REPENTANCE

 

You cannot truly believe this gospel without repenting.

 

            Mark 1

Jesus Preaches in Galilee
14   (13) Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, (14) preaching the gospel of God,
15   and saying, "(15) The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; (16) repent and believe in the gospel."

 

Turning from Sin

2 Chronicles 7:14

7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

 

Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding

 

Job 34:33
Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know.
(Whole Chapter: Job 34 In context: Job 34:32-34)

 

Isaiah 59:20
"The Redeemer will come to
Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins," declares the LORD .
(Whole Chapter: Isaiah 59 In context: Isaiah 59:19-21)

 

Luke 3

7John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."
10"What should we do then?" the crowd asked.
11John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."
12Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?"
13"Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told
14them. Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?"
He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely--be content with your pay."

 

Turning toward the Lord

Isaiah 55:7

55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

 

Acts 2:37

2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

 

Acts 3:19

3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

 

Matthew 3
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the
Desert of Judea 2and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." 3This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
   "A voice of one calling in the desert,
   'Prepare the way for the Lord,
       make straight paths for him.' "[1]
4John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5People went out to him from
Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
11"I baptize you with[2] water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

 

Verse 5 states that many came to be baptized:  They would confess their sins, and John would baptize them for repentance:

 

Acts 19:4
Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus."
(Whole Chapter: Acts 19 In context: Acts 19:3-5)

 

However, instead of baptizing many of the Pharisees, he told them to go “8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance”.  He then goes on to correct their “once a son always a son” theology; where they based their righteousness with God on history, instead of a repentant heart.  Repentance is dealing with the future, and not only remorse for the past.  True repentance bears fruit, or behavioral evidence of a changed life: Wicked behavior is replaced by Godly behavior on a daily basis.

 

Repentance is not just shedding a few tears.  Repentance is staying on your knees until you make contact with God.  And until you know God has forgiven you and you get up with a determination “I will not be what I was, I refuse to live the way I did, I will be what God wants me to be!” if you have not come to this point you have not really repented.

-Pastor Tom Peters, Christiansburg, VA

 

Nehemiah 9
The Israelites Confess Their Sins
1 On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and having dust on their heads. 2 Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the wickedness of their fathers. 3 They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the LORD their God.

 

 

Godly Sorrow

2 Corinthians 7:10 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

 

Matthew 5:4

5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

 

 Isaiah 66:1,2

66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

 

 

 

 

Effect

 

In Heaven

Luke 1: 7

15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

New Birth/Salvation


Ezekiel 18
29 Yet the house of
Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Are my ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?
30 "Therefore, O house of
Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD . Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. 31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel?

 

Ezekiel 18
31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of
Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD . Repent and live!

 

Isaiah 30:15
This is what the Sovereign LORD , the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.
(Whole Chapter: Isaiah 30 In context: Isaiah 30:14-16)

 

Psalm 34:19

34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

 

2 Corinthians 5:17

5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

 

 

 

Time-sensitive response required

 


Continual for the Believer

Revelation 3
19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

 

Jeremiah 3:22

3:22 Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God.

 

Ezek 33:12-20

12         "Therefore, son of man, say to your countrymen, 'The righteousness of the righteous man will not save him when he disobeys, and the wickedness of the wicked man will not cause him to fall when he turns from it. The righteous man, if he sins, will not be allowed to live because of his former righteousness.'

13         If I tell the righteous man that he will surely live, but then he trusts in his righteousness and does evil, none of the righteous things he has done will be remembered; he will die for the evil he has done.

14         And if I say to the wicked man, 'You will surely die,' but he then turns away from his sin and does what is just and right--

15         if he gives back what he took in pledge for a loan, returns what he has stolen, follows the decrees that give life, and does no evil, he will surely live; he will not die.

16         None of the sins he has committed will be remembered against him. He has done what is just and right; he will surely live.

17         "Yet your countrymen say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' But it is their way that is not just.

18         If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, he will die for it.

19         And if a wicked man turns away from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he will live by doing so.

