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Repent of your sins???

January 16th, 2012 | Posted by under

Repent of your sins to be saved?

Not on your Eternal life!

Why a study on repentance? And who do I think I am that anyone should read what I have to say about this subject? Well to be honest, I never thought I would write about anything, especially a study about the Bible. I’m just a guy who has seen a major error in much of modern American Christianity and I can’t just sit by and let it continue without at least having my say. And even while I “have my say” you will quickly realize that “my say” is not mine, but the Lord’s, straight out of His word.

To tell a lost person that they must repent of their sins to be saved is to start that person off in a religious system of works and life long struggles. They will spend their whole lives wondering if they repented enough to go to Heaven. And if they do indeed get saved they very likely will be constantly questioning their salvation over and over without any spiritual growth. Thus sapping the power of that individual to do a work for God.

Besides, can you imagine, on the day of judgment, standing before a Holy and Perfect God that created all things and saying; well God, I repented of all my sins so you have to let me in. God will give such a person a short ride to eternal damnation. To trust in your repentance of sins for salvation is as much of a works doctrine as keeping the law. It is basically trying to get to heaven by being a good person.

I have discussed this topic with many people over the last few years, usually to be put off, or to watch as they skirt the truth of the Word of God to fall in line with their favorite preacher. I have talked to laymen and church leaders, Pentecostals and Baptists, people who agree, and people who don’t. Some folks really could care less, and some think I spend to much time worrying about this and should let it go, but as I observe what is happening, I can’t let it go. The many evangelists, street preachers, gospel tract ministries and other ministries that are following this false doctrine are leading lost people into a works religion that will not save them. They may as well be telling them to keep the sacraments to please God.

The reason I write this is not to pinpoint a certain ministry or evangelist and try to make them look bad, but to bring an understanding of what God says about repentance. What does it mean to repent? If repentance is necessary for salvation, and it certainly is, what must I do to be saved? What must I repent to or from to gain favor with God? Do I have to keep repenting of my sins over and over to earn my salvation? How does it apply to the person that is born again? How does it apply to the lost person that knows nothing about God? How does it apply to the person that is boldly rejecting God’s mercy? I also hope to create unity amongst the brethren. I know this is quite a task for a group of people that believe in the one true God, you know, to agree about a subject (sarcasm intended). But I do hope that this little study will help.

What I am going to do is lay out all 112 uses of the word repent, repenteth, repented, repentance, and repenting(s) and discuss each one. It is very popular to say, “let the Bible interpret the Bible” but it is not very popular to actually do it. But by laying out each verse and examining the context, we can make some very enlightening discoveries. I am not going to use commentaries or lexicons that were written by man, and I am not going to unnecessarily go back to the Greek or Hebrew to interpret my English Bible. God preserved His word, and gave to us a Bible in English at a reading level most of the population can read and understand, so that we would have His words and that is what I will stand on. By the way, this type of study is not only a good thing to do for this word, but for any word that there is question about. This is a very good way to study your Bible and I believe that many of the differences in modern Christianity would be resolved if Christians would turn off their TV, radio, and internet sermons by their favorite preacher, get out a concordance and concentrate on God’s word.

With that being said, lets look at the foundation I set this study upon. This study is done using the King James Version of the Bible. If you use another translation your bible will say something different. Things that are different are not the same. This study is grounded on the fact that God interacts with man differently in different dispensations. If you are a modern bible user that doesn’t agree with the different dispensations clearly laid out in the Bible you have a choice; stop reading now and continue to follow man made doctrines, or study to see if these things be so.

As we go through this study, we will see, straight from the Word of God that it is not necessary to “repent of your sins” to be saved, but that one must repent toward God to be saved. After salvation, believers are told to repent of their sins. We will see what the word repent actually means and that you have to check the context to know what God is saying and to whom He is saying it. We will look into the two men in the Bible that did repent of their sins and the tragic results of that. Also we will learn when it is ok to tell a sinner to repent of his sins. The Bible gives the results of that type of preaching as well, and by the way, I hope you aren’t around when that time comes. And, we will look at every single instance of the word; we won’t skip any to help our argument.

