Repentance markcarpenterministries org Dictionary Definition of Repent feel

Repentance

markcarpenterministries. org

Dictionary Definition of Repent: feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin. synonyms: feel remorse, regret, be sorry, rue, reproach oneself, be ashamed, feel contrite. to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one's life. Repentance: the action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse

So, according to Dictionary. com Repentance is primarily a feeling Repentance is something you do In my experience, this is exactly how most Christians define repentance This is an incorrect understanding of biblical repentance

How does the Bible define repentance?

Two Types of Repentance A believer who repents from sinful activity An unbeliever who repents unto salvation

Repentance in the Old Testament Unlike the New Testament, the Old Testament does not have a technical word for repent. The word used in the Old Testament simply means to turn It can be used of repentance. can be used in other ways: “Go straight, now turn. ”

Repentance in the Old Testament

Repentance in the Old Testament שוב. Qal. To turn around, repent, Hif. to bring back, refresh, refute. Mentioned 683 times in the qal (active). 360 times in the hif (causative). To turn back, to turn, or to return to something. (Jos 2: 22) To regain a previous position (Ez 16: 55) To bring back or lead back (Ez 39: 27) To pay back (Mi 2: 4) To be restored again (Jer 8: 5) To reverse (Lam 2: 3) To cause to turn around, to give back (Ex 22: 25) To convert from evil (Mal 2: 6) To restore, to refresh (Ps 19: 8)

Putting it all together Turn back from rebellion to serving the Lord To regain a relationship that was lost when sin entered the world To be restored to communion with the Lord To be converted from evil

II Chronicles 7: 14 “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and heal their land. ”

II Chronicles 7: 14 was addressing people who already had a relationship with God

Before someone can “turn” from their sin there must first be significant groundwork. In II Chronicles the realization of sin and the ability to turn from sin comes after one who has a relationship with God, identifies with God, humbles themselves before God, prays and passionately seeks for God.

Repentance in the Old Testament A change of heart that leads to a changed mind that produces a changed life

Repentance in the New Testament Unlike the Old Testament, the New Testament uses a word for repent that is used solely in relation to sin and righteousness.

Repentance in the New Testament

Repentance in the New Testament Matt. 3: 2, Matt. 4: 17, Matt. 11: 20, 21, Matt. 12: 41, Matt. 21: 29, 32, Matt. 27: 3, Mark 1: 15, Mark 6: 12, Luke 10: 13, Luke 11: 32, Luke 13: 3, 5, Luke 15: 7, 10, Luke 16: 30, Luke 17: 3, 4, Acts 2: 38, Acts 3: 19, Acts 8: 22, Acts 17: 30, Acts 26: 20, 2 Cor. 7: 8, 2 Cor. 7: 10, 2 Cor. 12: 21, Heb. 7: 21, Rev. 2: 5, 16, Rev. 2: 21, Rev. 2: 22, Rev. 3: 3, 19, Rev. 9: 20, 21, Rev. 16: 9, Rev. 16: 11, Matt. 27: 3, 2 Cor. 7: 10, Matt. 3: 8, Matt. 3: 11, Matt. 9: 13, Mark 1: 4, Mark 2: 17, Luke 3: 3, 8, Luke 5: 32, Luke 15: 7, Luke 24: 47, Acts 5: 31, Acts 11: 18, Acts 13: 24, Acts 19: 4, Acts 20: 21, Acts 26: 20, Rom. 2: 4, Rom. 11: 29, 2 Cor. 7: 9

Repentance in the New Testament μετανοέω; μετάνοια, ας f: to change one’s way of life as the result of a complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin and righteousness This word occurs 56 times in the New Testament. “Though in English a focal component of repent is the sorrow or contrition that a person experiences because of sin, the emphasis in μετανοέω and μετάνοια seems to be more specifically the total change, both in thought and behavior, with respect to how one should both think and act. ” Spicq, C. , & Ernest, J. D. (1994). Theological lexicon of the New Testament (Vol. 2, pp. 471– 477). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.

A Crucial Distinction!

Repentance vs Godly Sorrow 1. μετανοέω, (Metanoeo) to perceive afterwards, hence, to change one’s mind and purpose. This change is always for the better, and denotes a change of moral thought and reflection; not merely to repent of, nor to forsake sin, but to change one’s mind apprehensions regarding it; hence, to repent in a moral and religious sense, with the feeling of remorse and sorrow. To recover one’s senses, come to a right understanding. Denotes reform, to have a genuine change of heart and life from worse to better. 2. μεταμέλομαι, (Metamelomai) to rue, regret; to have dissatisfaction with one’s self for what one has done, to change or alter one’s purpose, have anxiety consequent on a past transaction; to have pain of mind, rather than change of mind; and change of purpose, rather than change of heart. These are not the same words! Bullinger, E. W. (1908). A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament (Fifth Edition, Revised, p. 638). London: Longmans, Green, & Co.

Most people confuse godly sorrow with repentance “I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. ” II Corinthians 7: 9 -10 Godly sorrow is when a person is truly grieved over the sin they have committed and it affects them to the point where their cannot in good conscience serve God until they do something about the sin Repentance is doing something about the sin

Godly sorrow is necessary for repentance, but it is not repentance. One can be sorry and not repent

Once a person is filled with godly sorrow for their sin, they must still repent of that sin!

Why is Repentance so Difficult? The reason why so many believers struggle with repentance from sin is because they do not really understand what repentance is. Repentance is not feeling guilty over sin.

Repentance is not so much a feeling as it is an attitude and a deep conviction that something much change

The Problem of False Repentance Witnessing to someone and pushing them to make a decision for Jesus when they are not ready. Therefore, they will pray, but there is no real repentance Thinking the sinner’s prayer has intrinsic power to save, “If you just say these words…” Asking Jesus to forgive you when you have no intention of changing Confusing godly sorrow with repentance Confusing an emotional experience with repentance Lots of people get emotional about their sin, but they still commit it Confusing confession with repentance Lots of people are sorry for their sin, but they still commit it Lots of people admit they are in sin, but they do nothing about it Lamenting over sinful activity Lots of people lament over their sin, but they will not alter their behavior

Repentance in the New Testament A change of heart “I that really do need you Jesus!” leads to a changed mind confess you, Lord Jesus!” produces a changed life “Now Jesus, I want to live for you for the rest of my life!”

A Quote from my brother “Before I was ready to repent, I had to get to the end of myself. ”