Repentance is turning from sin to God — a change of mind, heart, and direction. The Bible calls all people to repent (Acts 17:30). It is essential to salvation (Luke 13:3 — 'except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish'). True repentance bears fruit (Matthew 3:8) and accompanies saving faith.
Repentance is one of the most important words in the Bible — a foundational concept of the gospel. The Greek word 'metanoia' means literally 'change of mind' — but in biblical use it means a profound turning of the whole person from sin to God. Repentance includes mind (changed thinking about sin and God), heart (sorrow for sin), and will (turning away from sin and toward God). What repentance is. (1) A change of mind about sin — seeing it as God sees it, not as the world or the flesh sees it. (2) Sorrow for sin — 'godly sorrow' (2 Corinthians 7:10) that leads to life, distinct from 'the sorrow of the world' that is mere regret over consequences. (3) Turning — actually changing direction, away from sin and toward God. (4) Bearing fruit — repentance is shown by changed behavior. John the Baptist warned the religious leaders (Matthew 3:8): 'Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.' Where repentance appears in the Bible. (1) John the Baptist's message — Matthew 3:2: 'Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' (2) Jesus' own message — Mark 1:15: 'Repent ye, and believe the gospel.' (3) The Twelve's message after Pentecost — Acts 2:38 (Peter): 'Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.' (4) Paul's gospel — Acts 17:30: 'God... now commandeth all men every where to repent.' (5) Jesus' final words to the churches — Revelation 2:5, 16; 3:3, 19: 'Repent' is the constant exhortation. Repentance and faith. They are inseparable. Acts 20:21 — Paul preached 'repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.' Both are required, both are gifts (2 Timothy 2:25 — 'if God peradventure will give them repentance'). Faith without repentance is presumption; repentance without faith is despair. Together they form the saving response to the gospel. Two famous examples. (1) Peter — denied Christ three times, then 'wept bitterly' (Luke 22:62). After the resurrection Christ restored him with the threefold 'Lovest thou me?' (John 21:15-17). Peter went on to preach the gospel of repentance. (2) Judas — also betrayed Christ, also 'repented himself' (Matthew 27:3) — but his repentance was the worldly sorrow that ends in death (he hanged himself). The difference: Peter turned to Christ; Judas turned only to himself in despair. Repentance is not. (1) Merely feeling bad. Mere regret is not biblical repentance — the difference between Peter and Judas. (2) Reforming yourself. Repentance is not self-improvement; it is turning to God in dependence on Christ. (3) A one-time event for believers. Christians continue to repent throughout life as the Spirit reveals more sin to be turned from. (4) Earning salvation. Repentance is the response to grace, not a work that earns grace. The continuing call to repent. The first of Martin Luther's 95 Theses (1517) opened: 'When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said Repent, he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.' Believers don't repent once and stop; they keep repenting. 1 John 1:9 — 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' Practical: how to repent. (1) Acknowledge specific sin — not vague generalities. (2) Confess to God — and where appropriate, to the people you've wronged. (3) Forsake the sin — actually turn from it, including removing what facilitates it. (4) Trust Christ for forgiveness — repent IN HIM, not without him. (5) Bear fruit — make restitution where possible, walk in the opposite direction.
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
“The Lord is... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Repent now and continually. (1) Acknowledge specific sin — not vague generalities. (2) Confess to God; where appropriate, to people wronged. (3) Forsake the sin — actually turn from it. (4) Trust Christ for forgiveness. (5) Bear fruit — make restitution, walk the opposite direction. Make repentance a daily practice, not a one-time event.
Repentance is a change of mind, heart, and direction — turning from sin to God. The Greek word 'metanoia' means 'change of mind.' Biblical repentance includes (1) seeing sin as God sees it, (2) godly sorrow for it (2 Corinthians 7:10), (3) actually turning from it, and (4) bearing fruit in changed behavior (Matthew 3:8). It is more than feeling bad; it is turning.
Yes. Luke 13:3 — 'except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.' Acts 2:38 — Peter's first gospel call: 'Repent, and be baptized.' Acts 17:30 — 'God now commandeth all men every where to repent.' Paul summarized his gospel as 'repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ' (Acts 20:21). Repentance and faith together are the saving response to the gospel.
2 Corinthians 7:10 — 'godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.' Godly sorrow grieves sin because it offends God and turns to him for mercy. Worldly sorrow grieves consequences and turns inward to self-pity or despair. Peter and Judas both wept over betraying Christ — Peter turned to Christ and was restored; Judas turned to himself and was destroyed.
Yes. Martin Luther's first thesis (1517): 'When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said Repent, he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.' Christians continue to repent throughout life as the Spirit reveals more sin. 1 John 1:9 — 'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us.' Daily repentance keeps the heart soft toward God and grows the believer in holiness.