Repentance is not a change of mind.

[Bible Highlighter]

Repentance is Not a Change of Mind.

Many think that just believing in Jesus as one's Savior and that He died and had risen on their behalf is "repentance" (i.e. a change of mind or belief in the gospel). While we must believe in the gospel and Jesus Christ as our Savior, that is not "repentance." If we were to look for the definition for the word "repentance", it cannot be found by looking at a Lexicon or some dead language that we did not grow up writing or speaking. Repentance can easily be defined by reading the Bible in your own language and by looking at the context.

What is Repentance?

Jesus defined repentance for us.
He said in Matthew 12:41 that the Ninevites will rise up in Judgment against this generation because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. If you were to turn to Jonah chapter 3, you would be able to see in Jonah 3:6-10 that the King of the Ninevites had told his people to:

(a) Cry out to God (Repentance).
(b) Turn from their sins or evil ways (The Natural Fruits of Repentance).​

After the Ninevites had turned from their wicked ways it was --- THEN --- that God decided to turn away from bringing wrath or Judgment upon them.

Proverbs 28:13 says he that confesses and forsakes sin shall have mercy.
1 John 1:9 says if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:7 says that if we walk in the light as he [Christ] is in the light, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.

Repentance is something that a believer does when they first come to the faith. They admit they are a sinner to Jesus and ask Him to be forgiven of their sins. They do this with the intention that they will turn away from sin and never do it again. Repentance can also be done on occasion (and not as a lifestyle) by a believer who has walked with God, as well. This would be 1 John 2:1 and 1 John 1:9 (cf. 1 John 1:7).

The parable of the two sons (Matthew 21:28-32) is a lesson also in proper repentance. The son who repented and obeyed the father is the one who truly repented.

Another word for "repent" in the sense of crying out unto God is called the "Sinner's Prayer." The Sinner's Prayer is a prayer towards God admitting that you are a sinner who is in need of His forgiveness and or salvation. While the Sinner's Prayer applies to both the new believer (who comes to the faith for the first time) and or the seasoned believer (who may stumble on occasion), here are verses that just support the Sinner's Prayer for the new believer.

#1. Romans 10:13 (cross reference with Joel 2:12-13 and Joel 2:32).

#2. Matthew 3:6 (which then lines up with Matthew 3:8). Also, in Mark 1:4-5, it says John preached the "baptism of repentance" for the remission of sins (verse 4), and it then defines this "baptism of repentance" by saying they confessed their sins when they were baptized (verse 5).

#3. Luke 18:9-14 (it is not said whether the Tax Collector is a new convert or a seasoned believer). The point of the parable is that the Tax Collector was "humble."; And we know Scripture says elsewhere that, "God gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6).

#4. Acts 2:38,
The New Living Translation says in Acts 2:38 to "repent of your sins."
Douay Reheims says in Acts 2:38 to "Do penance."
New Life Version says in Acts 2:38 to "Be sorry for your sins"

Side Note 1:
Oh, and as for the seasoned believer and the Sinner's Prayer:
Well, John tells believers to confess their sins so as to be forgiven of their sin - 1 John 1:9.

Side Note 2:
Please also take note that I believe in rare cases a person can be initially saved by merely believing Jesus Christ as their Savior (John 1:12-13). However, I believe that in time, if the believer has the capacity to do so, they will come to accept those verses in the Bible that teaches them that they will also call upon the Lord to save them from their sinful condition. In other words, it is sort of like the topic of the Trinity (Which is a true teaching in the Bible). A person does not need to know about the Trinity in order to be initially saved. But in time, when they come to later learn of the Trinity, they cannot reject such a truth (after it is was revealed to them), otherwise they would be denying the very God as described in the Holy Scriptures. However, most people are aware "repentance" in the plan of salvation, so most people are without excuse when it comes to "repentance."

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Repentance does lead us to change our minds about things in this life with God, but repentance does not exclusively mean a "change of mind." Repentance is essentially asking God to forgive you of your sin (with the intention you will not sin again). This of course will lead one to forsake sin if they are pure of heart and true with God.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Here Peter is telling Simon to ask forgiveness from God for his sin.

