Repentance is the Gift Of God !

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
I read how God dealt with Pharaoh to understand the meaning. But I do believe it is connected to the depravity of mind.
This is a good place to start, How did God do this?
I think we need to go deeper than this.
Do you know what the word means?

And I do not think it goes with depravity of the mind, I think it goes with what we believe.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
Harden - ʾǎḥǎz·zēqʹ be, grow or make strong; prevail, have or show courage; seize, grasp, keep hold of

how does this fit with pharaoh? what did God do to Grow, make strong, show courage of keep hold of in pharaoh?
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,845
4,497
113
Harden - ʾǎḥǎz·zēqʹ be, grow or make strong; prevail, have or show courage; seize, grasp, keep hold of

how does this fit with pharaoh? what did God do to Grow, make strong, show courage of keep hold of in pharaoh?
I believe it to be defined differently.

2388. chazaq
grow stout, rigid, hard, with idea of perversity, of Pharaoh's heart Exodus 7:13,22; Exodus 8:15 (all P), Exodus 9:35 (R); compare חזקו עָלַי דבריכם Malachi 3:13.
 
Dec 30, 2020
868
228
43
how does God harden people? I think this is a more important question. also. what does the word actually mean. I think many are confused with this
I would assume that God restricts the cold hearts of some unsaved people ( like pharaoh). The heart is hardened when these restrictions are lifted and their hearts are allowed to pursue their evil intent and run wildly.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
I believe it to be defined differently.

2388. chazaq
grow stout, rigid, hard, with idea of perversity, of Pharaoh's heart Exodus 7:13,22; Exodus 8:15 (all P), Exodus 9:35 (R); compare חזקו עָלַי דבריכם Malachi 3:13.
chazaq (חָזַק, 2388), “to be strong, strengthen, harden, take hold of” This verb is found 290 times in the Old Testament. The root also exists in Aramaic and Arabic.
not sure where you got your info.

in scripture God hardens, or strengthens ones heart by putting truth in front of them so as he says seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not hear.

God started small, where it was easy for pharaoh to reject, he kept upping the anti with each successive thing up till the point pharaoh would not see no matter what proof he needed, even the death of his firstborn.
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,845
4,497
113
chazaq (חָזַק, 2388), “to be strong, strengthen, harden, take hold of” This verb is found 290 times in the Old Testament. The root also exists in Aramaic and Arabic.
not sure where you got your info.

in scripture God hardens, or strengthens ones heart by putting truth in front of them so as he says seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not hear.

God started small, where it was easy for pharaoh to reject, he kept upping the anti with each successive thing up till the point pharaoh would not see no matter what proof he needed, even the death of his firstborn.
My info came from Biblehub.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
My info came from Biblehub.
Mine cam from Logos bible systems. Using CHALOT and other hebrew-english lexicons. Not saying biblehub is a bad source, But in this case, It does not match up with true proven hebrew resources. or at the very least, Is not completely accurate.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
I would assume that God restricts the cold hearts of some unsaved people ( like pharaoh). The heart is hardened when these restrictions are lifted and their hearts are allowed to pursue their evil intent and run wildly.
I do not think God overrules a persons free will

I think if a person wants to believe 2 + 2 = 5, And you try to show this person over and over that 2 + 2 equals 5, that Your heart will become more strengthened every time you refuse to see the truth, so that eventually. You will never believe 2 + 2 = 4 no matter what any one does.

IE, God takes what you believe, which is not true He exposes you to truth, but in your unwillingness to see the truth, You are hardened or strengthened each time you refuse to see, until eventually you will never see.

We see this in the world today.
 
Dec 30, 2020
868
228
43
You presented the usual platform that those who conform to Calvinism use

That is all you did. People can and do use scripture and then somehow think God is behind it when what they did was go looking for verses taken out of context and then try to make them say something different. That is what you did.

What makes you think other people here are not Christians but do not believe what you present?

You have some things to learn
My first sentence was to let you know that what I believe is what the Bible says. I quoted word for word what my King James version scriptures stated. The main theme of all the scriptures I quoted was that God, who is sovereign, makes choices and elects people according to His will and purpose. Some of the scriptures I stated referred to the nation of Israel, some to the apostles, and most to those that are in Christ. You have obviously shut the door because it seems to me that you are prideful, intolerant, and think that you have the key to understanding the word of God. I'll pray for both of us that God will enlighten both of us to His truth.
 
S

SophieT

Guest
My first sentence was to let you know that what I believe is what the Bible says. I quoted word for word what my King James version scriptures stated. The main theme of all the scriptures I quoted was that God, who is sovereign, makes choices and elects people according to His will and purpose. Some of the scriptures I stated referred to the nation of Israel, some to the apostles, and most to those that are in Christ. You have obviously shut the door because it seems to me that you are prideful, intolerant, and think that you have the key to understanding the word of God. I'll pray for both of us that God will enlighten both of us to His truth.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7

People like you are a dime a dozen and always seek to find fault with others rather than examine themselves. Putting you on ignore.
 
