What is REPENTANCE really?

[vhusley]

What is repentance? I mean, what is TRUE repentance? Is it a necessary step in the “salvation formula”?
What does a truly repentant person “look like”? Are there outward as well as inward signs to let us know that WE have truly repented or than another is truly repentant?
I believe there are. Read this passage where Paul is giving a defense before King Agrippa:

“For that reason, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, but continually proclaimed to those in Damascus first, and in Jerusalem, and then all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they are to repent and turn to God, performing deeds consistent with repentance.” (Acts 26:19-20 NASB)

So what are those “deeds consistent with repentance” (other translations use the term “works”) of which the Apostle Paul speaks?

 

[vhusley]

What is repentance? I mean, what is TRUE repentance? Is it a necessary step in the “salvation formula”?
What does a truly repentant person “look like”? Are there outward as well as inward signs to let us know that WE have truly repented or than another is truly repentant?
I believe there are. Read this passage where Paul is giving a defense before King Agrippa:

“For that reason, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, but continually proclaimed to those in Damascus first, and in Jerusalem, and then all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they are to repent and turn to God, performing deeds consistent with repentance.” (Acts 26:19-20 NASB)

So what are those “deeds consistent with repentance” (other translations use the term “works”) of which the Apostle Paul speaks?

@Admin, my apologies. this is a duplicate thread that I originally intended to post in the “Bible Discussions” forum. Delete this one if need be.
Thank you!
Vince

 

[Waggles]

John the Baptist Prepares the Way
Matthew 3:2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
3:6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
3:8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
3:10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

 

[Waggles]

A famous British pastor said
Regret is sorrow for one's past mistakes and bad actions;
Remorse is sorrow for offences committed against others; for causing hurt to loved ones;
Repentance is sorrow for offending God and understanding how much unrighteousness we are guilty of.

2Cor 7:10 For the sorrow, according to God, worketh a regretless repentance unto salvation: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
(LITV) For the grief according to God works repentance to salvation, not to be regretted. But the grief of the world works death.
(Weymouth) For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, a repentance not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world finally produces death.

Hebrews 6:1 Wherefore leaving the word of the beginning of the Christ, let us be borne on unto the perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works,
and of faith toward God,-

 

[Dave M]

As someone who grew up with the completely WRONG idea of what repentance was ,, let me tell you what it is not , it is not just confession !! It is a change of heart, I grew up thinking confession and repentance were the same, I was sadly mistaken. Glad the Lord reveled the truth to me.

 

[vhusley]

As someone who grew up with the completely WRONG idea of what repentance was ,, let me tell you what it is not , it is not just confession !! It is a change of heart, I grew up thinking confession and repentance were the same, I was sadly mistaken. Glad the Lord reveled the truth to me.

Yes! Sadly I believe many of us at one time, wrongly equated “confession” or even “asking forgiveness from God” with repentance. I too was shown by God that true repentance must be preceded by Godly sorrow over my sin and as you stated, accompanied by a complete change of mind!
Thanks for your response!

 

[Hekuran]

Yes! Sadly I believe many of us at one time, wrongly equated “confession” or even “asking forgiveness from God” with repentance. I too was shown by God that true repentance must be preceded by Godly sorrow over my sin and as you stated, accompanied by a complete change of mind!
Thanks for your response!

Yes, and the change of heart and mind is followed by a change in behaviour. John the Baptist puts it very clearly and directly in Luke 3

What should we do then?” the crowd asked.

John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

“Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.

Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”

He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

 

[Bob Carabbio]

What is repentance? I mean, what is TRUE repentance?

In a nutshell: STOP, turn around, and go a different way.

It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with SIN (unless that's what you're stopping).

Jesus repented at his baptism - he stopped bein head of Mary's household, and became an itinerant teacher.

God even repented occasionally of the "Evil He was going to bring on Israel", but didn't.

 

[vhusley]

Yes, and the change of heart and mind is followed by a change in behaviour. John the Baptist puts it very clearly and directly in Luke 3

I agree with this 100%. There MUST be a real change in behavior….and it will be evident. But I also believe that not all of those changes can happen immediately nor will be immediately evident in a person. There IS a spiritual maturing that has to take place through the Holy Spirit. Some call it Sanctification.

