“'Repentance' is a grace. Some people preach it as a condition of salvation. Condition of nonsense! There are no conditions of salvation.” —Charles Spurgeon
SOURCE: http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0044.htm (Charles Spurgeon, from a sermon titled, REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE, preached at the New Park Street Chapel, Southwark, on Sept. 23, 1855)
That's what Spurgeon said. Why don't John MacArthur and Ray Comfort quote this
from Spurgeon? It's because they are deceivers and liars! I'm tired of
Modernists (who dare call themselves Christians) corrupting the teachings of
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892). Spurgeon was unquestionably London's
mightiest Baptist preacher.
In Ray Comfort's THE EVIDENCE BIBLE, Mr. Comfort quotes Spurgeon extensively in hundreds of places, giving the impression that Ray Comfort agrees with the teachings on salvation by Charles Spurgeon. The truth is that Charles Spurgeon DIDN'T agree with the false teaching of Lordship Salvation, as you just read in the quote I gave you. You can read the full quote later in this article.
Dr. John MacArthur of the Grace Community Church is aired on radio stations nationwide, teaching his heresies to millions of listeners. I heard Dr. John MacArthur speaking on the radio. The sermon is available and is titled, “The Call To Repentance.” MacArthur quotes Charles Spurgeon concerning the matter of repentance...
Of all the statements that I have read on the subject, the strongest one comes from Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Listen to what Spurgeon said. "There must be a true and actual abandonment of sin and a turning unto righteousness in real act and deed in every day life. Repentance, to be sure, must be entire. How many will say, Sir, I will renounce this sin and the other...but there are certain darling lusts which I must keep and hold? Oh, sirs, in God's name let me tell you, it is not the giving up of one sin, nor 50 sins which is true repentance. It is the solemn renunciation of every sin. If thou dost harbor one of those accursed vipers in thy heart and dost give up every other, that one lust like one leak in a ship will sink thy soul. Think it not sufficient to give up thy outward vices, fancy it not enough to cut off the more corrupt sins of thy life, it is all or none which God demands. Repent, says He, and when He bids you repent, He means repent of all thy sins otherwise He can never accept thy repentance as real and genuine. All sin must be given up or else you will never have Christ. All transgression must be renounced or else the gates of heaven must be barred against you. Let us remember then that for repentance to be sincere, it must be entire repentance. True repentance is a turning of the heart as well as of the life. It is the giving up of the whole soul to God to be His forever and ever. It is the renunciation of the sins of the heart as well as the crimes of the life." [emphasis added]
SOURCE: Quote by Spurgeon provided by John MacArthur, The Call to Repentance -- John MacArthur (Note: Charles Spurgeon originally made this statement in a sermon entitled, TURN OR BURN, preached December 7, 1856, at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens).
People during the 19th century were no different than people today in the 20th century. You had different groups of people who taught different doctrines (and they fought like cats and dogs). The fierce battle over the meaning of repentance is not a new battle, although the terms have changed. The phrase, “Lordship Salvation” is a contemporary term used to identify the false doctrine of requiring sinners to cease from sinful acts to be saved. When Spurgeon preached the sermon that you just read, the heretics had a hey day and attempted to misquote Spurgeon, claiming that he requires self-righteousness to be saved.
Unfortunately, John MacArthur does the same dishonest thing, horribly taking Charles Spurgeon's words out of context, and claims that Spurgeon taught Lordship Salvation. Nothing could be further from the truth, as this quote from Charles H. Spurgeon himself plainly reveals...
“You must not expect that you will be perfect in 'repentance' before you are saved. No Christian can be perfect. 'Repentance' is a grace. Some people preach it as a condition of salvation. Condition of nonsense! There are no conditions of salvation. God gives the salvation himself...”
—Charles Spurgeon
SOURCE: http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0044.htm (Charles Spurgeon, from a sermon titled, REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE, preached at the New Park Street Chapel, Southwark, on Sept. 23, 1855)
Why doesn't MacArthur quote that? Admittedly, the former quote provided above, by itself, seems to support Lordship Salvation; BUT, if you look carefully you'll notice that Spurgeon continually mentions the word "renunciation" (i.e., rejecting one's sins). To "renounce" does not mean to literally forsake, otherwise Spurgeon would have used a different word. It is clear from Spurgeon's latter statement that he didn't believe in Lordship Salvation at all, and MacArthur is barking up an empty tree.
You must keep in mind that Charles Spurgeon's words are NOT INSPIRED as are the Words of God. We can base doctrines on every word of God, including the articles and pronouns. Every Word matters! Whereas Surgeon's words are merely that of a frail man, a sinful human being. It is tragic and sad that John MacArthur and Ray Comfort are desperately trying to associate their heretical teachings with Charles Spurgeon. If Spurgeon were alive today, he'd denounce these imposters and expose them for the heretics they are.
