From My Pastor Burrell (sgchapel.org)

Questions and Answers on the Doctrine of Repentance

Q. How would you define the meaning of Biblical repentance?

A. Repentance is an evangelical grace. Like faith it is essential to salvation (Luke13:3). It involves a sorrow for sin and an apprehension of the mercy of God in Jesus Christ. These two elements are important because there is a repentance that comes short of the latter. Any repentance that does not lead to salvation is not evangelical no matter how sorrowful one is about his or her sins.

While the word metanoia put emphasis on a change of mind, we cannot and must not divorce the mind from the heart and the will. Like faith, the whole man is involved in repentance: mind, heart, and will.

In the mind we gain a saving understanding about our sin and about our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is in the mind that we understand that our sin has offended an infinitely holy God and that all we deserve is his wrath; but alongside of that knowledge is an understanding that there is mercy at the cross.

Secondly, it is in the heart that we not only feel a deep sorrow for sin but we also feel something of the weight and the enormity of them because they are an affront to God. It is in the heart that we feel like the criminals that we are. It is in the heart that all repentant sinners feel the pain of sin. This pain comes in varying degrees, depending upon our prior lifestyle and religious upbringing. For example, if the sinner has lived a life of gross immorality like those described in Roman chapter one, he may have a deeper sense of guilt than one who has lived (at least outwardly or in the eyes of men) a life that is descent and respectful. Secondly, those who were brought up under the sound of the gospel may have a deeper sense of sin than those who were not. And so, the depth and the weight of guilt and sorrow for sin will vary from person to person based upon the two factors just mentioned.

The will is also involved in true, evangelical repentance. This is where the repentant sinner makes a willful choice to turn from his sin and turn to God through Jesus Christ. It is in the will that the sinner makes a willful change of direction. This is when he turns from something that has been so dear to him (his sins) and he turns to someone who has loved him and has given himself for him (Jesus Christ).

And so the mind, heart, and the will are involved in true evangelical repentance. The mind is the intellectual element, the heart is the emotional element, and the will is the volitional and directional element.

Before moving to the next question let me just say a word about what true, evangelical repentance is not. It is not a sorrow for sin because of a fear of its consequences. Like the little boy who is caught in the cookie jar. His sorrow for his actions is due to his fear of punishment. Theologians call this attrition or legal repentance.

True saving repentance is due to the fact that we have offended the true and the living God. This is contrition or evangelical repentance. Psalms 51:10 says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise”

Q. How does the necessity of repentance influence the presentation of the gospel message to sinners?

A. Because repentance is a necessary element in salvation it must be preached. Prophetic and Apostolic preaching should be the model for all preachers to follow. Their preaching was saturated with the doctrine of repentance. This is the missing element in today’s preaching.

It is my conviction that most people that go to hell today are sent there by so-called gospel ministers who will not sound the message of repentance. The gospel in the average church has been diluted and watered down to a fizzle that cannot and will not save anyone. It has no power to save and will only deceive the hearer.

So, because repentance is a necessity in salvation it is the duty of the servant of the Lord to preach it. One writer has said that “Repentance is an evangelical duty, and no preacher is entitled to be regarded as a servant of Christ’s if he be silent thereon.” Luke 24:47 says “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

Q. Since we are justified through faith in Christ alone, why is repentance necessary?

A. The answer to this question lies in the fact that repentance and faith work together. One necessitates the other. They are two sides of the same coin. They both are essential elements in salvation. Where one is the other must be close by. While one point to sin (repentance), the other points to Christ (faith). These two are mutually exclusive and are so intertwined that John Murray calls faith “a penitent faith” and calls repentance “a believing repentance.” Murray says that “saving faith is permeated with repentance and repentance is permeated with faith.” One cannot do without the other.

Theologians have spent much time arguing over whether faith comes first or whether repentance comes first. If I had a choice in the matter I would choose the latter, but since the two are so closely connected I will leave such a question to be answered by minds that are much sharper than mine, if there is an answer at all.

Q. What is the relationship between regeneration and repentance?

A. In the order of salvation (ordo-salutus) regeneration precedes repentance. To put it another way is to say that repentance is the immediate fruit and effect of regeneration. This is true because the old heart that we were born with from our parents is proud, arrogant, and is vehemently opposed to the gospel. It is called in Ezel.36:26 a “stony heart.” True repentance cannot take root in such a hard heart. Therefore, we must have a heart transplant; whereby the Spirit of God takes away the stony heart and gives us “a heart of flesh.” This is a picture of what happens at regeneration. A true sorrow for sin can only come from the latter (a heart of flesh), and a true turning from sin unto salvation in Christ can only spring from the same. And so, repentance is the product of the new heart received in regeneration.