20         Yet, O house of Israel, you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' But I will judge each of you according to his own ways."  (NIV)

 

            Jeremiah 34:8

Recently you repented and did what is right in my sight: Each of you proclaimed freedom to his countrymen. You even made a covenant before me in the house that bears my Name. 16 But now you have turned around and profaned my name; each of you has taken back the male and female slaves you had set free to go where they wished. You have forced them to become your slaves again.
17 "Therefore, this is what the LORD says: You have not obeyed me; you have not proclaimed freedom for your fellow countrymen. So I now proclaim 'freedom' for you, declares the LORD -'freedom' to fall by the sword, plague and famine. I will make you abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth. 18 The men who have violated my covenant and have not fulfilled the terms of the covenant they made before me, I will treat like the calf they cut in two and then walked between its pieces. 19 The leaders of
Judah and Jerusalem, the court officials, the priests and all the people of the land who walked between the pieces of the calf, 20 I will hand over to their enemies who seek their lives. Their dead bodies will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth.
21 "I will hand Zedekiah king of
Judah and his officials over to their enemies who seek their lives, to the army of the king of Babylon, which has withdrawn from you. 22 I am going to give the order, declares the LORD , and I will bring them back to this city. They will fight against it, take it and burn it down. And I will lay waste the towns of Judah so no one can live there."

 

 

 

 

THE TRUTH ABOUT REPENTANCE

Biblical And Historical Proof

by Emon Thompson

WHAT IS REPENTANCE?

Webster’s Third New International Dictionary states that Repentance is a religious term that denotes a redirection of a person’s mind, will and actions as indicated in the Greek word metanoia-a change of mind.

 

Repentance is both sorrow for sin and the act of turning away from it.

-Encyclopedia Americana, Edition 1983 Vol. 21, p.495.

 

The turning from sin is emphatically a matter of conduct, but it is also a matter of the heart. -Dictionary of the Bible, by James Hastings, Vol, IV, p.225.

 

Repentance in the ethico-religlous sense is turning away from sin and back to God. Interpreters -Dictionary of the Bible, Edition 1962, Vol. IV, p.33.

 

The nature of repentance is not only a turning from, but also a turning to. It will cause a person to stop a wrong action and begin a right one.

 

IS REPENTANCE IMPORTANT TO SALVATION?

Ezekiel announced, "Thus sayeth the Lord God REPENT, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations." Eze. 14:6. John the Baptist preached, "REPENT YE: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Mat. 3:2. God COMMANDETH all men everywhere to REPENT. Acts 17:30. "Except ye REPENT, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke 13:3. (Also 2 Peter 3:9.)

Jesus commissioned, as He opened the understanding of His disciples to the Scripture, "That REPENTANCE and REMISSION of sins should be preached in His Name among all nations beginning at Jerusalem." Luke 24:47. In response to the question, "What shall we do?" Peter said, as he fulfilled the Lord’s commission, "REPENT, and be baptized everyone of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:36.

Certainly true repentance is a command of God, and necessary for Divine forgiveness; therefore, it is definitely an important step in God’s wonderful plan of salvation for man.

 

HOW TO REPENT

1. Conviction Of Sin

Before there can be true repentance, a sinner must have an understanding and acknowledgement that he is guilty of sin. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Rom. 5:12. (Also Rd. 3:23.) "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law (God’s Word)." 1 John 3:4. Therefore, it is against God (Ps. 51:4) and is punishable by death (Eze. 18:20). "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23. A transgressor is also guilty of the blood of Jesus Christ, because the Lord hath laid on Him (Jesus Christ) the iniquity of us all. Is. 53:6. Yet, in Jesus Christ we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Col. 1:14. But, unless a sinner repents he will stand condemned before God on judgement day, forever to be lost (Luke 13:3; Jude 15; Rev. 21:8).

The knowledge of God’s Word will reveal sins in a person’s life, which will bring conviction. When Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, they that heard God’s Word were pricked (convicted) in their heart. Acts 2:37.

Also experiences of God’s chastisements add to conviction. God said in His Word, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." Rev. 3:19. Although conviction of sin brings an uncomfortable feeling of shame and guilt, when followed by true repentance, it will lead to great rejoicing!

2. Godly Sorrow

Feelings of deep sorrow, regret and remorse over sin must accompany an individual’s repentance. One should not sorrow for personal hardship brought on by sin, but rather remorse over the hurt he has caused a loving, forgiving God. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner ... For godly sorrow, worketh repentance to salvation . . . but the sorrow of the world worketh death." 2 Cor. 7:9.10. (Also Joel 2:12; Ps. 34:18.)

