What about Repentance?

Probably the most important message delivered to Israel outside of the message of the saving grace of God through Jesus Christ is the one delivered by John the Baptist. A voice crying out in the desert prepare ye the way of the lord. It was a simple yet revolutionary message that people came from miles to hear this simple message.

What message could have drawn that many people of different walks of life to the most remote of locations? It wasn't necessarily a message or prosperity, health or prosperity but rather a declaration of the fact that God's Kingdom was near and our response must be one of repentance.

Matt 3:1-2
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

I understand as a young minister I am to be careful in my words as I am not to rebuke an elder, but I pray my words are written with humility and received in the right spirit. I have a deed love for the truth of apostolic doctrine and understand the need for an emphasis on Baptism in Jesus Name and the Holy Spirit Baptism but I do have one Question. What about Repentance?

I believe apostolics are doing themselves a great injustice by so emphasizing the biblical truths of baptism and Holy Ghost infilling at the expense neglecting repentance. I often hear different preachers preach and in their presentation of the plan of salvation they will say " You must be baptized in Jesus Name and Be filled with the Holy Ghost, talking in tongues" and realize they have forgotten to mention that important step of repentance. Is it that Jesus Name baptism and Holy Spirit baptism is so important and repentance is not? What about repentance? Why is it many frown upon denominational world preaching a message of salvation of at repentance because it is incomplete yet we can preach salvation as baptism and spirit infilling? Is repentance unimportant?

Some may say I am making an issue of nothing, others may say its obvious you have to repent. This is not so. If it was obvious the bible would not give so much emphasis to this important doctrine. If it was obvious much more people would be at our altars repenting of our sins. The truth my friends is we do not see things as heaven sees them. If we did we would be making just as big of a deal or maybe even bigger of the person who repents as the one who is baptized of filled.

Luke 15:7
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Luke 15:10
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Jesus made it quite clear twice in one chapter that the angels in heaven rejoice not over the person who is baptized or filled but rather over the one who repents. Repentance begins with a Godly sorrow for our sinfulness (2Cor 7:10) which results in us making a complete turnaround from the way the world and to Jesus the savior. There is nothing greater than this because it conditions our heart ready for God to use us for his glory and do what he wills in our life.

• It was repentance that allowed Isiah to say "Here I am, send me"
• It was repentance that led to the miraculous conversion of Cornelius where he and his household received the Holy Spirit while Peter was preaching.
• It was repentance that caused Paul to identify the "certain disciples" in Acts 19
  
• It was repentance that Simon the sorcerer lacked that caused him to follow the church only for position and the power of influence.

I ask you the question is repentance worth neglecting? We need a radical revelation of its power and importance.