Dear XXXXX:

The role of Repentance in Salvation
Yes, I completely agree that repentance is essential for a person to be saved. But to me salvation
consists of at least these five steps:
— knowing that I am a hopeless sinner, and totally separated from God;
— knowing that I cannot remove sin on my own (through my good works or good
intentions), or through the help of other sinners;
— recognizing Jesus is the only One who can forgive my sins;
— willing to accept Christ as my Lord and Savior,
— willing to turn from my former ways to live a new life by the power of the Holy Spirit.

On the surface the fifth step could be called repentance, where the person experiences a change
of heart, and a change of behavior. But I contend that the first 4 steps are needed in order to bring
about true repentance. Some people have difficulties with the first step, so they stopped there. It
is human nature to refuse to admit that we are sinners. It is the Holy Spirit, who “will reprove the
world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). The Holy Spirit convicts the
sinner and leads the sinner through these 5 steps in order to attain true repentance and salvation.

Is Repentance the Main Message in Jesus’ Encounter with Nicodemus?
Jesus did not tell Nicodemus directly that he is a hopeless sinner, therefore he has no hope of
entering into the Kingdom of God. Jesus did tell him there is nothing he can do on his own to be
saved, just like an infant cannot cause himself to be born. Jesus did tell him He will be lifted up
in order to save sinners. Jesus did not ask him to accept Him to be his Lord and Savior (at least it
does not say in the passage). Jesus hinted that God will “sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye
shall be clean from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you”, assuming the
“water” He mentioned refers to Ezekiel 36:25-27.

Overall, Jesus did not specifically tell Nicodemus that he is a sinner and needs to repent (like he
does with the woman at the well, or the adulterous woman in John 8), Jesus focused on the main
obstacle Nicodemus faces: his reliance on works (which you correctly point out in Appendix 1
that it refers to “observance of the (Mosaic) Law).

When the young man kneels before Jesus and asks “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal
life?”. Jesus did not tell him “repent from your sins”. Jesus first wants him to know who He is,
and then Jesus wants him to face the fact that he has violated the commandment by his idol
worshipping. Did Jesus dismiss repentance?

When the jailer asked Peter “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30), Peter did not tell him
“repent from your sins”. Peter simply told him “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt
be saved, and thy house”. Did Peter dismiss repentance?

One interesting side-note: the word “repent” or “repentance” does not appear even once in the
Book of John, or any of his epistles. In John 20:30 he wrote: “But these are written, that ye might
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his
name.” Did John dismiss repentance?
Can Salvation be achieved without Human Input (Human Efforts)?
I read your explanations about the role of human efforts in Appendix 1 carefully. I recall the
great debates between Arminianism and Calvinism over hundreds of years, and one of the key
points of contention is whether man has a role in choosing to be saved, or, whether salvation is
completely God’s work without any human effort. You seem to be on the side of Arminianism
when you write that even when the gift is free one still has to “go and receive it”. By implication,
you are agreeing with Arminianism that salvation is accomplished through the combined efforts
of God (who takes the initiative) and man (who must respond). Also, by extension, you think that
man can choose to reject salvation by exercising his free will.
I must say I do have some difficulties accepting that man must cooperate in order for salvation to
be accomplished on that person. It flies in the face of these scriptures:
 …Salvation is of the Lord. (Jonah 2:9)
 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the
purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will (Eph 1:11)
 And all things are of God… (II Cor 5:18)
 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God
（Eph2：8）
The last passage from Eph 2:8 seems to say both grace and faith (our faith in Christ) is God’s
gift, so when we believe in Christ it is actually the Spirit’s work in us. For sure man has to
respond to God’s grace and calling (you certainly cannot “lie in bed without opening your
mouth” if one is to have food in his stomach). But is it possible that the fact we can respond to
God’s grace and be saved is because the Holy Spirit’s work in us?
Another way to look at God’s role and our role in salvation is to be remind that spiritually we are
dead before we are saved. A dead person cannot hear God’s calls, and has no ability to respond
or cooperate. The Holy Spirit has to resurrect my spirit before I can even hear God’s words, let
alone responding to them. So is it the work of God, or my own works?

Below is this brother’s original letter to me:

Sau Wing, thank you for your response. You are only the third person to give me
feedback on my writings. You have made me glad and grateful. Noticing that you have
put in care and time into preparing your feedback makes me doubly thankful. You are a
busy man with many cares. So let us skip minor differences and go straight to the point.

Are you Serious you want to Dismiss Repentance?
Can you do me a favor? Can you do something and then answer me this one question:
Is Repentance a non-issue, a small issue, a side issue or a secondary issue?
Or is Repentance front and center in Salvation?
The thing I want to ask you to do before answering that question is this. You have a
concordance; can you look up the passages in the NT which mention “repentance” [22
instances] or the word “repent” [26 instances]. It would take you only a short while.
When Nicodemus visited Jesus, Jesus’ public preaching was summarized in the words
“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Matt.4:17). Jesus once said that He
“came to call sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). And one of His parting commands was
“Repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations”
(Luke 24:47), where repentance is used as the frontispiece of the Gospel.

Can Salvation be achieved without Human Input?
I addressed this historical issue in detail in Appendix 1. It is rather technical; that is why
I would like to ask you a favor in reading through it.
In Acts 20:21, Paul said he had been “solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of
repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ”. Repentance and faith are in
the same category, both human efforts. When you gave credit to Nicodemus for
overcoming difficulties to visit Jesus, you were giving credit to his “human effort”.
You must be familiar with the parables of the Hidden Treasure (Matt.13:44) and the Pearl
of Great Price (Matt.13:46). The operative words in both are “he sold all he had and
bought it”, certainly a very rigorous “human effort”. I believe that is precisely what you
have done personally.

These Issues are Critical
On issues like these, we do not enjoy an option of choosing our own opinion, as some
people may imagine we have. You are a widely recognized teacher. Once you accept
your role as a teacher, your opinions are no longer just yours to have and yours to choose.
Any opinion you teach is now, before the Lord, a test of personal integrity and will
decide what He can entrust you with.
In my heart, I so wish that I didn’t have to write this “Personal Evangelism” piece
(together with all the laborious Appendices). I freely admit I was deeply frightened when
I realized what I was getting into and begged the Lord to let somebody else, anybody, do
it. But my spirit was constrained within me and gave me no rest. What I have written
still carries all my personal flaws; but it also carries what I have received while on my
knees. It is up to you, my friends, to judge. If you give me adverse opinions, I won’t be
offended. I can eat humble pie. That is what a review is about.
You can perceive that the two points we just discussed have ramifications reaching
beyond the interpretation of this one passage. They are just two among others that affect
the battle for the soul of the Church, His Church. What you are called upon to do today
is to “Prepare the way of our Lord; make straight the path of our God”. What happens
after that is beyond us; it will be the doing of the Holy Spirit.