Repentance Modern religion, with its ever-changing concepts, has left confusion in the minds of many people concerning true repentance. What does the bible really say? Please do not be satisfied with theories and ideas of men, when you can know the truth about this important subject. WHAT IS REPENTANCE? Repentance is a religious term that denotes a redirection of a person�s mind, will and actions as indicated in the Greek word “metanoia,” which means “a change of mind” (Webster�s Third New International Dictionary). “Repentance is both sorrow for sin and the act of turning away from it” (Encyclopedia Americana, Edition 1982, Volume 21, page 495). “The turning from sin is emphatically a matter of conduct, but it is also a matter of the heart” (A Dictionary of the Bible by James Hastings, Edition 1903, Volume IV, Page 225). 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. REPENTANCE IS ESSENTIAL TO SALVATION EZEKIEL 14:6 Thus sayeth the Lord God, repent, and turn yourselves from your idols: and turn away your faces from all your abominations. MATTHEW 3:2 Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. ACTS 17:30 God commandeth all men everywhere to repent. LUKE 13:3 Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. II PETER 3:9 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. Jesus commissioned as He opened the understanding of His disciples to the Scriptures. LUKE 24:47 That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name among all nations beginning at Jerusalem. In response to the question from the Jews regarding how could they be saved, Peter said, as he fulfilled the Lord�s commission: ACTS 2:38 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. Certainly, true repentance is a command of God and necessary for Divine forgiveness; therefore, it definitely is an important step in God�s wonderful plan of salvation for man. HOW TO REPENT - Conviction of Sin
Before there can be true repentance, a sinner must have an understanding and acknowledgement that he is guilty of sin. ROMANS 5:12 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. ROMANS 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. I JOHN 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. PSALMS 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. EZEKIEL 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him ROMANS 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ISAIAH 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. COLOSSIANS 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins LUKE 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. JUDE 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. REVELATION 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 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 convicted: ACTS 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? Also, experiences of God�s chastisements add to conviction. REVELATION 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Although conviction of sin brings an uncomfortable feeling of shame and guilt, when followed by true repentance, it will lead to great rejoicing. - 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. II CORINTHIANS 7:9-10 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. JOEL 2:12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: PSALMS 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. - Will To Repent
The prodigal son came to himself and said: LUKE 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee If a sinner is willing to repent, God is willing to forgive him of his sins. ACTS 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. - Plead for Mercy
The first thing David said in his prayer of repentance was: PSALMS 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Divine forgiveness is not based upon the accumulated merits of man, but only on the love and mercy of God. ROMANS 5:8 While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. LUKE 18:13 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. In approaching God, we must cast ourselves without reservation upon His mercy. - Confession to God
PROVERBS 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. A person must be honest, admit his sins, confess them openly to God, not to man. I JOHN 2:1 If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. - Forsake All Sin
EZEKIEL 18:31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed: and make you a new heart and a new spirit. JOHN 8:11 Go and sin no more. I THESSALONIANS 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. II CORINTHIANS 6:14-17 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, I JOHN 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. TITUS 2:11-12 for the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Repentance is actually a crucifixion of one�s sinful nature at an alter of self denial. ROMANS 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. MARK 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. We must turn from all sin and begin a new life in Christ ROMANS 6:1 Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? I JOHN 3:4-9 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.< Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. - Ask God For Forgiveness
After a sinner has surrendered all to God, he should simply ask God to forgive him for all his sins. HOSEA 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto Him, Take away all iniquity sin). I JOHN 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanses from all unrighteousness. - Receive God�s Forgiveness
To receive God�s forgiveness, you must forgive others. MATTHEW 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Also, you must forgive yourself and your sinful past. PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14 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. When you have truly repented, accept God�s forgiveness and praise Him! ISAIAH 1:18 Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow: though they be like crimson, they shall be as wool. PSALMS 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy.
RESULTS OF REPENTANCE - Great Joy
When the prodigal son repented, there was much rejoicing (Luke 15:23). LUKE 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. 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 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city. - 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. JOHN 3:5 Except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. - New Birth - Water Baptism
Of course, following a death there must be a burial. The old sinful man must be put away. ROMANS 6:4 Therefore we are buried with Him (Jesus) by baptism into death. COLOSSIANS 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Repentance must be followed by water baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. LUKE 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ACTS 2:38 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 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling upon the Name of the Lord. - New Birth � Spirit Baptism
The Holy Spirit Baptism is typical of the resurrection of Christ. ROMANS 6:5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. ROMANS 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. COLOSSIANS 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the Operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. This completes our new birth and makes us new persons in Christ II CORINTHIANS 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. EZEKIEL 36:26-27 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 I will give you an heart of flesh And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them. ROMANS 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. ROMANS 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ROMANS 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. ACTS 1l8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Now Peter declared that God gives the Holy Ghost to them that obey Him. ACTS 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. If you repent and be baptized in the Name of Jesus for the remission of sins, Peter assured us: ACTS 2:38-39 ...Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. II CORINTHIANS 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. TITUS 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us [how?] by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
- Total Cleansing
I JOHN 1:7 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. I PETER 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. REVELATION 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. When God cleanses us from all sin we are totally clean. It is as though we had never committed a sin. PSALMS 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. If you desire a new life in Christ, 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. II PETER 3:9 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.
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