Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: (Acts 17:30)

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)

Charles Ryrie, a theologian, says “unsaved people can repent unto salvation.” This saving repentance (from a Greek word metánoia) has to involve a change of mind about Jesus Christ so that whatever a person thought of Him before, he changes his mind and trusts Him to be his Saviour. That is the only kind or content of repentance that saves!

Repentance is Turning from Sin to Follow Christ

Examples from the Old Testament

Out of a list of 10 men in the Bible who said “I have sinned,” we believe only five actually repented:

  1. David (2 Samuel 12:13)
  2. Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:6)
  3. Job (Job 42:5,6)
  4. Micah (Micah 7:9)
  5. The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:18)

The word “repent” in Hebrew verb means to regret, to become remorseful or to be sorry. The use of this word to describe Job’s repentance clearly indicates that sorrow for his sin led him to turn from it.

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD,

Isaiah 55:7

The Hebrew word “return unto” here means to turn around or repent.

Examples from the New Testament

Paul’s use of the word metánoia in his second epistle to the Corinthian church lays great stress on the idea of sorrow for sin that leads to turning away from it. (2 Corinthians 7:8-10)

Here’s another example:

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; 

Acts 3:19

The Greek verb metanoéō means to repent, have a change of heart, turn from one’s sins, change one’s ways. It essentially means to turn back, return, turn to, or turn around.

Given such Scriptural evidence, we can see that repentance is a heartfelt sorrow for sin, a renouncing of it, and a sincere commitment to forsake it and walk in obedience to Christ.

Repentance is Essential for Salvation

  • Consider, first of all, the gospel preaching of our Lord Jesus. (Mark 1:14-1)
  • Consider also Paul’s charge to the elders at Ephesus. (Acts 20:17-21)
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The Scripture is unmistakably clear: repentance is not an optional element but is an essential component of the true gospel.

Repentance is a Gift from God

Saving faith is a gift of God

We shall briefly consider three passages which teach this concept:

  1. The first comes from the defense of Peter before the Sanhedrin. (Acts 5:31)
  2. Our next example comes from the reaction of the Christians in Jerusalem to the news that Cornelius and his household had come to faith in Christ. (Acts 11:18)
  3. Our final example comes from Paul’s pastoral instruction to Timothy. (2 Timothy 2:24-25)

These passages make it quite clear that repentance is a gift from God. All true repentance is produced by God’s sovereign grace.

If you have not yet repented of your sins and trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, then I urge you to do so today. (Romans 2:1-4) God has shown His kindness to you by giving you more time to repent. (2 Peter 3:9)

Related reading: How to Go to Heaven?