This past Sunday Night we looked briefly into the nature of true repentance. The topic of repentance has come up many times during our Sunday Night services. One observation that we have discussed is how modern definitions of repentance do not have any mention of Godly sorrow over sin. The older definitions of repentance highlighted Godly sorrow and contrition over sins.
To prove my point, observe the following definitions of repentance from Baptist history:
Baptist Faith and Message 1963&2000 – “Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God.”
Baptist Faith and Message 1925 – “We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.”
Baptist Catechism (1813) - Q. What is repentance unto life?
A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace (Acts 11:28), whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin (Acts 2:37, 38), and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ (Joel 2:12; Jer 3:22), doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God (Jer 31:18, 19; Ez. 36:3 1), with full purpose of and endeavour after new obedience (2 Cor. 7:11; Isa.1:16,17).
Thomas Watson (1620-1686): Repentance is a grace of God's Spirit, whereby a sinner is inwardly humbled and outwardly reformed. For a further amplification, know that repentance is a spiritual medicine made up of six special ingredients:
1. Sight of sin 2. Sorrow for sin 3. Confession of sin 4. Shame for sin 5. Hatred for sin 6. Turning from sin
May God grant us true brokenness over our sins, that we may grow in true Godliness.
- Bro. Dave
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