2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

Following are all the verses on repentance in the Bible:

Verse: Genesis 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

Comments: God repents! The very first use of the word repent in the Bible is used in such a way that makes the modern “meaning” of repent seem ridiculous. Did God turn from His sin of creating man?

God saw the wickedness of His creation; it repented Him from loving it and thinking it “very good” to hating it and wanting to destroy it. God turns completely from His love of the creation (man) to destroying it. Only by God’s grace towards Noah, did the human race survive.

God gives Noah grace and appoints him to be a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5). But only Noah and three of his sons and their wives were saved from God’s judgment. We also know that Noah was saved by faith not by works i.e. “turning from sin”

Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Noah believed God would destroy the world, like he said, so he built the ark. God saw his faith in believing what God said and called it righteousness.

Obviously repent does not mean to turn from your sin, because then your calling God sinful. Repent also does not mean just a sorrow for sin or a desire to turn from sin. God was sorry, but He acted upon His sorrow. He reversed His actions! He repented from looking at His creation and saying it is very good, to looking at it and being sorry he made it and destroying it. Repentance is a complete reversal; stop going left and go right.

Verse: Genesis 6:7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

Comments: See comments for Genesis 6:6

Verse: Exodus 13:17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

Comments: This is not a command to repent. God foresaw the danger of Israel repenting (reversing direction) back to Egypt if they see the horrors of war before they are prepared. The Israelites might have repented of leaving Egypt, so the Lord guided them the long but safe way around the Philistines. This is a non-religious use of the word, and a good example to use as we form our definition.

Verse: Exodus 32:12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.

Comments: After Moses delayed in coming down off the mountain where he was speaking with God; the people took matters into their own hands and formed their own gods to worship. The Lord’s anger was kindled when this happened so He told Moses he would destroy all the people and start over with him. Moses reminds him of how it would look to the Egyptians and tells God to repent (turn from destroying the people)

God repents when commanded to by Moses. Can you imagine, the Creator of the universe, repenting at the command of a mere man! The folks that say repent means to “turn from sin” are going to have a hard time explaining this one. God clearly reverses His intent. His intent was to destroy, but he changed His mind. As a side note this is a good verse to point out that our prayers influence God! His will can be swayed. He can change His mind.

Verse: Exodus 32:14 And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

Comments: See comments on Exodus 32:12

Verse: Num 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Comments: Balak hires Balaam to put a curse on Israel. When Balaam seeks God to curse Israel, God puts a blessing in his mouth for Israel. After the second time of trying to curse Israel Balaam gives Balak this parable from the Lord, and explains to him that God will not repent(turn) from blessing Israel to cursing them. If God had repented of this blessing he would be breaking the covenant He made with Abraham (Genesis 22: 17-18). Once again we see that repent does not mean to turn from sin, but that you must read the context of the verse to see what is being turned to or from.

Verse: Deuteronomy 32:36 For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.

Comments: When God sends judgment on the Children of Israel for their sin, God will repent (reverse the judgment) of sending the judgment after they have the desired effect. This is not about salvation; it is about God’s people living in obedience. The same concept holds true for new covenant believers.

Verse: Judges 2:18 And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.

Comments: This is the same concept as the previous verse. God sends judgment upon his people, when the desired response is accomplished, God takes away (repents) the chastisement.

Verse: Judges 21:6 And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their brother, and said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day.

Comments: After a terrible battle with the other tribes of Israel the tribe of Benjamin is reduced to only 600 men. With no wives, extinction was inevitable, yet the other tribes had sworn a curse on anyone who gave Benjamin their daughters to wife. As the tribes of Israel realized that one of the twelve tribes was cut off, they repented towards Benjamin. They just finished destroying thousands of them in battle, now they turned their hearts to them to help them find wives. Repentance in this case is turning from hating their enemy to loving them.

Verse: Judges 21:15 And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the LORD had made a breach in the tribes of Israel.

Comments: This verse is a continuation of the subject in the previous verse. After the tribes of Israel found 400 wives for the men of Benjamin, their hearts turned to them again to find a way to get the other 200 men wives.

Verse: 1 Samuel 15:11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

Comments: Saul disobeyed; God turned (repented) from wanting Saul to be king, to not wanting Saul to be king.

Verse: 1 Samuel 15:29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.

