There is absolutely no question that Paul did repent (i.e., had a change of direction in his heart), as is clearly attested to in scripture. Therefore, the question being raised isn’t really an issue of exactly where (or when) this change within him may have occurred, other then how it relates to having occurred before or after his salvation. If his salvation preceded his repentance, then surely it must be attributed completely and entirely to God’s grace (and foreknowledge), given that Saul/Paul was a “chosen vessel.” (see Exodus 33:19;Acts 9:15.)
Peter spoke (to the whole house of Israel) on the day of Pentecost and instructed them to “repent and be saved.” However, Paul preaches a slightly different message that makes little to no mention of repentance being required as a condition of salvation, referring to his message of salvation by a new name, “the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24.) In fact, Paul states that it is the goodness of God that leads one to repentance in Romans 2:4.
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and
longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to
repentance?
Repentance, at some point, is what God commands of all men (Acts 17:30)… but why is there so little mention of it in all of Paul’s epistles if it is thought to be a prerequisite to salvation?
Is it because the Gentile nations were not under the law (as Israel was) and would simply not relate to repentance in the same way that Israel did?
Romans 4
[15] Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no
transgression. [16] Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by
grace…
This question has evolved from another question (that was downvoted twice, for reasons I do not understand) that is posted here:
When did Paul’s repentance (i.e., change of heart) and salvation occur? On the road to Damascus, or only after being baptized in Damascus?
Louise Cummings
I wouldn’t think so like today. But looked more to the Bible.
Louise Cummings
They did believe in one Nation Under God. Which I think was great.
Ricky Grimsley
Ricky Grimsley liked this on Facebook.
Louise Cummings
I guess I wasn’t thinking about that saying for guidance. I don’t looked to them now for guidance. I look to the Lord always. I was just thinking of paying attention to politics. I guess for guidance didn’t register in my brain until just now. I noticed that. They looked to the Lord. So do l. I’ve got to get to paying attention to what is being ask.
Fazal Abbas
Fazal Abbas liked this on Facebook.
Suresh Dhaubanjar
Suresh Dhaubanjar liked this on Facebook.
Charles Page
6) don’t handle poisonous snakes without good faith!
Varnel Watson
7) dont sell the property you dont have without good faith!
Charles Page
what if a prophetess said to sell it?
David Lewayne Porter
8) listening to Internet advice and poles.
Charles Page
I listen to Germans!
David Lewayne Porter
I am german,,,
And Irish
Varnel Watson
The name Porter is a French baby name. In French the meaning of the name Porter is: Gatekeeper 🙂
David Lewayne Porter
My mother’s family are German and Irish.
Ty for the insight into my father’s family.
Daniel J Hesse
I do not see them looKing for guidance, nor do I see them anxious over elections.
Varnel Watson
how did they do it? Charles Page Philip Williams Nelson Banuchi Jim Price ???
Nelson Banuchi
God had their back confirming the Word with signs and miracles…
Varnel Watson
For a millennium the Catholic church kept their constituency from reading the bible because they believed they could not be trusted to understand it. Once the bible became available to the masses there was at last political affiliation https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/04/franklin-graham-and-the-high-cost-of-the-lost-evangelical-witness/
Philip Williams
Troy Day Evangelicals, Pentecostals and especially the sorry state of their ministries can certainly be blamed for the sinking state of this nation, but it’s disingenuous to blame them for choosing between the better of bad choices.
The Graham family’s loss of influence is chiefly due to the family exploiting their father’s ministry for themselves rather than supporting the work of God. It’s not due to their political involvement, whatever you think about that.
Steve Losee
it’s only one of the reasons I believe we should shuck the 501c3 & take away that hold the govt has on churches.
Philip Williams
Steve Losee ordinary churches aren’t subject to 501(c)3 and never were. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is no longer 501(c)3. That chiefly means they must have good financial accountability, something that the big ministries wish to avoid. If churches and ministries can’t protect the children from pervert ministries, they ought to be under the government who will prosecute them. Sad to have to see the world teach morality and accountability to Christians. The Pentecostal ministries are as bad as the Catholics in not wishing to be held accountable for their wickedness. The ministries, mind you. What a disgrace before God and man.
Varnel Watson
Philip Williams many years ago Ricky Grimsley asked this and many have been wondering about it since Are you saying churches should stop being 501(c)3? http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/?s=501
Philip Williams
what I am saying is that they have never been required to do so, and sadly most church leaders don’t want such financial accountability.
Ricky Grimsley
Troy Day yes. The time will come when it will be used to imprison us or destroy us financially.
Varnel Watson
most of it is not true of course But the main leader in this presidential jamboree is a non Pentecostal charismatic Michael Brown WHO has been monetizing on both sides of the play pro and con touching on the gentle soul of the evangelical elector #THERE http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/how-to-interpret-dr-browns-politicostalim/
Varnel Watson
I see no answer here? Philip Williams
Varnel Watson
SO Charles Page what was your problem with SoJo again? I finally found it Nelson Banuchi Robert Erwine https://sojo.net/magazine/septemberoctober-2019/pray-president-trump-franklin-graham
Varnel Watson
note early publish SAYS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
Charles Page
Troy Day it’s Agnes Sandford psychochristian slycology
Charles Page
Same as Christian exorcism
Nelson Banuchi
Troy Day, when I posted this on my FB page, someone commented, asking me if I was “this loud about the corruptions of the Obama & Clinton administrations?” And he was concerned I “jumped on this manipulating bandwagon!”
I answered saying,
********************
“Unfortunately, such arguments – that the Clinton & Obama administrations were corrupt – seems to be the fundamental, if not only, line of defense for Trump that many conservative Christians parrot to each other… (perhaps trying to convince their conscience that they are in the right, on God’s side?).
“Such weak argumentations by conservative evangelical Christians, from my perspective, only betray an admission that Trump and his administration is corrupt and that they are willing to support and serve a corrupt administration if it obtains their desired ends.
“Apparently, what was slanderous in the apostle Paul’s day is not slanderous today (Romans 3:8).
“I can’t believe you – or any evangelical Christian conservative for that matter – would allow Trump to manipulate them.”
********************
It is distressing to me to see how easily evangelical conservatives are bewitched by Trump (especially Dr. Brown, which, btw, it’s the first time I’ve seen Brown’s video you posted above and can affirm all he said was my argument in 2016). It seems as if for the sake of an agenda (which is not wrong) they seem to have placed truth and morality on the sidelines without really realizing it, thinking they have it before them.
Not only have we lost the moral high-ground, we’ve muddled the message of the Gospel.
No?
Varnel Watson
Nelson Banuchi I dont know I asked Philip Williams but he wouldnt tell me either