Repentance

Repentance: What does it mean?

The words “repent” and “repentance” appears 21 times in Luke and Acts.

•          Greek – “metanoeo” and “metanoia” comes from words (J. C. O'Hair, 24)

o   “noieo,” which means “to think”

o   “meta,” which means “change”

o   To change one’s mind or to think differently

Penance – to voluntarily punish yourself as an outward expression to correct wrong

                 behavior

Repentance is not Penance!

The book of John doesn’t use the word “repentance,” but instead it uses the word

“believe.” When you believe, you have changed your mind! You once thought or

believed something else, and then you believe something different. You’ve repented. 

You’ve changed your mind!

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever

believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for if ye believe not that I

am He, ye shall die in your sins.” (John 8:24)

“I tell you, Nay; but, except ye repent, Ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:5)

John teaches that if you believe, you will have everlasting life and won’t die in your sins.

Luke says that if you repent (change your mind), you will not perish.

The punishment is the same, if you do not believe or repent.

So, to repent all you have to do is believe differently than what you’ve believed before. You don’t have to punish yourself by inflicting pain to show others that you’ve changed your mind.

“I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (Galatians 2:21)

To add anything to the gospel of the grace of God is to frustrate the gospel and to take away from the power of the cross.

                  “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But

                  to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his

                  faith is counted for righteousness.” (Romans 4:4,5)

                  “And if by grace, then [is it] no more of works: otherwise grace is no more

                  grace. But if [it be] of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no

                  more work.” (Romans 11:6)

If you are going to work for your own salvation, then you will continue to be in debt, because you will never be able to pay for your sins.

But, if you believe that the Lord Jesus Christ paid for your sins on the cross with His own blood, was buried, and rose again the third day, then you will be finally out of debt. Your faith will be counted for righteousness. All you have to do is believe! "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." (Acts 16:31)







Bibliography

J. C. O'Hair. "Paradise-Purgatory-Perdition & Repentance-Reconciliation-Restitution." Bible Study Collection. p. 2-31. Print.