Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of direction: turning from sin and turning to God. It is the necessary companion of faith: to believe the gospel is to turn from the sins it forgives. Repentance is God's gift and the doorway to a new life.
Not a summary of these passages: the passages themselves. Read them, then come back to the study below.
The study
What the Scripture says
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Repentance is a turn toward God
Jesus' first word was 'repent, and believe in the Good News.' Paul declared that people should 'repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.' It is not just feeling sorry; it is changing direction, from sin and toward God.
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God,For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
God exalted Jesus 'to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins,' and the church rejoiced that 'God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.' Repentance is not something we must produce by force of will; it is something God works in us.
God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!”When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
'godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret,' unlike worldly sorrow that only grieved over being caught. It is sorrow over sin, toward God: the broken and contrite heart He will not despise.
For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Tear your heart, and not your garments, and turn to Yahweh, your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and relents from sending calamity.And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
'Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.' Ezekiel calls Israel to 'cast away from you all your transgressions… and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit.' Repentance that stops at emotion is not yet repentance; it must turn.
“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, everyone according to his ways, says the Lord Yahweh. Return, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, in which you have transgressed; and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, house of Israel?Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Paul preached 'repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus.' Luke sums up the mission as 'repentance and remission of sins' proclaimed in His name. You cannot turn to Jesus while refusing to turn from what grieves Him.
testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus.Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
What is the difference between repentance and turning over a new leaf?
We haven't written this one yet. Take it to your church or small group: the Word answers it wherever it is asked. If we study it here later, all the better.
Hold onto these
Verses to meditate on
“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Cast away from you all your transgressions, in which you have transgressed; and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, house of Israel?Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?