Topical Encyclopedia Repentance is a fundamental concept in the Christian faith, serving as a crucial condition for receiving God's favor. It is the act of turning away from sin and returning to God, characterized by a sincere change of heart and mind. The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of repentance as a prerequisite for forgiveness and restoration of fellowship with God.Old Testament Foundations The call to repentance is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word for repentance, "shuv," means to turn back or return. This concept is vividly illustrated in the prophetic writings, where God repeatedly calls His people to return to Him. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God promises, "And My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land." Here, repentance is linked to humility, prayer, and a turning away from sin, resulting in divine forgiveness and healing. The prophets, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah, also emphasize repentance. Isaiah 55:7 declares, "Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon." This passage highlights God's readiness to forgive those who genuinely repent and turn back to Him. New Testament Fulfillment In the New Testament, repentance remains a central theme, beginning with the ministry of John the Baptist, who preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4). Jesus Himself began His public ministry with a call to repentance, as recorded in Matthew 4:17: "From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.'" The Greek word for repentance, "metanoia," signifies a transformative change of heart and mind. This transformation is not merely an emotional response but involves a deliberate decision to turn away from sin and align one's life with God's will. In Luke 15:7, Jesus underscores the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, illustrating the value God places on repentance. The apostles continued this message, urging all people to repent. In Acts 2:38, Peter exhorts, "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." Repentance is presented as the gateway to forgiveness and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, marking the beginning of a new life in Christ. Repentance and God's Favor Repentance is not only about turning away from sin but also about turning toward God. It is an acknowledgment of one's need for God's grace and mercy. In 2 Peter 3:9, we read, "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance." This verse reveals God's desire for all to repent and receive His favor, highlighting His patience and willingness to forgive. The parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) beautifully illustrates the condition of God's favor through repentance. The father's joyous reception of his repentant son symbolizes God's readiness to welcome and restore those who return to Him with a contrite heart. Practical Implications For believers, repentance is an ongoing process, essential for maintaining a right relationship with God. It involves regular self-examination, confession of sins, and a commitment to live according to God's commandments. As 1 John 1:9 assures, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Repentance is thus a vital aspect of the Christian life, opening the door to God's favor, forgiveness, and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Through genuine repentance, believers experience the fullness of God's grace and the joy of restored fellowship with Him. Nave's Topical Index Leviticus 26:40-42If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary to me; Nave's Topical Index 2 Chronicles 7:14 Library The Doctrines of Salvation A. Repentance. B. Faith. C. ... Behold all Ye that Kindle a Fire, that Compass Yourselves About ... "Is not this the Carpenter's Son?" Man's Own Character no Ground of Peace God. Come and Welcome Entire Sanctification as Taught by Paul. Letter xx. Self-Examination. Do are Then Make Void the Law through Faith? God Forbid; Yea, we ... Regeneration by Faith. Of Repentance. Resources How to repent'what does the Bible say? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God is not willing for any to perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9)? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean that today is the day of salvation? | GotQuestions.org Repentance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Repentance by the Operation of the Holy Spirit Repentance by the Preaching of Haggai Repentance by the Preaching of Oded Repentance in Asking for a King Repentance in the Time of Asa, by the Preaching of Azariah Repentance of Their Idolatry, when Afflicted by the Philistines Repentance of Worshiping the Golden Calf Repentance: Achan, Because of his Theft Repentance: After Hearing the Law Expounded by Ezra Repentance: Ahab, when Reproved by Elijah for Ahab's Idolatry Repentance: At the Dedication of the Second Temple Repentance: Balaam, of his Spiritual Blindness Repentance: Because of Their Idolatrous Marriages Repentance: Because of Their Oppressive Usury Repentance: Called Repentance to Life Repentance: Called Repentance to Salvation Repentance: Christ Came to Call Sinners To Repentance: Christ Exalted to Give Repentance: Commanded by Christ Repentance: Commanded to all by God Repentance: Condition of God's Favor Repentance: Conviction of Sin Necessary To Repentance: Danger of Neglecting Repentance: David, at the Rebuke of Nathan, for his Sins of Adultery and Murder Repentance: Denied to Apostates Repentance: Hezekiah, at the Time of his Sickness Repentance: Illustrated: The Prodigal Son Repentance: Illustrated: The Repentant Son Repentance: Jonah, After his Punishment Repentance: Joseph's Brothers, of Their Maltreatment of Joseph Repentance: Josiah, when he Heard the Law of God Which had been Discovered in the Temple by Hilkiah Repentance: Manasseh, when he Was Carried Away Captive to Babylon by the King of Assyria Repentance: Ministers should Rejoice Over Their People on Their Repentance: Necessary to the Pardon of Sin Repentance: Neglect of, Followed by Swift Judgment Repentance: Not to be Repented of Repentance: Peter, Because of his Denial of Jesus Repentance: Pharaoh, of his Hardness of Heart Repentance: Preached by Christ Repentance: Preached by John the Baptist Repentance: Preached by the Apostles Repentance: Preached in the Name of Christ Repentance: Rehoboam, when his Kingdom Was Invaded, and Jerusalem Was Besieged Repentance: Repentance of Their Complaining Because of Lack of Bread and Water Repentance: Saul, at the Rebuke of Samuel for not Destroying the Amalekites Repentance: should be Accompanied by Confession Repentance: should be Accompanied by Conversion Repentance: should be Accompanied by Faith Repentance: should be Accompanied by Greater Zeal in the Path of Duty Repentance: should be Accompanied by Humility Repentance: should be Accompanied by Prayer Repentance: should be Accompanied by Self-Abhorrence Repentance: should be Accompanied by Shame and Confusion Repentance: should be Accompanied by Turning from Idolatry Repentance: should be Accompanied by Turning from Sin Repentance: should be Evidenced by Fruits Repentance: The Burden of the Preaching of Jesus Repentance: The Burden of the Preaching of John the Baptist Repentance: The Disobedient Son Repentance: The Ephesians, by the Preaching of Paul Repentance: The Jews, by the Preaching of John the Baptist Repentance: The Ninevites, by the Preaching of Jonah Repentance: The Present Time the Season For Repentance: The Wicked: Averse To Repentance: The Wicked: Condemned for Neglecting Repentance: The Wicked: Neglect the Time Given For Repentance: The Wicked: Not Led to by the Judgments of God Repentance: The Wicked: Not Led To, by Miraculous Interference Repentance: The Woman Who Anointed Jesus With Oil Repentance: There is Joy in Heaven Over One Sinner Brought To Repentance: True: Thief on the Cross Repentance: Unavailing: To Esau Repentance: Unavailing: To Israel Repentance: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Repentance: Under the Influence of Hezekiah Repentance: we should be Led To, by Godly Sorrow Works Repentance: we should be Led To, by The Chastisements of God Repentance: we should be Led To, by The Goodness of God Repentance: we should be Led To, by The Patience of God Repentance: when Rebuked by an Angel for not Expelling the Canaanites Repentance: when Reproved by the Prophet Micah Related Terms Long-suffering (23 Occurrences) |
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