Repentance

     The doctrine of Repentance in the Scriptures is very prominent in the New Testament; John the Baptist began his public ministry, as did Jesus, with a call to repentance (Matthew 3:1-2). In the Acts 2 sermon on Pentecost, Peter commands repentance. Again, a little later in the Acts 3 sermon at the Temple gate, Peter interchanges the phrase "turn again" at a similar place in his presentation. When Jesus sent forth messengers to proclaim his gospel, as a priority, he commanded them to preach repentance (Luke 24:47, Mark 6:12). God wants everyone to repent (2 Pet. 3:9 and Acts 17:30). Indeed, failure on the part of man to heed God's call to repentance means that he shall utterly perish (Luke 13:3).

    The constant references to repentance in Peter's preaching in the early part of Acts may indicate an exceptional need for repentance among those who had recently been party to the crucifixion of Christ. Paul is emphatic that change takes place amongst those whom he taught. Saint Isaac of Syria said, "This life has been given to you for repentance. Do not waste it on vain pursuits." 

    Matthew 21:29: In the Parable of the Two Sons the first son is told to go work in the field, "He answered and said: I will not; but afterward he repented, and went". The word here used for "repent" means to change one's mind, thought, purpose, views regarding a matter; it is to have another mind about a thing. This change is well illustrated in the action of the Prodigal Son, and of the Publican in the well-known story of the Pharisee and the Publican (Luke 15 and 18). In 2 Cor. 7: 8-9 Paul spoke about his previous letter, "Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it-I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us." (The Greek word for repentance in this connection means "to be a care to one afterwards," to cause one great concern. - see also Luke 10:13; Gen. 6:6) This meaning is exemplified by the repentant person who not only has profound regret for his past but also the fulfilled hope in the potential of God's grace to continually bear the fruit of healing and true reconciliation in himself, with others, and most especially with God. The Hebrew equivalent term means to pant, to sigh, or to moan. So the publican "beat upon his breast," indicating sorrow of heart.

    The issue of repentance is also discussed in connection with the will and disposition. One of the Hebrew words for repent means "to turn." The Prodigal Son said, "I will arise... and he arose" (Luke 15:18, 20). The part of the will and disposition in repentance is shown in the Confession of sin to God: Psa. 38:18  "For I will declare mine iniquity: I will be sorry for my sin." The publican beat upon his breast, and said, "God be merciful to me a sinner" (Luke 18:13). The prodigal said, "I have sinned against heaven." (Luke 15:21). There must be confession to man also in so far as man has been wronged in and by our sin (Matthew 5:23-24); James 5:16). He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy Prov. 28:13; Isa. 55:7.  Matthew 3:8-10 says "Produce fruit with repentance:... the axe 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.".  It is not enough to turn away from sin; we must turn unto God. 1 Thessalonians 1:9; Acts 26:18.

    The acts of repentance do not earn God's forgiveness from one's sin; rather, forgiveness is given as a gift from God to those whom he saves. Acts 11:18 -"Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." Acts 5:30, 31. In this view, people are called upon to repent in order that we may feel our own inability to do so, and consequently be thrown upon God and petition Him to perform this work of grace in our hearts. God calls all to repent through the hearing of the Gospel. God grants total repentance, as each individual responds through faith to the sacrifice Jesus made for their sin. "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17) Repentance is necessary before anything else by definition. One cannot show true change in his life before he himself has changed (repented) to bring about manifestations of that change/repentance.

    Acts 2:37, 38, 41 - The very Gospel which calls for repentance produces it. When the people of Nineveh (Jonah 3:5-10) heard the preaching of the word of God by Jonah they believed the message and turned unto God. Not any message, but the Gospel is the instrument that God uses to bring about this desired end. Furthermore, this message must be preached in the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 1:5-10). Rev. 3:19; Heb. 12:6, 10-11. The chastisements of God are sometimes for the purpose of bringing His wandering children back to repentance. (2 Tim. 2:24-25) God often uses the loving, Christian reproof of a brother to be the means of bringing us back to God.