Salvation Summaries

Luke 13:5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

In my prior post, I talked about the meaning of repentance in the Old Testament. In this one, I’ll discuss what it means in the New Testament.

Of the more than 180 posts I’ve written over the years – these two on repentance, and one I’ll soon post on our purpose in life – have probably had the greatest impact on my spiritual life, and I believe they will affect yours too.

Repentance in the New Testament: What it Entails

Comparison to Repent in the Old Testament

Repent in the New Testament has a similar meaning to that in the Old Testament, which is to express sorrow over sin, turn away from sin and turn back (or return) to God. In both Testaments, the primary purpose of repenting appears to be a change in how one lives (self-focused and sinful to God-focused with less sin).

However, repent is defined differently between the two Testaments according to Strong’s dictionary, which can create some confusion. In the Old Testament, Strong’s defines the Hebrew word for repent as “turn back/return.” In the New Testament, it defines the Greek word for repent (metanoeo) and repentance (metanoia) as a “change of mind or purpose.”

In the Old Testament, repentance seemed to be something that the Israelites were to do on an ongoing basis, and it was not part of becoming saved. In the New Testament, repentance is associated primarily with one’s conversion to become a believer (though Christians are to repent whenever they sin).

In addition, repentance takes on much greater importance in the New Testament. We first read about repentance in Matthew 3, when John the Baptist preached that people should repent and be baptized. In Matthew 4, Jesus started His ministry telling people to repent. Later, we read that Jesus’ disciples, Peter and Paul all wanted people to do the same. And importantly, God the Father wanted people to repent; in fact, He commanded it. Repentance, like faith, is part of the gospel, or the good news of salvation, and important for a person’s sins to be forgiven.

With God the Father, Jesus, Jesus’ disciples, Paul, Peter and John the Baptist all telling people to repent, it is vitally important that we know what this word means.

Repentance (at conversion) is for Sinners who know they have a Sin Problem

“Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick…for I did not come to call (to repentance) the righteous (self-proclaimed) but sinners (those who recognize their sin and actively seek forgiveness). (Mt 9:12-13).

Repentance begins with acknowledging that you are a sinner and that you have a sin problem. However, many people fail to do this. Why? According to Barna surveys, most people don’t believe they sin much, let alone have a sin problem. Their attitude is likely something like this:

“Yes, I might sin some, but I don’t do anything really bad. I don’t murder. I don’t steal. I know that the bible says that you should “Do unto others as you would have them do to you,” and I try to live this way. I’m not perfect, but I believe I am a pretty good person. And besides, none of us really knows for sure whether we will make it to heaven, but I think my chances are are pretty good (so I don’t plan to change how I live).”

The problem with this view is that it is contrary to Scripture. The Bible is clear that all of us sin because we have a sinful nature, we are headed towards God’s wrath (hell) if we don’t get our sins forgiven, and we need Jesus for that purpose.

If a person does not recognize their sinfulness and how much of a problem sin is, they won’t feel any need to repent. And if they do not repent, their life will not change. And, without a changed life, their status as a Christian hangs on a profession of faith or belief in Jesus that may or may not prove to be genuine.

Express Sorrow for Sin

Acts 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Repentance at conversion includes expressing sorrow for and mourning over your sins. In several Old Testament books, we see sorrow and contrition from people who came face to face with the problem of their sins.

For example, Joel 2:12-13 says, “Turn and come to Me with all your heart (in genuine repentance), with fasting and weeping and mourning; Rip your heart to pieces (in sorrow and contrition) and not your garments. Now return (in repentance) to the LORD your God…”

In the New Testament book of Acts, when Peter shared the gospel message about Jesus’ death and resurrection with a group of Israelites, they were “pierced to the heart” and asked Peter what they should do. He then told them to repent (and be baptized).

And in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, He said that those who mourn (over their sins and repent) will be blessed and comforted (when the burden of sin is lifted).

I am concerned that within the Evangelical Community – where there may be a greater desire to witness to others so that they become saved – we do not spend enough time explaining:

• the gravity of our sins (offensive to God, separates us from God, prevents us from having a relationship with Him),
• the consequences of our sins (hell if the sins are not forgiven) or
• the painful sacrifice Jesus had to make on our behalf

If we fall short here, the prospective believer may not be pierced to the heart and brokenhearted over their sinful way of life, and thus may not fully repent.

Turn Away from Sin

Acts 26:18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’

Acts 14:14-15 ¹⁴ But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out ¹⁵ and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM.

It is not enough to mourn over our sins…we must do something about them. Repentance includes turning away (refraining) from those things that are sinful.

For example, if I complain each day about work, I need to recognize this as sinful, express sorrow over it, and make a concerted effort to stop doing it. It may not be easy, which means I’ll be repenting a lot, but it’s something I will aim to do because God wants me to.

Turn Back/Return to God

Luke 1:15-16 ¹⁵ “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine or liquor; and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, while yet in his mother’s womb. ¹⁶ “And he will turn back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.

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,

After we turn away from doing or saying or thinking something sinful, repentance requires us to turn back to God to obey what He wants. We need to get “back on the right track” with Him.

For example, if I’m temporarily upset with my spouse for saying something that really bothered me, and if I lash out in response by saying something that is critical or demeaning, I must “return to God” by doing what He would want me to do, which is to tell her that I’m sorry for what I said. I may not want to do this, but as part of genuine repentance, I have to do it. Turning away from sin and back to God is something a believer will need to do on a regular (daily) basis, and it’s not easy, but necessary in order to live in a way that pleases God.

Real Purpose/Intent of Repentance: A Changed Life (that bears fruit)

2 Corinthians 12:21  I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.

Acts 26:19-20 ¹⁹ “So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, ²⁰ 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.

I believe the real purpose or intent of repentance is not simply to turn away from sins A, B and C, and back to God each time, but a complete doing away with our old sinful way of life that was me-focused and embarking on a new way of life that is God-focused and bears fruit (produces good works). It involves an initial and permanent decision upon conversion to seek to live for God not self, and then it requires a daily “adjustment” each time we sin so that we can remain on track with Him.

From a review of lexicons, bible dictionaries and and notes in different Bibles I use, the consensus definition of New Testament repentance is that it involves more than a change of mind and purpose per Strong’s Dictionary to include a complete change of thought, attitude and way of life. Proof of whether you have genuinely repented is determined from your deeds or works.

Luke 15:7 7 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.