What the Bible Teaches

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Chapter 380

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REPENTANCE

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Topic 10:   The Importance of Repentance

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POINT 10:   The keynote of the preaching of John the Baptist, Jesus, the Disciples on their first missionary tour and Peter at Pentecost, was "Repent."

      Matthew 3:1-2 [1] In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea [2] and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

      Matthew 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

      Mark 6:12 They went out and preached that people should repent.

      Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "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."

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POINT 20:   The sum and substance of Paul's testimony to Jew and to Gentile was repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

      Acts 20:21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

      Acts 26:20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.

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POINT 30:   The heart of Christ's parting commission to the twelve was that "Repentance and Remission of Sins" should be preached unto all the nations.

      Luke 24:46-47 [46] He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, [47] and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

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POINT 40:   The Lord's supreme desire concerning al men is that they should come to repentance.

      2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

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POINT 50:   God's one command to all men everywhere is "Repent."

      Acts 17:30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.

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POINT 60:   The only door of escape from perdition for any man is repentance.

      Luke 13:3, 5 [3] I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. [5] I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

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Topic 20:   What is Repentance?

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POINT 10:   The derivation of the words used:

   The primary thought of the Hebrew word translated "repent" in the Old Testament is, to pant, to sigh, to groan, and so to lament, to grieve, to grieve about one's doing. This Hebrew word occurs frequently in the Old Testament in the active form in the sense "to comfort":

      Psalms 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

   The Greek word in the New Testament translated "repent" means "to change one's mind." The same Greek word is used in the Septuagint for the Hebrew word mentioned above. So its New Testament meaning is to be determined by this Old Testament usage. There is another Greek word used in the New Testament five times and translated "repent." This word means "it is a care to one afterwards," i.e., it "repents one." This word is also used in the Septuagint to translate the Hebrew word mentioned above. The thought of both sorrow and change of purpose is in the words.

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POINT 20:   Usage of the words in the Bible.

      Jeremiah 8:6 I have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, saying, "What have I done?" Each pursues his own course like a horse charging into battle.

      Jeremiah 18:7-8 [7] If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, [8] and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned.

      Jeremiah 26:3 Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from his evil way. Then I will relent and not bring on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done.

      Jeremiah 42:10 If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I am grieved over the disaster I have inflicted on you.

      Ezekiel 24:14 I the LORD have spoken. The time has come for me to act. I will not hold back; I will not have pity, nor will I relent. You will be judged according to your conduct and your actions, declares the Sovereign LORD.

      Joel 2:13-14 [13] Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. [14] Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing -- grain offerings and drink offerings for the LORD your God.

      Amos 7:1-6 [1] This is what the Sovereign LORD showed me: He was preparing swarms of locusts after the king's share had been harvested and just as the second crop was coming up. [2] When they had stripped the land clean, I cried out, "Sovereign LORD, forgive! How can Jacob survive? He is so small!" [3] So the LORD relented. "This will not happen," the LORD said. [4] This is what the Sovereign LORD showed me: The Sovereign LORD was calling for judgment by fire; it dried up the great deep and devoured the land. [5] Then I cried out, "Sovereign LORD, I beg you, stop! How can Jacob survive? He is so small!" [6] So the LORD relented. "This will not happen either," the Sovereign LORD said.

      Jonah 3:9-10 [9] Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish." [10] When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.

      Matthew 12:41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.

      Jonah 3:8-10 [8] But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. [9] Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish." [10] When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.

   In the usage of the words the thought of regret, and the thought of change of purpose and action, are both found; but the emphasis is upon the change of purpose and action, especially in the first New Testament word mentioned above. In our day there is danger of underestimating the importance of sorrow for sin. Sorrow for sin is not repentance, but it is an element in repentance. What the repentance or change of mind is about must always be determined by the context. Repentance of sin is such a sorrow for sin or abhorrence of sin, such a change of mind about it, as leads the sinner to turn away from it with all his heart.

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Topic 30:   How Repentance is Manifested.

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POINT 10:   Repentance is manifested in deep sorrow for sin and in self-humiliation and in self-abhorrence.

      Luke 10:13 Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

      Joel 2:12-13 [12] "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." [13] Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

      Job 42:5-6 [5] My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. [6] Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.

      Luke 18:13 But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

   There is not enough made of this manifestation of Repentance in these days.

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POINT 20:   Repentance is manifested in confession of sin and prayer to God for mercy.

      Hosea 14:1-2 [1] Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall! [2] Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him: "Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.

      Luke 18:13-14 [13] But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner." [14] I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

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POINT 30:   Repentance is manifested by the sinner turning away from his evil way - - from all his transgressions, his idols and his abominations and his thoughts.

      Matthew 12:41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.

      Jonah 3:5-8 [5] The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. [6] When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. [7] Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. [8] But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence.