Q. How is repentance shown to be true and what are its practical effects?

A. Repentance is shown to be true, evangelical repentance ultimately in where the sinner finds relief from his guilt and sorrow for sin. Judas found it in committing suicide, but the ultimate end of the repentance that we are considering in this article is found only in Jesus Christ and the forgiveness that only he can give. This repentance always ends in Christ alone. Remember it is a sorrow for sin but it is also an apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ Jesus.

Some of the practical effects of repentance are:

• A continual lifestyle of repenting of sin – Repentance is not just a one time thing that happens at conversion, but rather it is an ongoing exercise of the believer throughout the remainder of his life (Psa.51; Rom.7:24).
• A continual lifestyle of confessing sin – Confession of sin is another fruit of repentance whereby we agree with God that we are what his word says that we are, namely sinners (IJohn 1:8-10).
• A continual and genuine hatred of sin – The believers relationship to sin will never be the same again; its power has been broken (Rom.6:14, 17, 18, 20, 22, 22); and in his remaining years he will always have a genuine hatred for the sins that he commits (Psa. 51; Rom.7:24).
• A continual joy in knowing what Christ has provided for the believer -
Our Lord has provided a righteousness that was imputed to our account when we believed the gospel, and now our sins cannot be imputed to us (Rom.4:8); he is our intercessor and our advocate (Heb.7:25; IJohn 2:1) therefore we can never be lost because of our sins; and finally, his blood keeps on cleansing us from all sin (IJohn 1:7). This gives the believer great hope and joy!

To my unbelieving friends I would urge you to “repent and believe the gospel.” “Except you repent you shall all likewise perish!”

Biblical Economy of the Righteous

Here is an email I sent to a close friend, who wants me to join this "Christian runned", get-rich-quick business scheme.

Brother,

I know you will disagree with me, but as the old adage goes "it takes money to make money". The whole thing sounds like another pyramid scheme. Anytime someone says, "You can make quick money", red flashing signs go off. When the Scripture says, "a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous" (Pro.13:22) it is NOT a promise or guarantee but a setting forth an ideal situation that God may choose to work in His providence to reverse the economic status of individuals. It is a similar interpretation of the verse that says, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" (Pro.22:6). The perfect parents in this world could have Hell-raising children that will never embrace their parent's faith in Christ. But more often than not, God speaks of His people in a state of impoverishment. See a few examples which you know already:

Ps. 37:16a "Better the little that the righteous have"
Pro.15:16a "Better a little with the fear of the Lord"
Pro.16:8a "Better a little with righteousness"
Pro.19:1a "Better a poor man whose walk is blameless"
Pro.19:22b "Better to be poor than a liar."
Pro.28:6 "Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse."
Rom.15:26 The Jerusalem believers were called by Paul "the poor among the saints" and needed money from other churches
II Cor.8:9 Our Lord Jesus was born by God's Decree into "poverty" (In Luke 2:24, Jesus' parents offered two small pigeons in keeping with the sacrifice permitted by the law for the poor Jews of the land [see Lev.12:8])
Luke 21:3 The Lord puts up a poor widow as an example to follow in giving to His church
I Tim.5:5 Paul commands the church to care for the godly widows who were "needy"
James 2 implies there will always be hungry and naked Christians needing assistance among God's elect people
Heb.11:37 gives numerous Bible characters that were "destitute", yet shining examples for you and me

And this is just a few. I am not trying to "school" you. You know this already. I just have to let out some passion that has got me upset with the greater number of "supposed churches" and "professed Christians", who have swallowed the Prosperity Gospel Movement and the Word-Faith Movement. Both movements are nothing less than lies from the Devil, only ready to deceive mere professors of religion. As if the apostolic Gospel was meant to make the sons of men "healthy, wealthy, and wise". The Gospel I read in my Bible says things will get worse in this life once you truly embrace Christ. Acts 14:22 says, "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" and II Tim.3:12 says, "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted". Jesus told His followers, "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace,but a sword" (Matt.10:34) This doesn't sound like peaches 'n' cream to me.

