Without the Bible, we probably would not have guessed that simply relying on Jesus makes us recipients of the benefits earned at the cross:
“God puts people right through their faith in Jesus Christ … God does this to all who believe in Christ.” Romans 3:22
“For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s
gift, so no one can boast.” Eph 2:8-9
Faith is shown in these ways:
“If you confess that Jesus is Lord, and believe that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Rom 10:9 (“confess” here means “say the same;” that is, say the same as God says.)
“If we confess our sins to God, He will … forgive our sins.” 1 John 1:9
Response can also be called “effect,” because God brings about certain effects, such as:
Realizing our need “When He (the Holy Spirit) comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regards to sin.” John 16:8
Realizing and accepting Jesus: “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ but by the Holy Spirit.” 1 Cor 12:3
On this website, the responses of faith and repentance are called “invitation” to stress three things:
1. The listener might not respond at this moment, but we should tell him what the response is.
2. These responses are not created by the listener, but created in him by the work of the Spirit.
3. Faith and repentance are part of the good news of the gospel, and should not be made to sound like law.
Explaining Faith, Repentance, and Baptism
Go on to next page, “results (benefits)”
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