The repentance commanded by Christ and the apostles means a turning
from sin. It is accomplished with the heart and in the heart. There is nothing
mysterious about it. Where our heart has loved evil, we turn and love good.
Where we have set our affection on the things of this world, we set them on the
things of God. A complete change is made in purpose. This is why men are
commanded "to repent and turn." Before Agrippa, Paul said all the Gentiles had
to "repent and turn to God." We turn away from the love of sin and the sinful
world and set our affection on the Christ who died for us. The importance of
this step can be seen when we realize that it was a vital part of the preaching
of John the Baptist, (Matt. 3:2) of the preaching of Christ, (Matt. 11:21) and
the preaching of Peter after the resurrection of Christ on the day of Pentecost
(Acts 2:38). The Jews cried out and asked what they must do. Peter's answer
was, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ..."
This is all summed up in the words of the Saviour in Luke 13:3, "I tell you
Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
Study as a careful student the following verses that teach these great
truths in the Word of God.
1. John declared, "ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."(Matt. 3:2)
2. While John was in prison, Jesus preached that Chorazin and Bethsaida
should have . (Matt. 11:21)
3. The disciples (the twelve) were told to preach that men should
(Mark 6:12)
4. In the Great Commission and were preached in the name of Jesus. (Luke 24:46-47)
The Great Commission is still in force today; therefore, the same message is
to be preached today.
5. On the day of Pentecost, what were believing sinners told to do?
and be (Acts 2:38)
6. Peter told the audience that had gathered at the temple to
and to be converted to have their blotted out. (Acts 3:19)
7. All men, everywhere, are commanded to . (Acts 17:30)
8. We must repent or .( Luke 13:3) Rev.21:8 gives us a picture
of what happens to the man or woman who perishes in God's sight.
9. There is in heaven when one sinner .(Luke 15:7)
10. God would have all men . (2 Peter 3:9)
11. Repentance is not godly sorrow but what does godly sorrow do?
. (2 Cor. 7:10)
12. Repentance is more than simply a reformation of life. We have to bring
forth meet for repentance. (Matt. 3:8)
13. Give some examples of the fruit of repentance.
(1) Acts 19:18-19
(2) Acts 16:33-34
14. Matt 21:28, What was the sign that the one son had repented? He repent-
and .
15. When the prodigal son repented, he to himself and said that he
would and to his father. (Luke 15:17-18)
16. What leads men to repent?
(1) 2 Corinthians 7:10
(2) 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 of the Lord.
17. When Christians sin they are to and to God. Acts 8:22;
Revelation 2:5.
This is not God's law to the alien sinner but to the child of God
that goes back to the ways of the world. (Hebrews 6:4-6)
Now, after working the verses in the questions above we are prepared
to correct some of the false ideas men have about repentance.
1. Repentance is not salvation.
The fact that we have ceased to love sin does not mean that we
are saved. Paul repented on the road to Damascus. He had to arise
and be led by the hand into the city and Ananias had to come to
him and tell him to "Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins."
2. Repentance is not some mysterious experience.
The Jews on the day of Pentecost were all told to repent and no
record of any mysterious action is recorded. They all repented.
3. Sorrow is not repentance but should lead to repentance.
Some men who cry and mourn their fate are not willing to change
the purpose of their lives. Esau, in Heb. 12:17, is an example. He
found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with
tears.
4. Repentance is unto salvation. (In the direction of) It looks
forward to the salvation of the Great Commission. In Acts 11:18 we
are told that God granted the Gentiles repentance unto life.
In conclusion, we see that repentance is turning from sin, brought
about by a heart set new on the things of God and not on the things
of the world, It comes before baptism and is necessary to it.
***All Bible texts and quotations are taken from the King James Version.
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