Comments: God repented of making Saul king, and He will not repent of his repenting, or if you will, He will not turn from His turning. There are times when God will repent, and there are times that God will not reverse His decisions.

Verse: 1 Samuel 15:35 And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Comments: This verse goes with the previous verse.

Verse: 2Samuel 24:16 And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.

Comments: Again we see the Lord repenting at the judgment (evil) He sent on His people. He sends the judgment, He sees the results and He repents (turns from) sending judgment.

Verse: 1Kings 8:47 Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;

Comments: If when carried away captive as punishment for their sin they “bethink themselves” or consider their situation, and what got them there. Then they will “repent” and change their mind (by bethinking themselves), change their hearts (seeing that “we have sinned”), and change their direction (make supplication in the land). They will have reversed their course, going from serving evil to serving the Lord.

Verse: 1Ch 21:15 And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

Comments: This verse is the parallel verse to 2 Samuel 24:16.

Verse: Job 42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

Comments: Job repents “in dust and ashes”; so what does he turn from or to? What is the nature of his repentance? Job is a perfect and upright man (Job 1:8) so he wasn’t turning from his sinful acts. In chapter 38 God addresses Job with a barrage of questions that teaches him about the magnificence of almighty God. Job is rightfully broken (as we should be) after considering these questions. His response to God comes in chapter 42 and he shows his brokenness in his words. His repentance was in seeing himself as he is, and a complete turn to God. He realized that regardless of how good he was, and he was good (1:8) he was still a wretched vile creature when compared to the perfect and holy almighty God. His repentance was towards God.

Verse: Psalms 90:13 Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.

Comments: This Psalm is ascribed to Moses and is another example (Exodus 32:12) of God being told to repent by a mere man. It is becoming obvious that repent does not mean to turn from sin.

Verse: Psalms 106:45 And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.

Comments: Again, God repents of sending evil upon His chosen people. He turned from the evil (judgments) that He sent upon them.

Verse: Psalms 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Comments: God has chosen Jesus as a priest forever over His people. He will not repent (turn from) of this proclamation regardless of the behavior of man.

Verse: Psalms 135:14 For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.

Comments: God will judge His people for their wickedness, then He will remember the covenant and turn from the judgment, to His people.

Verse: Jeremiah 4:28 For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it.

Comments: God promised the destruction of the land of Israel, though this passage may be referring to the time of Jacob’s trouble (the great tribulation), and He will not turn from (repent) His promise.

Verse: Jeremiah 8:6 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.

Comments: The Lord is telling of the terrible judgment to come upon His people. This is not a verse about gaining eternal life, but a verse explaining why judgment in this life is about to befall the inhabitants of the land.

Verse: Jeremiah 15:6 Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.

Comments: God is tired of withholding His judgment upon the people.

Verse: Jeremiah 18:8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.

Comments: If the nation in question turns from their evil, God will turn from the judgment He has planned for them. Again, not a verse on how to gain eternal life, but an excellent spiritual application: turn from your sin to escape Gods earthly judgment.

Verse: Jeremiah 18:10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

Comments: Here God repents of the good He had planned for the people.

Verse: Jeremiah 20:16 And let that man be as the cities which the LORD overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide;

Comments: God’s judgment came. God said He was going to do it, and He did. He did not repent.

Verse: Jeremiah 26:3 If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.

Comments: Now that we’re learning what repent means the verses are getting more and more self-explanatory. Repent means to turn completely from one thing to another, the context determines the to and from. If the people obey, God will turn from sending judgments.

Verse: Jeremiah 26:13 Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.

Comments: When God’s people get their hearts right and correct their doings, God will turn from the judgment He has sent.

Verse: Jeremiah 26:19 Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the LORD, and besought the LORD, and the LORD repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls.

Comments: God again repents of sending judgment.

Verse: Jeremiah 31:19 Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.

Comments: This repentance is toward God. After turning to God, he is ashamed because of “the reproach of my youth”.

Verse: Jeremiah 42:10 If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.

Comments: God repents (turns from) of sending judgment upon His people.

Verse: Ezekiel 14:6 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.

Comments: Here God commands His people to repent (turn from) of their idolatry. This is not a salvation verse, nor is God speaking to “lost people”, but to His chosen people.

Verse: Ezekiel18:30 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.

