Calvin: Institutes Chapers 3.3.19 to 3.3.20

INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION

By
John Calvin

BOOK THIRD.
THE MODE OF OBTAINING THE GRACE OF CHRIST. THE
BENEFITS IT CONFERS, AND THE
EFFECTS RESULTING FROM IT.

CHAPTER 3.
REGENERATION BY FAITH. OF REPENTANCE.

3.3.19.

The Gospel is a call to repentance for the forgiveness of sins. This was John the Baptist's pronouncement at the beginning of his ministry. It was also the watchword of the Lord Jesus. Mark 1:14-15 (NASB95),

14 Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

"First, he declares that the treasures of the divine mercy were opened in him; next, he enjoins repentance; and, lastly, he encourages confidence in the promises of God. Accordingly, when intending to give a brief summary of the whole Gospel, he said that he behaved "to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations," (Luke 24:26, 46)."

To preach repentance is to instruct the minds of men through the Gospel "that all their thoughts, affections, and pursuits, are corrupt and vicious; and that, therefore, if they would enter the kingdom of God they must be born again."

To preach remission of sins is to instruct men that "Christ 'is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption," (1 Cor. 1:30), that on his account they are freely deemed righteous and innocent in the sight of God.'"

3.3.20.

Repentance is preceded by a hatred of sin. It is to those who repent that the knowledge of God in Christ is revealed. It is also a lifetime venture. "If we would stand in Christ, we must aim at repentance, cultivate it during our whole lives, and continue it to the last."

"Therefore, so long as we dwell in the prison of the body, we must constantly struggle with the vices of our corrupt nature, and so with our natural disposition." Does this despair simply lead us to a pit of inability? No. Those who are brought low by the Spirit, persevere toward righteousness. Their despair over their sin is because they have seen the glory of righteousness.

Questions to Consider

1. Under what two headings is the whole gospel contained?

2. Where do these two things come from?

3. Is repentance the basis for our receiving pardon?