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

In other words, this verse is saying,
Ask God for forgiveness for your sin for your wickedness (i.e. to repent) and pray to God that he may forgive you.

 

[Jess Lee]

Right!
We can see an example from Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10).
Zacchaeus was a tax collector with bad reputation, but after meeting Jesus, he changed his way. He decided to share his goods with the poor and give back what he stole.
Then what did Jesus say?
“Today salvation has come to this house”

Repentance is to take off the old self with its practices and to put on new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of God. (Colossians 3:7-17). We are called to live holy.

To add to it all, in Isaiah 59:20, it says,
“The Redeemer will come to Zion to those in Jacob who REPENT OF THEIR SINS!” declares the LORD.

 

[faroukfarouk]

A complete change of mind, involving a turning from sin and a turning to God Christ in faith.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

A complete change of mind, involving a turning from sin and a turning to God Christ in faith.

Yes, in some cases, the word "repent" is used as forsaking sin (living obedient to Him) and having faith in God. But I believe this is tied with asking God for forgiveness of your sin. For in other cases, repentance is spoken of in this other way. John the Baptist says bring forth fruits worthy of repentance. Turning from sin and to God in faith in Christ does not make any sense if one is referring to fruits worthy of repentance. If one is already turned away from sin and they have faith in God, then they will already have fruits worthy of repentance. We see in Acts of the Apostles 8:22 a clear example of Peter telling Simon to "repent" in prayer towards God. Repent is another name for the "Sinner's Prayer" (i.e. Asking God for forgiveness) which is proven true by forsaking one's sins and bringing forth fruits worthy of repentance.

Ezekiel 14:6 says,
"Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols;"

It would not make any sense to say forsake evil and forsake evil.
God is telling His people to do two things here.
Repent AND turn away from idols.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Right!
We can see an example from Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10).
Zacchaeus was a tax collector with bad reputation, but after meeting Jesus, he changed his way. He decided to share his goods with the poor and give back what he stole.
Then what did Jesus say?
“Today salvation has come to this house”

Repentance is to take off the old self with its practices and to put on new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of God. (Colossians 3:7-17). We are called to live holy.

To add to it all, in Isaiah 59:20, it says,
“The Redeemer will come to Zion to those in Jacob who REPENT OF THEIR SINS!” declares the LORD.

Yes, we should change our ways, but if we seek to change our ways and do not repent (i.e. ask God for forgiveness of our sin) then we fail. In other words, the word "repentance" is the "Sinner's Prayer" or a believer confessing their sins. For when we ask God to forgive us we are doing so with the intention that we will honestly forsake our life of sin. For if we are not truly sorry or sorrowful about our sin and seek God's forgiveness, then why exactly are we taking action? In fact, when Jesus makes His point in the Parable of the Two Sons about repentance, He is saying that that true repentance (i.e. asking God for forgiveness) is followed by a change of life or one's actions. Jesus is not saying that repentance is not asking God for forgiveness here. I believe confessing and forsaking sin are tied together. Jesus is saying in the Parable of the Two Sons that true repentance (asking God to forgive us) is followed by doing what God says. That is true repentance. Paul talks about how a Godly sorrow leads one to repentance. I know it is sorrow over sin that leads one to repent towards God (i.e. to ask forgiveness of one's sin) (2 Corinthians 7:10).

For example:
If a husband cheats on his wife, does he not say he is first sorry and then he stops being disloyal? For if the husband did not say he was sorry and he just stopped being disloyal would that help the relationship? I don't think so.

 

[SkyWriting]

(a) Cry out to God (Repentance).
(b) Turn from their sins or evil ways (The Natural Fruits of Repentance).​

Both A and B can be considered a change of mind.
The issue is that you repent of what you said to a person, for example.
Then you find out how they reacted, you repent again.
Years later they kill themselves. You repent again.
So you repent, but in a different viewpoint each time.
Your view of yourself changes.
You change your mind.
Sin is all in your head.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Both A and B can be considered a change of mind.
The issue is that you repent of what you said to a person, for example.
Then you find out how they reacted, you repent again.
Years later they kill themselves. You repent again.
So you repent, but in a different viewpoint each time.
Your view of yourself changes.
You change your mind.
Sin is all in your head.