Sorry for such a long email. I try to keep emails brief and to the point. Pease don't be mad at me. I am mainly expressing my frustration at other "Christians" and not you.

In His Blood,
Gus

Poem: On God's Predestination

How great is the God of truth
Who ordains men for mercy and wrath
Old people and the youth
Must remember God appoints the path

We are only pots of clay
The Potter chooses what He will make
His Glory will display
His plan will never make a mistake

He ordains the wicked man
To an everlasting punishment
Before the world began
And justly gives not grace to repent

We who are chosen by grace
Behold God’s love and severity
We must humbly embrace
That we should receive such charity

Not because of our good deed
For we have forfeited God’s favor
For He never had need
Of mankind to give us a Savior

God cannot author sin
For He is absolutely holy
Men are sinners within
And are fully culpable wholly

So we must win the lost souls
This is how God gathers the elect
Even as He controls
And keep in mind why some will reject

Article from my Pastor Burrell (sgchapel.org)

HAMARTIOLOGY - “THE STUDY OF SIN”
By Pastor Burrell

This study deals with the real, foundational cause for all of man’s problems in this life and for some, in the life to come. Death, sickness, crime, war, terrorism, racism, fraud on Wall Street, and every other type of ill that humans have to face in this life, come from sin. Sin has not only destroyed man’s relationship with one another but it is also the reason why our relationship with God has been ruined. It is because of sin that salvation is needed, it is because of sin that Christ came into the world, it is because of sin that men are justly condemned to spend an eternity in hell! And so a study of sin is of utmost importance for us all.

In this study I would like for us to consider: 1) the biblical definition for sin, 2) three theological terms and distinctions for sin, and 3) the cure and the remedy for sin.


I. Its Biblical Definition:

A. Rom. 3:23 – “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” The word “sinned” is from the word “hamartano” which literally means “to miss the mark.” It is as the verse says, a “coming short of the glory of God.” No matter how good the deeds of the unregenerate man are, they always come short of the mark, “the glory of God.” Romans 8:8 says, “they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

B. I John 3:4 – “sin is the transgression of the law.” The word transgression sometimes has the idea of “overstepping” or “going beyond” something, but in this verse it is from the word “anomia” which means “lawlessness.”

I think John in this verse is describing the sinner’s continual insubordination to God and his word. It is man wanting his own way and refusing to acknowledge God’s sovereign rule over him. One writer says, “it is placing one’s will above the will of God.”

C. I John 3:17 – “All unrighteousness is sin.” With God’s word being the standard for what is right, any violation or any infraction thereof: in word, deed, attitude, thought, or motive is sin. Beloveds, all of us are guilty of all of the above, and therefore we need a savior!



II. Three Theological Terms And Distinctions For Sin: 1) “imputed sin,” 2) “original sin,” and 3) “actual sins.”

A. Imputed Sin – Due to Adam’s appointment as the representative and head of the whole human race, when he sinned we sinned being in him federally or representatively. This is why we are all born into the world guilty before God. This guilt is not due to our personal sins, but is due wholly to the sin of the “one man”, Adam. The counterpart to this is “the imputed righteousness of Christ.” Christ’s righteousness is not imputed to the believing sinner because of the sinner’s own personal righteousness, but it is due wholly to the righteousness of the “one man,” Jesus Christ (read Rom.5:18,19). Like imputed righteousness, imputed sin is wholly legal, objective (non-experiential), and positional.

B. Original Sin – “Original sin” is sometimes known as “inherited corruption”, or “total depravity.” While imputed sin is imputed, original sin is imparted by way of natural generation. Original sin has to do with the sin nature or fallen nature that we inherited from Adam. Imputed sin and original sin speak of the twofold effects that Adam’s sin has had upon all of his progeny (the whole human race). In Psalms 51:5 when David says, “in sin did my mother conceive me,” he is saying that he became a sinner by nature at conception. That nature is original sin.

C. Actual Sins – Actual sins are the fruits and effects of original sin. Original sin is called original because it is the source and the fountain from which all acts (actual) of sin flow. Actual sins refer to sins: in words, deeds, thoughts, attitudes, and motives. All of these acts of sin flow from original sin. Original sin is the root; actual sins are the fruit (read Matt.12:33-35; Mk.7:20-22).



III. The Remedies For Sin:

A. Confession (I John 1:9) – Confession is from the word “homolegeo” which means “to say the same thing,” “to acknowledge,” or “to agree with.” God’s word says “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Confession has to do with our acknowledging and our agreeing with that fact.