Overall I believe the change of MIND and change of DIRECTION….TOWARDS wanting to be right with God and AWAY from the things that displease Him, will be immediately evident when a person repents.

Going a step deeper: Does God’s Word suggest (or clearly say) that there’s actually a visible change that takes place (or must take place) BEFORE true repentance can even come?? What do you make of Paul’s words here?
“I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance…..
For Godly Sorrow produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.” (2 Corinthians 7:9-10)

 

[complete]

What is repentance? I mean, what is TRUE repentance? Is it a necessary step in the “salvation formula”?
What does a truly repentant person “look like”? Are there outward as well as inward signs to let us know that WE have truly repented or than another is truly repentant?
I believe there are. Read this passage where Paul is giving a defense before King Agrippa:

“For that reason, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, but continually proclaimed to those in Damascus first, and in Jerusalem, and then all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they are to repent and turn to God, performing deeds consistent with repentance.” (Acts 26:19-20 NASB)

So what are those “deeds consistent with repentance” (other translations use the term “works”) of which the Apostle Paul speaks?

Hello @vhusley,

Paul, by God's grace, turned, and instead of persecuting those who had come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as His Saviour and Lord, and walked in obedience to His known will for him.

As far as it being a necessary step in the, 'salvation formula.' that you refer to: The Thessalonians turned to God from idols (1 Thess. 1:9), and in the verse quoted below from 2 Timothy, the desire is that those who oppose themselves, repent of their opposition, (as Paul himself did), and instead, acknowledge the truth concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, to the salvation of their souls. These are acts of repentance, and of obedience to God's known will:- turning to God, and the acknowledgment of the truth which is in Christ Jesus.

'And the servant of the Lord must not strive;
but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves;
if God peradventure will give them repentance
to the acknowledging of the truth;'
(2 Tim. 2:24-25)

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Hekuran]

I feel uncomfortabke about the phrase "salvation formula" as to me it sounds very transactional.

I see salvation not as a formula but a gracious act of God. He invites us to surrender to him and to enter his kingdom receiving life in all its fullness.

 

[vhusley]

I feel uncomfortabke about the phrase "salvation formula" as to me it sounds very transactional.

I see salvation not as a formula but a gracious act of God. He invites us to surrender to him and to enter his kingdom receiving life in all its fullness.

Do you believe that there are certain "steps" which must be followed in order for a believer to come into a saving relationship with Christ?

For example, You state above that God "invites us to surrender"........so then does us "surrendering" to Him become a necessary "step" or part of the "formula"?

 

[Hekuran]

Do you believe that there are certain "steps" which must be followed in order for a believer to come into a saving relationship with Christ?

For example, You state above that God "invites us to surrender"........so then does us "surrendering" to Him become a necessary "step" or part of the "formula"?

It sounds very mechanical, cold and abstract. The metaphors that appear most often in the Bible are being adopted into God's family, entering his kingdom.

I think, for example, in everyday life we'd find talk of a "formula for adoption" odd, no?

Or maybe I'm being unnecessary fussy about words.

 

[Waggles]

I feel uncomfortable about the phrase "salvation formula" as to me it sounds very transactional.

And yet salvation is transactional - based on specific commandments that need to be followed and acted upon -
Matthew 3:2 Repent ye, for the kingdom of the heavens is at hand.

Luke 13:2 And he answered and said to them, Think ye that these Galilæans were sinners above all the Galilæans, because they have suffered these things?
3 I [Jesus] tell you, Nay, but except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, think ye that they were debtors above all the men that inhabit Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay, but except ye should repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn again, unto the blotting out of your sins, that so seasons of refreshing may come from the Lord’s face;

 

[Hekuran]

And yet salvation is transactional - based on specific commandments that need to be followed and acted upon -
Matthew 3:2 Repent ye, for the kingdom of the heavens is at hand.

Luke 13:2 And he answered and said to them, Think ye that these Galilæans were sinners above all the Galilæans, because they have suffered these things?
3 I [Jesus] tell you, Nay, but except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, think ye that they were debtors above all the men that inhabit Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay, but except ye should repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn again, unto the blotting out of your sins, that so seasons of refreshing may come from the Lord’s face;

I don't want to derail the thread here so won't pursue it any further. For me though repentance - a turnaround that comes from a change of heart and mind - runs much deeper than a transaction or playing out a formula.

