The true meaning of repentance

[geiroffenberg]

The first point of Martin Luthers famous 95 thesis that sparked much of the evanglical reformation reads:

"1. When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, 'METANOEO' (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of METANOIA."

Metanoia/metanoeo here is what is normally translated repentance.

Luther had a fresh understanding of the word repentance/metanoia, that went all the way back to the original first century church as proven by the debates the church fathers was in when they started to interpret and translate the word repentance in ways they did not agree with.

Further, in his letter to cardinal John Staupitz in his defense of the 95 theses and the spiritual move it had started among the people, he states that it was his understanding of the word metanoia/repentance that was the CAUSE of the whole thing!

He defines repentance in this letter as "a passing over by the mind" - a passover. He even goes as far to claim abraham was the first hebrew because of his spiritual passover, because hebrew means those who hav passed over (as from the other side of a river)

So repentance is a mind thing, a moving from on function of the mind to a whole new function, a replacement of its function with a whole new one. This is what the word meta-noeus means.

I wonder if anyone has a definition of repentance that is close to luthers, or if anyone can cast more light on what luther meant. Thank you.

 

[Theo Book]

The first point of Martin Luthers famous 95 thesis that sparked much of the evanglical reformation reads:

"1. When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, 'METANOEO' (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of METANOIA."

Metanoia/metanoeo here is what is normally translated repentance.

Luther had a fresh understanding of the word repentance/metanoia, that went all the way back to the original first century church as proven by the debates the church fathers was in when they started to interpret and translate the word repentance in ways they did not agree with.

Further, in his letter to cardinal John Staupitz in his defense of the 95 theses and the spiritual move it had started among the people, he states that it was his understanding of the word metanoia/repentance that was the CAUSE of the whole thing!

He defines repentance in this letter as "a passing over by the mind" - a passover. He even goes as far to claim abraham was the first hebrew because of his spiritual passover, because hebrew means those who hav passed over (as from the other side of a river)

So repentance is a mind thing, a moving from on function of the mind to a whole new function, a replacement of its function with a whole new one. This is what the word meta-noeus means.

I wonder if anyone has a definition of repentance that is close to luthers, or if anyone can cast more light on what luther meant. Thank you.

Repentance is simply a reversal of direction, whether referencing thought, activity, or intent.

God "Repented" of the evil He intended for Israel, a number ot times, due to Israel's repentance and due sacrifice to demonstrate their intent.

When God intended to bring judgment upon a nation, sometimes He changed His mind, His intent, and His activity, which were all tied together in judging Israel.

He did the same with Nineveh.

Repentance is the hardest easiest mind change and activity guide Men involve themselves in.

 

[geiroffenberg]

Repentance is simply a reversal of direction, whether referencing thought, activity, or intent.

God "Repented" of the evil He intended for Israel, a number ot times, due to Israel's repentance and due sacrifice to demonstrate their intent.

When God intended to bring judgment upon a nation, sometimes He changed His mind, His intent, and His activity, which were all tied together in judging Israel.

He did the same with Nineveh.

Repentance is the hardest easiest mind change and activity guide Men involve themselves in.

yes: Ill just throw in that there are many words translated repentance (unfortunatly, is seems it should be psosbiel to have som consistancy in the translations), and even other greek words fits more to a simple moral turnaround or change of intent. But the "mind change" in the word, metanoia, i agree with you, i believe is very close to the original meaning of the word. But theres been a trend in many church branches to teach mind change as a change of the content of the mind AKA think differently. Or maybe one could say "turn around" in your thinking about certain stuff!
But the "meta-noeus" of the mind, should mean it is the mind it self that must change, not just the content of it! meaning the thinking.
As a matter of fact, meta means beyond, and noeus is defined in some bible dictionaries like Strongs as "the thinking mind", so it would mean moving or going beyond the thinking mind itself! Passing from thinking to...non thinking, i guess. Thinking being the culprit here.

This is difficult to take up in christian circles because this is LITERALLY taught as the basic spiritual practice in buddism, specially in zen buddism. It's also very commonly taught in new spiritual popular teaching like eckhart tolle.

So....dangerous ground here.

 

[AJTruth]

Repent: To change ones mind, expression of regret, to turn change course.

