To understand repentance we must understand sin Sin

• To understand repentance, we must understand sin − Sin is a personal act “against” God (Gen. 39: 9; Num. 5: 6; Psa. 119: 11) − Sin is violating God’s revealed will, through commission or omission (1 Jn. 3: 4; Jas. 4: 17) − Sin results in one’s separation from God (Isa. 59: 1 -2) • “Repentance” is a change of mind that leads to a change of life − Repentance involves a turning/returning to God (1 Sam. 7: 3; 2 Chron. 6: 24, 38; Acts 9: 35+20: 21+26: 20) − Repentance begins in the mind (Matt. 21: 29 a; Luke 15: 17 -18) − Repentance is completed by action (Matt. 21: 29 b; Luke 15: 20 -21)

• The change of mind involved in repentance includes 4 “R’s”: − Regret for sinning against God (2 Cor. 7: 9 -10; Acts 2: 37 -38) − Resolution to stop sinning (Psa. 51; Matt. 21: 29) − Reformation of life away from sin (Jonah 3: 10; Isa. 55: 7; Matt. 3: 8) − Restitution of wrongs done by sin (Luke 19: 8; Num. 5: 7; Acts 19: 18 -19; 16: 33)

• • • God despises sin (Prov. 6: 16 -19; Psa. 5: 4 -5; 7: 11; 11: 5) God desires repentance (2 Pet. 3: 9; Rev. 2: 21) God demands repentance (Acts 17: 30; 2: 38) God delights in repentance (Luke 15: 7, 10) God draws to repentance with “incentives” − − − − The longsuffering of God (2 Pet. 3: 9; Luke 13: 6 -9) The goodness of God (Rom. 2: 4) The judgment of God (Acts 17: 30 -31) The severity of God (Rom. 2: 2, 3, 5; Jonah 3: 9) The punishment of God (Luke 13: 3, 5) The salvation of God (Acts 2: 38; 3: 19; Luke 24: 46 -47) The reward of God (Acts 26: 18; Luke 13: 3, 5) The love of God (John 3: 16; Acts 5: 31; 11: 18; 2 Pet. 3: 9; Rev. 3: 19)

• “All people everywhere” need to repent (Acts 17: 30; Luke 24: 47; 2 Pet. 3: 9) • Those never converted to Christ need to repent (Acts 2: 38; 3: 19) • Christians who sin need to repent (Acts 8: 21 -22) • Christians who leave their first love (i. e. , Christ) need to repent (Rev. 2: 4 -5) • Christians who are lukewarm in service to God need to repent (Rev. 3: 14 -19)

• Have you believed in Jesus Christ? (Acts 16: 31) • Have you repented of your sin and turned to God? (Acts 2: 38) • Have you confessed your faith in Jesus Christ? (Romans 10: 10) • Have you been immersed into Christ? (Romans 6: 3 -4) − So that God will save you from your sins (Acts 22: 16) − So that God will add you to His church (Acts 2: 47) − So that God will enroll you in heaven (Hebrews 12: 23) • Are you walking faithfully in obedience to the Lord? (Matthew 7: 21)