What the Bible Teaches--A Guide to Total Christian Commitment 
by Rev. James McRobbie    ©Pillar of Fire, International 
In repentance, "we choose to change our mind, give up the course of this evil world, and seek the more satisfying ways of God and eternal life."
Learn more about the power of the Holy Spirit for personal holiness through Sanctification

[Bottom of page] [The Living Word] [Back: Chapter 5] [Next: Chapter 7] [Index]
Chapter 6 Contents: [What It Means] [Repentance Must Precede Faith] [Fruits of Repentance] [Samples of Repentance]

[What the Bible Teaches refers to numerous passages from the Bible. Your study will be greatly enhanced by looking up the verses as you go along. If you want to look up Bible verses online as you study, clicking here will open up "The Bible Gateway" in a new window. You may then use the title buttons on your browser screen to move back and forth between the Bible and this study. All quotations in What the Bible Teaches are from the King James Version [KJV] unless otherwise specified.]

Chapter 6: What the Bible Teaches ABOUT REPENTANCE

    Repentance is foundational and fundamental in the Christian life, for there is no way to be saved without it. In Hebrews 6:1 we are reminded of "laying again the foundation of repentance." It is the word by which our Lord initiated His ministry [Matthew 4:17]; it constituted the theme of the Baptist's message [Matthew 3:2]; it is conspicuous in apostolic teaching [Acts 2:38; 5:31]; it is in the epistles [Romans 2:4, etc.]; it is found in Revelation [2:5, etc.].
 

What it Means

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    The Greek word for "repentance" is metanoia, from meta, "to change," and nos, the "mind." It signifies, therefore, a change of mind. In our unregenerate state we follow the course of this evil world [Ephesians 2:2], fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, but being convinced of the folly of this course, we choose to change our mind, give this up, and seek the more satisfying ways of God and eternal life.
    The Old Testament word for evangelical repentance is "return" [Ezekiel 33:11; Malachi 3:7]. It signifies a turning about, a retracing of the steps through a voluntary decision of the mind.
    There are at least three things which constitute repentance:

Repentance Must Precede Faith

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    We should always remember where to look for that verse of St. Paul's that sums up the epitome of his preaching: "Testifying," says he, "both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. [Acts 20:21]. Here are the two indispensable steps that lead up to the "holy place" of the tabernacle of God. Where either of these is lacking it is impossible to be saved. They reveal the human side of salvation. The Philippian jailer asked, "What must I do to be saved?" The answer was, "Believe." This man was on believing ground for his attitude revealed the state of his heart -- true contrition.
    In Acts 2:38 repentance is said to precede "remission of sins." In Acts 3:19 repentance is seen to be a condition of conversion, leading to the experience in which sins are "blotted out."
    Jesus, like St. Paul, put repentance before faith: "Repent ye, and believe the gospel" [Mark 1:15], He said. He also added, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" [Luke 13:3]. This reveals how final and authoritative repentance was in our Lord's ministry. He emphatically enjoined repentance upon all as the sole condition by which eternal life is gained.
    Repentance is imperative; it is God's irrevocable command. Said Paul in his notable address to the Athenians, "The times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent" [Acts 17:30], and this, because "he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness" [Acts 17:31].

Fruits of Repentance

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    True, genuine repentance will always bring forth "worthy" fruits -- fruits that are beautiful to behold, and which are also wholesome and sustaining to the penitent.

Samples of Repentance

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    When you think of giving an illustration or example of repentance what comes to your mind? What is the chapter in the New Testament that gives three illustrations of repentance? When the lost sheep was found the owner called his neighbors to rejoice with him. "Likewise," said Jesus, "joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance" [Luke 15:7]. When the woman found the piece of silver there was great rejoicing, and so, adds Jesus, "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth" [Luke 15:10]. The next story in this chapter is the parable of the prodigal son which shows repentance in action.
    Another outstanding New Testament story that teaches repentance is found in Luke 18:13. The publican humbled himself before God, confessed his unworthiness, deplored the wickedness of his heart by smiting his breast, and was thereby exalted -- "went down to his house justified."
    There are three conspicuous examples of repentance in the Old Testament. First of all there is David's confession and humiliation of spirit, of which we are given a full-size portrait in his incomparable penitential Psalm [51].
    In Jonah 3:5-8 is the story of how the people of Nineveh "believed God," how they turned every one from his "evil way," and how they cried "mightily unto God." As is always the case where there is true repentance, God "saw their works, . . . and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not" [verse 10].
    Manassah, the king of Judah, furnishes a further Old Testament example of repentance. He was the most wicked king that Judah had, yet in his trouble he humbled himself, repented of his evil ways, turned to God and found mercy and divine favor [2 Chronicles 33].
    These things are written "for our admonition" [1 Corinthians 10:11]. They are to teach us that irrespective of how long one has sinned, or how grievously one may have sinned, or how seriously one may have sinned, with the exception of the sin against the Holy Ghost, all manner of sin will be forgiven.
    The mercy and goodness and longsuffering of God towards sinning and rebellious men reveals the intense love of the great Father-heart of the Creator, and shows us why He is "not willing that any should perish," but that
"All should come to repentance."

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