The word “repent” is used 27 times in the New Testament and the word “repentance” is found 20 times. The concept is found many additional times. Here are some important teachings we see concerning the concept of repentance.

1. The word “repent” refers to a change of mind that leads to a change of behavior. The Bible almost exclusively uses it of turning away from sin and submitting to the will of God.
2. Repentance was an integral part of the message of John the baptizer (Mk. 1:4), Jesus (Mt. 4:17), as well as the apostles (Lk. 24:47).
3. Repentance, very clearly, entails more than being sorry or remorseful of sin. Judas repented of what he had done (see Mt. 27:3-5), but he did not deal rightly with his sin. Paul says that “godly grief produces repentance” (2 Cor. 7:10). Jesus indicated that one should “bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Mt. 3:8). When one recognizes that he has transgressed the will of the Almighty, that sorrow ought to produce wholesome change.
4. The prominent message of repentance in the New Testament demands there be a standard of some sort that man is held accountable to, otherwise what would one transgress and what would one need to repent unto? Sin is the transgression of the law of Christ (1 Jn. 3:4) and leaving undone what the Lord intends for us to do (James 4:17). The word of Christ is the standard for repentance (see Jn. 12:48). It is critically important to understand that our repentance really cannot be any better than our study of God’s Word!
5. Repentance is an essential aspect of obtaining salvation. Just before ascending to heaven, Jesus instructed the apostles to preach this message of repentance to the world (Lk. 24:47). He also said in Luke 13:3, “unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Repentance is no less essential than baptism and is a prerequisite for baptism (see Acts 2:38). The concept of repentance is also far more demanding than simply allowing someone to immerse you under water!
6. Repentance is not only something that one does on the way to becoming a Christian, but it is a practice of the Christian as he continues to fight sin in his own life. Simon, who was formerly a sorcerer, after becoming a Christian, fell back to his old ways and was told in Acts 8:22, “Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven.” Assurance is given in 1 John 1 that if the Christian turns from his sin and confesses it, the blood of Christ will continue to cleanse him (see 1 Jn. 1:6-10).

Not only is repentance essential to the salvation of the soul, the Bible teaching on this subject encourages him to live on a high plane that is a great blessing to him as well as those around him. Truly, repentance is unto life! (see Acts 11:18).

Daren Schroeder