|
Repentance is a change of one’s mind about a matter that results in a change of one’s behavior. This change is an act of the will. To repent, one must willingly
- Confess sin. (Luke 15:21; 18:13; Psalm 38:18; 1 John 1:9)
- Forsake sin. (Isaiah 55:7; Proverbs 28:13; Matthew 3:8,10)
- Turn to God. (1 Thessalonians 1:9; Acts 26:18)
Repentance is a gift from God. (Acts 5:30,31; 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25) Preaching of the Gospel brings repentance. (Acts 2:37,38,41; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Jonah 3:5-10) Preaching the Gospel brings godly sorrow. Godly sorrow produces repentance. (2 Corinthians 7:10)
Confession of sin is an acknowledgement of wrongdoing. It is a sign of a change of direction. Forsaking sin and turning to God are both a change of direction.
The results of repentance are
- Heaven is made glad. (Luke 15:7,10)
- Pardon and forgiveness of sin are produced. (Isaiah 55:7; Acts 3:19)
- The Holy Spirit is poured out upon the penitent. (Acts 2:38)
The Doctrine of Repentance is important because
- John the Baptist preached it. (Matthew 3:1,2;4:17)
- Jesus preached it. (Mark 1:15)
- Jesus commanded His disciples to preach it. (Mark 6:12; Luke 24:47)
- Peter and Paul preached it. (Acts 2:38; 20:21)
- God wants men everywhere to repent. (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9)
- Failure to repent results in perishing. (Luke 13:3)
|
