Topical Bible: Repentance: Christ Came to Call Sinners To

◄ Repentance: Christ Came to Call Sinners To ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Repentance is a central theme in the teachings of Jesus Christ, who emphasized its necessity for salvation and reconciliation with God. The call to repentance is a call to turn away from sin and to turn towards God, embracing a life of holiness and obedience. This entry explores the biblical foundation of repentance as taught by Christ, highlighting its significance and implications for believers.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament presents repentance as an essential response to the gospel message. Jesus began His public ministry with a call to repentance, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew: "From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near'" (Matthew 4:17). This proclamation underscores the urgency and importance of repentance in the context of the coming kingdom of God.

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus further clarifies His mission: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Mark 2:17). Here, Jesus identifies Himself as the physician of souls, emphasizing that His mission is to call sinners to repentance. This statement highlights the inclusive nature of Christ's call, extending grace and forgiveness to all who recognize their need for redemption.

Parables and Teachings

Jesus often used parables to illustrate the concept of repentance. The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) is a poignant example, depicting a wayward son who, after squandering his inheritance, comes to his senses and returns to his father in repentance. The father's joyful reception of his repentant son mirrors God's readiness to forgive and restore those who turn back to Him.

Another significant teaching is found in the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7), where Jesus describes a shepherd leaving ninety-nine sheep to find the one that is lost. This parable illustrates the value God places on each sinner who repents, as Jesus concludes, "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent" (Luke 15:7).

The Role of John the Baptist

John the Baptist, as the forerunner of Christ, played a crucial role in preparing the way for Jesus' ministry by preaching a baptism of repentance. In Matthew 3:2, John declares, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" . His message set the stage for Jesus' own call to repentance, emphasizing the continuity and consistency of this divine mandate.

Repentance and Faith

Repentance is intrinsically linked to faith in the New Testament. In Acts 20:21, the Apostle Paul summarizes his ministry as "testifying to Jews and Greeks alike about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus" . This dual emphasis on repentance and faith underscores the transformative nature of the gospel, which calls individuals to turn from sin and trust in Christ for salvation.

The Apostolic Message

The apostles continued to proclaim the message of repentance after Jesus' ascension. On the day of Pentecost, Peter exhorted the crowd, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins" (Acts 2:38). This call to repentance was foundational to the early church's evangelistic efforts, as they sought to bring people into a right relationship with God through Christ.

Conclusion

Repentance remains a vital aspect of the Christian faith, as it signifies a heartfelt turning away from sin and a commitment to follow Christ. Through His life, teachings, and sacrificial death, Jesus Christ extends an invitation to all sinners to repent and experience the fullness of God's grace and forgiveness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 9:13
But go you and learn what that means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic ...
... And so Christ came not to call the righteous but sinners - not to repentance, as
our common text erroneously puts it in Matthew 9:13, and Mark 2:17, [2391] but ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvii the call of.htm

Of the Feast at which it was Objected at once that Christ Ate with ...
... Luke, again, after the words, "I came not to ... but sinners," has added the term, "unto
repentance." This addition ... that sinners are loved by Christ, purely for ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxvii of the feast at.htm

An Appeal to Sinners
... Christ; and hence "this man receiveth sinners," but it is not said that he receiveth
any else. "He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/an appeal to sinners.htm

Repentance and Restitution.
... Christ said, He "came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Are you a sinner? Then the call to repent is addressed to you. ...
/.../the way to god and how to find it/chapter vi repentance and restitution.htm

Infants Saved as Sinners.
... may be their true sense, which makes Christ adduce the ... But when He had said: "I came
not to call ... goes on to say: ""but sinners to repentance." Therefore it ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 24 xix infants saved as.htm

What Christ Himself Taught.
... For Christ called not the just nor the chaste to repentance, but the ungodly, and
the licentious, and the unjust; His words being, "I came not to call ...
/.../justin/the first apology of justin/chapter xv what christ himself taught.htm

Insensibility
... nor any of the better class of Adam's sons and daughters, but "sinner", that Christ
welcomes. He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bonar/gods way of peace/chapter xi insensibility.htm

The Call and Feast of Levi
... He had called sinners to repentance. ... Christ's reason for seeking out the sick, the
lost, is ominous indeed ... whole have no need of a physician; He came not to ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 2 13-17 the call and.htm

Regeneration by Faith. Of Repentance.
... lives, and continue it to the last. Christ came to call sinners, but to
call them to repentance. He was sent to bless the unworthy ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 3 regeneration by faith.htm

The Friend of Sinners
... Are you a sinner? Yes or no. If you say "No," then I have nothing to say to you;
Jesus Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/the friend of sinners.htm