Repentance For the Forgiveness of Sins

[Bond-servant of Christ]

“and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47)

THERE IS NO SALVATION FOR ANY SINNER WITHOUT "REPENTANCE AND FAITH" (MARK 1:15)

John Calvin

Even though we have taught in part how to possess Christ, and how through it we enjoy his benefits, this would still remain obscure if we did not add an explanation of the effects we feel. With good reason, the sum of the gospel is held to consist in repentance and the forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:47; Acts 5:31). Any discussion of faith, therefore, that omitted these two topics would be barren and mutilated and well–nigh useless…Surely no one can embrace the grace of the gospel without betaking himself from the errors of his past life into the right way, and applying his whole effort to the practice of repentance. Can true repentance stand apart from faith? Not at all. But even though they cannot be separated, they ought to be distinguished (John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion. Found in The Library of Christian Classics (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1960), Volume XIX, Book III, Chapters 1, 5, pp. 592-593, 597).

Thomas Watson

Repentance is of such importance that there is no being saved without it…It is a great duty incumbent upon Christians solemnly to repent and turn unto God…That religion which is not built upon this foundation must needs fall to the ground. Repentance is a grace required under the gospel. Some think it legal; but the first sermon that Christ preached, indeed, the first word of his sermon, was ‘Repent’ (Matt. 4.17). And his farewell that he left when he was going to ascend was that ‘repentance should be preached in his name’ (Luke 22.47)…Repentance is not arbitrary. It is not left to our choice whether or not we will repent, but it is an indispensable command. God has enacted a law in the High Court of heaven that no sinner shall be saved except the repenting sinner, and he will not break his own law. Some bless themselves that they have a stock of knowledge, but what is knowledge good for without repentance? It is better to mortify one sin than to understand all mysteries. Impure speculatists do but resemble Satan transformed into an angel of light. Learning and a bad heart is like a fair face with a cancer in the breast. Knowledge without repentance will be but a torch to light men to hell (Thomas Watson, The Doctrine of Repentance (Edinburgh: Banner, 1987), pp. 12–13, 59, 77).

Louis Berkhof

There is no doubt that, logically, repentance and the knowledge of sin precedes the faith that yields to Christ in trusting love (Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1939), p. 492).

John Murray

The question has been discussed: which is prior, faith or repentance? It is an unnecessary question and the insistence that one is prior to the other is futile. There is no priority. The faith that is unto salvation is a penitent faith and the repentance that is unto life is a believing repentance…It is impossible to disentangle faith and repentance. Saving faith is permeated with repentance and repentance is permeated with faith (John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1955), p. 113).

The Westminster Confession of Faith

Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace, the doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ. By it a sinner, out of sight and sense, not only of danger, but also of filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God, and upon the apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God, purposing and endeavoring to walk with him in all the ways of his commandments (The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter XV, Sections I and II. Cited in A.A. Hodge, The Confession of Faith (Edinburgh: Banner, 1958), p. 210).

Robert Dabney

The manner in which faith and repentance are coupled together in Scripture plainly shows that, as faith is implicitly present in repentance, so repentance is implicitly in faith. But if so, this gives to faith the active character. Mark i:15; Matt. xxi.32; 2 Tim. ii:25 c (R.L. Dabney, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1980), pp. 606-607).

John DeWitt

Repentance is the first conscious step in a person’s experience of the divine grace, the entrance for all believers into life, hope, and salvation…Repentance—the repentance of which the Scriptures speak as a godly sorrow, the repentance which is unto life—is not only a persuasion of sinfulness, but it is also, and very distinctly, a turning from sin…Everywhere the Word of God reminds us that repentance is not simply honesty with oneself, or even the open confession of one’s sins; it must also lead to a forsaking of them. If it does not do that, if it is only the fear of punishment and of hell, only a trembling before the just judgment of God, without at the same time the purposing to turn away from sin and to undertake a new obedience to God, then it is not repentance at all (John Richard deWitt, Amazing Love (Edinburgh: Banner, 1981), pp. 66, 74-76).