Repentance toward God

Acts 20:21 (B) repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Repentance has the article: the repentance which is due to God.

So, also, faith: the faith which is due toward Christ, as savior, advocate and mediator

The Jews must repent of breaking covenant Jer 10:11 turning away from God

The Gentiles must repent of their godless reprobate lives, turn to the true God, confess their sins & renounce all idolatry

Repentance is no atonement for sin. Of itself repentance is insufficient

Repentance doesn't/can't make compensation for any acts of transgression. It prepares the soul for pardoning mercy.

We've all broken/transgressed God's law. No one can say he is not a sinner until some means is provided (not to take away the law) but to remove the sin, which is the transgression of the law.

The laws required payment/judgment for sin is death

Rom 6:23. A sinless Jesus (1 Pet 2:22, 2 Cor 5:21, Heb 4:15, 1 Jn 3:5 1 Pet 1:19) willing sacrifice. Fulfilled/met, Paid for and removes the laws requirement for all sin.

Once a believers sins have been removed, there is no transgression of the law

For this: Faith is required in the Lord Jesus sacrificial redemptive payment, who died for our sins, was buried & rose again. And now advocates on our behalf.

 

[geiroffenberg]

Repent: To change ones mind, expression of regret, to turn change course.

Yes thank you.

I would like to ask, what jesus meant by repentance in realtion to matt 4:17 "the kingdom is at hand, therefor repent".He doesnt seem to neccesarly mention sins (even if that of course is included in repentance as many other verses shows). but it seems even if a person WASNT a sinner, he would still ahve to repent to receive the kingdom that was "at hand".
I guess we can prove it more since the baptism of repentance (metanoia) was done by Jesus himself as something that seemingly had to be done before the spirit came upon him. IN his case, what did he repent from, definitly he couldnt have confessed his sin or anything like that? still he performed the ritual of repentance, so on less he was acting, he did a form of repentance...what was it?

 

[Theo Book]

yes: Ill just throw in that there are many words translated repentance (unfortunatly, is seems it should be psosbiel to have som consistancy in the translations), and even other greek words fits more to a simple moral turnaround or change of intent. But the "mind change" in the word, metanoia, i agree with you, i believe is very close to the original meaning of the word. But theres been a trend in many church branches to teach mind change as a change of the content of the mind AKA think differently. Or maybe one could say "turn around" in your thinking about certain stuff!
But the "meta-noeus" of the mind, should mean it is the mind it self that must change, not just the content of it! meaning the thinking.
As a matter of fact, meta means beyond, and noeus is defined in some bible dictionaries like Strongs as "the thinking mind", so it would mean moving or going beyond the thinking mind itself! Passing from thinking to...non thinking, i guess. Thinking being the culprit here.

This is difficult to take up in christian circles because this is LITERALLY taught as the basic spiritual practice in buddism, specially in zen buddism. It's also very commonly taught in new spiritual popular teaching like eckhart tolle.

So....dangerous ground here.

When you consider the meaning of "lust" from the Greek word
epithumia

James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own (epiqumias) lust, and enticed.

15 Then when (epiqumia) lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Epithumias is a genitive feminine noun form of Epithumia, which is nominative in form.
The nominative is the name of the noun, and the genitive is what belongs to one., shown by the use of "Own lust."
But look again at another passage;

Luke 22:15 And he said unto them, With (Epiqumia) desire I have (epethumeesa) desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

Epithumeesa is a verb, which shows us Jesus had the same strength of desire that other men have in temptation controlled by lust.

Lust is simply a strong desire, for evil, or unrighteousness. Strong desire for righteous things is neither wrong nor troublesome.

Repentance can be any change that brings about a redirection of thought, activity, or intent.

They are not necessarily the same thing, but may be used in conjunction with each other, and combined with prayer, can be a strong tool for correction.

 

[AJTruth]

Yes thank you.

