There are two biblical components to a true conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ; repentance and faith. Today, we continue our study with the biblical doctrine of repentance.
What is repentance? It is a change of attitude and action from sin toward obedience to God. The doctrine of repentance differs slightly in the Hebrew and Greek minds, but an emphasis upon right behavior is comprehensively consistent.
In the New Testament, the ministry and message of repentance began with John the Baptist. His message was clear from the outset.
- Matthew 3:2 (ESV) – “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
- Matthew 3:8 (ESV) – “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.”
- Mark 1:4 (ESV) “John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”
The message of repentance continued in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Matthew 9:13 (ESV) – “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
- Luke 13:5 (ESV) – “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
- Luke 15:7 (ESV) – “7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
- Luke 24:47 (ESV) – “…and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”
With the beginning of the church, the Apostle Peter continued the message of repentance.
- Acts 2:38 (ESV) – “And Peter said to them, “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 3:19 (ESV) – “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,”
Like the Apostle Peter and his ministry to the Jews, the Apostle Paul maintained the message of repentance to the Gentiles.
(a) Acts 17:30 (ESV) – “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,”
(b) Acts 26:20 (ESV) – “…but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.”
“Repentance is a critical element of conversion. It always speaks of a change of purpose and specifically a turning from sin. Repentance is not merely shame or sorrow, although genuine repentance always involves an element of remorse,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.
“It is a redirection of the human will, a purposeful decision to forsake all unrighteousness and pursue righteousness instead. Nor is repentance merely a human work. It is, like element of redemption, a sovereignly bestowed gift of God (Acts 5:31; 11:18; 2 Tim. 2:25). If God is the One who grants repentance, it cannot be viewed as a human work,” concludes Dr. MacArthur.
“What we need is to go back to our Reformation roots and remember what Martin Luther wrote as the first of the Ninety-Five Theses posted on the door of the Castle Church at Wittenberg. “When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said ‘repent,’ he meant that the entire life of believers should be one of repentance.” This means that we never cease being sinners, that we must honestly and constantly confess that we are sinners, and that we must rely unceasingly on the sustaining grace of God to obey God, live for God, and serve others. Even then we must confess that at the best “we are unworthy servants” (Luke 17:10),” explains Dr. James Montgomery Boice.
May each of us seek to be repentant sinners as we serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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