Charles Hodge

Hence it is that repentance is the burden of evangelical preaching…Repentance…is the great, immediate, and pressing duty of all who hear the gospel. They are called upon to forsake their sins, and return unto God through Jesus Christ. The neglect of this duty is the rejection of salvation. For, as we have seen, unless we repent we must perish…Though repentance is a duty, it is no less the gift of God (Charles Hodge, The Way of Life (Edinburgh: Banner, 1959), pp. 153, 166-169.

Arthur Pink

In repentance sin is the thing to be repented of and sin is a transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). And the first and chief thing required by the law is supreme love to God. Therefore, the lack of supreme love to God, the heart’s disaffection for His character and rebellion against Him (Rom. 8:7) is our great wickedness, of which we have to repent.
What is sin? Sin is saying…I disallow His (God’s) right to govern me…I am going to be lord of myself. Sin is rebellion against the Majesty of heaven…The language of every sinner’s heart is, I care not what God requires, I am going to have my own way. I care not what be God’s claims upon me, I refuse to submit to His authority…The Lord Jesus taught and constantly pressed the same truth. His call was ‘Repent ye and believe the gospel’ (Mark 1:15). The gospel cannot be savingly believed until there is genuine repentance.
When the gospel first comes to the sinner it finds him in a state of apostasy from God, both as sovereign Ruler and as our supreme good, neither obeying and glorifying Him, nor enjoying and finding satisfaction in Him. Hence the demand for ‘repentance toward God’ before ‘faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Acts 20:21). True repentance toward God removes this dissatisfaction of our minds and hearts toward Him, under both these characters. In saving repentance the whole soul turns to Him and says: I have been a disloyal and rebellious creature. I have scorned Thy high authority and most rightful law. I will live no longer thus. I desire and determine with all my might to serve and obey Thee as my only Lord. I subject myself unto Thee, to submit to Thy will…Repentance…is the perception that God has the right to rule and govern me, and of my refusal to submit unto Him…As the Holy Spirit sets before me the loveliness of the divine character, as I am enabled to discern the exalted excellency of God, then I begin to perceive that to which He is justly entitled, namely, the homage of my heart, the unrestricted love of my soul, the complete surrender of my whole being unto Him.
Many are the scriptures which set forth this truth, that there must be a forsaking of sin before God will pardon offenders…He must be crowned Lord of all or He will not be Lord at all. There must be the complete heart renunciation of all that stands in competition with Him. He will brook no rival…Thus repentance is the negative side of conversion. Conversion is a whole–hearted turning unto God, but there cannot be a turning unto, without a turning from. Sin must be forsaken ere we draw nigh unto the Holy One. As it is written, ‘Ye turned to God from idols to serve (live for) the living and true God’ (1 Thes. 1:9) (A.W. Pink, The Doctrine of Salvation (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1975), pp.45, 49-53, 56, 58, 60, 79).

 

[Guojing]

“and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47)

THERE IS NO SALVATION FOR ANY SINNER WITHOUT "REPENTANCE AND FAITH" (MARK 1:15)

John Calvin

Even though we have taught in part how to possess Christ, and how through it we enjoy his benefits, this would still remain obscure if we did not add an explanation of the effects we feel. With good reason, the sum of the gospel is held to consist in repentance and the forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:47; Acts 5:31). Any discussion of faith, therefore, that omitted these two topics would be barren and mutilated and well–nigh useless…Surely no one can embrace the grace of the gospel without betaking himself from the errors of his past life into the right way, and applying his whole effort to the practice of repentance. Can true repentance stand apart from faith? Not at all. But even though they cannot be separated, they ought to be distinguished (John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion. Found in The Library of Christian Classics (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1960), Volume XIX, Book III, Chapters 1, 5, pp. 592-593, 597).

