Many understand the term repentance (from the Greek word metanoia) to mean “turning from sin.” This is not the biblical definition of repentance. In the Bible, the word repent means “to change one’s mind.” The Bible also tells us that true repentance will result in a change of actions (Luke 3:8-14; Acts 3:19). Acts 26:20 declares, “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” The full biblical definition of repentance is a change of mind that result in a change of action.
What, then, is the connection between repentance and salvation? The Book of Acts seems to especially focus on repentance in regards to salvation (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; 17:30; 20:21; 26:20). To repent, in relation to salvation, is to change your mind in regard to Jesus Christ. In Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2), he concludes with a call for the people to repent (Acts 2:38). Repent from what? Peter is calling the people who rejected Jesus (Acts 2:36) to change their minds about Him, to recognize that He is indeed “Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). Peter is calling the people to change their minds from rejection of Christ as the Messiah to faith in Him as both Messiah and Savior.
While repentance is not a work that earns salvation, repentance unto salvation does result in works. It is impossible to truly and fully change your mind without that causing a change in action. In the Bible, repentance results in a change in behavior. That is why John the Baptist called people to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). A person who has truly repented from rejection of Christ to faith in Christ will give evidence of a changed life (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:19-23; James 2:14-26). Repentance, properly defined, is necessary for salvation. Biblical repentance is changing your mind about Jesus Christ and turning to God in faith for salvation (Acts 3:19).
How is genuine repentance brought about?
Repentance is brought about by godly sorrow. Before a person can repent he must feel sorry for his sins. Paul explained in 2 Corinthians 7:10, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation.” For someone to be sorry merely because his sins have been found out, or because they have brought trouble upon him, is not enough. A person must be sorry because they have broken the commandments of God, have spurned His gospel, and thereby grieved Him days without number. Such godly sorrow is the only motivating force for real repentance.
Repentance is an action-filled step known to God, to us, and to others—a private and often public step that brings about positive results in our lives. Because we have a sinful nature and have committed sinful acts, it is essential that we repent and turn to God.
Repentance is the act of turning away from a life of sin – not living in your sins. If a person repents of their sins and is truly sorry they will refrain from repeating those sins. The scriptures stress in the strongest terms, that repentance is absolutely essential to salvation. Jesus said, “Except you repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
Here are a few examples in the Bible of repentance:
1. Sodom and Gomorrah
(Genesis 19) You can read the story of Sodom and Gomorrah they failed to repent. Because of this, these cities were destroyed by fire and brimstone. New Testament scriptures say that they are set forth as an example to others who live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6; Jude 1:7).
(2 Peter 2:6 KJV) And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
2. Jonah
The men of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah. Jesus said this fact would condemn those who refused to repent in our generation.
(Matthew 12:41 KJV) 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.
3. John the Baptist
John the Baptist commanded in his ministry to all of Judea that they must repent, and prepare their hearts for the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 3:2).
4. Jesus Christ
Jesus spoke often in these terms, “I tell you, nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).
Even after we are born again there will be times of failure, mistakes, and sin. We must deal with sin and wrongdoing in our lives just as we did before salvation—by repentance. We are to be overcomers, to live free from sin, and to live above sin. In reality, we often come short of our goal. Nevertheless, we are not to continue in sin or commit sins over and over. God still rules in the heavens and will forgive those who repent, whether they are saints or sinners. Whatever may happen to us in life, we must always keep a repentant and forgiving spirit alive in our hearts.
5. The Great Commission
Jesus’ last words before His ascension commanded repentance. “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47).
6. The Day of Pentecost
Repentance is the initial part of the plan of salvation as spoken by the Apostle Peter. “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).
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