Principles of the Doctrine of Christ: Repentance (Part 1)

Beloved, as we get ready to celebrate the Birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ this month, I want to minister from a new subject that will bring glory to Jesus, and is the best gift we can give Him. From the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ series, the most charitable principle to give to Jesus is Repentance. Repentance is a lesson that is so important to understand, especially in these days of religious tradition and false doctrine. Prayerfully, Beloved, we will teach about 7 basic principles from this series. We have already written about “Perfection”. After we look at the principle of “Repentance” (with the help of the Holy Spirit), I would like to teach about (3) Faith toward God, (4) Doctrines of Baptisms, (5) The Laying on of Hands, 6) Resurrection from the Dead, and finally, (7) Eternal Judgment. Of all of these principles, Repentance is the gift that brings the most pleasure to our God! Remember, John the Baptist taught us that we should “bring forth…FRUITS meet for repentance” (Matthew 3:8). In other words, God’s delicious apples and oranges, grapefruit and watermelon that he enjoys is called “Repentance”!

Precious Ones, the preaching of “repentance from dead works” began with John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). All those who received John’s message before Jesus atoned for men’s sins, were “baptized with the baptism of repentance” (Acts 19:4).

Chosen Ones, when Jesus began to preach, He taught the same, saying, “The time is fulfilled…repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). In other words, Jesus tells us, “You cannot receive the true revelations you need to receive from my (Jesus’) teachings, until you repent”. Beloved, as I have taught you several times, the word “repent” comes from the Greek word “metaneo”, which means “a change of mind”. In order to receive what you need from Jesus, you must be open to changing the way your mind thinks, and you must be apt to develop (with Jesus’ guidance) a new way of thinking! That’s why Jesus taught the concept of repentance in many parables, including “the lost sheep, the lost coin and the prodigal son” (Luke 15:4-32), and “the heathen sacrifices” (Luke 13:1-5).

I will write more on this subject next week.

I love you all so very much.
In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy