The Fundamentals - 1910: Vol.12

Doctrines to Be Emphasized in Evangelism 21 Sixth, Repentance. Repentance means a change of mind; and this change of mind is brought about by the Holy Spirit, through the knowledge of the sinner’s condition, needs and peril, by which the sinner is convicted “of sin, and of right­ eousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8), and is induced to yield himself wholly, immediately and irrevocably to God. (See Matt. 9 :13 ; Mark 6 r l2 ; Luke 13:2-5; 24:47; Acts 2 :38 ; 3 :19 ; 17:30; 26:20; Rom. 2 :4 ; 2 Cor. 7 :9 , 10; 2 Tim. 2 :25 ; 2 Peter 3 :9 .) Seventh, Conversion. Conversion means to turn about or upon. When the unsaved sinner is convinced of sin and re­ solves to turn from his transgressions and commit his ways unto the Lord, he has repented; and when he acts upon that resolve, and yields himself to God in absolute self-surrender, he is converted. (See Psa. 19:7; 51:13; Matt. 18:3; Acts 3 :19 ; James 5:19, 20.) Eighth, Faith. Until the sinner changes his mind with re­ gard to his relation to God, and resolves with all his heart to do it, his faith is a vain thing, he is yet in his sins; but, when he sincerely repents and turns to God, and believes the record God has given of His Son, his faith is of the heart and unto righteousness. (Rom. 10:9, 10. See also Heb. 11:6; Rom. 10:17; Gal. 5 :22 ; Eph. 2 :8 ; Gal. 3:6-12; 2:16-20; Rom. 4:13-16; 3:21-28; Acts 16:30, 31; John 6:47.) Ninth, Obedience. Faith is a vital principle. “If it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17, 18). Two things are required of the believer, immediately upon his pro­ fession of faith in Jesus as Saviour and Lord, namely, verbal confession and water baptism. “With the heart man be- lieveth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:10. See also Psa. 107:2; Matt. 10:32, 33; Rom. 10:9; 1 John 4:15, etc.) “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). The believer is not saved because he is baptized; but, baptized be-

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