTALLY KIDDING!

I want to reread your post when I get home and my mind is a little more clear. I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to pick on you a bit! :hug:

[Born Again]

Well congrats Steve! All the arguing with us turned you red!! No need to get all fired up my brother?!?! :oww:

Seriously- congrats on your royal "promotion"! And I will respond- may not be right away, but I will at least respond this evening- I'm getting ready to go to dinner

[tsth]

OK, forgive me here, but I'm going to pull a "first" for me. I'm going to demand that since I started this thread, that you all focus on ME, ME, ME!!!

[johnP]

Suzanne.

Repentance could not fully be understood by me, until I had fully understood "my" sin.

You are talking about the things you did or the sin that you are?

Repentance : the act or process of repenting ; specifically : contrition for one's sins together with the dedication of oneself to the abandonment of unworthy purposes and values and to the amendment of one's life.

Contrition for one's sins will be a fact for all Christians. The more we understand God the more contrite one will be. Being sorry for past and present sin is good but it does not end there. The more you learn the more you will see those things you did and realise that even your contrition will need repentance.

The 'dedication of oneself to the abandonment of unworthy purposes and values and to the amendment of one's life' you have already answered with, "He now lives in me, and enables me to live differently, by the working, effectual power of His Grace. My mind is different now."

And I can say that as well.

This repentance must not come from guilt because we have had a guilt offering, Isa 53:10, accepted on our behalf by God.

This was also applied to the OT saints who no doubt went to John. Moths to a flame.

What have repented and grieved got in common? Gen 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. KJV.

Gen 6:6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. NIV.

Why, because Jesus was going to die?

I get the feeling that repentance is more to do with facing unpleasant facts than looking miserable. It should not inflict discomfort because Jesus took that discomfort for us so we didn't have to.

I am thinking that repentance is more to do with looking at the truth of the matter. Accepting the facts as they are without justifying yourself.

Salvation came to me when I agreed to pray with a Pastor. I agreed for the reason that I wanted to get him off my back. When we prayed I started talking into the air and finished talking with Jesus. A strange thing because I did not believe in Jesus. There was no repentance in what I did. With those that go forward to accept Jesus, at least they are turning around which is a repentance not to be repented off. From my experience I am not able to see repentance as neccessary to salvation.

2 Cor 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

I think that's why I am extremely troubled when pastors tell people not to doubt their salvation...

Is doubting your salvation the same as not believing Jesus died for your sins?

johnp.

[Guest Called]

Now, again I ask, am I the only one who had this type of experienced??? Saved as a child, but (for lack of a better term) REALLY SAVED as an adult after true, heartfelt, repentance?

My husband and I have pondered this, as he had much the same experience. He said, maybe it is a "sealing" of sorts. As children we readily receive God's Word at the hearing of it............which promises a journey of life that will bring us to salvation as adults? Just a thought?

Thanks all for pondering this with me.

In His Love,

Suzanne

I have experienced this. I was saved at 5 years old....or so I thought...when I got older and I understood the deeper things of God I chose to follow Christ and give my life to Him. Do I think I understood what I was doingat 5? Somewhat. I can still remember the altar call and tugging at my mom's pants telling her that I wanted to accept Jesus into my heart. I knew that I loved Him and that I wanted to go to heaven to be with Him. Did I understand the seriousness of sin? Probably not.

As far as what you are saying...that it could be like a "sealing", I don't know. I have never really thought about it. It brings to mind this verse in Proverbs though.

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

[stevehut]

From my experience I am not able to see repentance as neccessary to salvation.

Try Acts 3:19.