Bible Truth FAQs
DOES FAITH COME FIRST?
In order to defend (?) the false theory that a person is saved the instant he believes in God, some have reasoned that repentance must precede faith because Jesus stated (Luke 13:3-5) that one must repent or perish. Thus another false theory is introduced.
It is impossible for genuine repentance to precede genuine faith according to God's word. In Heb. 11:6 the writer states, "For without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is." If repentance were to precede faith, it would be without faith and therefore displeasing to God. Paul made the generic statement (Rom. 14:23), "...for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." If repentance were to precede faith, it would not be of faith and therefore sinful.
When one tries to defend error, he only gets into deeper water. Why "kick against the goads?" (Acts 9:5). It is far easier and infinitely better to accept the truth.
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