Thomas Watson

Repentance is of such importance that there is no being saved without it…It is a great duty incumbent upon Christians solemnly to repent and turn unto God…That religion which is not built upon this foundation must needs fall to the ground. Repentance is a grace required under the gospel. Some think it legal; but the first sermon that Christ preached, indeed, the first word of his sermon, was ‘Repent’ (Matt. 4.17). And his farewell that he left when he was going to ascend was that ‘repentance should be preached in his name’ (Luke 22.47)…Repentance is not arbitrary. It is not left to our choice whether or not we will repent, but it is an indispensable command. God has enacted a law in the High Court of heaven that no sinner shall be saved except the repenting sinner, and he will not break his own law. Some bless themselves that they have a stock of knowledge, but what is knowledge good for without repentance? It is better to mortify one sin than to understand all mysteries. Impure speculatists do but resemble Satan transformed into an angel of light. Learning and a bad heart is like a fair face with a cancer in the breast. Knowledge without repentance will be but a torch to light men to hell (Thomas Watson, The Doctrine of Repentance (Edinburgh: Banner, 1987), pp. 12–13, 59, 77).

Louis Berkhof

There is no doubt that, logically, repentance and the knowledge of sin precedes the faith that yields to Christ in trusting love (Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1939), p. 492).

John Murray

The question has been discussed: which is prior, faith or repentance? It is an unnecessary question and the insistence that one is prior to the other is futile. There is no priority. The faith that is unto salvation is a penitent faith and the repentance that is unto life is a believing repentance…It is impossible to disentangle faith and repentance. Saving faith is permeated with repentance and repentance is permeated with faith (John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1955), p. 113).

The Westminster Confession of Faith

Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace, the doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ. By it a sinner, out of sight and sense, not only of danger, but also of filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God, and upon the apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God, purposing and endeavoring to walk with him in all the ways of his commandments (The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter XV, Sections I and II. Cited in A.A. Hodge, The Confession of Faith (Edinburgh: Banner, 1958), p. 210).

Robert Dabney

The manner in which faith and repentance are coupled together in Scripture plainly shows that, as faith is implicitly present in repentance, so repentance is implicitly in faith. But if so, this gives to faith the active character. Mark i:15; Matt. xxi.32; 2 Tim. ii:25 c (R.L. Dabney, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1980), pp. 606-607).

John DeWitt

Repentance is the first conscious step in a person’s experience of the divine grace, the entrance for all believers into life, hope, and salvation…Repentance—the repentance of which the Scriptures speak as a godly sorrow, the repentance which is unto life—is not only a persuasion of sinfulness, but it is also, and very distinctly, a turning from sin…Everywhere the Word of God reminds us that repentance is not simply honesty with oneself, or even the open confession of one’s sins; it must also lead to a forsaking of them. If it does not do that, if it is only the fear of punishment and of hell, only a trembling before the just judgment of God, without at the same time the purposing to turn away from sin and to undertake a new obedience to God, then it is not repentance at all (John Richard deWitt, Amazing Love (Edinburgh: Banner, 1981), pp. 66, 74-76).

Charles Hodge

Hence it is that repentance is the burden of evangelical preaching…Repentance…is the great, immediate, and pressing duty of all who hear the gospel. They are called upon to forsake their sins, and return unto God through Jesus Christ. The neglect of this duty is the rejection of salvation. For, as we have seen, unless we repent we must perish…Though repentance is a duty, it is no less the gift of God (Charles Hodge, The Way of Life (Edinburgh: Banner, 1959), pp. 153, 166-169.

