Topical Bible: Repentance: What It Is

◄ Repentance: What It Is ►

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Repentance is a fundamental concept in Christian theology, representing a profound transformation of heart and mind that leads to a change in behavior and a turning away from sin. It is a key component of the Christian faith, emphasized throughout both the Old and New Testaments as essential for salvation and a restored relationship with God.

Biblical Definition and Context

In the original languages of the Bible, the concept of repentance is conveyed through several words. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "shuv" is often used, meaning "to turn" or "to return." This implies a turning back to God and away from sinful behavior. In the New Testament, the Greek word "metanoia" is used, which means "a change of mind." This change of mind is not merely intellectual but involves a heartfelt transformation that results in a change of direction in one's life.

Old Testament Foundations

Repentance is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where the prophets frequently called the people of Israel to repent and return to God. For instance, in the book of Joel, the prophet urges, "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning" (Joel 2:12). This call to repentance is not just about external actions but involves a sincere turning of the heart towards God.

New Testament Emphasis

In the New Testament, repentance is central to the message of Jesus Christ and the apostles. John the Baptist began his ministry with a call to repentance, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" (Matthew 3:2). Jesus Himself echoed this message, emphasizing the necessity of repentance for entering the kingdom of God: "From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near'" (Matthew 4:17).

The apostles continued this emphasis in their preaching. On the day of Pentecost, Peter called the people to repentance, saying, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins" (Acts 2:38). This highlights the integral role of repentance in the process of salvation and the forgiveness of sins.

Repentance and Faith

Repentance is closely linked with faith in the New Testament. It is not merely a negative turning away from sin but also a positive turning towards God and faith in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his ministry, emphasized this dual aspect: "I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus" (Acts 20:21). This demonstrates that true repentance involves both a renunciation of sin and a commitment to follow Christ.

The Fruits of Repentance

True repentance is evidenced by a change in behavior and the production of good fruit. John the Baptist admonished the Pharisees and Sadducees to "produce fruit in keeping with repentance" (Matthew 3:8). This indicates that genuine repentance will manifest in a transformed life, characterized by obedience to God's commandments and a desire to live righteously.

God's Role in Repentance

While repentance is a human response to God's call, it is also a work of God's grace. The Apostle Paul writes, "Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4). This underscores that it is God's kindness and grace that enable and motivate individuals to repent.

Conclusion

Repentance is a vital aspect of the Christian life, involving a heartfelt turning away from sin and a turning towards God. It is both a command and a gift, essential for salvation and a restored relationship with God. Through repentance, believers experience forgiveness, transformation, and the joy of living in accordance with God's will.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 45:22
Look to me, and be you saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 6:19-21
Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
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Acts 14:15
And saying, Sirs, why do you these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach to you that you should turn from these vanities to the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Colossians 3:2
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
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1 Thessalonians 1:9
For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
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Hebrews 12:1,2
Why seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

3341. metanoia -- change of mind, repentance
... change of mind, repentance. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: metanoia
Phonetic Spelling: (met-an'-oy-ah) Short Definition: repentance, a change ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3341.htm - 7k

278. ametameletos -- not repented of
... without regret. From a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of
metamellomai; irrevocable -- without repentance, not to be repented of. see GREEK ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/278.htm - 7k

908. baptisma -- (the result of) a dipping or sinking
... of baptism. Cognate: 908 -- (note the - suffix, emphasizing it is a , ie
of sincere repentance.) 908 () indicates (, ). Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/908.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

5164. nocham -- sorrow, repentance
... 5163, 5164. nocham. 5165 . sorrow, repentance. Transliteration: nocham Phonetic
Spelling: (no'-kham) Short Definition: compassion. ... repentance. ...
/hebrew/5164.htm - 6k

7729. shubah -- retirement, withdrawal
... 7728, 7729. shubah. 7730 . retirement, withdrawal. Transliteration: shubah
Phonetic Spelling: (shoo-baw') Short Definition: repentance. ...
/hebrew/7729.htm - 6k

Library

On Repentance
On Repentance. <. On Repentance Tertullian. Translated by Rev. S. Thelwall
Table of Contents. Title Page. Chapter I.--Of Heathen Repentance. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on repentance/

Repentance
... 4. THE WAY OF SALVATION 4.2 Repentance. Then has God also to the Gentiles
granted repentance unto life.' Acts 11:18. Repentance seems ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 2 repentance.htm

Repentance,
... CHAPTER I. REPENTANCE,. ... People generally are all at sea oh this subject, as though
insisting that repentance were an arbitrary arrangement on the part of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter i repentance.htm

Threefold Repentance
... JONAH THREEFOLD REPENTANCE. 'And the word ... ver.10). We might almost call these
three the repentance of Jonah, of Nineveh, and of God. The ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/threefold repentance.htm

Repentance and victory
... THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL REPENTANCE AND VICTORY. 'And ... 12). I. We have first
the preparation for victory in repentance and return. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/repentance and victory.htm

John the Preacher of Repentance
... VOLUME I: ST. LUKE Chaps. I to XII JOHN THE PREACHER OF REPENTANCE. 'Now, in
the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cesar, Pontius ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/john the preacher of repentance.htm

On Admonition and Repentance.
... On Admonition and Repentance. 1. Not of compulsion is the doctrine; of
free-will is the word of life. Whoso is willing to hear the ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/on admonition and repentance.htm

Of Repentance.
... Article XII: Of Repentance. Of Repentance they teach that for those who have
fallen after Baptism there is remission of sins whenever ...
/.../various/the augsburg confession of faith/article xii of repentance.htm

Of Repentance.
... Theophilus to Autolycus: Book III. Chapter XI."Of Repentance. And when
the people transgressed the law which had been given to ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xi of repentance.htm

On Repentance
... DISPUTATION 17 ON REPENTANCE. RESPONDENT: HENRY NIELLUIS As in succeeding
Disputations are discussed Faith, and Justification through ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 17 on repentance.htm