Some in John’s day were denying the fact that they were sinners both; by nature (I John 1:8) and by practice (I John 1:10). John says in verse eight that they were “deceived and the truth is not in them”, in verse ten he says that such a person “makes him (God) a liar.” Then he says “the truth is not in them” (verse eight), and “his word is not in them” (verse ten).

Instead of denying, men should be confessing sin(s)!

B. Forgiveness (I John 1:9) – Forgiveness has to do with a debt being paid. We owe God a debt that we cannot pay because we are spiritually bankrupted. We do not have the wherewithal to satisfy the debt that we owe to the law and justice of God. And so we deserve his wrath. But another came (Jesus Christ) who was fit and suitable for the work that had to be done. In order for us to be forgiven a legal ground had to be established, and that legal ground was established when our Lord by his perfect life and substitutionary death established a righteousness that was necessary for our forgiveness. The righteousness of Jesus Christ was earned by his obedience to the law (in its precept) that we had broken; and to the justice of God (in its penalty) that we deserved has been fully satisfied (read Col.1:14).

Some of the commentaries seem to suggest that this forgiveness is both judicial and parental, depending on who is doing the confessing. It is judicial for the confessing sinner for salvation, but parental for the confessing saint for restoration. The former is between a Judge and a criminal, the latter is between a Father and his son.

C. The Blood of Christ – This again is a reference to the grounds of our forgiveness. It is also the grounds for our justification (Rom.5:9), and the grounds for our redemption (Col.14), and cleansing from sin (IJohn1:7) etc. If Christ had not died, there could be no salvation, “without the shedding of blood there is no remission” (Heb.9:22).

Article I wrote for my Church (sgchapel.org)

What Kind of Worship Does Sovereign Grace Chapel Have?

In the African-American Church there are many styles and varieties when it comes to worship. We at SGC[1] hold to a Theocentric (God-centered), conservative, Reformed[2] tradition of worship. Worship is to be given to the Triune God alone[3] and is to be ordered by God Himself as revealed in the Bible[4]. Although cultural styles may vary among nations/people groups and Christian prudence (or common sense) may differ, but the overarching desire at SGC is to adhere strictly to the “whole counsel of God”.

We see that the Lord takes His own worship seriously to the point He struck dead two of His own priests for an offering which “He commanded them not” in Leviticus 10:1; and before we say that was under the Old Testament worship, we find a couple falling dead before the apostle because the offering was given under false pretense in Acts 5:1-11.

We find in the New Testament a fulfillment of a lot of the temple worship of old. We need no more daily sacrifices, for Christ is our final and completed sacrifice[5]; we have no need for a Jerusalem Temple, for true believers are the temple[6]; feasts like the Passover are not needed because they are fulfilled in Christ as He is the very Passover Lamb[7]; and the list could go on.

New Testament worship appears on the pages of Scripture as simple and yet deeply mystical[8]. We are called to pray, sing, read publicly the Bible, give monetarily, preach, etc. As the Bible is our standard of faith and worship, our prayers are Word-based (so we try), our hymns are Scriptural, our responsive readings are select quotations from the Bible, and our sermons are expositions of…you guessed it: the Holy Scriptures. Don’t get us wrong, we don’t worship the Bible; but we do focus our eyes upon the invisible, yet very real God of the Bible through whom we can worship acceptably through the mediation of His Son Jesus. Lord, may we learn at SGC to treasure Your worship times together and sense Your presence in our midst, to Whom be all the glory. Amen.

[1] For ease of reading the author will use SGC to stand for Sovereign Grace Chapel
[2] Following the 16th century Protestant Reformation
[3] Matt. 4:9-10
[4] The Reformers and Puritans call this the Regulative Principle (see Gen. 4:1-5; Ex.20:4-6; Duet.4:2)
[5] Heb.7:27; 10:5,12
[6] Jn. 4:20-24; I Cor.5:19 (By the way the you here is plural: You all are the temple…); I Pet.2:5
[7] Jn. 1:29;I Cor.5:7
[8] The author is sure there is a better word to use, but he uses mystical as mysterious/spiritual and not as the Pentecostals would use to say anything goes in worship. See Matt.18:20; Jn.4:23-24; Ac.4:31; I Cor. 14:24-25 How is an unregenerate man able to say “God is in your mist” unless there is mystical meeting taking place among God’s worshiping people?