Repentance

Jesus’ first messages were summarized by two words, repent and believe in the Gospel (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15). What does repent mean?

Turn Back

Often translated as repent is the Hebrew word “shoob,” which means to turn back or return. What did Solomon, that wise backslider, say about national repentance?

But in that land of exile, they might turn to you in repentance and pray, ‘We have sinned, done evil, and acted wickedly.’ (1 Kings 8:47 NLT)

What did righteous Job say?

I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes. (Job 42:5-6 ESV)

Change of Mind

In the New Testament a common word translated repentance is “metanoia” meaning a change of mind. What did John the Baptist say?

Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near! (Matthew 3:2b HCSB)

What did John say results from repentance?

Bring forth therefore fruits meet for [or befitting] repentance (Matthew 3:8 KJV)

What did Jesus add?

From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17 NASB)

The kingdom of heaven is God’s rule. What should believers do after repentance? Is this a work?

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38 NIV)

What else must happen?

Repent therefore and be converted [reformed], that your sins may be blotted out (Acts 3:19 NKJV)

What does repentance bring?

When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.” (Acts 11:18 NLT)

Is repentance commanded just for a select few, or for all?

The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent” (Acts 17:30 WEB)

To whom do we repent and in whom is our faith?

You know I have testified to both Jews and Greeks that they must change their hearts and lives as they turn to God and have faith in our Lord Jesus. (Acts 20:21 CEB)

Some say that repentance is separated from works. Does Paul contradict that?

Instead, I preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance. (Acts 26:20 HCSB)

What leads us to repentance?

Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and restraint and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? (Romans 2:4 NASB)

What accompanied the Corinthians’ repentance? Are there two kinds of sorrow?

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. (2 Corinthians 7:9-10 KJV)

Is repentance a gift from God?

Be humble when you correct people who oppose you. Maybe God will lead them to turn to him and learn the truth. They have been trapped by the devil, and he makes them obey him, but God may help them escape. (2 Timothy 2:25-26 CEV)

Is repentance a foundational principle? What do we repent of?

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works ... (Hebrews 6:1-2 NKJV)

Does falling away contradict the idea of once saved always saved?

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. (Hebrews 6:4-6 ESV)

Should anyone follow Esau’s example?

Make sure that no one becomes sexually immoral or ungodly like Esau. He sold his inheritance as the oldest son for one meal. You know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected because he couldn’t find a way to change his heart and life, though he looked for it with tears. (Hebrews 12:16-17 CEB)

Did God preselect some for hell without a chance, or does He have a different attitude?

The Lord isn't slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost. (2 Peter 3:9 CEV)