Step 4: Repentance

God commands repentance

After the cross and the resurrection, the Gospel calls for a response. Jesus began His preaching with: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). After His resurrection He said that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations” (Luke 24:47).

This is not a suggestion. God “now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30). Jesus said: “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).

What is repentance?

The New Testament word for repentance means a change of mind that leads to a change of direction. It is turning around:

• From sin – “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts” (Isaiah 55:7).
• To God – “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19). The Thessalonians “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9).
• With faith in Jesus – “repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

Repentance is more than feeling sorry. “Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation… but the sorrow of the world worketh death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Judas felt remorse; Peter repented and returned to the Lord.

The fruit of repentance

True repentance shows itself in life. John the Baptist said: “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance” (Matthew 3:8). Paul preached that people “should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance” (Acts 26:20). Zacchaeus, after meeting Jesus, gave half of his goods to the poor and restored fourfold what he had taken (Luke 19:8).

God’s welcome

The story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-24) shows God’s heart. The son “came to himself” and said, “I will arise and go to my father.” And “when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repents (Luke 15:7, 10).

How to say it

“Jesus said: ‘Repent ye, and believe the gospel.’ Repentance means turning away from sin and turning to God. Acts 3:19 promises that when we repent, our sins are blotted out. Would you like to turn to God today?”

After repentance, the Word speaks about the next step: being born of water and the Spirit.