3 - Repent!

In Part 1 of this Bible study, we learned what the gospel is and that we must obey it.

In the book of Acts we see that the apostles always put the gospel into practice in exactly the same way.

The Gospel is...

  1. Death
  2. Burial
  3. Resurrection

The apostles said to...

  1. Repent
  2. Be baptized
  3. Receive the Holy Ghost

Each of the three parts of the gospel plays its own essential role in our salvation.

Now we will begin to take a closer look at the individual steps involved in obeying the gospel.

 

It’s as easy as 1-2-3!


Step 1 of obeying the Gospel is to REPENT!

Matthew 3:1-2

  • In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
  • And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

John the Baptist came to prepare the way of the Lord. His message of preparation was to tell all men to REPENT.

 

Matthew 4:17

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

From the beginning of His ministry, Jesus also preached telling all men to REPENT.

 

Hebrews 6:1

  • Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that repentance is part of the very FOUNDATION of what we believe.


Do I really have to repent?

Acts 17:30

  • And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Repentance is not a suggestion. God COMMANDS it.

Repentance is not just for “bad” people; it is for ALL men EVERYWHERE.

 

Luke 13:3

  • I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

If we do not repent, we will PERISH.


What does it mean to repent?

There are two Hebrew words that appear as the word, “repent” in our Old Testament. One means to be sorry.

Jeremiah 31:19

  • Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.

The writer here shows that he is not much different from the rest of us; after he got caught, he felt SORRY for what he had done wrong.

 

The other Old Testament word that appears as “repent” means to turn back or to turn away.

Ezekiel 14:6

  • Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.

God did not command to feel sorry, but to TURN away.

 

The New Testament also has two different words for “repent”.

One means to care afterwards (regret) and the other means to think differently (reconsider).

Matthew 27:3

  • Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

Even Judas repented. He REGRETTED he situation he was in, but he did not get right with God.

 

All of the verses at the beginning of this lesson use the second word (to think differently).
​So gospel repentance is not just to feel sorry or to regret what we have done, it is to think differently and to turn away from the things we used to do.


How can I repent?

2 Timothy 2:25

  • In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

Repentance is a supernatural GIFT that God gives us.

 

2 Corinthians 7:10

  • For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

While a feeling of sorrow or regret over our sins is not complete repentance, when God convicts us, godly sorrow can LEAD us to true repentance.

 

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

  • Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
  • Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
  • And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

When we truly repent, we make CHANGES in our lives.

 

2 Corinthians 5:17

  • Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Repentance is our response to His death because old things are PASSED AWAY.
​We die out to our old lifestyle when we repent. All things in our lives become NEW.

 

Easy as 1-2-3!


For deeper insight into repentance, study Psalm 32 and Psalm 51.

Luke 15:7

  • I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

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;

2 Chronicles 7:14

  • If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

 

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent


3 - Repent!