(Tenet No. 2)
1. On what ground is God’s salvation offered to man?
Only upon the ground of true repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; our Saviour. (Acts 3:19, John 3:16)
2. Does fear of punishment or loss through wrong doing constitute the true repentance?
No. But such fear is a true element in such repentance. (2nd Pet. 3:9, Acts 8:22-24)
3. What, then, would constitute true repentance?
Repentance is a change of mind concerning God, self and sin; leading to a change of direction. (Luke 15:17-20, Matt. 21:29)
4. What do we call the condition leading to true repentance?
It is called “Conviction of sin” (Acts 2:37, 38)
5. What then is conviction of sin?
A condition of heart in which, with fear and sorrow, we realize we have offended God. (Acts 2:37)
6. Does such conviction create peace?
No. But a sense of God’s righteous anger, and of punishment justly due. (Luke 18:13)
7. How is conviction of sin brought about?
By the working of the Holy Spirit in our hearts through the Word of God. (John 16:8)
8. Can man by his own efforts bring about his own salvation?
No. Being utterly depraved, he cannot of himself desire and seek after God. (Rom. 3:10, 12:7,18)
9. What follows when the convicted repent and turn to God?
God creates saving faith in their hearts by hearing of the Gospel. (Rom. 10:17, Eph. 2:8)
10. On what, then must man depend to be brought to a knowledge of salvation?
The Spirit of God, the Word of God, and the grace of God, by which alone man can be led to seek and find salvation. (John 16:8, Rom. 10:17, Eph. 2:5,8)
11. What do the Scriptures call the act of bringing a sinner into fellowship with God?
”The New Birth” Jesus said, “Ye must be born again”. (John 3:7,8, 1st Pet. 1:23)
