This episode surveys key passages in the book of Acts where entrance into the kingdom of God is granted based on repentance and faith in Christ. Some dispensationalists have erroneously claimed that only Jews needed to respond to the gospel with repentance and faith. Yet both Peter and Paul preached to Gentiles and included repentance in their gospel presentations. Based on Peter’s testimony relating Gentile reception of Christ at Cornelius’ house, the church at Jerusalem conceded that God had granted the Gentiles “repentance that leads to life.” (Acts 11:18) Paul told Gentiles at Mar Hill that God “commands” everyone to repent. (Acts 17:30) Before King Agrippa, Paul summarized his 25 year mission as “turning people from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God, leading to sanctification by faith in Christ. (Acts 26:18) The evangelist then must incorporate both repentance and faith in Christ as the basis of salvation.
