ON THIS PAGE Introduction God’s ‘Repentance’ Repentance Vs. Just Believing Repentance In The Bible
The Old Testament
The New Testament What Repentance Is and What It Isn’t Repentance and Faith… Two Sides Of The Same Coin
Conclusion
Introduction:
Please note that this article deals with Biblical Repentance. While there are many people who feel genuine remorse for wrongs they have committed and have a real desire to change. Making what is often a heroic effort, many of these do succeed in turning over a new leaf. However, while this is certainly more than commendable, it is not repentance as outlined in the Scriptures.
Repentance, as defined in the English dictionary, is to feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin… to feel sorry or self-reproach for what one has done or failed to do; to be conscience-stricken or contrite. However, one who is simply penitent does not usually come to God seeking His grace, while Biblical repentance is nothing if it is not God centered. Biblical repentance also involves the whole man.. his intellect, emotions and subsequent behavior and choices. The intellectual component of repentance is a recognition of sin. However solely changing of one's mind about God and sin (including personal guilt) or substituting new ideas in place of old ones, without any understanding of the gravity of sin or the severity of God's judgment against sinners is an exercise in futility id unaccompanied by the next two components. The emotional component of repentance involves a change of feeling, manifesting itself in sorrow for sin committed against a holy God. The volitional component of repentance is a result of the first two and is manifested in a change of purpose, and inward turning away from sin. [1]
Regarding the third point above it has to be noted that certain works are very much a part of salvation. While there are those that allege that repentance is merely sorrow for sin, the Bible does not bear this out. As Jesus said “they (the men of Nineveh) repented at the preaching of Jonah” (Matthew 12:41)”. However the book of Jonah itself says “When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it”. [Jonah 3:10]
Many many verses in both the Old and The New Testament (examples below) make very plain that repentance is essential to salvation. But the passage quoted above from the book of Jonah shows that repentance is a work, therefore it conclusively follows that salvation can not be exclusive of all works. [See Section on Faith and Works] In other words the basic idea of repentance in the Bible is a radical change of heart and purpose… a literal U-turn in one’s life goals and priorities from the things of this world to the things of God. True repentance results in a change of behavior, and is God-centered. The Prodigal Son’s repentance is a perfect example. His words were… “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee” (Luke 15:18).
He not only realized he had sinned against God but also his actions proved his repentance was real. He arose and went back to his father.
God’s ‘Repentance’
What may be confusing to some is the fact that the Bible also talks of God repenting. However the word repent has largely been translated from two different Hebrew words… nâcham and shûb.
The Hebrew word nâcham has been translated “repent” about 40 times in the Old Testament, and in nearly all cases it refers to God. The Bible tells of quite a few occasions when an appeal from a human did cause God to change His mind [perhaps relent would be more appropriate]. Some of these events did not impact history, but were important in the individual lives of the people concerned. However this is another topic and has been dealt with HERE The Hebrew word shûb is usually used of man's repentance and is most usually used to express the Scriptural idea of genuine repentance. It was used extensively by the prophets, and emphasizes the idea of a radical change in one's attitude toward sin and God.
Repentance Vs. Just Believing
The word repentance is scarcely ever heard in most churches today, pastors rarely calling for their congregations to sorrow over sin. Instead the message heard from way too many pulpits has been watered down to just “believe” and you'll be saved. While it is true that Acts 16:30-31 does record Paul and Silas telling the jailer “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household", one has to take more than a cursory look at the account before universally preaching this abbreviated message to all and sundry.
The apostle Paul was being held in jail, when suddenly about midnight a great earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, opening all doors and unfastening everyone's chains. This awoke the jailer who seeing that the prison doors were open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. The reason or the jailers reaction was that he would have been held responsible for the escape and, in all likelihood, executed. However Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here”. At this, the man fell down before the apostles and cried out, "…Sirs, what must I do to be saved? To which Paul replied “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house" (Acts 16:30-31).