 

[vhusley]

I don't want to derail the thread here so won't pursue it any further. For me though repentance - a turnaround that comes from a change of heart and mind - runs much deeper than a transaction or playing out a formula.

I feel it may simply be more of an issue of semantics in this case.

Whether we refer to them as “steps” or not, I believe that we can both agree that there are certain “conditions” which must be met before a person comes into a real saving relationship with Jesus. I believe God’s Word is pretty clear on that.
Be blessed!

 

[B-A-C]

Matt 3:2; "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Even before Jesus started preaching, John the Baptist preached repentance.

Matt 4:17; From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Matt 11:20; Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent.
Mark 1:15; and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
Mark 6:12; They went out and preached that men should repent.
Luke 13:3; "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Luke 13:5; "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

These last two verses seem to say that unless you repent... you will perish. Everyone dies, even Christians die physical deaths, but that's not the kind of perish Jesus is talking about here.

But the question here is... what is repentance? What does it mean to repent? The Bible uses the word "repent" two different ways.

Luke 17:4; "And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him."

If someone comes to you and says... "I repent", you should forgive them. Repent? repent of what? Repent of "sin". It says here even if they "sin" against you seven times.

Acts 2:38; Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Peter says the same thing as Jesus. "Repent" ( and be baptized ) so your sins will be forgiven. Your "sins". Repent of your sin.

Acts 3:19; "Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;
Acts 8:22; "Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.

Repent ( of your sin ) so that your sins will be wiped away. Repent ( of your wickedness ) so that God will forgive you.

Rev 2:21; 'I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality.

Immorality, sin, iniquity. Jesus is saying the same thing He says in Luke 13:3-5; you have to repent ( of immorality ) or else....

Rev 9:20; The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk;
Rev 9:21; and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts.

A few more examples... "did not repent". Repent of what? demon worship, idol worship, murder, sorcery, immorality ( sexual sins ) and thieving ( stealing ).

So most of the time the word "repent" in used, it's in the context of sin.
Repent doesn't mean "change your mind" and it doesn't mean "not want to sin". There are millions of people who "don't want to" sin, but they never stop living how they are living. They keep right on sinning
even though they don't want to. That is NOT repentance. Repentance mean "stop". Stop sinning.

I'm not saying you have to be perfect. But you cannot choose to sin. You cannot "practice" sin. ( doing it all the time ).

 

[B-A-C]

Luke 15:10; "In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Luke 17:3; "Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

Again here we see that it is a "sinner" ( someone living in sin ) who needs to repent.
If your fellow Christian "sins", he needs to repent. ... and if he does, forgive him.

Mark 1:4; John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Luke 3:3; And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins;

Once again... repentance.. for what? Sins. But you have to repent of them. Quit doing them.

Luke 5:32; "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."
Sinners ( people who practice sin ) need to repent. Stop sinning.

John 8:11; She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more."
John 5:14; Afterward Jesus *found him in the temple and said to him, "Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you."

Eph 4:28; He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.

2Cor 12:21; I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.

 

[B-A-C]

1Cor 6:9; Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,
1Cor 6:10; nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

Gal 5:19; Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Gal 5:20; idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
Gal 5:21; envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Luke 13:3; "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Jas 1:14; But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
Jas 1:15; Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
Jas 1:16; Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

It doesn't matter what you say you believe.... Even demons believe. The proof is in the pudding. How you live.

1Tim 5:24; The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after.

Jas 1:21; Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.
Jas 1:22; But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

Anyone who tells you repentance has nothing to do with sin, is a false teacher, with a false doctrine of demons.

2Tim 4:3; For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
1Tim 4:1; But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,

 

[Bill Taylor]

You are, of course correct. However, people fail to form relationships with the truth, even many calling themselves after the name of our Christ. Over the past 33 years of my service to YHWH, I have been instructed by some naming the Christ as their own that they no longer sin... poo-fah! The Church, contrary to what people believe, is not a building nor a series of buildings. The Church is the Believers that love Yahshua and serve Him.