In this thread we will talk about Repentance.
Examples of the use of Repentance from Scripture:
Matthew 4:17
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 9:13
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Luke 13:3
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Acts 3:19
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
Repentance is necessary for Salvation! But what is true repentance?
Let's look at six different sources readily available on the internet for the definition of Repentance.
1.) Repentance (from lds.org)
Repentance is one of the first principles of the gospel and is essential to our temporal and eternal happiness. It is much more than just acknowledging wrongdoings. It is a change of mind and heart that gives us a fresh view about God, about ourselves, and about the world. It includes turning away from sin and turning to God for forgiveness. It is motivated by love for God and the sincere desire to obey His commandments.
2.) (Bible Dictionary) Repentance definition
There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. (1.) The verb _metamelomai_ is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3). (2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun _metanoia_, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised. Evangelical repentance consists of (1) a true sense of one's own guilt and sinfulness; (2) an apprehension of God's mercy in Christ; (3) an actual hatred of sin (Ps. 119:128; Job 42:5, 6; 2 Cor. 7:10) and turning from it to God; and (4) a persistent endeavour after a holy life in a walking with God in the way of his commandments. The true penitent is conscious of guilt (Ps. 51:4, 9), of pollution (51:5, 7, 10), and of helplessness (51:11; 109:21, 22). Thus he apprehends himself to be just what God has always seen him to be and declares him to be. But repentance comprehends not only such a sense of sin, but also an apprehension of mercy, without which there can be no true repentance (Ps. 51:1; 130:4).
3.) from truegospel.org
Repentance is a prerequisite to belief. What is repentance? Its basic meaning is "to change" or "to turn." Once a person hears the gospel and is convicted that his way of life is wrong, he must change his present behavior and "bear fruits worthy of repentance" (Matthew 3:8). Repentance is not merely feeling sorry or remorseful, but being so stricken in one's heart that one seeks the cleansing of baptism and begins to live according to God's standards—according to God's law. Remorse without a corresponding change in conduct is not repentance!
4.) Definition of REPENTANCE (Repentance - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
: the action or process of repenting especially for misdeeds or moral shortcomings
5.) (theopedia) Repentance, also called penitence, is the God-granted[1] attitude of having sorrow for personal sin and the turning away from it towards a new life.
6.) Repentance Defined (Biblical Repentance/The Meaning of Repentance - Gospel Translations)
You see then, sinful man stands as a rebel against God’s government and authority. This is why our Lord Jesus came on the scene preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mat 4:17). He commands every sinner to lay down his arms of rebellion and hoist the white flag of surrender to enter the Kingdom of God. In other words, a sinner has to change his mind about sin.
This is exactly what it means to repent: a change of mind about sin and about God, which results in turning from sin to God.
Although these definitions come from various sources and denominations, we can easily see a common thread running throughout them all. And that is the following..
Repentance comprises two things:
1.) Sorrow for sin
2.) Turning away from sin
This formula is outlined in Proverbs 28:13. Again, sorrow for sins (confessing them) and turning away from sins (forsaking them).
Proverbs 28:13
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Jesus Christ himself said he came bring sinners to repentance. Furthermore, he stated that without repentance, man would perish. Obviously that makes receiving repentance absolutely necessary for Salvation!
Bringing it all home..
I'm sure by now some of you know where I'm going with this, but sometimes you have to break stuff down before you can build.
If repentance is composed of: 1.) Sorrow for sin, and 2.) Turning away from sin (as defined in God's moral law - The Ten Commandments).
Q: Is it possible to receive repentance if we reject God's moral law -- the Ten Commandments?
SotL
Examples of the use of Repentance from Scripture:
Matthew 4:17
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 9:13
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Luke 13:3
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Acts 3:19
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
Repentance is necessary for Salvation! But what is true repentance?
Let's look at six different sources readily available on the internet for the definition of Repentance.
1.) Repentance (from lds.org)
Repentance is one of the first principles of the gospel and is essential to our temporal and eternal happiness. It is much more than just acknowledging wrongdoings. It is a change of mind and heart that gives us a fresh view about God, about ourselves, and about the world. It includes turning away from sin and turning to God for forgiveness. It is motivated by love for God and the sincere desire to obey His commandments.
2.) (Bible Dictionary) Repentance definition
There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. (1.) The verb _metamelomai_ is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3). (2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun _metanoia_, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised. Evangelical repentance consists of (1) a true sense of one's own guilt and sinfulness; (2) an apprehension of God's mercy in Christ; (3) an actual hatred of sin (Ps. 119:128; Job 42:5, 6; 2 Cor. 7:10) and turning from it to God; and (4) a persistent endeavour after a holy life in a walking with God in the way of his commandments. The true penitent is conscious of guilt (Ps. 51:4, 9), of pollution (51:5, 7, 10), and of helplessness (51:11; 109:21, 22). Thus he apprehends himself to be just what God has always seen him to be and declares him to be. But repentance comprehends not only such a sense of sin, but also an apprehension of mercy, without which there can be no true repentance (Ps. 51:1; 130:4).
3.) from truegospel.org
Repentance is a prerequisite to belief. What is repentance? Its basic meaning is "to change" or "to turn." Once a person hears the gospel and is convicted that his way of life is wrong, he must change his present behavior and "bear fruits worthy of repentance" (Matthew 3:8). Repentance is not merely feeling sorry or remorseful, but being so stricken in one's heart that one seeks the cleansing of baptism and begins to live according to God's standards—according to God's law. Remorse without a corresponding change in conduct is not repentance!
4.) Definition of REPENTANCE (Repentance - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
: the action or process of repenting especially for misdeeds or moral shortcomings
5.) (theopedia) Repentance, also called penitence, is the God-granted[1] attitude of having sorrow for personal sin and the turning away from it towards a new life.
6.) Repentance Defined (Biblical Repentance/The Meaning of Repentance - Gospel Translations)
You see then, sinful man stands as a rebel against God’s government and authority. This is why our Lord Jesus came on the scene preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mat 4:17). He commands every sinner to lay down his arms of rebellion and hoist the white flag of surrender to enter the Kingdom of God. In other words, a sinner has to change his mind about sin.
This is exactly what it means to repent: a change of mind about sin and about God, which results in turning from sin to God.
Although these definitions come from various sources and denominations, we can easily see a common thread running throughout them all. And that is the following..
Repentance comprises two things:
1.) Sorrow for sin
2.) Turning away from sin
This formula is outlined in Proverbs 28:13. Again, sorrow for sins (confessing them) and turning away from sins (forsaking them).
Proverbs 28:13
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Jesus Christ himself said he came bring sinners to repentance. Furthermore, he stated that without repentance, man would perish. Obviously that makes receiving repentance absolutely necessary for Salvation!
Bringing it all home..
I'm sure by now some of you know where I'm going with this, but sometimes you have to break stuff down before you can build.
If repentance is composed of: 1.) Sorrow for sin, and 2.) Turning away from sin (as defined in God's moral law - The Ten Commandments).
Q: Is it possible to receive repentance if we reject God's moral law -- the Ten Commandments?
SotL
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