Modernists today (unsaved heretics who masquerade as true Christians) are lying about Charles Spurgeon. I'm not hesitant to say that Ray Comfort and John MacArthur are not saved. If you think that ceasing from your sinful lifestyle is necessary to your salvation, then you are trusting in your own self-righteousness for salvation.
As genuine believers, we view salvation as being wholly the gift of God, provided freely and completely in Christ Jesus, without any strings attached. But Lordship Salvation produces an entirely different mindset in the adherent's mind, producing a spirit of fear and uncertainty.
In THE EVIDENCE BIBLE, Ray Comfort butchers Matthew 7:22-23, teaching that religious people with a roaming eye for the opposite sex have never been saved. This is his flawed understanding of what Matthew 7:22-23 means. Unfortunately for Mr. Comfort and all his followers, he didn't include verse 21 in his interpretation.
Spurgeon plainly stated in response to people like MacArthur and Ray Comfort...
“'Repentance' is a grace. Some people preach it as a condition of salvation. Condition of nonsense!” —Charles Spurgeon
SOURCE: http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0044.htm (Charles Spurgeon, from a sermon titled, REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE, preached at the New Park Street Chapel, Southwark, on Sept. 23, 1855)
Keep in mind that there are two Biblical meanings of the word repentance (as explained in detail below). Repentance (a change of mind) is necessary for salvation; but forsaking a sinful lifestyle (which is another meaning of repent) is not necessary to be saved. Spurgeon is condemning the latter, because it is not required for salvation. A changed life is the FRUIT of genuine repentance; and NOT a part of the ROOT of saving-faith...
Repentance as a Lifestyle is Not Taught in the Scriptures for Salvation
The heresy of Lordship Salvation defines “repentance” as a lifestyle; whereas the Word of God does not. Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary provides the following definition of repentance:
“re•pen•tance \ri-'pent-en(t)s\ n: the action or process of repenting especially for misdeeds or moral shortcomings; synonyms see PENITENCE”
SOURCE: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repentance
For many people nowadays, Webster’s definition represents the common understanding of repentance within religious circles. However, this is NOT the Biblical nor historical meaning of the word "repent." Prior to the modern meaning of the word, which for the most part is similar to Webster’s definition, the Classical Greek “metanoia” meant something quite different—changing one’s mind or heart about someone or something.
There are two New Testament Greek words which are translated "repentance" in modern English translations: metanoia (including its verbal counterpart metanoeo) and metamelomai. The first term is translated as "repentance" fifty-eight times in the New Testament, the latter only six times.
In the Greek Old Testament (aka, the Septuagint) metanoia and metanoeo occur twenty times in the canonical books and seven times in the apocryphal books and maintained the SAME meaning. In most cases metanoia in the translations held to the pre-Christian meaning of “a change of mind about someone or something.” During the early Christian period of Koine Greek (ca. 300 BC to 100 AD) metanoia continued to carry a sense of “a change of mind about someone or something.”
A changed lifestyle is the hopeful, but not guaranteed, fruit of genuine repentance; and NOT repentance itself. Paul Washer states...
(time: 21:40 in video)... The Bible never teaches that a person, can be a genuine Christian and live in continuous carnality and wickedness and sin all the days of their life... " (time:22:20 in video)"There is no such thing as a carnal Christian
SOURCE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuabITeO4l8
That is simply not true! Sadly, Washer falls short of 2nd Timothy 2:15. He simply does not study! If there's no such thing as a "carnal Christian," then why did the Apostle Paul say to the believers at Corinth... "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ" (1st Corinthians 3:1).
In sharp contrast to Paul Washer's claim, the Bible teaches that there is such a thing as a "carnal Christian." King David was a "man after God's own heart" (1st Samuel 13:14); yet he commit adultery with Bathsheba, impregnated her, and then murdered her husband to hide his sin (2nd Samuel 11). Noah got drunk (Genesis 9:21). Samson had sex with a prostitute (Judges 16:1). Jonah ran from God (Jonah 1:3). Peter cursed the name of Jesus and used profanity (Mark 14:71). One-third of the Bible was written by murderers: Moses, David and Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus). With the exception of Paul, Moses and David were already saved when they commit murder.
In Romans 12:1 we find the Apostle Paul pleading with the believers at Rome to "present their bodies a living sacrifice" in service to God. Clearly, those believers were saved but not surrendered to Christ's will for their lives. This proves Lordship Salvation is a lie.
