Practical Theology: Message of Christ Assignment
De’Borah J. Fontenot
THEO 530: Systematic Theology II
April 2024
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Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1
Conversion .................................................................................................................................... 2
Repentance .................................................................................................................................... 4
Faith ............................................................................................................................................... 5
Regeneration.................................................................................................................................. 6
Assurance/Security of Salvation ................................................................................................... 7
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 7
Bibliography .................................................................................................................................. 9
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Introduction
Hello everyone, I hope you are enjoying summer youth camp; making new friends and
learning more about the Lord! Before we get started with the message, I want to share my
husband’s testimony of how he got saved forty-five years ago, at a summer youth camp much
like we are at today. He was fourteen years old (the same age as many of you). It was a
Wednesday night and one of the pastors from another state came to bring the message. This
pastor was known to be a very loud and boisterous type of preacher. During his sermon, he
masterfully painted a picture of what hell would be like and warned that without Christ, this was
the destiny for all the unsaved youth. So that night (primarily out of fear) my husband ran to the
altar with tears in his eyes crying out to the Lord because he didn’t want to go to hell. He didn't
want to experience the picture that the pastor had painted. The pastor never taught from the
Scripture in regards to salvation. He only used “scare tactics.” Although my husband received
Christ into his life, he lived many years in ignorance and fear before learning the significance of
salvation along with the truth of God’s love for him and all of mankind. John 3:16 tells us, “For
God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Looking back at his experience, my husband (who
is now a pastor) knows the importance of teaching the Word of God in a manner that does not
water it down; yet at the same time, does not provoke ungodly fear.
Today with God’s help (and using his Holy Word!) I will share with you what happens
when you give your life to Jesus. I will also share about the security of salvation in Christ. I
believe the Holy Spirit will assist you in understanding biblical truth as I teach. Later, at the end
of my sermon, I will give you an opportunity to receive Jesus Christ into your life as your Lord
and Savior; I promise not to use any scare tactics. I pray that as I teach, you will allow God to
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reveal to you just how much he loves you! John 15:13 declares, “Greater love hath no man than
this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (KJV).” And 1 John 4:9 goes on to proclaim, “In
this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into
the world, that we might live through him.”
Conversion
As I begin my teaching on what happens when you give your life to Jesus, I want to start
by explaining what “conversion” actually means. By its very nature and definition, the Christian
life represents something truly different from the manner in which we used to live. We are no
longer dead in sins and trespasses; it is a completely new life. The new life in Christ is eternal,
though it does have a finite point of beginning. Conversion is the first step of the Christian life. It
is when someone turns from their sin in repentance and turns to Christ in faith. In both the Old
and New Testament of the Bible, the image of turning from sin can be found.
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In Ezekiel 33:7-11
the prophet warns the wicked to turn from their sinful ways. In the New Testament book of
Ephesians, although the apostle Paul uses different imagery, the basic concern is the same.
Please turn with me to Ephesians 5:14 which states, “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that
sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” While we are in the New
Testament, let us now turn to the book of Acts where we find Peter advocating for a change in
direction of life. In Acts 3:19 Peter proclaims, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your
sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”
In the Scripture verses we have just read, the command is in the active: Convert!
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1
Erickson, Christian Theology, 864.
2
Ibid., 865.
3
Repentance and faith are the two distinguishable (yet inseparable) aspects of conversion;
although conversion is a single entity. When an unbeliever turns away from their sin, this is
called repentance. Faith is when he or she turns toward Christ. We can say that each is motivated
by the other. Also, each is incomplete without the other. Respectively, they are the negative and
positive aspect of the same occurrence. When an unbeliever becomes aware of sin (and turns
away from it) he or she will see the necessity of turning to Christ for the provision of his
righteousness. Conversely, believing in Jesus Christ makes one aware of their sin and therefore
leads to repentance.
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We will talk more on repentance and faith a little later.
The Bible does not give any specifications concerning the amount of time it takes for one
to experience conversion. In some instances, conversion appears to have virtually taken place in
a moment’s time. This is probably the case with the vast majority of those who were converted at
Pentecost (which was most likely the first time that they had actually heard the gospel).
However, for some, conversion was more of a process. Many of you have heard of Nicodemus
who came to Jesus in the night in John 3:2. Later in John 19:39 we can clearly see that he is a
true follower of Christ. He probably is one who came to commitment to Jesus through a process.
I also want to make note that the emotional accompaniments of conversion can greatly vary. For
example, in Acts 9:4-7 we see that Saul’s decision came under very dramatic circumstances. Not
only did he hear a voice from heaven, but verses 9, 17-18 also tell us that he became blind for
three days. Please turn with me to Acts 16:14, here we read in regards to Lydia, “And a certain
woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us:
whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.”
Lydia’s turning to Jesus by contrast, appears to have been quite simple and very calm in nature.
3
Ibid.
4
Although the conversion experience of each individual is unique, the end result is the same. We
need to remember that there is a variety of ways in which God works. The incidentals or external
factors of conversion are not identical for everyone.
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Repentance
Now I want to talk a bit more about repentance and how the Bible defines it. The
abandonment or repudiation of sin is the negative aspect of conversion. This is what is meant by
repentance. Repentance is based on a feeling of godly sorrow for our sin. 2 Corinthians 7:10
states, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of…” We need to
stay mindful of the fact that repentance and faith cannot really be separated from each other.