Dec 30, 2020
868
228
43
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7

People like you are a dime a dozen and always seek to find fault with others rather than examine themselves. Putting you on ignore.
You should take your own advice. All those references refer to you.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,885
5,630
113
I'm going to share a few scriptures on repentance. Acts 5:31

31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Acts 11:18

18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Acts 20:21

21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

The greek word for repentance in these verses is metanoia and means:

change of mind, repentance

Usage: repentance, a change of mind, change in the inner man.

Notice also in Acts 5 and Acts 11 the God is said to give or grant this repentance. This repentance towards God is something man doesn't have naturally, it must be furnished by God. Its Gods Gift to His Chosen People. 1
yes it comes through believing the gospel he preached that changes the mind
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,885
5,630
113
I dont agree with that.
why not ?

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:32‬ ‭

“In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:25-26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

believing the gospel promises this

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭

because believing the truth is what brings us to repentance

“give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;”

“Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”
‭‭John‬ ‭18:37‬ ‭

to believe his word changes our mind that’s why believing the gospel is salvation because it brings repentance in the mind when we believe the truth and let it correct the deception
 

brightfame52

Well-known member
Nov 21, 2020
6,270
550
113
why not ?

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:32‬ ‭

“In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:25-26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

believing the gospel promises this

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭

because believing the truth is what brings us to repentance

“give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;”

“Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”
‭‭John‬ ‭18:37‬ ‭

to believe his word changes our mind that’s why believing the gospel is salvation because it brings repentance in the mind when we believe the truth and let it correct the deception
Why not ?Read my OP and other posts, I explain why not.
 

brightfame52

Well-known member
Nov 21, 2020
6,270
550
113
As it is with Gospel Faith, so it is with Gospel Repentance, its not of man, but the Gift of the Saviour. Jesus told His sent Messengers that Repentance and Remission of sins are to be preached in His Name Lk 24:46-47

46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

That they should be preached in His Name means they are products , effects of His Person and Work, His suffering and death and resurrection.

He was raised from the dead a Prince and a Saviour in order to give repentance and remission of sins Acts 5:31

31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

The word give[ didómi ] here means to bestow as a Gift

Its a word that denotes causative results, it means to bring forth, for instance how the word is used here Matt 13:8

8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

James 5:18

And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

So Christ as a Risen Saviour brings about and effects repentance upon them Hes a Saviour unto, those He suffered and died for, mainly the Elect of God amongst all Nations !

Christ isnt ones Saviour if He doesnt give them Repentance ! 1c
 
Mar 23, 2016
7,021
1,673
113
how does God harden people? I think this is a more important question. also. what does the word actually mean. I think many are confused with this
I think Romans 1:18-32 gives a pretty succinct answer.

It takes awhile of continuously suppressing the truth in unrighteousness (Rom 1:18) to get from when they knew God to their foolish heart was darkened (Rom 1:21) then to God giving them over to uncleanness (Rom 1:24) then further to God giving them up to vile affections (Rom 1:26) then further to God giving them over to a reprobate mind (Rom 1:28).

When God tells us in Ez 33 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live, I believe Him.


God continuously reaches out to us over the course of our lifetime. And He uses the foolishness of preaching to do so.



 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
I think Romans 1:18-32 gives a pretty succinct answer.

It takes awhile of continuously suppressing the truth in unrighteousness (Rom 1:18) to get from when they knew God to their foolish heart was darkened (Rom 1:21) then to God giving them over to uncleanness (Rom 1:24) then further to God giving them up to vile affections (Rom 1:26) then further to God giving them over to a reprobate mind (Rom 1:28).

When God tells us in Ez 33 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live, I believe Him.

God continuously reaches out to us over the course of our lifetime. And He uses the foolishness of preaching to do so.
Amen. And the me are exposed and and deny truth the more hardened we become
 
Mar 23, 2016
7,021
1,673
113
He was raised from the dead a Prince and a Saviour in order to give repentance and remission of sins Acts 5:31

31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

The word give[ didómi ] here means to bestow as a Gift

Its a word that denotes causative results, it means to bring forth, for instance how the word is used here Matt 13:8

8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon concerning Acts 5:31:

6. δίδωμι is joined with nouns denoting an act or an effect; and a. the act or effect of him who gives, in such a sense that what he is said διδόναι (either absolutely or with the dative of person) he is conceived of as effecting, or as becoming its author.
...
or b. the noun denotes something to be done by him to whom it is said to be given: διδόναι τίνι μετάνοιαν, to cause him to repent, Acts 5:31; Acts 11:18; γνῶσινσωτηρίας,Luke 1:77; ἐλπίδα τίνι, 2 Thessalonians 2:16.



In Acts 5:31, the word [ didómi ] is a verb, active voice.

There are three voices in Greek: active, passive and middle. The voice shows the direction of the action.
Active voice indicates that the subject carries out the action. It originates from the subject.