      Ezekiel 18:30 Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.

      Ezekiel 14:6 Therefore say to the house of Israel, `This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!

      Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

   This is the most important and decisive manifestation of repentance, the one upon which the Bible lays the most emphasis. Note the frequency and urgency of the use of the word "turn" in the Bible. See also:

      Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

   Conversion is the outward proof of the inward Repentance.

      1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 [8] The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia -- your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, [9] for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, [10] and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead -- Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

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POINT 40:   Repentance is manifested by turning to God to trust and serve Him.

   Acts 26:20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.

      1 Samuel 7:3 And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, "If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines."

      Matthew 3:8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

   There are two sides to Repentance - turning from and turning to.

      1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 [8] The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia -- your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, [9] for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, [10] and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead -- Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

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POINT 45:   Repentance is manifested by bringing forth fruit, or doing works, worthy of repentance.

   Not merely abstinence from evil, but performance of good.

      Luke 3:10-14 [10] "What should we do then?" the crowd asked. [11] John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." [12] Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?" [13] "Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them. [14] 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."

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POINT 50:   Repentance is manifested by baptism.

      Mark 1:4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

      Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "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.

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Topic 40:   The Results of Repentance.

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POINT 10:   There is joy in heaven, in the presence of the Angels of God, over one sinner who repents.

      Luke 15:7, 10 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

   This is the supreme result of repentance. We should work for the repentance of sinners more because of the joy it brings to God and Christ than because of the blessings it brings to men.

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POINT 20:   Repentance results in pardon, remission of sins, the blotting out of sins.

      Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

      Luke 24:46-47 [46] He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, [47] and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

      Mark 1:4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

      Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "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 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

   This remission is "in the name of Jesus Christ" -- i.e., on the ground of His work. Repentance is the condition upon which the remission secured by the death of Jesus Christ is made our own.

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POINT 30:   Repentance is one of the primary conditions for receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.

      Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "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."

   The gift of the Holy Spirit is for all those who repent and are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of sins. It is for them to "take" (the exact force of the word rendered "receive").

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POINT 40:   The Repentance of God's people will result in times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord and the sending of the Messiah.

      Acts 3:19-21 [19] Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, [20] and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you -- even Jesus. [21] He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

   These words were spoken to the Israelites and the implication is that the repentance of Israel will, result in the coming of the Christ who has been appointed for them, even Jesus.

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Topic 50:   How Repentance is Effected.

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POINT 10:   Repentance unto life is God's gift.

      Acts 11:18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."

   (The word rendered "granted" in this verse is the word ordinarily translated "given.")

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POINT 20:   Jesus, once crucified but now exalted, gives repentance.

      Acts 5:30-31 [30] The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead -- whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. [31] God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.

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POINT 30:   Repentance is effected through the preaching of the Word by men filled with the Holy Ghost.

      Acts 2:37-38, 41 [37] When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" [38] Peter replied, "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. ..." [41] Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

   By the verses that precede we see that what they heard was the word of God, preached by men "filled with the Holy Spirit."

      1 Thessalonians 1:4-6, 8- 10 [4] For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, [5] because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. [6] You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. [8] ... Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, [9] for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, [10] and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead -- Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

   The Word of God is the means used for the bestowal of the gift of repentance.

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POINT 40:   Repentance results when men believe God's Word.

      Jonah 3:5-10 [5] The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. [6] When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. [7] Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. [8] But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. [9] Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish." [10] When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.

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POINT 50:   The goodness of God leads men to Repentance.

      Romans 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

   The word here rendered "goodness" is an adjective meaning ordinarily in the New Testament usage "kind" or "gracious."

      Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

      Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

      1 Peter 2:2-3 [2] Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, [3] now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

   It is the kindness and patience and forbearance of God that leads men to repentance.

      2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

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POINT 60:   Repentance is effected through God's loving reproof and chastisement.

      Revelation 3:19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.

      Hebrews 12:5-6, 10-11 [5] And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, [6] because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." [7] Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? [8] If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. [9] Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! [10] Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. [11] No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

      Psalms 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.

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POINT 70:   Repentance is effected through the meek and gentle correction administered by the servant of the Lord.

      2 Timothy 2:24-25 [24] And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. [25] Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,

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POINT 80:   Godly sorrow works repentance.

      2 Corinthians 7:8-11 [8] Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it -- I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while -- [9] yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. [10] Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. [11] See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

   The godly sorrow in this case was itself wrought by the correction administered by the Lord's servant.

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POINT 90:   The sight of God causes repentance.

      Job 42:5-6 [5] My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. [6] Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.

   Nothing is so calculated it impress sinful man with a hatred of sin, and abhorrence of self as a sinner, as a real view of God. If then we wish to bring men to repentance, let us bring them face to face with God. This can be effected by showing them God as revealed in His Word. But it must be done in the power of the Holy Spirit.


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