It is entirely possible that, before the earthquake took place, the jailer had some inkling of who Jesus was said to be. Acts 16:25 records that Paul and Silas were “praying and singing” while locked in the stocks, which meant that the jailer undoubtedly heard their prayers and songs before he fell asleep.. However if Paul was urging him, as many in Christendom do today, simply to believe and accept Christ as “personal Saviour, then one would expect the very next verse to tell us that the jailer believed on the spot and was saved. However this is not the case. The text goes on to say… “Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him” (vs. 32). Apparently the “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” was simply the introductory line followed by additional information. In other words, This account in Acts does not give us the excuse for the modern highly abbreviated version of the Gospel which, by itself, is no Gospel at all. Salvation involves more than simply affirming in one’s mind that Jesus is Lord and Savior. In fact, salvation is presented as an absolute requirement for forgiveness in the Old Testament as well as the New.
Repentance in The Old Testament
Examples of instructions to repent abound in the OT. if they take thought in the land where they have been taken captive, and repent and make supplication to You in the land of those who have taken them captive, saying, 'We have sinned and have committed iniquity, we have acted wickedly'; if they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who have taken them captive, and pray to You toward their land which You have given to their fathers, the city which You have chosen, and the house which I have built for Your name; [1 Kings 8:47-48] “I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle.” [Jeremiah 8:6] “Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.” [Ezekiel 14:6] “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.” [Ezekiel 18:30] “So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.” [Jonah 3:5-8]
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement… occurs on the 10th day of Tishri or the seventh month and is the final day of the Ten Days of Repentance which begin with Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets. Unlike other Holy Days, the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement, were not linked to remembrance of historical events, but were strictly a time for people to make a thorough assessment of their lives. According to the sixteenth chapter of Leviticus, Yom Kippur was as day of a solemn fast, on which no food or drink could be consumed, and on which all work is forbidden. The ten days between Rosh HaShanah (the Feast of Trumpets) and Yom Kippur were called The Days of Awe because life and death hung in the balance… the Jews believing that the destiny of each person was decided by the heavenly court in this period. On the Day of Atonement the people prepared themselves with fasting and prayer to stand trial before the heavenly court that would review their life of the past year and render a verdict. The solemnity of the occasion is highlighted by the fact that God said that anyone who did not “afflict his soul” on that day would be cut off from the community. [See The Seven Feasts of Israel]
Repentance In The New Testament
John The Baptist Preached Repentance “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire” (Matthew 3:1-10).
Jesus Christ Preached Repentance “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). “But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:13). “Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Matthew 11:20-21). “And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:2-5). “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. … Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:7, 10). “And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:46-48).
The Disciples Preached Repentance “And they went out, and preached that men should repent” (Mark 6:12).
Peter Preached Repentance “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). “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” (Acts 3:19). “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” (Acts 5:31). “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:22-23).
Repentance in The Book Of Acts The Book of Acts which documents the transition from the Gospels to the Epistles, is a vivid account of the radical change which took place in the disciples, through the dramatic power of God. These disciples went from almost invisible in the days immediately following the death of Jesus, to being forceful agents of the rapid proliferation of the Gospel. As the word spread in ever widening circles this crucial book provides us with excellent examples of the preaching of the Gospel by the ‘pioneers’ of our faith who had themselves experienced the transforming power of God… This initial and inspired preaching of the Gospel was largely characterized by one word.. Repentance. [All Emphasis Added] Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized 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] "Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; [Acts 3:19] When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life." [Acts 11:18] "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, [Acts 17:30] solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. [Acts 20:21] but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance. [Acts 26:20]
What Repentance Is and What It Isn’t What Repentance Isn’t
Repentance, properly defined, is necessary for salvation. The trick is in the proper definition and understanding of the term, according to the Bible. Sorrow For Wrongdoing isn’t Repentance: The remorse, self-condemnation, anger or regret we feel when we make mistakes does not constitute Biblical repentance. Actually the prisons are full of people who fall into this category... they are very sorry they got caught, but if released would just go out and do it again. Even among those that genuinely feel remorse for what they have done and want to make changes in their lives, there are few that exercise repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Avoiding Sin For Fear of The Consequences is Not Repentance: Adjusting our life-style, demeanor, manner of speech and conduct so as to look better in the eyes of others, or to avoid consequences of socially unacceptable or illegal behavior does not mean we have necessarily undergone any real repentance. We may merely have changed from openly obvious sinners to hypocrites, which is worse. [2] Obeying traffic laws because tickets are very expensive, or avoiding shoplifting because we could be badly embarrassed if we were caught, does NOT represent a righteous lifestyle. [2] Confession Is Not Repentance: Simply admitting to God we have made a mistake and a vow not to repeat the same mistake again does not constitute repentance. King Saul was a perfect OT example of this. He claimed to have sinned and even, on at least one occasion, asked pardon for his sin. However his actions did not change (1 Sam. 15:24-25; 24:17; 26:21). A second example was the Pharaoh after the 7th plague of hail and fire came upon Egypt (Exodus 9:22-27, 33-34), sparing the land of Goshen where the Israelites lived. Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "I have sinned this time; the LORD is the righteous one, and I and my people are the wicked ones" (V. 27). However this was certainly not repentance, since when the hail ceased, Pharaoh "sinned yet more; and he hardened his heart, he and his servants" (V. 34). He refused to let Israel go.”