Changing one's mind and actions follows true repentance but a change of mind is not exclusively repentance. Why else would John the Baptist say bring forth fruits worthy of repentance? It makes no sense to have a change of mind about sin if one is not forsaking sin. One has not changed their mind about sin if they are still sinning and or not bringing forth fruits worthy of repentance.

 

[Jess Lee]

Yes, in some cases, the word "repent" is used as forsaking sin (living obedient to Him) and having faith in God. But I believe this is tied with asking God for forgiveness of your sin. For in other cases, repentance is spoken of in this other way. John the Baptist says bring forth fruits worthy of repentance. Turning from sin and to God in faith in Christ does not make any sense if one is referring to fruits worthy of repentance. If one is already turned away from sin and they have faith in God, then they will already have fruits worthy of repentance. We see in Acts of the Apostles 8:22 a clear example of Peter telling Simon to "repent" in prayer towards God. Repent is another name for the "Sinner's Prayer" (i.e. Asking God for forgiveness) which is proven true by forsaking one's sins and bringing forth fruits worthy of repentance.

Ezekiel 14:6 says,
"Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols;"

It would not make any sense to say forsake evil and forsake evil.
God is telling His people to do two things here.
Repent AND turn away from idols.

Yes, I understand what you mean. Hmm. It is clear when pointing out Ezekiel. Heart and action.
Although it is natural to bring forth fruit at the moment of repentance, for with the heart comes action, Jesus still spoke about some branches which did not bringing forth fruit (John ch15). Having faith alone in Jesus is not enough. Repentance is required in faith. And Obedience is the fruit.

 

[PeaceByJesus]

Repentance does lead us to change our minds about things in this life with God, but repentance does not exclusively mean a "change of mind." Repentance is essentially asking God to forgive you of your sin (with the intention you will not sin again). This of course will lead one to forsake sin if they are pure of heart and true with God.

Actually, repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21 is a change of mind, - not meaning merely intellect but heart - which thus results in changes in this life.

One who salvifically believes on the Lord Jesus for salvation is not merely believing in a promise to give eternal life o believers, abstract from who and what Christ is, but the convert is believing on a person, thus calling upon and confessing the Lord Jesus. (Romans 10:9-10)

The convert is convicted by God of his need for salvation, and changes - in initial repentance - from unbelief to belief, turning to God and to Christ, with this then resulting in changes correspondent to faith in the Lord Jesus.

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

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. (Romans 6:17-18)

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: (1 Thessalonians 1:3,6)

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 any thing. For they themselves shew 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; (1 Thessalonians 1:8-9)

In Acts 6:14, God opened the heart of Lydia and thus she was baptized, thereby confessing the Lord, and in ongoing confession, she opened her house to the apostles, "saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us." (Acts 16:15)

It is not possible to have a true change of heart without corresponding changes in life. Yet the scope of manifest repentance for the convert is dependent upon the light and grace realized, which is why one must be careful in evaluation.

And since it is faith which purifies the heart and is counted for righteousness, (Acts 10:43; 15:9; Rm. 4:5) then Scripture exhorts preservering in faith. (Hebrews 3:6,14) And which effects obedience, including repentance when convicted of not doing so. And which kind of faith is salvific.

Everything we do manifests what we really believe, at least in that moment (though one can yield to temptation to act contrary to obedient faith, as well as doing such willfully and impenitently), with the "heart" determining both other thoughts as well as actions.

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. (Mark 7:21-23)

A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. (Matthew 12:35)

Which is all a result of what one really believes in his heart/spiritual mind.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Actually, repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21 is a change of mind, - not meaning merely intellect but heart - which thus results in changes in this life.

One who salvifically believes on the Lord Jesus for salvation is not merely believing in a promise to give eternal life o believers, abstract from who and what Christ is, but the convert is believing on a person, thus calling upon and confessing the Lord Jesus. (Romans 10:9-10)

The convert is convicted by God of his need for salvation, and changes - in initial repentance - from unbelief to belief, turning to God and to Christ, with this then resulting in changes correspondent to faith in the Lord Jesus.

