WCF 15.3

15.3. Of Repentance unto Life

Although repentance be not to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof, which is the act of God’s free grace in Christ; yet is it of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it.

Proof texts

• Ezek. 36:31, 32 — [31] Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations. [32] It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord GOD; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel.
• Ezek. 16:61, 62, 63 — [61] Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you take your sisters, both your elder and your younger, and I give them to you as daughters, but not on account of the covenant with you. [62] I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the LORD, [63] that you may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth again because of your shame, when I atone for you for all that you have done, declares the Lord GOD.”
• Hosea 14:2, 4 — [2] Take with you words and return to the LORD; say to him, “Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows of our lips. [4] I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.
• Rom. 3:24 — [24] and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
• Eph. 1:7 — [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
• Luke 13:3, 5 — [3] No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. [5] No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
• Acts 17:30, 31 — [30] The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, [31] because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Ezek. 36:31, 32 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 7 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q87 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WLC Q76 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q87 · WLC Q76 · WSC Q85 · WSC Q86 · BC 6.3 · BC 6.4 · BC 6.5 · HC Q86 · 1689 15.1 · 1689 15.2 · 1689 15.3 · 1689 15.4 · 1689 15.5 · SD 15.1 · SD 15.2 · SD 15.3 · SD 15.4 · SD 15.5 · IAR 5.6 · SC60 5.1 · SC60 5.2 · SC60 5.3 · SC60 5.4 · SHC 5.1 · SHC 5.2 · SHC 5.3