I would like to ask, what jesus meant by repentance in realtion to matt 4:17 "the kingdom is at hand, therefor repent".He doesnt seem to neccesarly mention sins (even if that of course is included in repentance as many other verses shows). but it seems even if a person WASNT a sinner, he would still ahve to repent to receive the kingdom that was "at hand".
I guess we can prove it more since the baptism of repentance (metanoia) was done by Jesus himself as something that seemingly had to be done before the spirit came upon him. IN his case, what did he repent from, definitly he couldnt have confessed his sin or anything like that? still he performed the ritual of repentance, so on less he was acting, he did a form of repentance...what was it?

Why A Sinless Jesus Was Baptized

John the Baptist was a priest & prophet

God gave Israel His Law & sacrificial system thru Moses. So they could attain atonement for their & iniquities/sins

God ordained/chose (Ex 28:1-2) Aaron, Moses elder brother. As High Priest & had him offer the sacrifice of atonement on the 10th day of the 7th month, the Day of Atonement. So the yearly sins of Israel could be cleansed/covered (not taken away) (Lev 16)

God specified that the sacrifice's of the Day of Atonement could only be offered by Aaron & the succeeding High Priests among his descendants. Two were offered, a lot was drawn. One was sacrificed to the Lord. The other, Aaron was to lay his hands on the head of the Azazel Scapegoat. He would confess all the peoples sins. And the Azazel Scapegoat was sent into the wilderness. Carrying away all the people sins with it. (Lev 16:8-10, 21 & 22)

John the Baptist confessed/announced: Behold the Lamb of God, that TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD. John then laid his hands on Jesus and Baptized him?

Where did Jesus go immediately after His baptism? Answer: The wilderness! Again, Only the High Priest could in act this sin transfer process. (see scapegoat Lev 16:10)

John the Baptist let it be known clearly that Jesus was the Savior of mankind. In the age of the New Testament, God sent John the Baptist, a descendant of Aaron (1 Chr 24:10, Luke 1:5) & the last High Priest of the Old Testament (Matt 11:11-13)

John the Baptist was God's sent/chosen prophet & appointed by God (like Aaron) High Priest. John's father was a priest, descended from Aaron on both his mothers and fathers blood line. A pure blooded priest, a Cohanim to he house of Aaron.

The Cohanim, identified the sacrifice acceptable and presented the lambs for sacrifice.

John the Baptist foretold that one much greater then himself was coming. One who's shoes John wasn't fit to tie. John 1:27 & Mark 1:7.

John 1:29 (B) John seeing Jesus announced; Behold, the Lamb of God! Which takes away the sins of the world. John identified & certified. Jesus Christ the Lamb of God to be an acceptable sacrifice. Jesus under goes Semikhah here as well. We saw him in the Temple at 12, now he's 30, that's 18 yrs & the 2nd confirming voice comes from heaven Matt 3:17. With the laying on of hands by John, the water purification Baptism & the 2 voices. Jesus is now a Rabbi by authority or ordination.

The two priests meet face to face. When John baptized Jesus, he not only transferred the old covenant Priesthood to the New covenants "Great" High Priest. John also passed (transferred) all the sins of humankind onto Him, the Son of God. The Scapegoat who was chosen to save sinners. Only God's chosen High Priest had the power of this sin transfer.

Lev 16:21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wildernesssee Lev 16:8,9,10,21 & 22 on transfer process)

Immediately after John baptizes Jesus. Jesus our Scapegoat goes into the wilderness. Mark 1:12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.

All people are blessed to be able to have their sins passed onto Jesus thru John the Baptist. The role of John was to be the High Priest who represented humankind. Gods servant who passed all our sins onto Jesus (Mal 3:1, Isa 40:3, Num 8:7, Matt 3:1-3, John 1:6, John 1:33)

John the Baptist was the representative & the High Priest of humankind sent by God. The prophesied/foretold (Mal 3:1, Isa 40:3, Num 8:7) messenger sent 6 months prior to Jesus

Jesus was/is the Lamb of God, """who took away""" (not just covered) all the sins of the world. John the Baptist was the last Old Testament High Priest. And passed the sins of the world onto Jesus through baptism. John the Baptist was the chosen servant of God.

Jesus Sin Atonement is universal. Offered to anyone that places their FAITH in Jesus Sin Atoning Death, Burial & Resurrection.