Arthur Pink

In repentance sin is the thing to be repented of and sin is a transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). And the first and chief thing required by the law is supreme love to God. Therefore, the lack of supreme love to God, the heart’s disaffection for His character and rebellion against Him (Rom. 8:7) is our great wickedness, of which we have to repent.
What is sin? Sin is saying…I disallow His (God’s) right to govern me…I am going to be lord of myself. Sin is rebellion against the Majesty of heaven…The language of every sinner’s heart is, I care not what God requires, I am going to have my own way. I care not what be God’s claims upon me, I refuse to submit to His authority…The Lord Jesus taught and constantly pressed the same truth. His call was ‘Repent ye and believe the gospel’ (Mark 1:15). The gospel cannot be savingly believed until there is genuine repentance.
When the gospel first comes to the sinner it finds him in a state of apostasy from God, both as sovereign Ruler and as our supreme good, neither obeying and glorifying Him, nor enjoying and finding satisfaction in Him. Hence the demand for ‘repentance toward God’ before ‘faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Acts 20:21). True repentance toward God removes this dissatisfaction of our minds and hearts toward Him, under both these characters. In saving repentance the whole soul turns to Him and says: I have been a disloyal and rebellious creature. I have scorned Thy high authority and most rightful law. I will live no longer thus. I desire and determine with all my might to serve and obey Thee as my only Lord. I subject myself unto Thee, to submit to Thy will…Repentance…is the perception that God has the right to rule and govern me, and of my refusal to submit unto Him…As the Holy Spirit sets before me the loveliness of the divine character, as I am enabled to discern the exalted excellency of God, then I begin to perceive that to which He is justly entitled, namely, the homage of my heart, the unrestricted love of my soul, the complete surrender of my whole being unto Him.
Many are the scriptures which set forth this truth, that there must be a forsaking of sin before God will pardon offenders…He must be crowned Lord of all or He will not be Lord at all. There must be the complete heart renunciation of all that stands in competition with Him. He will brook no rival…Thus repentance is the negative side of conversion. Conversion is a whole–hearted turning unto God, but there cannot be a turning unto, without a turning from. Sin must be forsaken ere we draw nigh unto the Holy One. As it is written, ‘Ye turned to God from idols to serve (live for) the living and true God’ (1 Thes. 1:9) (A.W. Pink, The Doctrine of Salvation (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1975), pp.45, 49-53, 56, 58, 60, 79).

What I find most fascinating is that, Paul in Romans to Philemon, has he ever mentioned the need for repentance even once to the Body of Christ?

 

[Bond-servant of Christ]

What I find most fascinating is that, Paul in Romans to Philemon, has he ever mentioned the need for repentance even once to the Body of Christ?

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. 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. For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. - 2 Corinthians 7:8-11

"For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak anything. For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the Living and True God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. - 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10

Note the same language used in Jonah 3:10, "When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it."

"For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: 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. - 2 Corinthians 12:20-21

By the way, are you a follower of the teachings of Joseph Prince?

 

[Guojing]

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. 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. For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. - 2 Corinthians 7:8-11

"For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak anything. For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the Living and True God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. - 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10

Note the same language used in Jonah 3:10, "When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it."

"For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: 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. - 2 Corinthians 12:20-21

By the way, are you a follower of the teachings of Joseph Prince?

Thanks, glad to know that there is some mention of repentance.

For me, I attend New Creation Church, but I have found JP's recent emphasis on tongues, miracles, signs and wonders to be very disturbing.

I prefer his previous emphasis on Pauline doctrine and justification by faith. But I guess there is no perfect church around so I am fine with NCC as of now.

 

[Bond-servant of Christ]

Thanks, glad to know that there is some mention of repentance.

For me, I attend New Creation Church, but I have found JP's recent emphasis on tongues, miracles, signs and wonders to be very disturbing.

I prefer his previous emphasis on Pauline doctrine and justification by faith. But I guess there is no perfect church around so I am fine with NCC as of now.

am I right in saying that JP teaches that a sinner need not repent to become a Christian, and than after they are "saved", they don't need to repent, because just "believing" in Jesus's death is sufficent?