Also, consider the unrepentant BELIEVER in 1st Corinthians 5:5 who had been living in fornication in the church... "To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." Even though Satan would destroy the man because of sinful living, Paul clearly stated that his spirit would be saved. This sinful man was obviously a believer, for only the saved will be blessed in eternity. 2nd Thessalonians 1:8 tells us that those who disobey the Gospel will be punished by a vengeful God in flaming fire.
Spurgeon simply meant that a person who attempts to justify any sins in their life cannot be saved, until they RENOUNCE all sins as being a violation of God's Holy Law... "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God" (Romans 3:19). Jesus said in John 3:20... "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."
The world doesn't want to renounce their sins, nor to be reproved for them. This is why there are many false gospel's today, which don't include the Law of God. For there to be salvation, one MUST realize his or her guilt of sin (and thus need for a Savior), being condemned under God's Holy Law, and then believe upon Jesus Christ to be forgiven of those sins and saved.
May I quote Pastor Charles Surgeon once again...
"You must not expect that you will be perfect in "repentance" before you are saved. No Christian can be perfect. "Repentance" is a grace. Some people preach it as a condition of salvation. Condition of nonsense! There are no conditions of salvation. God gives the salvation himself..."
— Charles Spurgeon
SOURCE: http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0044.htm (from a sermon preached at the New Park Street Chapel, Southwark, on September 23, 1855)
Clearly, Charles Haddon Spurgeon DIDN'T believe that forsaking one's sins, or
grieving, or feeling sorrow, or being willing to turn from them, was necessary
to be saved. Rather, Spurgeon believed that they were evidences of genuine
repentance. Spurgeon did in fact teach, as have other great men of God, that a
sinner ought to turn from his or her sins as evidence of genuine repentance; but
this is after-the-fact, and not a requirement for salvation itself. Spurgeon
plainly taught "there are no conditions of salvation," which is what the Bible
teaches. We are sinners and Jesus is the Savior!
MacArthur's Secondary Authority
John MacArthur deceitfully picks and chooses quotes by great men, twisting their words, in a malicious attempt to support his false teachings. This has been the deceitful, lying tactic incorporated by the entire Lordship Salvation crowd. However it shows the fatal flaw and weakness of their perverted theology. They cannot use the Bible, so as a secondary authority, "great men of the past" are being erected as straw-men to bolster their false gospel. They take excerpts carefully chosen from archived sermons, twisted them out of context, well suited with the error of Cain, to deceive the Church. So now we have Satan’s new gospel (actually the same old lie) for our modern day.
These men are motivated by the flesh, so it is not strange they will use the
sins of the flesh (lying) to exalt the flesh. Sadly, they believe that they are
spiritual! They do not fully understand true GRACE and Christ’s imputed
righteousness. How can a person truly be saved and follow the perverted gospel
of Lordship Salvation? There are really only 2 religions in the world; it is
salvation by human works or by God's Grace alone.
John MacArthur is a False Prophet
Heretic, Dr. John MacArthur, who denies the efficacy of Jesus' literal, physical
blood; denies once saved, always saved; teaches Lordship Salvation; and is a
hardcore Calvinist.Dr. John MacArthur teaches a bunch of garbage—quoting the
heresies of
Martin Luther and John Calvin, and has publicly referred to the
Westminster Confession as a "theological masterpiece" over the radio. It's
straight from Hell. We ought to follow the Scriptures (John 5:39); and not
flawed and imperfect men (Romans 3:4; Psalm 118:8). The Word of God stands true!
It bothers me that MacArthur twists Spurgeon's words out of context, attempting
to portray Spurgeon as believing in Lordship Salvation, i.e., the heresy that a
person cannot be saved unless they turn away, hate, grieve and intend to stop
living a sinful lifestyle.
Such a change is the FRUIT (result) of genuine repentance (which result usually requires time for a new believer to grow in truth and grace); and is not a part of saving faith (the ROOT of salvation). We are saved by God's grace through FAITH in Jesus Christ as our Savior (Ephesians 2:8,9). Salvation is receiving; not giving. We pay nothing! There are no conditions of salvation. The only requirement is that we come as sinners and trust upon Jesus' holy name, Who washes our sins away with His precious literal blood (1st Peter 1:18,19; 1st John 1:7; Hebrews 9:12; Revelation 1:5).
A professed Christian who still loves sin may, or may not, be saved; but we
cannot know with any certainty (1st Samuel 16:7). Only God truly knows who is
saved. The Bible is filled with accounts of Christians who horribly sinned. Noah
got drunk (Genesis 9:21). Samson has sex with a prostitute (Judges 16:1). David
killed Uriah to hide an adulterous affair with the man's wife, Bathsheba, which
impregnated her (2nd Samuel 11; 12:9). Jeremiah quit preaching God's Word
(Jeremiah 20:9). Isaiah had unclean lips (Isaiah 6:5). Jonah fled from God's
will (Jonah 1:10). Peter cursed the name of Jesus and denied knowing Him (Mark
14:71). These are just a handful of examples of believer's who struggled with
sin in their lives. If Lordship Salvation is true, then all these wayward saints
went to Hell. The truth is that Lordship Salvation is no salvation at all; but
rather, a religious trap and a road to Hellfire.