 

[geiroffenberg]

Why A Sinless Jesus Was Baptized

John the Baptist was a priest & prophet

God gave Israel His Law & sacrificial system thru Moses. So they could attain atonement for their & iniquities/sins

God ordained/chose (Ex 28:1-2) Aaron, Moses elder brother. As High Priest & had him offer the sacrifice of atonement on the 10th day of the 7th month, the Day of Atonement. So the yearly sins of Israel could be cleansed/covered (not taken away) (Lev 16)

God specified that the sacrifice's of the Day of Atonement could only be offered by Aaron & the succeeding High Priests among his descendants. Two were offered, a lot was drawn. One was sacrificed to the Lord. The other, Aaron was to lay his hands on the head of the Azazel Scapegoat. He would confess all the peoples sins. And the Azazel Scapegoat was sent into the wilderness. Carrying away all the people sins with it. (Lev 16:8-10, 21 & 22)

John the Baptist confessed/announced: Behold the Lamb of God, that TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD. John then laid his hands on Jesus and Baptized him?

Where did Jesus go immediately after His baptism? Answer: The wilderness! Again, Only the High Priest could in act this sin transfer process. (see scapegoat Lev 16:10)

John the Baptist let it be known clearly that Jesus was the Savior of mankind. In the age of the New Testament, God sent John the Baptist, a descendant of Aaron (1 Chr 24:10, Luke 1:5) & the last High Priest of the Old Testament (Matt 11:11-13)

John the Baptist was God's sent/chosen prophet & appointed by God (like Aaron) High Priest. John's father was a priest, descended from Aaron on both his mothers and fathers blood line. A pure blooded priest, a Cohanim to he house of Aaron.

The Cohanim, identified the sacrifice acceptable and presented the lambs for sacrifice.

John the Baptist foretold that one much greater then himself was coming. One who's shoes John wasn't fit to tie. John 1:27 & Mark 1:7.

John 1:29 (B) John seeing Jesus announced; Behold, the Lamb of God! Which takes away the sins of the world. John identified & certified. Jesus Christ the Lamb of God to be an acceptable sacrifice. Jesus under goes Semikhah here as well. We saw him in the Temple at 12, now he's 30, that's 18 yrs & the 2nd confirming voice comes from heaven Matt 3:17. With the laying on of hands by John, the water purification Baptism & the 2 voices. Jesus is now a Rabbi by authority or ordination.

The two priests meet face to face. When John baptized Jesus, he not only transferred the old covenant Priesthood to the New covenants "Great" High Priest. John also passed (transferred) all the sins of humankind onto Him, the Son of God. The Scapegoat who was chosen to save sinners. Only God's chosen High Priest had the power of this sin transfer.

Lev 16:21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wildernesssee Lev 16:8,9,10,21 & 22 on transfer process)

Immediately after John baptizes Jesus. Jesus our Scapegoat goes into the wilderness. Mark 1:12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.

All people are blessed to be able to have their sins passed onto Jesus thru John the Baptist. The role of John was to be the High Priest who represented humankind. Gods servant who passed all our sins onto Jesus (Mal 3:1, Isa 40:3, Num 8:7, Matt 3:1-3, John 1:6, John 1:33)

John the Baptist was the representative & the High Priest of humankind sent by God. The prophesied/foretold (Mal 3:1, Isa 40:3, Num 8:7) messenger sent 6 months prior to Jesus

Jesus was/is the Lamb of God, """who took away""" (not just covered) all the sins of the world. John the Baptist was the last Old Testament High Priest. And passed the sins of the world onto Jesus through baptism. John the Baptist was the chosen servant of God.

Jesus Sin Atonement is universal. Offered to anyone that places their FAITH in Jesus Sin Atoning Death, Burial & Resurrection.

it would seen that this lengthy in depth answer underscores that the baptism of john happened more to proclaim jesus as the messiah saviour of the world rather than jesus actually perform a form of repentance.

I only assume jesus actually did a literally repentance/mind change of some sort because
1) the spirit did come upon him as a result...he was in 100% human form after all....and the promise was for all "repent....and you will receive the holy spirit"...So seemingly the spirit didnt come upon him until he did this "baptism of repentance" and on top of that
2) he did send the disciples out to perform baptism of repentance for all the world - maybe not in the form of water baptism, but what he did himself do at johns baptism, in the "baptism of repentance", as it was called, he did also tell his disciples to do the same and teach it...not only to the people of jewish tradition...but to all gentiles of all nations.