3. Will to Repent

The prodigal son came to himself and said. "I WILL arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee." Luke 15:18. If a sinner is willing to repent, God is willing to forgive him of his sins. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." Acts 3:19.

4. Plead for Mercy

The first thing David said in his prayer of repentance was, "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions." Ps. 51:1. Divine forgiveness is not based upon the accumulated merits of man, but only on the love and mercy of God. ..... While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8. "The publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner." Luke 18:13. In approaching God, we must cast ourselves without reservation upon His mercy.

5. Confession to God

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." Pro. 28:13.

A person must be honest; admit his sins; confess them openly to God: not to man. "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1.

6. Forsake all Sin

Ezekiel said, "Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit." Eze. 18:31. Jesus said to the woman taken in adultery, "...Go, and SIN NO MORE." John 8:11. (Also 1 Thes. 5:22; 2 Cor. 6:14-17; 1 John 2:15-16; Titus 2:11-12.)

Repentance is actually a crucifixion of one’s sinful nature at an alter of self denial (Ro. 6:6; Mark 8:34). A sincere person must turn from all sin and begin a new life in Christ. Paul wrote, "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid, How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" Ro. 6:1,2. (Also 1 John 3:4-9.)

7. Ask God for Forgiveness

After a sinner has surrendered all to God, he should simply ask God to forgive him for all his sins. The Bible said, "Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto Him, Take away all iniquity (sin)." Ho. 14:2. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.

8. Receive God’s Forgiveness

To receive God’s forgiveness, you must forgive others. "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." Mat. 6:14. Also, you must forgive yourself and forget your sinful past. Paul said, "Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Phil. 3:13,14. When you have truly repented, accept God’s forgiveness and praise Him! "Though your sins be as scarlet, they SHALL BE WHITE AS SNOW; though they be like crimson, they SHALL BE AS WOOL" Is. 1:18. "For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy. Ps. 86:5.

 

 

 

RESULTS OF REPENTANCE

1. Great Joy

When the prodigal son repented, there was much rejoicing. Luke 15:23. Jesus said, "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." Luke 15:7. There is great joy in knowing God’s wonderful forgiveness! When the Samaritans gave heed to Philip’s preaching, there was great joy in that city. Acts 8:5-8.

2. New Birth

Now that the old sinful man is dead through repentance, a believer is ready for the "new birth," which consists of the two elements, water and spirit. Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Except a man be born of WATER and of the SPIRIT, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5. Ezekiel prophesied about this glorious experience, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new Spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, . . . and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." Eze. 36:26,27. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW." 2 Cor. 5:17.

a. Water Baptism

Of course, following a death there must be a burial. The old sinful man must be put away. "Therefore we are BURIED with Him (Jesus Christ) BY BAPTISM into death." Rom. 6:4. (Also Col. 2:12.) Repentance must be followed by water baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ for the REMISSION OF SINS (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38). "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling upon the Name of the Lord." Acts 22:16.

b. Holy Spirit Baptism

The Holy Spirit Baptism is promised to all who will obey the Word of God. (See Acts 2:4,38,39; 5:32.)  So if you are responding to the gospel and are truly born again, then you are eligible to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues. This was not an option before you repented.

3. Total Cleansing

John said, "If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7. (Also 1 Pet. 1:19; Rev. 1:5.) When God cleanses us from all sin we are totally clean.  "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us." Ps. 103:12.

If you desire a new life in Christ, I urge you to repent of all your sins and experience the wonderful, powerful "new birth" of water and the Spirit! God is willing and waiting to change your life for the better, today! "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE." 2 Pet. 3:9.

 

 

Originally submitted by: Emon Thompson
Order From: Know the Truth Literature
P.O. Box 1294, Minden, LA 71058-7294

 

I moved the section on the new birth from the Holy Spirit Baptism section into the new birth section.  I did this because I believe that the Holy Spirit Baptism can also be a separate, subsequent experience after the new birth. I also wrote the italic part.  -ThisGospel.com

 

 


Return to thisGospel.com's home page.