Repent According to the Bible



Throughout the Bible people were told to repent. Today we are told that God "now commandeth all men (people) every where to repent[1]". Repentance is a process which leads to a relationship with God.

Acts 3:19 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.[2]

Repentance (metanoeo in the Greek) leads to metamorphosis. The grub's decision to build a cocoon leads to the new miraculous creation of a butterfly. For people it's just the same: the miraculous end result of repentance is becoming a new creation (2Corinthians5:17[3] )



Steps

  1. Listen to the preachers: The first recorded words spoken by John the Baptist ([4](Matthew3:2) Jesus ([5]Matthew 4:17,[6] Mark 1:15) and the 12 when they were sent out was to repent ([7]Mark 6:12) and was echoed by Peter after Pentecost. ([8]Acts 2:38)
  2. Find the meaning: Repent in the new testament always means to change your mind in the original Greek, never to merely feel sorry which is a modern non Biblical meaning. Click for original meaning.
  3. Change: Repenting involves turning away from the old and toward the new. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (Jesus). ([9]Matthew16:24)
  4. Repenting leads to belief: Jesus said "repent ye, and believe the gospel." [6] Mark 1:15)
  5. Recognise that you've fallen short: Whether you're young or old or been a "good" person or a "bad" person, understand that no one matches up to the Glory of God. Like Job (in the old testament) we've missed the mark and need to recognise our shortcomings. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ([10]Romans 3:23)
  6. Godly Sorrow: Sorrow can lead to repentance (Deciding to do things God's way) or it can lead to disappointment. ([11]2Corinthians 7:10) For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. Godly sorrow leads to repentance
  7. Be humble: Repenting will involve admitting you are wrong about things concerning God. God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. ([12]James 4:6)
  8. Don't be passive: Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. ([13]Jeremiah 29:12-13[14] )
  9. Expect to be rewarded: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. ([15]Hebrews11:6)
  10. Prepare to be baptised: Baptism is an outward sign that a person is prepared to listen to God's word and do it. Then they that gladly received (were repentant) his word were baptized ([16]Acts2:41) And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. (Luke 7:29-30[17])
  11. Ask and Seek and Knock: This is God's will. As we repent to what Jesus wants we do as He says. Particularly concerning asking for the Holy Spirit And I (Jesus) say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:9-13[18])
  12. Don't stop seeking God until your repentance has been accepted: The disciples knew that God had granted repentance to Cornelius and his family and friends when they heard them speaking in tongues like they (Peter and his friends) had at the beginning (Acts 11:15-18[19]) (Acts 10:44-46[20])
  13. Keep following Jesus teachings and doings: Once your repentance has been accepted by God then stay humble and do what Jesus said to do which is to love one another (John 13:34-35)[21] and preach the gospel and heal the sick (Matthew 10:7-8)[22] and that you must remain righteous (Matthew 5:20)[23]

Tips

  • Humility is what will make it all work. When you accept that you don't know everything, but God does that's a good start. (Proverbs3:5-10[24])
  • Even if you're not sure about God, you can still approach Him for help He says He wants everyone to come to repentance and he is able to help. Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. (Jeremiah 33:3[25])
  • You don't have to understand everything about the Bible you just have to want change and have God be the changer. (Isaiah55:6-9[26])
  • Don't give up until you get the Bible response of God giving you the Holy Spirit then you know God has accepted your repentance. (Acts11:15-18[27])
  • Religious ideas and the Bible don't always agree, so try to forget your old religious ideas (Matthew7:9-13[28])
  • *Belief of the Gospel of Christ or the Good news of Jesus is belief in the power of God that is there to transform your life miraculously (Romans1:16[29], Acts 1:8[30], 1 Corinthians2:5[31])
  • In Romans 10:9 It says confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ Confess here means to say the same thing as or agree with. You are repenting when your'e putting aside your ideas and agreeing with what Jesus said. Click for original meaning of confess.
  • Learn about Jesus and believe that He died, rose from the dead as your Saviour and then pray for repentance to the one, true God repenting, similar to:

    "Father, God, I want to follow your ways but I need help. So I'm asking you for the helper you have promised which will burn up my past like chaff(Matthew3:11-12[32]) and give me a new beginning, and I truly thank you for everything you have done and that I am looking forward to being freely forgiven and being saved from the penalty for my sins -- as a free gift and a new life . Thank you for making it all possible by your promised gift to me of receiving The Holy Spirit, in Jesus' name, Amen."
  • Walk in love -- telling others that "There is one mediator for us, The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is Lord and Savior for everyone who believes, repents and follows him, and receives the Holy Spirit.

    "Follow Jesus Christ", including assembling at Christian meetings with people of like faith, being Baptised, in the name of the Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, as a sign of accepting your new life in Jesus name, praying to God, agreeing together, reading the Bible, and showing God's love by kindness, forgiving others, making peace, having a faithful, loving relationship with believers
  • Don't waste time trying to make it up with everyone you've wronged tell God about it and ask for mercy. There will be plenty of time later for making amends. (Luke 18:9-14[33] ,2 Corinthians6:2[34])
    • Repenting to God is not a one way experience. when repentance is genuine you can expect God to answers in wonderful ways

Warnings

  • Repentance is not an option. Jesus said "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3[35])
  • If you believe you've repented but have no need to be baptised with the Holy Spirit, that is not repentance that is also arguing with God's plan.(John 3:5[36]; John 6:63[37]; Romans 8:2[38]; Romans8:9[39]; 2 Corinthians 3:6[40]; Titus 3:5[41]).
  • If you believe you've repented but believe you have no need to be baptised in water, that is not repentance that is arguing with God's plan. Repenting is agreeing with God's plan (Luke7:29-30[17])
  • Not everyone who says that they are a Christian has repented, so trust in God not people. (Jeremiah 17:5-11[42])

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ "Acts17:30"
  2. ↑ "Acts 3:19"
  3. ↑ "2Corinthians 5:17"
  4. ↑ "Matthew3:2"
  5. ↑ "Matthew4:17"
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Mark 1:15"
  7. ↑ "Mark6:12"
  8. ↑ "Acts2:38"
  9. ↑ "Matthew16:24"
  10. ↑ "Romans3:23"
  11. ↑ "2 Corinthians7:10"
  12. ↑ "James4:6"
  13. ↑ "Jeremiah 29:12"
  14. ↑ "Jeremiah29:13"
  15. ↑ "Hebrews11:6"
  16. ↑ "Acts2:41"
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Luke 7;29-30"
  18. ↑ "Luke11:9-13"
  19. ↑ "Acts11:15-18"
  20. ↑ "Acts10:44-46"
  21. ↑ "John 13:34-35"
  22. ↑ "Matthew 10:7-8"
  23. ↑ "Matthew 5:20"
  24. ↑ "Proverbs3:5-10"
  25. ↑ "Jeremiah33:3"
  26. ↑ "Isaiah55:6-9"
  27. ↑ "Acts11:15-18"
  28. ↑ "Matthew7:9-13"
  29. ↑ "Romans1:16"
  30. ↑ "Acts1:8"
  31. ↑ "1Corinthians2:5"
  32. ↑ "Matthew3:11-12"
  33. ↑ "Luke18:9-14"
  34. ↑ "2Corinthians6:2"
  35. ↑ "Luke13:3"
  36. ↑ "John3:5"
  37. ↑ "John6:63"
  38. ↑ "Romans8:2"
  39. ↑ "Romans8:9"
  40. ↑ "2Corinthians3:6"
  41. ↑ "Titus3:5"
  42. ↑ "Jeremiah5-11"
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