So it seems to me even if everything you say is right which it probably is, that jesus repentance still was more than just a display of who he was. He DID do a metanoia repentance himself, and i wonder what it consisted of since he wasnt a sinner. Maybe im deluded lol.

 

[AJTruth]

it would seen that this lengthy in depth answer underscores that the baptism of john happened more to proclaim jesus as the messiah saviour of the world rather than jesus actually perform a form of repentance.

I only assume jesus actually did a literally repentance/mind change of some sort because
1) the spirit did come upon him as a result...he was in 100% human form after all....and the promise was for all "repent....and you will receive the holy spirit"...So seemingly the spirit didnt come upon him until he did this "baptism of repentance" and on top of that
2) he did send the disciples out to perform baptism of repentance for all the world - maybe not in the form of water baptism, but what he did himself do at johns baptism, in the "baptism of repentance", as it was called, he did also tell his disciples to do the same and teach it...not only to the people of jewish tradition...but to all gentiles of all nations.

So it seems to me even if everything you say is right which it probably is, that jesus repentance still was more than just a display of who he was. He DID do a metanoia repentance himself, and i wonder what it consisted of since he wasnt a sinner. Maybe im deluded lol.

I believe scripture proclaims Jesus was sinless (1 Pet 2:22, 2 Cor 5:21, Heb 4:15, 1 Jn 3:5 1 Pet 1:19. And if not a sinner what's there to repent from? Maranatha

 

[geiroffenberg]

I believe scripture proclaims Jesus was sinless (1 Pet 2:22, 2 Cor 5:21, Heb 4:15, 1 Jn 3:5 1 Pet 1:19. And if not a sinner what's there to repent from? Maranatha

yes, of course, my point exactly. I dont claim jesus repented from sin, thats literally what is the problem.
So again, since he did perform the baptism of repentance and assuming he didn't just pretend he did it, but that he "let i happen according to all rightouesness" as he said, then what did his repentance consist in? It MUST have been something beyond just repenting from sins.
I'm pointing back to the start of the thread with the definition of metanoia repentance that luther talked about when he claimed the whole reformations started when he understood that this word had not neccesarely anything to do with confessing sins etc, but it simply meant a replacement, or moving, of the mind. So if not from sin what did he repent from and what did he repent towards - what did his metanoia consist of? Many places in scripture this repentance first portraied by jesus is claimed to be the requirement of our entrance into the kingdom of god. It would be good with a clearification of this word in our times, as it happened 500 years ago and also all the way back with the first church fathers that had very strong objections when they started translating this word into other languages.

 

[AJTruth]

yes, of course, my point exactly. I dont claim jesus repented from sin, thats literally what is the problem.
So again, since he did perform the baptism of repentance and assuming he didn't just pretend he did it, but that he "let i happen according to all rightouesness" as he said, then what did his repentance consist in? It MUST have been something beyond just repenting from sins.
I'm pointing back to the start of the thread with the definition of metanoia repentance that luther talked about when he claimed the whole reformations started when he understood that this word had not neccesarely anything to do with confessing sins etc, but it simply meant a replacement, or moving, of the mind. So if not from sin what did he repent from and what did he repent towards - what did his metanoia consist of? Many places in scripture this repentance first portraied by jesus is claimed to be the requirement of our entrance into the kingdom of god. It would be good with a clearification of this word in our times, as it happened 500 years ago and also all the way back with the first church fathers that had very strong objections when they started translating this word into other languages.

Matt 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

(Jesus is instructing people to be baptized. Jesus isn't repenting of anything here).

2ndly I can't find one place where Jesus baptizes anyone with water.

John 4:1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,

2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

Finally John proclaims Jesus will be baptizing with fire & the Holy Spirit.

We see this on the Temple Mt during Pentecost & many times in Paul's writings.