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

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. (Romans 6:17-18)

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: (1 Thessalonians 1:3,6)

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 any thing. For they themselves shew 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; (1 Thessalonians 1:8-9)

In Acts 6:14, God opened the heart of Lydia and thus she was baptized, thereby confessing the Lord, and in ongoing confession, she opened her house to the apostles, "saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us." (Acts 16:15)

It is not possible to have a true change of heart without corresponding changes in life. Yet the scope of manifest repentance for the convert is dependent upon the light and grace realized, which is why one must be careful in evaluation.

And since it is faith which purifies the heart and is counted for righteousness, (Acts 10:43; 15:9; Rm. 4:5) then Scripture exhorts preservering in faith. (Hebrews 3:6,14) And which effects obedience, including repentance when convicted of not doing so. And which kind of faith is salvific.

Everything we do manifests what we really believe, at least in that moment (though one can yield to temptation to act contrary to obedient faith, as well as doing such willfully and impenitently), with the "heart" determining both other thoughts as well as actions.

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. (Mark 7:21-23)

A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. (Matthew 12:35)

Which is all a result of what one really believes in his heart/spiritual mind.

Please show me the word "repent" or "repentance" is tied exclusive to meaning a change of mind in the Bible. Also, you are quoting other verses that are not exactly using the word "repentance" to prove your point that "repent" or "repentance" means a change of mind.

As for Acts of the Apostles 26:20:

It says,

"Instead, I preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance." (Acts of the Apostles 26:20) (HCSB).​

So you are saying the above passage says, "have a change of mind (believe in Jesus)" (i.e. repent) and turn to God and do works worthy of "having a changed mind (believing in Jesus)" (repentance)?

Such an interpretation does not make any sense.
John the Baptist says the same thing. But he was not preaching to anyone to believe in Jesus as their Savior.

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

Yes, it is true that Jesus is at the heart of the gospel. But John the Baptist did not mean "believe in Jesus" when He said "repent."

We see in Luke 17 an example of a brother trespassing against one of us, and he repents, we are to forgive him.

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

This does not make any sense if "repent" means "believe in Jesus" or "to change one's mind about sin."

Repent means to seek forgiveness. That is what it means.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

At the heart, repentance means, "Asking God for forgiveness"
(Which of course naturally then leads to the fruits of repentance, i.e. obedience):

#1. Acts 2:38,
The New Living Translation says in Acts 2:38 to "repent of your sins."
Douay Reheims says in Acts 2:38 to "Do penance."
New Life Version says in Acts 2:38 to "Be sorry for your sins"

#2. Luke 17:3 says, "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him." This doesn't make any sense if "repent" means believe in Jesus (as some teach) or to have a change of mind about sin (as others teach) or to exclusively forsake sin. Yes, we are to forsake sin as a part of repentance but that comes later after repentance (Which is to ask God for forgiveness of our sin). For how can we reconcile with a brother if we do not say we are sorry vs. just going on about life as if we did nothing wrong?

#3. Jesus said in Matthew 12:41 that the Ninevites will rise up in Judgment against this generation because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. If you were to turn to Jonah chapter 3, you would be able to see in Jonah 3:6-10 that the King of the Ninevites had told his people to:

(a) Cry out to God (i.e. Repentance) (See Jonah 3:8).
(b) Turn from their sins or evil ways (i.e. The Natural Fruits of Repentance).​

#4. Matthew 3:6 (which then lines up with Matthew 3:8). Also, in Mark 1:4-5, it says John preached the "baptism of repentance" for the remission of sins (verse 4), and it then defines this "baptism of repentance" by saying they confessed their sins when they were baptized (verse 5).

#5. We see in Acts of the Apostles 8:22 a clear example of Peter telling Simon to "repent" of his wickedness in trying to pay for the Holy Spirit. Peter is telling Simon to make a prayer towards God. For Peter says that he should pray that God might forgive him. In other words, Peter is telling Simon to repent of a one time event of wickedness by way of prayer to GOD. This only makes sense if "repent" means to "ask for forgiveness."

#6. Ezekiel 14:6 says,
"Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols;" Repent makes the most sense here if a person is asking God for forgiveness by way of prayer instead of a person just believing in God. Naturally a person believes in God as their Savior if they are planning on forsaking their idols.

