Repentance is sometimes treated as though it were merely a change in attitude that naturally follows salvation.
But when we examine the New Testament, repentance is repeatedly connected with forgiveness, conversion, and salvation.
Jesus Himself said:
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
Luke 13:3
That statement could hardly be clearer.
Jesus did not say repentance was optional.
He said:
REPENT — OR PERISH.
So what is biblical repentance, and where does it fit in God’s plan of salvation?
JESUS COMMANDED REPENTANCE
During His ministry, Jesus preached:
“…Repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
Mark 1:15
After His resurrection, He told His apostles that:
“…repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
Luke 24:47
Notice the connection:
REPENTANCE AND REMISSION OF SINS
This message was to begin at Jerusalem.
And that is exactly what happened.
PETER PREACHED REPENTANCE AT PENTECOST
On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached the death, burial, resurrection, and lordship of Jesus Christ.
Those who heard him:
“…were pricked in their heart…”
Acts 2:37
They asked:
“…Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Acts 2:37
Peter answered:
“…Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…”
Acts 2:38
Peter did not tell them repentance could wait until after they were saved.
He commanded:
REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS.
This was the fulfillment of what Jesus had commanded His apostles to preach.
REPENTANCE IS MORE THAN FEELING SORRY
Many people feel badly about something they have done.
But sorrow itself is not repentance.
Paul explained:
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of…”
2 Corinthians 7:10
Notice the progression:
GODLY SORROW → REPENTANCE → SALVATION
Godly sorrow produces repentance.
Therefore, sorrow and repentance cannot be exactly the same thing.
A person may regret the consequences of sin without truly turning away from sin.
Biblical repentance involves a change of mind that results in a changed direction.
REPENTANCE PRODUCES FRUIT
John the Baptist told those who came to him:
“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:”
Matthew 3:8
Paul described his preaching in similar language.
He declared that people:
“…should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”
Acts 26:20
Repentance therefore is not merely saying:
“I am sorry.”
True repentance produces evidence in the person’s life.
A person who genuinely turns from sin begins living differently.
REPENTANCE REQUIRES TURNING
Peter later preached:
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…”
Acts 3:19
Again, repentance is directly connected with forgiveness.
Notice the language:
REPENT → BE CONVERTED → SINS BLOTTED OUT
Repentance involves turning from the old life toward God.
Paul described the Thessalonians as people who:
“…turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;”
1 Thessalonians 1:9
That is an excellent picture of repentance.
They turned from something.
They turned to Someone.
GOD COMMANDS ALL PEOPLE TO REPENT
When Paul spoke in Athens, he said:
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:”
Acts 17:30
Why?
“Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness…”
Acts 17:31
Repentance is not merely good advice.
It is a command from God.
And that command is given in view of coming judgment.
GOD WANTS PEOPLE TO REPENT
The command to repent demonstrates God’s desire for people to be saved.
Peter wrote:
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9
God does not desire our destruction.
He desires our repentance.
His patience provides an opportunity for people to turn from sin before judgment comes.
REPENTANCE DOES NOT EARN SALVATION
Someone might object:
“If repentance is something we must do, doesn’t that make salvation a matter of works?”
No.
Repentance does not purchase forgiveness.
Repentance does not place God in our debt.
Repentance does not erase sin through human effort.
God provides salvation through His grace and the blood of Jesus Christ.
But God also commands the sinner to repent.
If obeying a command automatically meant earning salvation, then Jesus could never have said:
“…except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
Luke 13:3
Repentance is not an attempt to earn God’s grace.
It is the response of a heart willing to abandon sin and submit to God.
CAN A PERSON REFUSE TO REPENT AND STILL BE SAVED?
Consider the implications.
Suppose someone says:
“I believe Jesus is the Son of God, but I have no intention of turning away from my sinful life.”
Has that person demonstrated saving faith?
Jesus said:
“…except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
Luke 13:3
Peter said:
“…Repent, and be baptized…”
Acts 2:38
Paul said God:
“…commandeth all men every where to repent:”
Acts 17:30
There is no biblical basis for telling an unrepentant person that he is saved simply because he mentally believes in Jesus.
REPENTANCE DOES NOT REQUIRE SINLESS PERFECTION
Repentance should not be confused with becoming instantly perfect.
Christians can still sin.
John wrote to Christians:
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
1 John 1:8
Repentance means that we have changed our allegiance and direction.
We no longer choose sin as the master of our lives.
When Christians sin, they are called to confess and turn from that sin.
“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
The Christian life remains a life of submission to God.
THE BIBLICAL PATTERN IS CLEAR
When we bring the passages together, we see a consistent pattern:
HEAR THE GOSPEL
BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST
REPENT OF SIN
CONFESS JESUS CHRIST
BE BAPTIZED FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS
RISE TO WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE
REMAIN FAITHFUL TO CHRIST
Repentance cannot simply be removed from that pattern.
Jesus commanded it.
Peter preached it.
Paul preached it.
The apostles carried that message throughout the world.
The question is therefore not:
“DO I FEEL BAD ABOUT MY SIN?”
The question is:
“AM I WILLING TO TURN FROM SIN AND SUBMIT MY LIFE TO CHRIST?”
Jesus said:
“…except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
Luke 13:3
Those are not the words of a theologian.
They are the words of Jesus Christ.
Open the Scriptures.
Examine the context.
Compare Scripture with Scripture.
And allow God’s Word—not religious tradition—to determine the answer.
ALLOW SCRIPTURE TO INTERPRET SCRIPTURE.
The Biblical Pattern
Biblical Studies & Books by Kevin L. Walker
The Biblical Pattern 