Is Repentance Necessary for Salvation?

It is true that numerous Bible verses speak of the promise of salvation with no mention of repentance. These verses merely say to “believe” on Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9). However, the Bible makes it clear that God is holy and man is sinful and that sin makes a separation between the two (Isaiah 59:1,2). Without repentance from sin, wicked men cannot have fellowship with a holy God. We are dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1)and until we forsake them through repentance, we cannot be made alive in Christ. The Scriptures speak of “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21).

The first public word Jesus preached was “repent” (Matthew 4:17). John the Baptist began his ministry the same way (Matthew 3:2). Jesus told His hearers that without repentance, they would perish (Luke 13:3). If belief is all that is necessary for salvation, then the logical conclusion is that one need never repent. However, the Bible tells us that a false convert “believes” and yet is not saved (Luke 8:13); he remains a “worker of iniquity.” Look at the warning of Scripture: “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1 John 1:6). The Scriptures also say, “He that covers his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesses and forsakes them [repentance] shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). Jesus said that there was joy in heaven over one sinner who “repents” (Luke 15:10). If there is no repentance, there is no joy because there is no salvation.

As Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost, he commanded his hearers to repent “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Without repentance, there is no remission of sins; we are still under God’s wrath. Peter further said, “Repent … and be converted that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19). We cannot be “converted” unless we repent. God himself “commands all men everywhere [leaving no exceptions] to repent” (Acts 17:30). Peter said a similar thing at Pentecost: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you” (Acts 2:38).

If repentance wasn’t necessary for salvation, why then did Jesus command that repentance be preached to all nations (Luke 24:47)? With so many Scriptures speaking of the necessity of repentance for salvation, one can only suspect that those who preach salvation without repentance are strangers to repentance themselves, and thus strangers to true conversion.

From the Evidence Bible [Ray Comfort]



So, is repentance necessary for salvation? If Jesus preached it, shouldn’t we? If his apostles, who knew Jesus and his message better than anyone who lived, preached it to the Jews and the Gentiles, shouldn’t we? Shouldn’t we stick to the Biblical message of salvation which was established by Jesus, the basis for the foundation of the church in the first place, and confirmed by the apostles as the gospel? Why do we often (with good intentions) try to change the message as if to say that we know better.

Sure, times change. But what takes people to Hell hasn’t changed — SIN. That is what must be adressed. Sin can only be dealt with through repentace toward God (whom are sins are against) and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (who died to pay the price for those crimes against God and who is “the only name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved”).

So, I implore you brothers and sisters to preach repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

To the glory of God,
–Josh