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FAQ # 45
QUESTION 45
: Are repentance and baptisms works
of righteousness?
As
we have learnt, we are saved or regenerated by grace (Eph 2:8). In fact,
Titus 3:5 says, “not by work of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us.”
In
other words, we cannot do anything that is considered “works” or “works
of righteousness” to qualify for salvation and/or heaven.
Then
a curious mind would ask, “aren’t repentance and baptisms works?” No.
And strictly speaking, work of righteousness is doing righteous deeds.
Let’s
look at Cornelius of Acts 10. The bible records that he was:
“A
devout man, one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms
to the people, and prayed to God always.”
One
can’t get much better than that, being unregenerated. This man was a real
‘good guy.’ He didn’t just pray sometimes and pick up back every other
day or week; he prayed always. He didn’t just give to the masses, but
he gave “much alms,” a lot. Comparing to our times, he would be the modern
day Mother Teresa or Franklin Graham, as it pertains only to philanthropy
and a show of righteousness.
Even
Peter in verse 35 of Acts 10 described this man as a man who “worketh righteousness.”
In
any case, he wasn’t saved or born-again; nor could his righteousness save
him. So God told Peter in a vision to visit him and his household with
the gospel of Jesus Christ. Peter obeyed and preached Jesus to him.
“While
Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard
the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished,
as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured
out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues
and magnify God. Then Peter said, Can any man forbid water that these
should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as
we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.”
From this classic experience we can see that being born-again (regeneration), which includes repentance, water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Ghost are not considered by God to be works of righteousness. In Titus 3:5 we are taught, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost.” This scripture tells us that regeneration, which is being born again, is not a work of righteousness –EndTime.
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