I'd be thankful for any scripture you can provide. That shows Jesus baptizing anyone with water. Thx in advance. AJ

 

[Ron Gurley]

OT:
Number 23:19
“God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent;
Has He said, and will He not do it?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

"that He should repent;" ...Hebrews 5162...nacham...to be sorry, console oneself, regret, comfort, be comforted

"to repent."...Hebrews 7725...shuwb...to return, turn back

NT:

Matthew 3:2; 4:17 ; Mark 1:15
“Repent, for the "kingdom of heaven" (Jesus the Divine messiah has come!) is at hand.” (good news!)

"Repent,...Greek 3340...metanoeo...to change one's mind / to change one's mind for the better; heartily to amend with abhorrence one's past sins

Repentance (metanoia, 'change of mind') involves a turning with contrition from sin to God;
the repentant sinner is in the proper condition to ACCEPT the divine forgiveness." (SALVATION)

To Me, repent simply means: RE-THINK...spiritually turning to God when He calls / draws you.

Repentance in context has TWO meanings:

1. repent UNTO salvation...God calls/draws you to Him from sinful self...turning to God to ACCEPT THE GIFT!

e.g. Jesus preached:

Mark 1 (NASB)...Jesus Preaches in Galilee
14 Now after John (the Baptizer) had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee,
preaching the gospel (good news) of God, 15 and saying,
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; (Jesus the Divine Messiah had come!)
repent AND believe in the "gospel".” (Jesus the Divine Messiah had come!)

Luke 24...Jesus: AFTER The Resurrection
47 and that repentance for (because of?) forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Romans 2 (NASB)
4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience,
not knowing that the kindness (GRACE!) of God (the Holy Spirit) LEADS you to repentance?

2 Cor. 7:10
For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret,
leading to salvation, (NOT a condition of!)
but the sorrow of the world (mourning)produces death.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, (unbelievers?)not wishing for ANY to (spiritually)perish but for ALL to come to repentance.

2 Timothy 2:25
with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, (NOT a condition of!)

2. repent BACK into fellowship after sinning...e.g. The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Luke 15 (NASB)...Jesus and the Parable of "The Lost Coin"
10 In the same way, I tell you,
there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Repentance for believers involves CONFESSION
and claiming cleansing and forgiveness of sins purchased by Jesus' completed work and the shedding of Divine blood on the Cross.

1 John 1...God Is Light
5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light,
and in Him there is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have FELLOWSHIP with Him and yet walk in the darkness,
we lie and do not PRACTICE the truth;
7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have FELLOWSHIP with "one another", (BELIEVERS)
and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess (AGREE WITH GOD ABOUT) our sins,
He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

 

[Theo Book]

OT:
Number 23:19 “God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

The context in which God declares "I am not a man that I should repent" is simply a reference to the fact God did not change his plans to accommodate powerful MEN who thought they could manipulate God's system by threatening or bribing other MEN.

"that He should repent;" ...Hebrews 5162...nacham...to be sorry, console oneself, regret, comfort, be comforted

"to repent."...Hebrews 7725...shuwb...to return, turn back

NT:

Matthew 3:2; 4:17 ; Mark 1:15
“Repent, for the "kingdom of heaven" (Jesus the Divine messiah has come!) is at hand.” (good news!)

"Repent,...Greek 3340...metanoeo...to change one's mind / to change one's mind for the better; heartily to amend with abhorrence one's past sins

Repentance (metanoia, 'change of mind') involves a turning with contrition from sin to God;
the repentant sinner is in the proper condition to ACCEPT the divine forgiveness." (SALVATION)

To Me, repent simply means: RE-THINK...spiritually turning to God when He calls / draws you.

Good post - HOWEVER;- GOD DOES AND WILL REPENT -

Exo 32:11 And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? 12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.
14 And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

GOD WILL, AND DOES REPENT
1. Gen 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

2. Gen 6:7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

3. Exo 32:12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.

4. Exo 32:14 And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

5. Deut 32:36 For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.

6. Jdgs 2:18 And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.

7. 1 Sam 15:11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

8. 1 Sam 15:35 And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

9. 2 Sam 24:16 And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.

10. 1 Chron 21:15 And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

11. Psalm 90:13 Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.

12. Psalm 106:45 And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.

13. Psalm 135:14 For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.

14. Jer 18:8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.

15. Jer 18:10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

16. Jer 26:3 If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.

17. Jer 26:13 Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.

18. Jer 26:19 Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the LORD, and besought the LORD, and the LORD repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls.

