Page 529 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

REPENTANCE

behold, a greater than Jonas is here.” Jesus stated that and restored four-fold that which he had stolen through
the men of Nineveh ‘repented at the preaching of Jonas.’ his tax collecting business.
Jonah 3 shows that they heard the Word of God, Luke 24:47. “And that repentance and remission of sins
believed God, fasted, put on sackcloth, and turned from should be preached in his name among all nations,
their sin. Christ considered their actions to be a result of beginning at Jerusalem.” Repentance is part of the
their repentance. Would He have approved what they Gospel message that is to be preached to the ends of the
did if there had been no change of action? The answer earth. Repentance is part of the Great Commission.
is obvious. Acts 2:37-41. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and
Matthew 21:28-29. “But what think ye? A certain man be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will Holy Ghost.” The Jews in Acts 2 who heard Peter’s
not: but afterward he repented, and went.” The son’s sermon repented, and the evidence of this is that they
repentance was witnessed by his change of mind and his gladly received his word, were baptized, and joined
obedience. A mere change of mind without a change in themselves with the hated Christians. Again we see that
action would not have satisfied the father’s command. repentance is to turn one’s life from sin and rebellion to
Luke 5:32. “I came not to call the righteous, but God and obedience; it is a change of mind toward God
sinners to repentance.” Christ’s objective was not merely and sin that results in a change of life. The first church
to bring men to a mental belief in the Gospel but to was built on the preaching of repentance!
bring them to repentance, which, as we have seen, Acts 3:19. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that
means a turning from sin, a change of mind that results your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing
in a change of life. shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Repentance is
Luke 13:3-5. “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye God’s requirement for every sinner who will be saved.
shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom Repentance precedes and brings conversion and
the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they forgiveness of sin.
were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell Acts 5:31. “Him hath God exalted with his right hand
you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to
perish.” Christ absolutely requires repentance for Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Repentance is required for
salvation. and precedes forgiveness of sin. It is a work of Christ in
Luke 15:7-10. “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall the heart of the responsive sinner.
be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than Acts 8:21-22. “Thou hast neither part nor lot in this
over ninety and nine just persons, which need no matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
repentance. Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if
if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.”
house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she Peter warned Simon to repent of his covetousness,
hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours which meant he was to turn from it, to reject it, to
together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the change his mind about it and to stop it.
piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is Acts 11:18. “When they heard these things, they held
joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also
that repenteth.” Again, we see that Christ requires to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” Note that
repentance for salvation. God and heaven do not rejoice the disciples described salvation as repentance. They
merely because someone prays a prayer in the name of thought of salvation commonly in these terms. Note,
Christ (Mt. 7:21) or because someone makes a mental too, that repentance is a work of God in the heart of the
assent to the Gospel (James 2:19-20). God and heaven responsive sinner.
rejoice when a sinner repents. Acts 17:30. “And the times of this ignorance God
Luke 19:1-10. “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to
Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; repent.” Paul preached repentance to the idolatrous
and if I have taken any thing from any man by false people at Athens. He did not even mention faith in
accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto Christ, but he explained that God demands repentance.
him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch The preaching of God’s holiness and righteousness and
as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is man’s fallen condition and need of repentance precedes
come to seek and to save that which was lost.” and prepares the way for the preaching of the Cross.
Zacchaeus’s repentance was a change of mind that
resulted in a dramatic change of life. The evidence of his Acts 20:21. “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to
repentance was that he gave half his goods to the poor the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 529