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There are two major New Testament terms for repentance. One means “to have a feeling
of care, concern, or regret.” The emotional aspect of repentance (feelings of regret or remorse)
for having done wrong. This type of repentance can be seen in the parable of the two sons in
Matthew 21:28-31. The other major term for repentance means “to think differently about
something or to have a change of mind.” This term was characteristic of John the Baptist’s
preaching. Matthew 3:2 declares, “… Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Additionally, it was a key term in the early church. In Acts 2:38, Peter urged the multitude on
Pentecost to “… Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” From a reading of these two
texts, it is evident that repentance is a prerequisite for salvation. I pray that you can clearly see
that repentance is an essential part of the Christian gospel.
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The entirety of John the Baptist’s
4
Ibid., 865-866.
5
Ibid., 866.
6
Ibid., 865.
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message was primarily on repentance. Even in the preaching of Jesus Christ, repentance also had
a prominent place. In the opening note of Jesus’s ministry, in Matthew 4:17, he declares, “…
Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
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True biblical repentance is godly sorrow for one’s sin, coupled with a heartfelt resolution
to turn away from it. A person can have other forms of regret over their wrongdoing that are
based on different motivations. If you sin and are caught (and the consequences are unpleasant)
you might regret what you have done. However, that “regret” is not true repentance; it is mere
penitence. True biblical repentance is being sorrowful for your sin because of the wrong done to
the Lord and the hurt inflicted upon him. Regardless of sin’s personal consequence, there is
regret over the sin. Godly sorrow is accompanied by a genuine desire to abandon sin in one’s
life.
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Faith
Now that we have covered the negative aspect of conversion, we can now talk about the
positive aspect. At the very heart of the gospel is faith. It is the vehicle in which we are enabled
to receive God’s grace. Faith is laying hold of the promises and the work of Christ. Faith means,
“to consider as established, regard as true, or believe.” Basically it conveys the idea of confident
resting upon someone or something.
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The Bible contains many examples that establishes that
faith involves believing that something is true. There are also instances in the Scripture in which
faith signifies “personal trust as distinct from mere credence or belief.”
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In John 1:12 the apostle
7
Ibid., 867-868.
8
Ibid., 868.
9
Ibid., 869.
10
Ibid., 869-870.
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speaks of believing in the name of Jesus (also in John 3:18). When we believe in the name of
Jesus we place our personal trust in him. In light of what we have covered, we can conclude that
the faith required for salvation involves both “believing that” and “believing in” (or assenting to
the facts trusting in a person).
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Regeneration
Now let’s discuss regeneration. Regeneration is completely God’s doing; it is the other
side of conversion. Conversion refers to the “human being’s response to God’s offer of salvation
and approach to the human.” In regeneration, God gives a new spiritual vitality (and direction) to
the lives of Believers when they accept Christ. We are all in need of transformation because we
are all born spiritually dead; thus the need of new birth or spiritual birth. Throughout the Old and
New Testament, there are vivid and varied descriptions of the new birth.
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The new birth deals with matters that are not perceived by the senses; thus it cannot be
studied in the same manner as most subjects are studied. Several assertions can be made about
regeneration despite the issues in understanding the concept.
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The effects of sin are counteracted
in the new birth. The new birth is instantaneous; it is complete though it is not an end in itself. It
is the beginning of a process of lifelong growth. In addition, new birth is a spiritual occurrence
(it cannot be accomplished by human effort). In John 3:6 Jesus clearly states, “That which is
born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Salvation was planned by
11
Ibid., 870.
12
Ibid., 872.
13
Ibid., 873.
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the Father and accomplished by his Son. It is the Holy Spirit who applies salvation to the life of
the Believer; thus fulfilling the divine intention for mankind.
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Assurance/Security of Salvation
Once you have given your life to Christ, you can be confident in the assurance and
security of your salvation. Assurance of salvation refers to your personal knowledge of the truth
that you have been rescued from your sins. 1 John 5:11 states, “And this is the record, that God
has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” This is past tense, you have it already.
Knowing that you are in a relationship with Christ is primarily based upon your beliefs. It is a
truth based on who God is and what he has done for you personally. The primary means of
assurance of salvation is your faith. When we accept the Lord Jesus into our heart, we are not
saved (nor kept secure) by our own works. Romans 8:1 declares, “There is therefore now no
condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…” Once you have been adopted into the family
of God, you cannot be disowned.
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As God’s children we can rest assured in Romans 8:38-39,
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor
things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Conclusion
As I conclude my message, I hope that I have taken some of the mystery out of what
happens when you get saved. Making the decision to follow Christ and allow him to be Lord and
Savior of your life is the most important decision you will ever make. And because it is so
14
Ibid., 874-875.
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“Assurance, Evidence and Security of Salvation.”
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important, it does not need to be made out of fear of going to hell; but rather out of knowledge of
how much God loves you and has provided a way for you to spend eternity in his presence. It is
my prayer that the truth that you have gained through the teaching today will assist you in
making a decision for Christ. We are all born into sin and death. Christ is our Redeemer;
salvation and redemption is only through him. The Word of the Lord states in Romans 10:9,
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that
God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” If this is truly your confession today,
our altars are open to pray with you and receive you as a new member of the body of Christ –
please come!
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Bibliography
Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013.
Moody, Christopher. “Assurance, Evidence and Security of Salvation” Class Video in THEO
530 at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, Spring 2024.