Comments: Here the Lord is dealing with the Israelites again concerning their transgressions. The Old Testament Jew is made righteous by believing that keeping the Law will save him. Obviously turning from idolatry is part of keeping the law. This is not how a New Testament Christian is saved.

Verse: Ezekiel 24:14 I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD.

Comments: Again the Lord has determined not to repent of His judgments.

Verse: Hosea 11:8 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

Comments: Again, it is the Lord that is repenting.

Verse: Hosea 13:14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

Comments: God will not repent of His promise to redeem Ephraim

Verse: Joel 2:13 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.

Comments: God Repents of sending the evil upon the people when they get their hearts right.

Verse: Joel 2:14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?

Comments: This goes with the previous verse. Maybe God will repent (turn) from sending the evil upon them.

Verse: Amos 7:3 The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD.

Comments: The Lord repents of the judgment He sent.

Verse: Amos 7:6 The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.

Comments: The same as the previous verse. God repents of sending the judgments.

Verse: Jonah 3:9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?

Comments: The king of Nineveh is basically asking God to repent because of the Ninevites turn from their wickedness.

Verse: Jonah 3:10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

Comments: After the Ninevites turn from their wickedness, God repents of sending the evil upon them.

Verse: Jonah 4:2 And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

Comments: Jonah is mad because he knew God was gracious and could repent of the evil He had planned for Nineveh.

Verse: Zechariah 8:14 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not:

Comments: God did not repent of sending punishment upon the Israelites.

Verse: Matthew 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Comments: John the Baptist is calling the Israelites to prepare for the kingdom of heaven, which never comes (but it will). This verse has nothing to do with a new spiritual birth. The new covenant is not offered yet.

Study the differences between the kingdom of heaven (an earthly physical kingdom promised to the Jews) and the kingdom of God (a spiritual kingdom that is present throughout eternity past and present. You must be born again to enter this kingdom). Understanding the difference between these two kingdoms will help with understanding many New Testament verses that are hard to accept.

Verse: Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

Comments: John the Baptist tells the Pharisees to bring forth fruits (works) that are consistent with repentance. Again, John is not teaching them to be born again; he is preparing them for the Messiah and the kingdom of heaven.

Verse: Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Comments: John is calling the sinful nation of Israel to repentance (back to the law) to prepare the way of the Messiah. The Jews that got baptized by John were making a public statement that they were in agreement with John that they needed the Messiah.

Verse: Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Comments: If one assumes that repent means to turn from sin, one can make this verse fit their personal doctrine. But, knowing that repent means to turn completely and the context gives the nature of the turn, we are stuck with not knowing the direction in this verse, as it is not laid out for us.

I would like to point out though, that this verse is Jesus preparing the Jews for the kingdom of heaven (an earthly and not spiritual kingdom), not the kingdom of God (a spiritual kingdom). So we can see that this verse is not about new covenant salvation.

Verse: Mat 9:13 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.

Comments: The turning here is to Christ. The publicans and sinners know they are sinners; they have accepted that and thus turned to (repented toward) Jesus. The Scribes and Pharisees are rejecting Jesus. God is not calling them to turn from their sin, but to turn to the Son.

Verse: Matthew 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:

Comments: Through a reading of this chapter we can tell that the repentance that the cities failed to do was to believe Jesus as the Messiah.

Verse: Matthew 11:21 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.

Comments: This verse goes with the previous verse. Tyre and Sidon would have recognized the Messiah and turned to Him had they seen these mighty works.

Verse: Matthew 12:41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

Comments: The Ninevites repented at Jonah’s preaching, now a greater than Jonah is here, and this generation refuses to turn to him. To acknowledge Him as Messiah.

Verse: Matthew 21:29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

Comments: In this parable a father asked his son to go work in the vineyard. The son initially said no, then wisely repented and went. He turned completely from dishonoring his father to obeying him.

Verse: Matthew 21:32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

Comments: The chief priests and elders did not believe John who came preaching repentance unto righteousness. They did not repent at the preaching of John. In the majority of Jesus’ use of the term repent He is telling them to repent of their unbelief in him. Turn from not believing to believing. Here He is telling them they didn’t repent back to the law as John preached.