 

[Guojing]

am I right in saying that JP teaches that a sinner need not repent to become a Christian, and than after they are "saved", they don't need to repent, because just "believing" in Jesus's death is sufficent?

Well, Paul was clear, at least for salvation, that believing in Christ's death for your sins and that he rose again on the 3rd day, is sufficient for salvation, spelt out in 1 Cor 15:1-4.

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

If you want to connect it to repentance, you can say that the moment an unbeliever put his trust in Christ's finished work on the cross, he is changing his mind that his own good works can qualify him for salvation.

That is repentance in Greek.

 

[dqhall]

Thanks, glad to know that there is some mention of repentance.

For me, I attend New Creation Church, but I have found JP's recent emphasis on tongues, miracles, signs and wonders to be very disturbing.

I prefer his previous emphasis on Pauline doctrine and justification by faith. But I guess there is no perfect church around so I am fine with NCC as of now.

Paul received the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He able to speak Aramaic and Greek to begin with. As he matured he was able to be present to witness Christ healing people, even through the laying on of hands.

James 5:14 Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

We are supposed to try to heal people, not make them sick. This may require repentance.

 

[Guojing]

Paul received the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He able to speak Aramaic and Greek to begin with. As he matured he was able to be present to witness Christ healing people, even through the laying on of hands.

James 5:14 Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

We are supposed to try to heal people, not make them sick. This may require repentance.

Actually Paul is pretty clear the role of sufferings for us in this world, in Romans 8:18 onwards

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Not once did he ever teach us to say "By his stripes we are healed", certainly not to Timothy who was advised to drink a little wine for his stomach issues.

 

[dqhall]

Actually Paul is pretty clear the role of sufferings for us in this world, in Romans 8:18 onwards

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Not once did he ever teach us to say "By his stripes we are healed", certainly not to Timothy who was advised to drink a little wine for his stomach issues.

The sufferings were real. Christianity was controversial. Nero blamed a 64 AD fire in Rome on Christians. He started to execute Christians (Tacitus). First there were the stonings of christians by the Jews, then there were the Romans executing them. Christians were fed to lions. A 66 AD - 70 AD rebellion of the Jews against the Roman army in Israel (Josephus) brought more persecutions against Jewish Christians who were already suffering death threats and executions.

Both Peter and Paul were executed by the Romans.

 

[Bond-servant of Christ]

changing his mind

that is only one of the meanings of the Greek verb, "μετανοέω", which Jesus uses in Mark 1:15, "and saying, The time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God draws near. Repent and believe in the gospel". As Dr J H Thayer defines the Greek in his lexicon, "used especially of those who, conscious of their sins and with manifest tokens of sorrow, are intent; on obtaining God's pardon; to repent". And in Moulton and Milligans Greek Vocabulary, "the verb is used of “change of mind.” Its meaning deepens with Christianity, and in the NT it is more than “repent,” and indicates a complete change of attitude, spiritual and moral, towards God."

The Bible verse that I used at the top of the OP, from Luke 24:47, cleary shows that the "repentance" that the sinner must have, is connected with their sins, “and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins". Likewise the Apostle Peter, in his first sermon, in response to the Jews who were "convicted" by his message, and cried out, "and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37); to which Peter responds, "And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized, each one of you on the name of Jesus Christ for remission of sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
And, in the following chapter, "Repent you therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." (19). Psalm 38:18 defines this "repentance" perfectly, "For I will confess (acknowledge) my iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin"

 

[BrotherJJ]

Repentance a different perspective:

Sadly, the word repentance is tied to everyday sins. Jesus added thoughts to the law (Matt 5:21-28) good luck controlling/repenting from every single one of them.

John 12:32 Jesus said; And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
(NOTE: Jesus was in fact lifted up, on a cross & from the grave. Everybody is drawn to/offered salvation via God's Holy Spirit. Sadly, not everyone excepts/embraces it)

John 16:
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
(NOTE: The Holy Spirit will reprove/expose/convict everyone of, sins? NO of "SIN" singular.)