#7. We see repentance is the topic of discussion in Luke 15 (Luke 15:6) (Luke 15:10); This is then followed up by the "Parable of the Prodigal Son" with the son desiring to be reconciled with his father. We learn the WAY the Prodigal Son desired to be reconciled with his father when he said,

"I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants." (Luke 15:18-19).

In other words, the Prodigal Son was seeking forgiveness. This ties into the point of repentance in Luke 15:6 and Luke 15:10.

#8. Luke 10:13 says,
"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." This rules out the theory that repentance is exclusively forsaking sin. Granted, forsaking sin always follow true repentance (Asking God for forgiveness of one's sins) but forsaking sin is not repentance. The word "repented" here is describing a one time event because they "repented", sitting in sackcloth and ashes. In Jonah 3:6 we learn that the King of Nineveh sat in sackcloth and ashes. In Jonah 3:8, the King of Nineveh tells people to put on sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God (i.e. repentance): and then turn from their evil way (i.e. the fruits of repentance).

#9. John the Baptist says we are to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance (Luke 3:8). Fruits are deeds (or obedience to God). How can repentance be the same thing as the fruit? Is the fruit the same thing as the tree?

#10. Jeremiah 8:6 says, "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." Here we see the word "repented of wickedness" tied with the words, "What have I done?" This is an acknowledgement of one's sin to God as a part of asking His forgiveness.

Notable Additional Verses that Deal with Repentance
(But They Do Not Use The Word "Repent" or "Repentance"):

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13).

13 "And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:13-14).

Proverbs 28:13 says whosoever confesses and forsakes sin shall have mercy.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Yes, I understand what you mean. Hmm. It is clear when pointing out Ezekiel. Heart and action.

Yes, I agree, my brother.

 

[SkyWriting]

Changing one's mind and actions follows true repentance but a change of mind is not exclusively repentance. Why else would John the Baptist say bring forth fruits worthy of repentance? It makes no sense to have a change of mind about sin if one is not forsaking sin. One has not changed their mind about sin if they are still sinning and or not bringing forth fruits worthy of repentance.

Paul said that is exactly the case. We can change our mind and repent, yet we continue to do
what we do not wish to do. So we still do what is wrong. The only difference
is that we know we are sinning and still in need of forgivness.

Romans 7:19
For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do.

 

[SkyWriting]

If we were to look for the definition for the word "repentance", it cannot be found by looking at a Lexicon or some dead language that we did not grow up writing or speaking.

When wo do look up "Repentance" the original word used means "Change of Mind".

When you say "dead language" all that means is that there is no large population using the language and still changing it's meanings. You might not use a lexicon (a word dictionary), but you should consider it.

Hover over the word repent to see what original word it was translated from.

10 Godly sorrow brings repentance (metanoia) that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

metanoia: change of mind, repentance
Original Word: μετάνοια, ας, ἡ
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: metanoia
Phonetic Spelling: (met-an'-oy-ah)
Short Definition: repentance, a change of mind
Definition: repentance, a change of mind, change in the inner man.

19 Repent, (metanoeó) then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus, the Christ, who has been appointed for you.

38 Peter replied, “Repent (metanoeó) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39This promise belongs to you and to your children and to all who are far off, to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.

Transliteration: metanoeó
Phonetic Spelling: (met-an-o-eh'-o)
Short Definition: I repent, change my mind
Definition: I repent, change my mind, change the inner man (particularly with reference to acceptance of the will of God), repent.

Strong's Greek: 3341. μετάνοια (metanoia) -- change of mind, repentance


So Change of Mind is correct.

 

[SkyWriting]

Repentance is Not a Change of Mind

"Change of mind" is what it would say if you were reading greek.

, Matthew 11:21; Luke 10:13.
to change one's mind for the better,
heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins:
Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15

 

[SkyWriting]

Changing one's mind and actions follows true repentance but a change of mind is not exclusively repentance. Why else would John the Baptist say bring forth fruits worthy of repentance? It makes no sense to have a change of mind about sin if one is not forsaking sin. One has not changed their mind about sin if they are still sinning and or not bringing forth fruits worthy of repentance.

