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[Note: <\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1<\/strong> page.]<\/span><\/p>\n A leaflet making the rounds purports to instruct us on the way to have \u201can eternal relationship with God.\u201d The suggested four-point plan is as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n The four points were concluded with a suggested prayer:<\/span><\/p>\n I now believe that Christ died for me so God could forgive my sin. I have now received the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and with His strength I will turn from my sin.\u2014Amen.<\/span><\/p>\n Bible believers can applaud the zeal and sincerity of the leaflet\u2019s distributors. However, their suggested way to Heaven gives false hope in this life and will leave one sorely disappointed at The Judgment. Let us examine the leaflet\u2019s plan:<\/span><\/p>\n Here the leaflet comes up short, making no distinction between repent <\/em>and turn <\/em>and leaving the impression that forgiveness of sins is granted at the point of repentance.<\/span><\/p>\n Note the following: <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Repent <\/em>and turn <\/em>in Acts 3:19 are different words with different meanings (unless the instructions are merely to repent and repent or turn and turn. Repent <\/em>means to change one\u2019s mind. Turn <\/em>is a separate action meaning to change one\u2019s life.<\/span><\/p>\n This change must have a beginning point, which is the act of baptism (Rom. 6:4\u2014\u201cnewness of life\u201d). The same Peter who directed believers to \u201crepent and be baptized\u201d on Pentecost told them here to \u201crepent and turn.\u201d Did he preach different plans to different hearers? Absolutely not! Jesus has one plan of salvation for all, beginning in belief and concluding in (and not before) baptism (Mark 16:15\u201316).<\/span><\/p>\n [Note:<\/strong> I wrote this article for and it appeared in the Denton Record-Chronicle, <\/em>Denton, TX, April 16, 2010].<\/span><\/p>\n Attribution:<\/strong> From thescripturecache.com<\/em>; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Views: 0[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1 page.] A leaflet making the rounds purports to instruct us on the way to have \u201can eternal relationship with God.\u201d The suggested four-point plan is as follows: Admit Your Sin\u2014\u201cFor all…<\/p>\n\n
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