Repentance Is Not Pulling Up Our Socks: It certainly isn’t unknown for people to turn over a new leaf.. to reform themselves. Alcoholics have stopped drinking, thieves have become honest citizens and prostitutes have become exemplary wives and mothers. This in itself is not biblical repentance. Why? Simply because, as said before, repentance that is part and parcel of saving faith is God-centered. The gospel, calls for “repentance toward God…” (Acts 20:21). Again remember the words of The Prodigal Son… “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee” (Luke 15:18).
Those that understand the term repentance to mean turning from sin, have the cart before the horse. Turning from sin is not the Biblical definition of repentance, but one of the results of genuine repentance.
What Repentance Is
For starters we have to accept full responsibility for our sins and can no longer blame other people for our problems. The full, literal meaning of the word "repent" in the New Testament is "to feel remorse and self-reproach for one's sins against God; to be contrite and to want to change direction." The operative word being "want." True repentance includes a desire to change, which will result in a change of actions (Luke 3:8-14; Acts 3:19).
As “Harry” Ironside once said “… to change one's mind completely, so that the pleasure lover sees and confesses the folly of his empty life; the self-indulgent learns to hate the passions that express the corruption of his nature; the self-righteous sees himself a condemned sinner in the eyes of a holy God; the man who has been hiding from God seeks to find a hiding place in Him; the Christ-rejecter realizes and owns his need of life and salvation.
It can not be stressed enough that it is not enough just to turn away from sin; one must also turn to God for salvation: "... to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins ... should repent and turn to God ..." (Acts 26:18,20).
Returning to the example of the jailer of Acts 16, we learn that he then took Paul and Silas “the same hour of the night and washed their stripes” (V. 33). This shows that, convinced by what he had been told, he wanted to make things right. That is repentance—a change of mind resulting in appropriate outward actions. The change itself does not save us from sin, but is clearly the fruit of Bible salvation. As the Bible says… [All Emphasis Added] “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” [Acts 26:20] Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. [2 Corinthians 5:17] Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [Galatians 5:19-23] Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." [James 2:17-18].
Moreover repentance is NOT a one time event. As long as we are sinners in this body, then there will always be something to repent for. If continuous repentance does not mark the life of the believer then that person needs to question their conversion.
Repentance and Faith… Two Sides Of The Same Coin
It is crucially important that we understand repentance is not something we do to earn salvation, but without repentance there is no salvation. The Bible presents them as connected but separate..
“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:14-15). Solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. [Acts 20:21]
Repentance and Faith are NOT the same thing, but are literally two sides of the same coin. You can't believe without truly repenting, and you can not experience “Godly sorrow” without believing. Therefore if your life hasn't changed, you need to examine whether your faith merely consists of intellectual assent, which isn’t Biblical faith at all. The Christian faith is a commitment to a covenant with God. It is life changing and life defining.
Conclusion
Jesus said…
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3,5).
Anything less amounts to a partial gospel (read false) gospel and is not really a gospel at all. End Notes
[1] Based on Louis Berkhof’s Systematic Theology, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (September 1996) Pg.486 [2] Notes on Repentance by Lambert Dolphin http://ldolphin.org/repentance.html | 
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