Charles Spurgeon on Repentance
Here is a lengthy quote by Charles Spurgeon concerning Biblical repentance...
You know there are degrees of faith, and yet the least faith saves; so there are degrees of repentance, and the least repentance will save the soul if it is sincere. The Bible says, "He that believeth shall be saved," and when it says that, it includes the very smallest degree of faith. So when it says, "Repent and be saved," it includes the man who has the lowest degree of real repentance. Repentance, moreover, is never perfect in any man in this mortal state. We never get perfect faith so as to be entirely free from doubting; and we never get repentance which is free from some hardness of heart. The most sincere penitent that you know will feel himself to be partially impenitent.
Repentance is also a continual life-long act. It will grow continually. I believe a Christian on his death-bed will more bitterly repent than ever he did before. It is a thing to be done all your life long. Sinning and repenting—sinning and repenting, make up a Christian's life. Repenting and believing in Jesus—repenting and believing in Jesus, make up the consummation of his happiness. You must not expect that you will be perfect in "repentance" before you are saved. No Christian can be perfect. "Repentance" is a grace. Some people preach it as a condition of salvation. Condition of nonsense! There are no conditions of salvation. [emphasis added]
SOURCE: http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0044.htm (from a sermon preached at the New Park Street Chapel, Southwark, on September 23, 1855)
Spurgeon plainly taught that he believed repentance "includes the man who has the lowest degree of real repentance." You'll never hear this quote from Ray Comfort, Paul Washer, John MacArthur, Jack Chick, or others today who are sinfully teaching Lordship Salvation. Biblically, repentance is a "change of mind." The changes that follow are the result of true repentance at work; and not repentance itself.
Also, notice that Spurgeon stated: "Repentance is also a continual life-long act." Spurgeon was not teaching that salvation is a process, because it's not. Spurgeon simply meant that once a person initially repents, thus acknowledging their guilty sinful condition and trusting the Lord by faith to be forgiven, those same elements of repentance and faith will work in the believer's mind and heart for the rest of their life. Salvation is more than being saved. When God saves us, the lifelong process of growing in the Lord begins.
Clearly, Spurgeon taught a Free Grace view of the Gospel; and not a false gospel that requires lost sinners to forsake personal life to be saved. Who can do that? Even the best of Christians still sin every day! Even our ignorance is part of our sin. Like it or not, Charles Spurgeon plainly taught the truth that "there are no conditions of salvation." Eternal life is a free gift (Romans 5:15; 6:23), freely received (Revelation 22:17), and without works (Romans 4:5; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:3,4; 2nd Corinthians 5:21). Salvation is without works of self-righteousness. Romans 4:5 plainly teaches that a man's faith is COUNTED for righteousness, i.e., the righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to one's heavenly record by faith.
Pastor Harry Ironside on Repentance
Lordship Salvation
Lordship Salvation Exposed
The Curse of Lordship Salvation
The Hypocrisy of Lordship Salvation
The Foolish Doctrine of Lordship Salvation
Scriptural Proof that Lordship Salvation is a Lie
Lordship Salvation Ignores Babes
in Christ and the Backslidden
Lordship Salvation-An Enemy of Soul Winning
The Core of the Lordship Salvation Issue
Dr. John R. Rice Refutes Lordship Salvation
Lordship Salvationists Agree With Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses & Creation Science Evangelism Agree
Catholics Teach the Exact Same Meaning of
"Born Again" as Lordship Salvationists!
Lordship Salvation Heresy
— Ecumenical Bridge to Catholicism
Are There 2 Gospels?
Who's The Biggest Sinner?
Do I Have to Give Up My Sins to be Saved?
Men Who Opposed Lordship Salvation
Opponents of Lordship Salvation
Repentance
What Is Biblical Repentance?
The Unbiblical REPENTANCE Heresy!
Repentance Is "A Change Of Mind"
Repentance: What Does the Bible Teach?
Dr. Curtis Hutson is 100% Correct on Repentance!
Stop Lying About Charles Spurgeon!
The Raging Battle Over "Repentance"
What Does "do works meet for repentance"
Mean in Acts 26:20?
A Dangerous Teaching in Fundamentalism
Has the Doctrine of "Repentance" Changed
in the Last 50 Years?
Biblically Refuting David Cloud's False Plan of Salvation
and Unjust Attack Against Soul Winners
Ye Must Be Born Again! | You Need HIS Righteousness!
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