In scripture, the word repentance means change of mind, not change in actions.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

When wo do look up "Repentance" the original word used means "Change of Mind".

When you say "dead language" all that means is that there is no large population using the language and still changing it's meanings. You might not use a lexicon (a word dictionary), but you should consider it.

Hover over the word repent to see what original word it was translated from.

10 Godly sorrow brings repentance (metanoia) that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.



19 Repent, (metanoeó) then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus, the Christ, who has been appointed for you.

38 Peter replied, “Repent (metanoeó) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39This promise belongs to you and to your children and to all who are far off, to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.



Strong's Greek: 3341. μετάνοια (metanoia) -- change of mind, repentance


So Change of Mind is correct.

Again, this is the problem with interpreting Scripture this way. Nobody truly knows Greek to know what these Lexicons say is true unless they were to trust their Bibles in the English. For I can make a dictionary up on a dead language and people in the far in the future would be none the wiser. Granted, I am not saying every instance of a defined word in a Lexicon is wrong, it just should not be treated as a way to interpret the Bible alone. The Bible has homonyms within it. Meaning, there are words that look and sound the same but they have two different meanings. For obviously when God repents, it is not like when we repent. For the Scriptures say that God is not a man that He should repent.

Now, yes, to a certain degree it is true that there is a change of mind involved when we repent, but "repent" does not exclusively mean "change of mind." Repent means to ask God for forgiveness. That is what the Bible teaches by looking at the CONTEXT. So when a person asks God to forgive them of their sin when they first come to Christ they are changing their mind about their old life of sin, but it is more than that. Repent specifically means to ask God for forgiveness. Among men, it means to "ask the other guy for forgiveness."

. Luke 17:3 says, "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him." This doesn't make any sense if "repent" means believe in Jesus (as some teach) or to have a change of mind about sin (as others teach) or to exclusively forsake sin. Yes, we are to forsake sin as a part of repentance but that comes later after repentance (Which is to ask God for forgiveness of our sin). For how can we reconcile with a brother if we do not say we are sorry vs. just going on about life as if we did nothing wrong?

 

[PeaceByJesus]

Yes, in some cases, the word "repent" is used as forsaking sin (living obedient to Him) and having faith in God. But I believe this is tied with asking God for forgiveness of your sin. For in other cases, repentance is spoken of in this other way. John the Baptist says bring forth fruits worthy of repentance.

You are confusing the cause with the effect.
Repentance most basically means a change of heart, an attitude change about something, from one thing to another, whether is be God or men, such as deciding you will not do something you previously did, or intend to do something you previously did not, or about something you did or plan to do, etc.

What that means in effect is determined by the context, and for man, the revelation and grace one has. For God to repent from something He intended to do such as in judgment has nothing to do with Him sinning, any more than a change of heart necessarily would concerning a person a boss were going to fire for insubordination. But what precipitated the change of heart in God or yourself would have to do with the repentance on the part of the object of judgment.

In this case, repentance on the part of the object of judgment most basically means a change of attitude toward the reason for the judgment against him, as with the city of Nineveh.

For a person to come to you in repentance over something he did or is characterized as doing means he has has a change of attitude toward that, and thus makes confession regarding this.

The effect is not repentance, but fruits which correspond to the change in attitude. Suppose a person at work is sometimes easily offended, stubborn (too often me on this) and unteachable and therefore causes problems for some fellow workers at the water cooler (maybe he/she is related to the boss). The person is finally convicted of his/her attitude and thus says "I repent" to those she caused problems for.

If this is true then "fruits for repentance" means they will work to change these traits and manifest changes, and confess such to those he/she caused problems with.

The person may not have complete success at least at the beginning, and sometime slip back into this mode, but with the attitude change means he/she has a different attitude toward his/her sinfulness, one of penitence, and thus apologizes for her lapses if aware of them, and which means the attitude of others should be one of mercy, not judgment, knowing they also (at best) are a work in progress.

Ezekiel 14:6 says,
"Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols;"
It would not make any sense to say forsake evil and forsake evil.
God is telling His people to do two things here.
Repent AND turn away from idols.

He is telling them to change their attitude and thus change their ways. As in,

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