HoHum:
In John Steinbeck’s story, The Wayward Bus, a dilapidated old bus takes a cross country shortcut on its journey to Los Angeles, and gets stuck in the mud. While the drivers go for assistance, the passengers take refuge in a cave. It is a curious company of people and it is obvious that the author is attempting to get across the point that these people are lost spiritually as well as literally. As they enter into this cave, the author calls the readers attention to the fact that as they enter they must pass a word that has been scrawled with paint over the entrance. The word is repent. Although Steinbeck calls that to the readers attention it is interesting that none of the passengers pay any attention to it whatsoever.
WBTU:
About 30 years ago there was a group of people who started a belief called Free Grace. This group taught that faith alone is the only condition for salvation. Nothing new there. However, here was the twist that was new, they said this: Repentance is not a condition for salvation and repentance should never be included as part of the gospel message.
Glad we don’t preach that or do we? Must be baptized to be saved. Criticize faith only, must also talk about baptism only, repentance is not needed.
What is repentance? In salvation it is the sinner’s recognition of and acknowledgement of his lost condition and his need for grace through Jesus Christ. But it is more than this. Literally it means a change of mind. To repent is to change one’s attitude and mind toward self, toward sin, toward God and toward Christ. We change our minds and agree with the Bible.
First word of the gospel is not “love,” not even “grace.” First word of the gospel is “repent.”
Thesis: Let’s see if the first word of the gospel is “repent”
For instances:
Repentance: The First Word of John the Baptist’s Ministry
Look at Matthew 3:1-2: “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.””. Not only is the word repent the dominant note in John’s message, but he made the concept of repentance absolutely clear.
“And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Mark 1:4, NIV. Repentance must precede forgiveness; forgiveness does follow repentance. There is something unwise in supposing that a person can enjoy the forgiveness of sins while resisting or merely remaining ignorant of repentance.
“But 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? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Matthew 3:7, 8, NIV. Don’t think of ourselves as Christians unless we are bearing fruit that is in keeping with repentance.
John the Baptist was not shy about naming particular sins that people needed to repent of. “But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.” Luke 3:19, 20, NIV.
Repentance: The First Word of Christ’s Ministry
“When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee.” “From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”” Matthew 4:12, 17.
Mark agrees with this as well: “After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”” Mark 1:14, 15, NIV.
Both John and Jesus make an immediate tie between repentance and the kingdom. Why? There were two kingdoms then as there are two kingdom now. Dual citizenship is prohibited. Consider this: As citizens of the kingdom of darkness we are not fit subjects of the kingdom of light. We must repent. As citizens of the kingdom of this world we are barred from citizenship in the kingdom of heaven, for no man can serve two masters. We must repent. As citizens of the kingdom of Satan we have interests and loyalties that have no place in the kingdom of god. We must repent. If we are active citizens in the kingdom of evil we cannot be admitted to the kingdom of righteousness, for neither evil nor evil ones are permitted to enter. We must repent. As citizens of a perishing kingdom we have nothing to do with an imperishable kingdom. We must repent. As citizens of the kingdom of flesh we do not belong in and could not relate to the kingdom of the Spirit. We must repent.
Not only was repentance the first word of Christ’s ministry, it was also the last. Look up and read Luke 24:45-49.
Preaching of repentance for the forgiveness of sins is to be done in Christ’s name. John the Baptist’s ministry is completed. The Messiah, Jesus Christ, became the focus and remains the focus now and forever. All repentance and forgiveness of sins must be in His name.
Preaching of repentance for the forgiveness of sins must be proclaimed to all the nations.
Messengers of repentance need to be clothed with power from on high.
Repentance: The Focus of Peter’s Preaching
Before we get to Peter we must note that the 12 were told to preach repentance (Peter one of 12). Jesus trained them and sent them out in pairs to minister. Here is the result. “They went out and preached that people should repent.” Mark 6:12, NIV.
We see on the day of Pentecost that Peter is preaching and he comes to the end of the sermon and says, Look up and read Acts 2:36-40. Vs. 38- Did he just say be baptized or something more? First word is repent.
When Peter and John healed a lame man in Acts 3 we find this when Peter preached to the crowd. “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,” Acts 3:19.
When Simon the sorcerer wanted to purchase the gift of God with money: Read Acts 8:20-23
When Peter gives an account to the circumcised in Jerusalem of what happened to Cornelius we find this account: Peter said- “So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?” When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”” Acts 11:17, 18, NIV.
Also in one of his letters he says this: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9, NIV.
Repentance: The Heart of Paul’s Preaching
When Paul is before King Agrippa he says this in his testimony: ““So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” Acts 26:19, 20, NIV.
When addressing the elders of the church at Ephesus: “I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” Acts 20:21
To the Athenians Paul said this: ““Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone--an image made by man’s design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:29, 30, NIV.
What about his letters? Yes, Paul speaks of repentance: “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you towards repentance?” Romans 2:4.
Paul talks about the repentance of the Corinthians Christians: Read 2 Corinthians 7:9-11.
Same letter says this: “I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.” 2 Corinthians 12:21, NIV.
To Timothy Paul said this: “Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:25, 26, NIV.
Repentance: The Last Call to the Churches in Revelation
Not going to spend a lot of time on this but 5 of the 7 churches were called to repentance.
If only 2 out of 7 churches in Revelation 2-3 were not commanded to repent, what are probabilities that our church is so pleasing to Lord that He requires no repentance from us?
Repentance: A Source of Joy in Heaven
Before the story of Prodigal Son Jesus shows us what causes joy in heaven.
Parable of the lost sheep: “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:7, NIV.
Parable of the lost coin: “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”” Luke 15:10, NIV.
We can say that heaven rejoices over a soul who is saved: belief, confession, repentance and baptism, but the word that is used to describe it all is repentance.
