Lesson 13

REPENTANCE

King James Version (KJV)

1. What Is Repentance?

a. Repentance, Broadly

To repent, in the most general sense in the Bible, is to change one's mind or purpose. This sense of the word occurs in examples of repentance where salvation is not an issue. Consider Jesus' parable of the two sons (Matt.21:28-30). One son said, " `I will not,' when asked to work in his father's vineyard, but afterward he repented, and went. This son changed his mind, and having changed it, he did what he had earlier said he would not do.

Isaac, the son of Abraham, refused to repent on one occasion (Gen. 27:1-40). Esau was one of Isaac's two sons and according, to the custom of the time, was expected, as the first-born son, to receive special favors from his father. On the day when Isaac planned to give a once-in-a-lifetime blessing to Esau, Jacob, the younger son, went to his blind father and pretended to be Esau while his brother was out hunting. Isaac granted this most significant blessing to Jacob. When Esau returned and learned what had happened, he cried out in anguish, "Bless me, even me also, O my father." Isaac refused to transfer to Esau the blessing he had already given to Jacob, even though Jacob had obtained it deceitfully. In commenting on this episode Heb. 12:17 says that Esau found no place of repentance [on the part of his father] , though he sought it carefully with tears. Isaac would not change his mind.

b. Repentance to Salvation

According to the Bible, repentance involves more than changing one's mind when salvation is an issue. On the day of Pentecost, because of Peter's preaching, many became convinced they were sinners and were pricked in their heart. They asked "what shall we do?" Peter told them to Repent, and be baptized (Acts 2:36-38). Neither being convinced of being a sinner nor being cut to the heart is repentance. Both are prerequisites to it. Otherwise, Peter would not have commanded those who were pricked in their heart to repent.

When the people on the day of Pentecost were pricked in their heart, they were experiencing godly sorrow, the remorse one feels when he realizes he has sinned against God, has become alienated from God, and is spiritually lost: For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death (2 Cor. 7:10). One whose repentance grows out of godly sorrow does not regret having repented. One whose repentance grows out of any other motive or sentiment has not pleased God.

We need to distinguish godly sorrow, which produces genuine repentance, from mere regret, which does not. Herod Antipas is an example. At a banquet for high-ranking people in his kingdom, he made a rash promise to his step-daughter that he later regretted because it led him to execute John the Baptist (Mark 6:14-29). However, his pride kept him from changing his mind and withdrawing the promise (Mark.6:26). But what if Herod had changed his mind and withdrawn the promise? Would God have been pleased with his repentance? According to 2 Cor. 7:10, it depends on whether godly sorrow or worldly sorrow produced his change of mind.

There are four essential elements associated with the kind of repentance that produces conversion or restoration and therefore leads to salvation. First, there must be faith (Heb.11:6), which comes by hearing God's word (Rom.10:17). A person cannot be convinced that he has offended God unless he believes in God and that it is possible for God to be offended by sinful behavior. Second, there must be remorse (godly sorrow). Third, there must be a change of mind that includes the resolve not to sin again. Fourth, there must be reformation (in which the behavior following repentance shows the change of mind is being carried out). The fourth element is referred to in scripture as fruits meet for repentance (Matt. 3:8; Lk.3:8).

On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached God's word, which produced in many who heard (1) a belief that they were guilty of sin and (2) a feeling of guilt (remorse, godly sorrow) for their sin. Peter told them (3) to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. Those who felt the guilt of their sin immediately (4) obeyed and became transformed people. (Acts 2:41-47). All of this was associated with repentance to salvation .

The same pattern is seen in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). The two sons in the family had been taught to know and fear God, but the younger son wasted his share of the inheritance on loose living and harlots. When he saw the results of his extravagant living (losing all of his money, family, friends, respect, and God's favor), he came to himself . He was convicted of the sin he had committed against his father and God. At this point in his life he was overcome with godly sorrow and changed his mind. He resolved to return home as a penitent sinner. He not only changed his mind but acted upon his resolve. He returned with a penitent heart, confessing his sins. He reformed his life and was restored to favor with his father.

From the scriptures introduced in this lesson, we see what repentance to salvation involves. If you think that simply being sorry for what you have done wrong means that you have repented and God has forgiven you, then your understanding of repentance disagrees with Bible teaching. Or if you think that because you have changed your ways you have repented and God has forgiven you, you need to think seriously about what motivated you to change. Remorse over the earthly consequences of doing wrong (which the Bible describes as sorrow of the world , 2 Cor. 7:10) often causes people to change their ways but does not lead them to God. That kind of repentance does not avail with God. Remember, the ultimate result of not repenting as God prescribes is perishing.