19. Jer 42:10 If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you.

20. Eze 24:14 I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent;according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD.

21. Joel 2:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

22. Amos 7:3 The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD.

23. Amos 7:6 The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.

24. Jonah 3:9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away rom his fierce anger, that we perish not?

25. Jonah 3:10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not."


Repentance in context has TWO meanings:

1. repent UNTO salvation...God calls/draws you to Him from sinful self...turning to God to ACCEPT THE GIFT!

e.g. Jesus preached:

Mark 1 (NASB)...Jesus Preaches in Galilee
14 Now after John (the Baptizer) had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee,
preaching the gospel (good news) of God, 15 and saying,
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; (Jesus the Divine Messiah had come!)
repent AND believe in the "gospel".” (Jesus the Divine Messiah had come!)

Luke 24...Jesus: AFTER The Resurrection
47 and that repentance for (because of?) forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Romans 2 (NASB)
4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience,
not knowing that the kindness (GRACE!) of God (the Holy Spirit) LEADS you to repentance?

2 Cor. 7:10
For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret,
leading to salvation, (NOT a condition of!)
but the sorrow of the world (mourning)produces death.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, (unbelievers?)not wishing for ANY to (spiritually)perish but for ALL to come to repentance.

2 Timothy 2:25
with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, (NOT a condition of!)

2. repent BACK into fellowship after sinning...e.g. The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Luke 15 (NASB)...Jesus and the Parable of "The Lost Coin"
10 In the same way, I tell you,
there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Repentance for believers involves CONFESSION
and claiming cleansing and forgiveness of sins purchased by Jesus' completed work and the shedding of Divine blood on the Cross.

1 John 1...God Is Light
5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light,
and in Him there is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have FELLOWSHIP with Him and yet walk in the darkness,
we lie and do not PRACTICE the truth;
7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have FELLOWSHIP with "one another", (BELIEVERS)
and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess (AGREE WITH GOD ABOUT) our sins,
He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.[/QUOTE]

 

[geiroffenberg]

Matt 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

(Jesus is instructing people to be baptized. Jesus isn't repenting of anything here).

I am literally refering to the place where jesus was himself baptized in water by john the baotist, in the baptism called "the baptism of repentance"

2ndly I can't find one place where Jesus baptizes anyone with water.

Agreed. i dont care about water baptism either, but it represents repentance, and was preached by jesus and peter on pentecost "baptise them in the name of the father, son and the holy spirit" (matt 28) "repent and be baptised and you will recieve the holy spirit..."(acts 2)

Finally John proclaims Jesus will be baptizing with fire & the Holy Spirit.

Yes, of course, but we are talking about the true meaning of repentance, not what is the right baptism.

I'd be thankful for any scripture you can provide. That shows Jesus baptizing anyone with water. Thx in advance. AJ

I was refering to when jesus himself was baptised in water by john. i got most of the story in my head, but its in there, probably mark 1, matt 3 etc

 

[geiroffenberg]

pls go back to the first post and see if you can get what luther meant. I am not asking about any defintion of repentance, but about the one he talked about.

 

[the old scribe]

The first point of Martin Luthers famous 95 thesis that sparked much of the evanglical reformation reads:

"1. When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, 'METANOEO' (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of METANOIA."

Metanoia/metanoeo here is what is normally translated repentance.

Luther had a fresh understanding of the word repentance/metanoia, that went all the way back to the original first century church as proven by the debates the church fathers was in when they started to interpret and translate the word repentance in ways they did not agree with.

Further, in his letter to cardinal John Staupitz in his defense of the 95 theses and the spiritual move it had started among the people, he states that it was his understanding of the word metanoia/repentance that was the CAUSE of the whole thing!

He defines repentance in this letter as "a passing over by the mind" - a passover. He even goes as far to claim abraham was the first hebrew because of his spiritual passover, because hebrew means those who hav passed over (as from the other side of a river)

So repentance is a mind thing, a moving from on function of the mind to a whole new function, a replacement of its function with a whole new one. This is what the word meta-noeus means.

