Baptist Confession of Faith (1689)

Chapter 15
REPENTANCE TO LIFE AND SALVATION

15.1 Some of the elect are converted in later years, having lived for some time in their natural state ¹ in which they have served various lusts and pleasures. Then God gives them repentance to life by effectually calling them.²

(1) Tit 3:2-5
(2) 2Ch 33:10-20; Act 9:1-19; 16:29-30

15.2 There is no one who does good and does not sin,¹ and the best of people may fall into great sins and provocations [against God] through the power and deceitfulness of their indwelling corruption and the strength of temptation.² Therefore God has mercifully provided in the covenant of grace that when believers sin and fall they shall be restored to salvation through repentance.³

(1) Psa 130:3; 143:2; Pro 20:9; Ecc 7:20
(2) 2Sa 11:1-27; Luk 22:54-62
(3) Jer 32:40; Luk 22:31-32; 1Jo 1:9

15.3 Saving repentance is a gospel grace ¹ by which we are made aware of the many evils of our sin by the Holy Spirit.² By faith in Christ ³ we humble ourselves over our sin with godly sorrow, hatred of it, and self-loathing. We pray for pardon and strength of grace,⁴ and determine and endeavour, by [the power] supplied by the Spirit, to walk before God and to please him in all things.⁵

(1) Act 5:31; 11:18; 2Ti 2:25
(2) Psa 51:1-6; 130:1-3; Luk 15:17-20; Act 2:37-38
(3) Psa 130:4; Mat 27:3-5; Mar 1:15
(4) Eze 16:60-63; 36:31-32; Zec 12:10; Mat 21:29; Act 15:19; 20:21; 26:20; 2Co 7:10-11; 1Th 1:9
(5) Pro 28:13; Eze 36:25; 18:30-31; Psa 119:59,104,128; Mat 3:8; Luk 3:8; Act 26:20; 1Th 1:9

15.4 Repentance is to continue through the whole course of our lives because of our ‘body of death’ and its activities.¹ So it is everyone’s duty to repent of particular known sins with particular care.²

(1) Eze 16:60; Mat 5:4; 1Jo 1:9
(2) Luk 19:8; 1Ti 1:13,15

15.5 In the covenant of grace God has made full provision through Christ for the preservation of believers in their salvation, so, although even the smallest sin deserves damnation,¹ yet there is no sin great enough to bring damnation on those who repent. This makes the constant preaching of repentance essential.²

(1) Psa 130:3; 143:2; Rom 6:23
(2) Isa 1:16-18; 55:7; Act 2:36-38

Chapter 1: The Holy Scriptures
Chapter 2: God and the Holy Trinity
Chapter 3: God’s Decree
Chapter 4: Creation
Chapter 5: Divine Providence
Chapter 6: The Fall, Sin and its Punishment
Chapter 7: God’s Covenant
Chapter 8: Christ the Mediator
Chapter 9: Free Will
Chapter 10: Effectual Calling
Chapter 11: Justification
Chapter 12: Adoption
Chapter 13: Sanctification
Chapter 14: Saving Faith
Chapter 15: Repentance to Life and Salvation
Chapter 16: Good Works
Chapter 17: The Perseverance of Believers
Chapter 18: The Assurance of Grace and Salvation
Chapter 19: The Law of God
Chapter 20: The Gospel and its Gracious Extent
Chapter 21: Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience
Chapter 22: Worship and the Lord’s Day
Chapter 23: Lawful Oaths and Vows
Chapter 24: Civil Government
Chapter 25: Marriage
Chapter 26: The Church
Chapter 27: The Fellowship of Believers
Chapter 28: The Ordinances
Chapter 29: Baptism
Chapter 30: The Lord’s Supper
Chapter 31: The State of People after Death and the Resurrection of the Dead
Chapter 32: The Last Judgment
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