WCF 15 - Repentance, A Mighty Work of Evangelical Grace in The Believer or (Part Two Of The Components Of Conversion)

WCF 15 - Repentance, A Mighty Work of Evangelical Grace in The Believer or (Part Two Of The Components Of Conversion)

Chapter 15:
Of Repentance

15:1 Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace (Zec_12:10; Act_11:18), the doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the Gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ (Mar_1:15; Luk_24:47; Act_20:21).

15:2 By it, a sinner, out of the sight and sense not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God; and upon the apprehension of His mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for, and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God (Psa_51:4; Psa_119:128; Isa_30:22; Jer_31:18, Jer_31:19; Eze_18:30, Eze_18:31; Eze_36:31; Joe_2:12, Joe_2:13; Amo_5:15; 2Co_7:11), purposing and endeavouring to walk with Him in all the ways of His commandments(2Ki_23:25; Psa_119:6, Psa_119:59, Psa_119:106; Luk_1:6).

15:3 Although repentance be not to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof (Eze_16:61-63; Eze_36:31, Eze_36:32), which is the act of God’s free grace in Christ (Hos_14:2, Hos_14:4; Rom_3:24; Eph_1:7); yet it is of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it (Luk_13:3, Luk_13:5; Act_17:30, Act_17:31).

15:4 As there is no sin so small, but it deserves damnation(Mat_12:36; Rom_5:12; Rom_6:23), so there is no sin so great, that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent (Isa_1:16, Isa_1:18; Isa_55:7; Rom_8:1).

15:5 Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man’s duty to endeavour to repent of his particular sins, particularly (Psa_19:13; Luk_19:8; 1Ti_1:13, 1Ti_1:15).

15:6 As every man is bound to make a private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof (Psa_32:5, Psa_32:6; Psa_51:4, Psa_51:5, Psa_51:7, Psa_51:9, Psa_51:14); upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy (Pro_28:13; 1Jo_1:9): so, he that scandalizeth his brother, or the Church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession, and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended(Jos_7:19; Psa 51:1-19; Luk_17:3, Luk_17:4; Jam_5:16), who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him (2Co_2:8).

Summary statements we are taught:

A. Repentance Is To Be Preached By Every Minister (Wcf 15.1)

B.Repentance Brings A Hate For Sin And A Turning To God To Walk In His Ways (WCF 15.2)

C. Repentance Is Not The Cause Of Salvation (WCF 15.3)

D. None Can Be Saved Without Repentance (WCF 15.3)

E. Secured In Christ Are Those That Repent (WCF 15.4)

F. We Need To Do More Than A “General Repentance, But Specifically Repent (WCF 15.5)

G. We Are To Declare Our Repentance When We Have Offended Our Brothers, Sisters, The Church, Etc. (WCF 15.6)