What is Biblical Repentance?

What does it mean to repent? What does the Bible teach on repentance? There are a lot of opinions on this subject. I take you through the Bible to show you what real repentance is, and how it is absolutely necessary for salvation. My notes are below the video.

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1. What repentance is NOT
   1. Not just change of opinion about sins
   2. Not just a change of religion or philosophy
   3. Not just a desire to do better 

1. What repentance is

• Greek is metanoeō 
  • to change one’s mind, i.e. to repent
• Repentance is a Change of Intention 

• A change of intention
  • A change of mind is a change of intention
  • ”I was going to the store, but I changed my mind”

• Illustrated by parable to two sons commanded to work in the vineyard – Mat 21:28-29

• This why the Bible says to prove repentance by deeds. Repentance is not the deeds, but a true change of intentions will result in deeds. 
• Repentance is a turning from all known sin.

• Forsake all to follow Jesus – Lk 14:33
  • Disciple = Christian – Acts 11:26

• Can a person pick and choose how he will obey God?
  • One sin makes us guilty of breaking the Law – James 2:10
  • One sin kept the rich young ruler out of the kingdom of God

• The people of Nineveh is best example of what repentance is – Lk 11:32

• Jesus called their actions ‘repentance.’ 
  • “Then God saw their works, that they turned 

• Renouncing sins does not mean that a person will never relapse into that sin again, but it does mean that he has turned his heart and life away from it in all honestly, wishing to genuinely be rid of it forever. 
• • That repentance is a Prerequisite of Salvation

•  salvation hinges on faith (John 8:24), & it hinges on repentance (Luke 13:3).

• Luke 24:47 “That repentance and remission of sins be proclaimed”
• Acts 3:19 “Repent and be convereted–> that your sins may be blotted out”
• 2 Cor 7:10 “repentance to salvation”
• 2 peter 3:9 “not willing that any should perish, but all come to repentance.”

• Some say that repentance is not possible until after regeneration. – No, for God condemns all who do not repent, thus they are expected to repent before regeneration. 

• Repentance is always first
• Mt 11:20 “He rebuked the cities that did not repent”
• Jer 44:5-6 “They did not TURN from their wickedness”
• Acts 3:19 “Repent and be converted THAT your sins may be blotted out”

• See my video on what it means to be dead in trespasses and sins