9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
(NOTE: The only SIN that condemns one to eternal seperation/damnation is UNBELIEF! Continued rejection of Christ's sin payment & resurrection, until/at life's end. Jesus sin payment covers/includes all sin except rejection of His finished works at life's end/your death)

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
(NOTE: Anyone that believes they can conquer their own sin nature, without Gods help is mistaken)

Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
(NOTE: The key to this verse is found in the article "TOWARD". Repentance TOWARD God & faith TOWARD Christ)

Repentance is not a required work that earns salvation, repentance is a change of mind """TOWARD God""" that results in a change of actions thru faith.

When Acts is written every Jew knew & had a covenant relationship with God. For them repent meant to flee self serving & return to God. They had a sacrificial system for dealing with sin.

For the gentile that had no covenant relationship with God & no hope (Eph 2:12). They were to acknowledge God's existence (repent from unbelief) & understand they have sinned (via rejecting him) against a sovereign creator God & place their faith in Jesus death (sins payment) & resurrection (Fathers receipt, sins required payment received & accepted).

Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the word.
(NOTE: They Believed (vs43) & as Peter spoke (vs44) The Holy Spirit fell on them (vs45). NO REPENTANCE of any kind here, No water baptism, No circumcision, they brought no sin sacrifice to the Temple, No law keeping etc)

Thru faith & faith alone, placed in Jesus redemptive work & resurrection. These gentiles were given/received the baptism OF & were eternally sealed BY God's indwelling Holy Spirit (vs45) = SAVED - FINISHED TRANSACTION! Also see Eph 1:13, 2 Cor 1:22 & Eph 4:30/sealed until the day of redemption, Rom 8:38-39)

For NT believers ""repentance"" is a God given grant that comes after salvation:

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
(NOTE: God has GRANTED the gentiles repentance.)

Rom 1:5 "Through him we received grace" & apostleship "to call all the Gentiles to the obedience" "that comes from faith" for his name’s sake.
(NOTE: Gentiles are called to FAITH, which leads to obedience & repentance)

Rom 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"""?
(NOTE: It's thru the GOODNESS of GOD not thru OUR OWN great work of sin repentance, obedience or self-control. That we REPENT/change our thinking/course. It's salvations seal of indwelling Holy Spirit that leads/enables us to REPENT/change our thinking outlook & direction).

Rom 16:26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, ""so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience"" ""that comes from faith""
(NOTE: Gentiles are brought to obedience/repentance/godly living, thru Faith)

At conversion, Jesus our Great High Priest (Heb 4:14) takes away our sins, by imputing them (Rom 4:8 11, 22, 23, 24, Ja 2:23) onto himself & imputing His righteousness onto us. Once our sins have been removed, we become the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor 5:21).

 

[Guojing]

that is only one of the meanings of the Greek verb, "μετανοέω", which Jesus uses in Mark 1:15, "and saying, The time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God draws near. Repent and believe in the gospel". As Dr J H Thayer defines the Greek in his lexicon, "used especially of those who, conscious of their sins and with manifest tokens of sorrow, are intent; on obtaining God's pardon; to repent". And in Moulton and Milligans Greek Vocabulary, "the verb is used of “change of mind.” Its meaning deepens with Christianity, and in the NT it is more than “repent,” and indicates a complete change of attitude, spiritual and moral, towards God."

