Repentance

What is Repentance?

Repentance comes from the Greek word metanoia [G3341] which means compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication reversal.

It comes from a word that means to reconsider or to think differently.

Metanoia is more than feeling remorse for past actions; it’s a profound change in mindset that directs a person toward God and away from sin, as emphasized in 2 Cor 7:10, resulting in a transformed life that reflects new patterns of living and behaving.

The Role of Repentance in Our Initial Salvation

Repentance plays a role in our initial conversion and inclusion in the church. On the day of Pentecost, the people who heard Peter’s message were cut to the heart prompting them to ask, "What shall we do?" Peter replied to repent, be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit. The people immediately responded, were baptized, and added to their number. Acts 2:37-41

Four things took place in their response. (1) Repentance (2) Baptism (3) Received the Holy Spirit (4) Added to the Church.

Repentance is an Essential Part of the Gospel Message

God Requires All People to Repent

Acts 17:29-31 … now he commands all people everywhere to repent

Luke 13:1-5 … unless you repent, you too will all perish

Repentance Leads to Forgiveness of Sins

Luke 24:46-47 ... Repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem

Acts 3:19 ... Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out

Repentance and Faith are Two Sides of the Same Coin

Acts 20:21 … repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mark 1:15 ... repent and believe in the the gospel

Repentance Brings About Change

Read the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10, and see if you can identify the things that indicated repentance had taken place in his heart.

Heaven Rejoices When One Sinner Repents

Luke 15:7 … there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents

Repentance is Also a Continuous Process In Our Lives

While repentance plays a huge part in our salvation and initiation into the kingdom of God, it is also an ongoing process as we learn to hear the word of the Lord and respond in obedience. Repentance is always saying “yes” to Jesus.

Matt 21:28-31 ... Repentance brings action, not just good intentions - "afterward he changed his mind and went" [changed his mind = Gk word “repented”].

Acts 26:20 ... Repentance will be obvious, seen by the deeds we perform

Rev 2:4-5 ... If we have fallen from our first love, repentance can cause us to consider our actions, and go back to do the things we did at first

Psa 119:59-60 ... Repentance is considering our ways, then turning our feet to God’s ways