"Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:  Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead."  Acts 17:29-31

Four questions need be asked of the above passage:

1)     Is the context of this passage soteriological?  (Dealing with eternal salvation).  The answer is unquestionably yes.  Paul is not instructing these Athenians on the selection of deacons and elders in the local church.  He is addressing lost men about their most urgent need, their need for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ.  In the above passage, Paul teaches that God will judge the world in righteousness by the man (Jesus) whom He (God the Father) hath ordained.  To fail to regard this passage as soteriological is just plain nonsense.

2)     Is repentance presented as a requirement for eternal salvation?  The answer is unquestionably yes.  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.  Simply put, repentance is not an option.