Topical Encyclopedia Repentance is a central theme throughout the Bible, calling individuals to turn away from sin and return to God. This transformative process involves a sincere change of heart and mind, leading to a reformed life aligned with God's will. The exhortations to repentance are numerous and serve as a divine invitation to experience God's mercy and forgiveness.Old Testament Exhortations The call to repentance is evident in the prophetic writings of the Old Testament. The prophets consistently urged the people of Israel to abandon their sinful ways and return to the Lord. In the book of Isaiah, the prophet implores, "Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. 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" (Isaiah 55:6-7). This passage highlights the urgency and availability of God's grace to those who repent. Jeremiah also echoes this call, emphasizing the need for genuine repentance: "Return, O faithless children, declares the LORD, for I am your master, and I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and bring you to Zion" (Jeremiah 3:14). Here, the Lord's desire for His people to return to Him is evident, promising restoration and relationship. New Testament Exhortations In the New Testament, the message of repentance is central to the ministry of John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the apostles. John the Baptist's mission was to prepare the way for the Lord by calling people to repentance: "In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near'" (Matthew 3:1-2). This call to repentance was foundational for entering the kingdom of God. Jesus Himself began His public ministry with a similar proclamation: "From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near'" (Matthew 4:17). Jesus' message underscores the necessity of repentance as a response to the nearness of God's kingdom and His redemptive work. The apostles continued this exhortation in the early church. On the day of Pentecost, Peter addressed the crowd, saying, "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" (Acts 2:38). This call to repentance was accompanied by the promise of forgiveness and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, marking the beginning of a new life in Christ. Theological Implications Repentance is not merely an emotional response but involves a decisive turning away from sin and a turning toward God. It is an acknowledgment of one's sinfulness and a plea for divine mercy. The exhortations to repentance throughout Scripture reveal God's desire for all people to come to a knowledge of the truth and be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). Repentance is both a gift from God and a responsibility of the believer, leading to spiritual renewal and reconciliation with the Creator. Practical Application Believers are called to live a life of continual repentance, recognizing the ongoing need for God's grace and guidance. The exhortations to repentance serve as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the boundless mercy available through Jesus Christ. Christians are encouraged to examine their hearts regularly, confess their sins, and seek to align their lives with God's will, trusting in His promise of forgiveness and restoration. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ezekiel 14:6Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus said the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ezekiel 18:30 Acts 2:38 Acts 3:19 Library Exhortations to Prayer, Humility, Etc. Of Repentance, of Pardon, and the Commands of God. In the Next Place, Throwing a Slur Upon the Exhortations Spoken ... He Imagines, However, that we Utter These Exhortations for the ... How to Exhort Men to Faith, Repentance, and Advancement. Secondly, the Motives by which the Christian Religion Enforces the ... Regeneration by Faith. Of Repentance. The Same Subject Continued. That Love is Exercised in Penitence, and First, that There are ... The Preaching of John. Ch. 3:1-20 Resources What is cheap grace? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of sackcloth and ashes? | GotQuestions.org Why had the disciples in Ephesus not received the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-7)? | 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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