Verse: Matthew 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

Comments: Judas repented of his sins! Unfortunately we can see the results of this man’s attempt at getting righteous on his own.

Judas did the very thing many preachers, evangelists, and ministries are telling lost people to do. He didn’t lack commitment; he gave back the money. He didn’t lack sorrow, he was so distraught he went and hanged himself. What he lacked was a Savior. He tried to get right with God on his own. He tried to deal with his sins by himself. That never works. We can’t deal with our sins by ourselves. Only Jesus can deal with our sins, and when we turn to Him (repent towards) He removes them from us and makes us white as snow.

Verse: Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Comments: This verse is parallel with Matthew 3:11. John is calling the sinful nation of Israel to repentance (back to the law) to prepare the way of the Messiah. The Jews that got baptized by John were making a public statement that they were in agreement with John that they needed the Messiah.

Verse: Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Comments: Jesus is telling the Jews that it is finally time for the long awaited Messiah. Prepare your hearts, turn from your unbelief to belief, and believe the gospel.

Verse: Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Comments: This verse is parallel with Matthew 9:13. The turning here is to Christ. The publicans and sinners know they are sinners; they have accepted that and thus turned to (repented toward) Jesus. The Scribes and Pharisees are rejecting Jesus. God is not calling them to turn from their sin, but to turn to the Son.

Verse: Mark 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

Comments: Repent is not defined in this verse. Note that the Apostles, not Jesus, are the ones preaching. This way when we see how the Apostles use the word repent we can gain an understanding of what is meant here.

Verse: Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

Comments: This verse is parallel to Matthew 3:11 and Mark 1:4. John is calling the sinful nation of Israel to repentance (back to the law) to prepare the way of the Messiah. The Jews that got baptized by John were making a public statement that they were in agreement with John that they needed the Messiah.

Verse: Luke 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin 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.

Comments: This verse is parallel with Matthew 3:8. John the Baptist tells the Pharisees to bring forth fruits (works) that are consistent with repentance. Again, John is not teaching them to be born again; he is preparing them for the Messiah and the kingdom of heaven.

Verse: Luke 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Comments: This verse parallels Matthew 9:13 and Mark 2:17. The turning here is to Christ. The publicans and sinners know they are sinners; they have accepted that and thus turned to (repented toward) Jesus. The Scribes and Pharisees are rejecting Jesus. God is not calling them to turn from their sin, but to turn to the Son.

Verse: Luke 10:13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

Comments: This verse is parallel with Matthew 11:20-21. Tyre and Sidon would have recognized the Messiah and turned to Him had they seen these mighty works.

Verse: Luke 11:32 The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

Comments: This verse parallels with Matthew 12:41. The Ninevites repented at Jonah’s preaching, now a greater than Jonah is here, and this generation refuses to turn to him. To acknowledge Him as Messiah.

Verse: Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Comments: The direction of repentance is not defined. If you want to say this verse means to turn from sin you are changing the way Jesus uses repent in all other instances up to now.

Verse: Luke 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Comments: The direction of repentance is not defined. See previous verse comments.

Verse: Luke 15:7 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.

Comments: This verse and the next are the picture of Biblical repentance. It is directly followed by the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Study this whole parable closely. What is being repented from or to? Did the son make himself worthy of his father’s forgiveness by some bold declaration of turning form his sin? Or did he just go back to his loving father with nothing to offer but a confession of a miserable and wrecked life? He came to the father with nothing to offer in need of forgiveness, and was welcomed with rejoicing.

Just as the son returned to his father with nothing, we must turn to the Heavenly Father with no offering, and accept his grace just by believing His promise. Romans 10:9-13

Verse: Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Comments: See the previous verse.

Verse: Luke 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

Comments: What are the rich mans brothers to repent to or from? They are to repent towards believing Moses and the prophets ie. Believe the Scripture.

Verse: Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

Comments: If your brother turns from his wrongdoing against you, forgive him. This is not a verse about salvation.

Verse: Luke 17:4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Comments: See the previous verse.

Verse: Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Comments: Repentance and remission of sins are how they should preach now that He is risen. He didn’t say tell them to stop sinning. He said turning (from what to what) and “forgiveness” of sins should be preached. To stay consistent with all of Jesus’ other usages of repent, the focus is turning to Him, not turning from sin.