2. Repentance Is Essential To Salvation

To see even more clearly the importance of repentance, we begin with the preaching of John the Baptist. Repentance was the keynote of his message and basis of his appeal to the people: "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matt. 3:2). During His own ministry Jesus preached the same message (Matt. 4:17).

Once some who were with Jesus wondered whether the Galileans whom Pilate, the Roman governor, had killed received this fate because they were more wicked than others. And what about the 18 people who died when the tower of Siloam fell on them? Maybe their death was not an accident at all but repayment for their great wickedness. Jesus told those gathered around Him that their supposition was false. Knowing He was talking to people who themselves were wicked and rebellious, He said, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish (Lk.13:1-5). In giving the great commission at the end of His ministry, Christ said that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47).

On the day of Pentecost Peter commanded those who now believed in Jesus as the Christ, " Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). In this verse repentance and baptism have the same relationship to forgiveness of sins. Both acts occur before forgiveness and both are equally necessary to obtain forgiveness. Later Peter expressed the same idea when he was preaching in the temple in Jerusalem. He told the people, Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out Acts 3:19).

Several years later, shortly after Peter had preached to the Gentiles in the home of Cornelius (Acts 10), he gave a report to the other apostles and Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 11:1-17). Peter was the first person to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. This was disturbing to Jews because the Gentiles were considered unclean. It was unlawful for a Jew to go into their homes and eat with them. Peter explained how God had poured out the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles while he was speaking to them, showing that He intended for the Gentiles to receive His word, too. When the Jews heard what had actually happened they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life (Acts 11:18). Gentiles can have salvation on the basis of repentance just as Jews. There is no salvation for either Jew or Gentile without repentance.

During one of his preaching trips, Paul spent time in the city of Athens. He saw that the city was devoted to the worship of idols. Noticing an altar dedicated "TO AN UNKNOWN GOD," he used the opportunity to teach a lesson about God that made the world and all things therein (Acts 17:23-24). This God was not a god of gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device (Acts 17:29), but a God in whom we live, and move, and have our being (Acts 17:28). He is a God that demands that men be morally respectable and accountable: And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." (Acts 17:30-31).

In 2 Pet. 3, Peter answered the allegation of certain scoffers that Christ would not return because "for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation (2 Pet. 3:4). Peter pointed out that just as the heavens and earth were created by the word of God long ago, so " the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men " (2 Pet. 3:7). The reason for the delay in the return of Christ, Peter said, is not that He will not return but that God is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet.3:9). Indeed, God graciously provides time for repentance, but His longsuffering will eventually be exhausted. He will destroy His creation, and those who do not repent will perish.

It is important, even necessary, for us to repent because God commands it. If we respect the authority of God's word, that in itself is enough to convince us. It is helpful, however, to consider the results of not repenting. If we do not repent, we cannot have forgiveness of our sins. If we do not repent, we will face Christ on the Day of Judgment unprepared to defend our unrighteousness. If we do not repent, we will be judged and condemned to perish on the day God destroys the material creation in a fiery holocaust.

3. Some Misconceptions About Repentance

Some believe if they are truly sorry and express regrets, they have repented. What this approach lacks is godly sorrow, that deep sense of having offended God, and a change of heart that leads to a reformation of life. Sorrow followed by the expression of regret is not the repentance that leads to life (Acts 11:18) or salvation (2 Cor. 7:10). Judas, after betraying Jesus, was remorseful for what he had done. He even confessed his wrong to Jewish officials, " I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood." Instead of reforming his life by producing the fruits of repentance, he went out and hanged himself (Matt.27:3-6).

Perhaps you are among those who have been taught that faith is the only act of man that is essential to salvation. If you see from the scriptures we have discussed that repentance is also necessary, you realize a contradiction seems to exist. Some who believe as you do say that repentance is necessary, not as an act of man but as a gift of God that enables a person to turn from unbelief to belief. However, viewing repentance as a gift of God runs counter to those verses in which we are commanded to repent (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30) or in which we are told that God is graciously waiting for us to repent (2 Pet. 3:9).

Perhaps "salvation by faith alone" does not precisely describe your belief. Perhaps saying that "salvation occurs at the point of faith" is a more accurate description. Clearly, then, in your view repentance does not come after faith; otherwise, it would not be essential to salvation. Therefore, repentance must occur either before or during the act of believing. As a command to be obeyed, however, repentance cannot logically come before or even as a part of faith. An alcoholic who abuses his wife during a drunken stupor cannot repent of his deed, even if he were willing to do so, until he is first convinced that he did it. Likewise, repentance that leads to salvation cannot occur until a person believes he has offended God. The Biblical order is (1) a belief that I have offended God and am in need of His forgiveness, (2) a remorse that grows out of realizing I am lost, (3) a change of mind in which I resolve not to offend God again, and (4) a change in my life in which I put my resolution into practice.

