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In Acts, Paul recalls John preaching repentance before Jesus arrived. Exegesis on the Soul, a Nag Hammadi text, uses that order to argue that repentance must come before salvation.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Acts 13:24
New Testament
23 From the descendants of this man God brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, just as he promised. 24 Before Jesus arrived, John had proclaimed a baptism for repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 But while John was completing his mission, he said repeatedly, ‘What do you think I am? I am not he. But look, one is coming after me. I am not worthy to untie the sandals on his feet!’
Exegesis on the Soul 5:5
Nag Hammadi
He said once more, “If one does not hate his soul he cannot follow me.” ‒ (Luke 14:26) This is because the beginning of salvation is repentance. And so, “Before Christ appeared, John came, preaching the baptism of repentance.” ‒ (Acts 13:24) And repentance occurs in pain and sorrow. The Father, however, is good and loves humanity, and he listens to the soul who calls on him, sending it the light of salvation.
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Notes and References
“... Moreover, like the Pachomian texts, the Exegesis on the Soul makes its case for repentance in a prose replete with scriptural quotations and allusions, like when the value of repentance is explained by means of quotations from Luke and Acts: “If one does not hate his own soul he will not be able to follow me.”35 For the beginning of salvation is repentance. Therefore, “before the arrival of Christ, John came, preach[ing] the baptism of repentance.”36 And repentance comes about in pain and grief. But the Father is a good lover of humanity and he hears the soul who calls up to him and he sends her the saving light. Exeg. Soul 135.19–2937 [...] 35 Luke 14:26. 36 Acts 13:24. ...”
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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