Articles
REPENT AND PRAY
We find, in the early church, a man with a reputation of astonishing the people with his ability to do "magic". His name was Simon. (Acts 8:9). However, after hearing the preaching of Philip about the good news of the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ, he, along with some others, believed and was baptized. (Acts 8:12-13)
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, Peter and John were sent to them so they could receive the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:14-17). The apostles did this by laying on of their hands, only they were able to do. When Simon saw this he was tempted to obtain that power too, and offered them money to give him that power.(Acts 8:18) However the apostles refused and strongly rebuked him saying, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!" (Acts 8:20) In the next verse he is told, "YOUR HEART IS NOT RIGHT BEFORE GOD." Then he was told to REPENT AND PRAY the Lord if possible would forgive him the intention of his wicked heart. (Acts 8:22)
In this story of Simon and his sin wanting to buy the power of the Apostles we find an early example of a Christian told to repent. He had already obeyed the Gospel and was baptized into Christ. (Acts 8:13). Here we clearly see a Christian who fell back into sin, and needed something to restore his relationship with God--the answer to that need was REPENT AND PRAY, as given by the apostle Peter.
Repentance is an important part of our obedience to the Gospel message in order to become part of God's family. By God's love and mercy that special act to repent is then available to Christians as part of staying faithful to Him and others in His Body. Repentance means change -- of heart, mind, and action. When we obey the Gospel to be one of His children, we change from unrighteous to righteous. From living as disobedient to obedient.
"..for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." (Romans 10:10)
After we become Christians, we now live as much as possible as Jesus and His teachings in the New Testament. But, being weak and always tempted by Satan, we sometimes sin. Just as it was for Simon, we must REPENT AND PRAY, that our sin be removed and once again we are faithful to Him. The power of Jesus' blood will continue to cleanse us, as long as we truly REPENT and PRAY and ask for forgiveness. of our sins. (1 John 1:6-7)
"For the sorrow that is ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD produces a REPENTANCE without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death." (2 Corinthians 7:10) A repentance that has God's approval is one that comes from the heart. It involves turning away from sin, and turning back towards God again.
We ought always remember, "sin separates us from God" and God will have no part with sin. So to be in fellowship with Him we have to have sin taken out of our lives, and keep it out.
ROSS
