Mister Richardson’s
Bible Doctrine Class

Chapter 21 - Conversion (Faith and Repentance)

A. True Saving Faith Includes Knowledge, Approval, and Personal Trust
  1. Knowledge alone is not enough - Rom 1:32; 10:14; James 2:19.
  2. Knowledge and approval are not enough - Acts 26:27.
  3. We must depend on Jesus to save us - Saving faith is trust in Jesus Christ as a living person for forgiveness of sins and eternal life with God. Belief and trust are the same thing. John 3:16; 6:37; 7:37.
B. Faith and Repentance Must Come Together
  1. Repentance is a heartfelt sorrow for sin, a renouncing of it, and a sincere commitment to forsake it and walk in obedience to Christ.
  2. Repentance requires knowledge of Scripture and self.
  3. Sorrow for sin does not necessarily constitute repentance.
  4. There is no true saving faith without true repentance - Isaiah 55:6,7; Acts 2:37,38; 3:19; 17:30; Romans 2:4.
C. Faith and Repentance Continue Throughout Life

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Describe the two components of conversion.
2. What three factors are necessary for true saving faith?
3. How does repentance differ from worldly grief or remorse?
4. Can a person have true saving faith without repentance?
5. Do faith and repentance occur only at the beginning of the Christian life? Explain.

TERMS
Belief, conversion, faith, repentance, saving faith, trust.

WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM
Q86: What is faith in Jesus Christ?
A86: Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.

Q87: What is repentance unto life?
A87: Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience.

QUOTES
When people are broken by sin, full of shame, feeling weak, conscious of failure, ashamed of themselves, and in need of counsel, they do not want to listen to preaching that expounds the truth of the discrete doctrines of their church’s confession of faith but fails to connect them with the marrow of gospel grace and the Father of infinite love for sinners. It is a gracious and loving Father they need to know.
- Sinclair Ferguson, The Whole Christ

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