The Bible verse that I used at the top of the OP, from Luke 24:47, cleary shows that the "repentance" that the sinner must have, is connected with their sins, “and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins". Likewise the Apostle Peter, in his first sermon, in response to the Jews who were "convicted" by his message, and cried out, "and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37); to which Peter responds, "And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized, each one of you on the name of Jesus Christ for remission of sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
And, in the following chapter, "Repent you therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." (19). Psalm 38:18 defines this "repentance" perfectly, "For I will confess (acknowledge) my iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin"

acts 2:36 tells us the sin that Israel must repent for, they crucified their messiah

in his first coming, Jesus was only sent to the lost sheep of Israel Matthew 15:24

we gentiles were only included in the salvation plan after Israel the nation has fallen Romans 11:11, Ephesians 2:11-12

 

[Bond-servant of Christ]

acts 2:36 tells us the sin that Israel must repent for, they crucified their messiah

in his first coming, Jesus was only sent to the lost sheep of Israel Matthew 15:24

we gentiles were only included in the salvation plan after Israel the nation has fallen Romans 11:11, Ephesians 2:11-12

but where does any of this say that a sinner need not "repent" of their sins, before they can get saved? what is your problem with what the Bible clearly says?

 

[Guojing]

but where does any of this say that a sinner need not "repent" of their sins, before they can get saved? what is your problem with what the Bible clearly says?

Romans 5:12-19 provides the answer

it was not our individual sins that cause us to be separated from God. Rather all of us inherit Adam sin, his disobedience in the garden

God rejected all of us because we sinned in Adam. God accepts us now because we are righteous in Christ. When we receive that free gift of righteousness, we have already repented

 

[Bond-servant of Christ]

God accepts us now because we are righteous in Christ. When we receive that free gift of righteousness, we have already repented

when did this repentance take place? Just because we have a fallen, sinful, rebelling, nature from Adam, does not mean that we are not responsible for the sins that we commit? The Bible clearly says, "“None is righteous, no, not one;...no one does good, not even one...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:11-12, 23). And Jesus says, "No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3, 5). "and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47)

 

[Danthemailman]

but where does any of this say that a sinner need not "repent" of their sins, before they can get saved? what is your problem with what the Bible clearly says?

How do you define “repent?”

 

[Guojing]

when did this repentance take place? Just because we have a fallen, sinful, rebelling, nature from Adam, does not mean that we are not responsible for the sins that we commit? The Bible clearly says, "“None is righteous, no, not one;...no one does good, not even one...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:11-12, 23). And Jesus says, "No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3, 5). "and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47)

I am sure you don't confess your individual sins when you first became a Christian right? When you preach to an unbeliever, do you ask him to remember all the sins they have committed?

For me, when I share the good news, I will preach to them 1 Cor 15:1-4, that Christ has died for his sins. The only response from him that is needed, is to believe that Christ has done that, and that he has rose from the dead on the 3rd day.

The moment they follow that, God considered him as "having repented". He has died to that Adam's sinful nature and has now risen with Christ, and have received Christ imputed righteousness, as Romans 5:12-19 elaborate.

 

[Danthemailman]

I am sure you don't confess your individual sins when you first became a Christian right? When you preach to an unbeliever, do you ask him to remember all the sins they have committed?

For me, when I share the good news, I will preach to them 1 Cor 15:1-4, that Christ has died for his sins. The only response from him that is needed, is to believe that Christ has done that, and that he has rose from the dead on the 3rd day.

The moment they follow that, God considered him as "having repented". He has died to that Adam's sinful nature and has now risen with Christ, and have received Christ imputed righteousness, as Romans 5:12-19 elaborate.

When we repent we change our mind and the new direction of this change of mind is believing the gospel. Two sides to the same coin. It would be an oxymoron for someone to say they truly repented but they don’t believe the gospel or they believe the gospel but never repented.

 

[Bond-servant of Christ]

The moment they follow that, God considered him as "having repented"

complete rubbish! ONLY unless the sinner truly repents for ALL their past sins, will they be forgiven! You are preaching a false gospel which is what Joseph Prince does, and can save NO ONE!

 

[Bond-servant of Christ]

How do you define “repent?”

"I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin." (Psalm 38:18)

"No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3, 5)

"But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’" (Luke 18:13)

"Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away." (Acts 3:19)

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)