Verse: Acts 2:38 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.

Comments: Peter is preaching to the very same people that rejected and killed the Messiah. After his message, they realize what they have done and ask; “what shall we do?” Peter answers with “repent”, change your mind and your actions in regards to the Messiah. Turn from rejecting Him to accepting Him.

Verse: 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;

Comments: Turn from your rejection of the Prince of life (vs 3:15) and be converted. In other words turn to Christ the Messiah.

Verse: Acts 5:31 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.

Comments: Once again the context is about the religious leaders that rejected Jesus. Repent of your rejection of Jesus as the Messiah.

Verse: Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Comments: I know there is speculation that Simon is a “false convert”, but let’s let the Bible be the judge and not add thereto. Verse 13 says that Simon believed. Speculate if you wish, but the Bible is clear. Actually it doesn’t matter for the sake of our argument. This is not a salvation context, Simon is told to repent of the thought of his heart. You ever think or say anything stupid? Simon did and God wrote it down for all of us to learn from. Simon, turn completely from that stupid thought you have about being able to buy the Spirit.

Verse: Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Comments: God has granted the Gentiles the option to turn to God for everlasting life.

Verse: Acts 13:24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

Comments: This verse discusses John’s baptism of repentance. We remember from previous verses that John was preparing Israel to turn back to the law in preparation of the soon coming Messiah.

Verse: Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Comments: Paul is on Mars Hill addressing a crowd of idol worshipping religious heathen. He tells them that until now God has withheld His judgment but now commands all mean everywhere to repent. The turn in this context is from their religious idolatry, to the true God. He is not telling them to turn from all their sin to be saved, he is telling them to turn from their false gods and their false religion, to the one true God. Turn from what you think can save you, to God who can actually save you.

Verse: Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

Comments: Again the verse is discussing John’s repentance, fallen Israel turning back to the law in preparation for the Messiah.

Verse: Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Comments: It does not get any clearer than this. Repentance to be saved is towards God and faith toward Jesus.

Verse: Acts 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

Comments: Paul before Agrippa gives his testimony, then tells them first to repent and turn to God (how to be saved), then do the works that follow true repentance. Works (turning form sin) cannot be repentance if they are to follow repentance.

Verse: Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Comments: The goodness of God should lead sinners to turn (repent) to Him.

Verse: Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Comments: God will not repent regarding His plans for His people Israel.

Verse: 2 Corinthians 7:8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

Comments: Paul is not sorry that he made the Corinthians sorry when he rebuked them and he won’t repent (turn completely away) from the things he said in the letter. Although at first he was sorry, when he heard of their sorrow at the letter.

Verse: 2 Corinthians 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

Comments: The sorrow they felt from Paul’s first letter led them to repentance of their behavior regarding the sin in the church. Note this is written to the church (ie. Believers). Godly sorrow led them to repentance; unbelievers cannot do anything godly, including experience Godly sorrow (Godly sorrow grieves the Holy Spirit). The sorrow of the unbeliever is the sorrow of the world, and that “worketh death”.

Verse: 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Comments: Godly sorrow draws a believer closer to their Lord. And this sorrow they should never turn away from but remember how it changed them.

Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

Comments: Once again, Paul is admonishing believers to repent (turn away from) of the sins named. Those that don’t repent are going to get an earful and more (church discipline) when he gets there.

Verse: 2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

Comments: A turn from believing an error to the acknowledging of truth. (ie. The purpose of this study)

Verse: Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Comments: The nature of the turn is clear, turn form your dead man made works (like turning form sin), and turn toward God.

Verse: Hebrews 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Comments: If turning from sin is how one is justified; then he will have to renew his repentance with each subsequent sin. Obviously impossible according to this portion of God’s word. Hebrews 6: 4-6

Verse: Hebrews 7:21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)

Comments: The Lord will not repent of the position of Jesus as high priest over His people. See also Psalms 110:4

Verse: Hebrews 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Comments: Esau repented of his sin of trading the birthright for soup. Again we see the results of a lost man dealing with his own sin. In the context of New Testament salvation, a sinner is NEVER told to deal with his own sin.

Verse: 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Comments: The scoffers must repent of their scoffing (verse 3) toward Jesus, and turn to Him in faith.

Verse: Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.