I wonder if anyone has a definition of repentance that is close to luthers, or if anyone can cast more light on what luther meant. Thank you.

Matthew 4:17 metanoeus as a "a passing over by the mind" - a Passover –
Repentance is a mind thing, a moving from on function of the mind to a whole new function, a replacement of its function with a whole new one.

Do you think the following verses contain the idea Luther had of metanoeus?

“born again” (gennao anothen) John 3:3,7 – Unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (MOUNCE)

“new creation” (kainos ktisiis) 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; what is old has passed away; behold, what is new has come! (MOUNCE)

Here are some English versions of Matthew 4:17 translating metanoeus other than repentance.
Is the Lutheran idea of metanoeus represented in these versions?

CEB
From that time Jesus began to announce, “Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!”

ERV
From that time Jesus began to tell people his message: “Change your hearts and lives, because God’s kingdom is now very near.”

EXB
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “·Change your hearts and lives [Repent], because the kingdom of heaven is ·near [at hand].”

GNV
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Amend your lives: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

GW
From then on, Jesus began to tell people, “Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near!”

ICB
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Change your hearts and lives, because the kingdom of heaven is coming soon.

PHILLIPS
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “You must change your hearts—for the kingdom of Heaven has arrived.”

MSG
“Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.”

NOG
From then on, Yeshua began to tell people, “Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near!”

NCV
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Change your hearts and lives, because the kingdom of heaven is near.”

 

[geiroffenberg]

Matthew 4:17 metanoeus as a "a passing over by the mind" - a Passover –
Repentance is a mind thing, a moving from on function of the mind to a whole new function, a replacement of its function with a whole new one.

Do you think the following verses contain the idea Luther had of metanoeus?

“born again” (gennao anothen) John 3:3,7 – Unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (MOUNCE)

“new creation” (kainos ktisiis) 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; what is old has passed away; behold, what is new has come! (MOUNCE)

Here are some English versions of Matthew 4:17 translating metanoeus other than repentance.
Is the Lutheran idea of metanoeus represented in these versions?

CEB
From that time Jesus began to announce, “Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!”

ERV
From that time Jesus began to tell people his message: “Change your hearts and lives, because God’s kingdom is now very near.”

EXB
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “·Change your hearts and lives [Repent], because the kingdom of heaven is ·near [at hand].”

GNV
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Amend your lives: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

GW
From then on, Jesus began to tell people, “Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near!”

ICB
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Change your hearts and lives, because the kingdom of heaven is coming soon.

PHILLIPS
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “You must change your hearts—for the kingdom of Heaven has arrived.”

MSG
“Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.”

NOG
From then on, Yeshua began to tell people, “Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near!”

NCV
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Change your hearts and lives, because the kingdom of heaven is near.”

I dont think any of these translations are very good if luthers understanding (and the early church fathers) understanding of metanous is right. One defintion that is used by strongs for noeus is "thinking" mind. While meta means "beyond" or "outside" of. So going beyond, or outside of, the thinking mind....
This would explain why even Jesus was baptized with the baptism of "repentance" or metanoues. Thinking mind is a law based mind. The diciontarie defines thinking as the process of forming opinions and making judgements. In other words, its all about what is good or evil, right or wrong. THe tree of knowledge of good and evil.

It should be of greatest importance to get this word right and start using it again the way the early greek and churchfathers before the translations, used it. Because, after all, "repent, for the kingdom is at hand" was the message jesus went around and proclaimed. It contained only one neccesary action: metanous.

We should get that word right, then!

Paul reflects this in his preaching in acts 17 when he says "now God commands all people all places to repent (metanoeus)"

But when Jesus repented and took the higher road than the law he was born under, the holy spirit came an dwelled upon him and from that time he was spirit lead, not law lead, signifiging the difference between the carnal mind and the spiritual mind.

In this light, since walking by the carnal law mind, compared to the spiritual mind, "is death", and the latter is "life and peace" according to romans 8, i can definitly see that it connects to the rebirth verses you quoted first. So the spirit of life is a direct result of metanoia repentance, or as peter said on pentecost: "repent and be baptized (same thing) and you too will receive the holy spirit..."

Clearly a teaching that is totally forgotten in general since i dont know anyone that walks in the spirit like they did in the bible.