Wouldn't you agree that following the teachings of Jesus Christ and repenting for your sins is in fact trusting in Jesus Christ for your salvation? You would not follow His teachings nor would you feel the need to repent if you did not trust in Him and in God to save you from your sins. Isn't that what the act of repentance is - asking God and Jesus Christ to forgive you for your sins and to take them away from you? Jesus commanded us to repent in His teachings, why would He command us to do so if His act of sacrificing Himself for us would take away our sins just by believing in Him?

I believe He knew His death on the cross was necessary in order to show us His resurrection, but I don't believe that His death on the cross excuses us from the requirement to repent for our sins.

What do you think?