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PART 1--Fill in the blanks

Look up the following verses in the Bible, click on the blank and type your answer

1. 2 Chron. 7:13-14 If I shut up heaven that there be no , or if I command the locusts to the land, or if I send among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall themselves, and , and my face, and from their wicked ways; then will I from heaven, and will their sin, and will their land.

2. Ezek. 18:30 Therefore I will you, O house of Israel, every one according to his , saith the Lord GOD. , and turn yourselves from all your ; so shall not be your .

3. Acts 8:20-23 But Peter said unto him, Thy money with thee, because thou hast thought that the of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy is not right in the sight of God. therefore of this thy , and God, if perhaps the of thine may be thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

4. Acts 26:19-20 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of , and at , and throughout all the coasts of , and then to the , that they should and to God, and do works meet for .

5. Rev. 2:5 therefore from whence thou art , and , and do the first ; or else I will unto thee quickly, and will thy candlestick out of his place, except thou .

6. Rev. 9:20-21 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet not of the of their hands, that they should not worship , and of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither they of their , nor of their , nor of their , nor of their .

PART 2--True or False:

Select "True" if the statement is correct or "False" if incorrect.

True False 7. Godly sorrow is the remorse people feel when they realize they have sinned against God, have thereby separated themselves from God, and are lost.

True False 8. Broadly speaking, those who repent are those who change their minds.

True False 9. John the Baptist and Jesus preached repentance because the kingdom would come in the distant future.

True False 10. If we express regret for doing wrong, we have accomplished the most important part of repentance.

True False 11. When the people who were cut to the heart on the day of Pentecost obeyed Peter's commands and transformed their lives, they were producing "fruit" that demonstrated their repentance.

True False 12. Esau convinced his father, Isaac, to change his mind and transfer to him the blessing Isaac had already given to Jacob.

True False 13. The statements "Repentance is essential to salvation" and "Faith alone is essential to salvation" are incompatible.

True False 14. Jesus told His disciples to preach repentance in Jerusalem only.

True False 15. If we do not repent, God will not forgive our sins.

PART 3--Multiple choice

Select the phrase or phrases that correctly complete each statement.
PLEASE NOTE: SOME statements have MORE THAN ONE correct completion.

16. Elements associated with the kind of repentance that leads to salvation include:

    a. The belief that one has offended God and needs His forgiveness.

    b. Anger that one's family has learned about his sin.

    c. A change of mind in which one resolves not to sin again.

    d. The resolve to do a better job of covering up one's sin in the future.

17. The son who refused to work in the vineyard then decided to work after all shows us:

    a. Boys dislike being told what to do.

    b. His father must have threatened to beat him.

    c. He realized he needed the money he would earn.

    d. Repentance involves a change of mind.

18. According to Acts 2:38 and Acts 3:19 repentance is:

    a. Not mentioned.

    b. Offered as an option to those who wanted to join the church.

    c. Commanded.

    d. Necessary for one's sins to be remitted or blotted out.

19. When Paul spoke in Athens, he taught that:

    a. God intends for everybody to repent.

    b. God is merciful and will not judge those who do not repent.rd.

    c. God can be represented as an idol of gold, silver, or stone.

    d. God has appointed someone to judge the world.

20. We can be sure Judas Iscariot did not repent of betraying Christ because:

    a. He did not show any remorse.

    b. He did not confess that he had done wrong.

    c. He did not reform his life.

    d. He actively opposed Christ for the rest of his life.

21. The proper motive for the kind of repentance that leads to salvation is the desire to avoid:

    a. Future embarrassment among one's friends.

    b. Possible prosecution.

    c. Going to prison.

    d. Offending God again.

22. Sorrow for wrongdoing that takes into account only earthly consequences:

    a. Produces death rather than salvation.

    b. Is according to the will of God.

    c. Produces a type of repentance that one will never regret.

    d. Grows out the remorse one experiences when he realizes he has sinned against God.

23. In the parable of the prodigal son, the younger son:

    a. Wasted his inheritance and sinned against his father.

    b. Was rejected by his father for the rest of his life.

    c. Found that living the "good life" was too exciting and pleasurable to give up.

    d. Became deeply sorry for his sin and decided to return home.

24. According to some who lived in Peter's day, repentance was foolish because:

    a. God has never been interested in repentance.

    b. Christ is never coming back to judge the deeds of men.

    c. God is longsuffering and will not allow any to perish.

    d. All of us are going to be destroyed by fire regardless of what we do.

25. Repentance cannot occur before faith because:

    a. A person must believe he has offended God before he can repent.

    b. Faith is the only act on our part that saves us.

    c. It is baptism that actually comes before faith.

    d. Faith and repentance are really the same thing.

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