I used to think the same way.
I suggest James MacDonald’s two part audio, or DVD series “Have The Funeral” that you can get online.
...or...
Part 1http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=have+the+funeral+macdonald&FORM=HDRSC3#view=detail&mid=CC50B0EB206F5F4FDEFFCC50B0EB206F5F4FDEFF
Your question is specifically answered in video number 2 at the 11:15 point
...or a quick bible search...
EXCEPT for Luk 17:4, which has a “repet” requirement.
no conditions on forgiveness anywhere in the NT...
Hope this blesses you
j
Luke 17:4 speaks to the capacity to forgive, which is a different matter. I’ve looked at it in detail.
I watched that section of the video and I don’t see anything new.
First, he points out that the need for repentance is mentioned and done so clearly, which rather bolsters my point, but then he goes on to point out that it is not always mentioned.
Fair enough, but the very meaning of “forgiveness” especially in the biblical sense, includes repentance in its fundamental meaning. We have other words for giving amnesty without repentance, such as pardon, excuse, and absolve.
In essence forgiveness is a reciprocal action, you cannot have a reciprocal action without a preliminary action. For example, if I say I returned something I do not have to precede that statement by saying that I received something, both actions are included in the word “return”.