Scripture Reading: Acts 26:15-21

Repentance Basics

Intro.

1. Repentance preached throughout the Bible:

a. God’s prophets to Israel, Jer. 3:11-14; Ezek. 14:6; 18:30-32.

b. John the baptizer, Matt. 3:1-2.

c. Jesus, Matt. 4:17 (Mark 1:14-15).

d. The twelve, Mark 6:12.

e. Great commission, Luke 24:46-47.

f. Day of Pentecost, Acts 2:37-38, 41.

g. Spread of the gospel, Acts 3:19; 17:30; 20:21; 26:20; Rev. 2:5.

2. Christians need a clear understanding of repentance, 2 Cor. 12:21.

I. WHAT IS REPENTANCE?

A. It is a Command of Christ, Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30. (not optional)

B. Repent Means to Change the Mind (Heart).

1. metanoeo: “to change one’s mind” (Thayer, 405).

2. Implies a purpose of will about God and about sin.

C. A Change of Mind Toward God, Acts 20:21 (Jesus, Acts 26:23).

D. A Change of Mind Toward Sin, Acts 8:21-22.

-Repentance from dead works (Heb. 6:1).

E. It is Produced by Godly Sorrow, 2 Cor. 7:9-10 (broken, contrite heart, Ps. 51:17).

F. Repentance Produces Changes in Our Life.

1. Repentance causes sinners to turn to God, Acts 26:20.

2. God’s order: Sin--Godly sorrow—Repentance-Turn to God (the fruit of repentance), 2 Cor. 7:10-11; Rev. 2:5.

3. Repentance (change of mind) produces turning to God and away from sin.

II. WHO MUST REPENT?

A. Every Sinner, Luke 5:31-32 (Rom. 3:23; Acts 17:30).

1. All who sin, Acts 2:37-38; 8:22.

2. The nature of repentance is the same for all; Required of all who are practicing sin, without respect of persons, Acts 17:30.

III. WHAT REPENTANCE IS NOT.

-Different gospel redefines/misunderstands repentance, 2 Cor. 11:3.

A. Not Denial or Cover-up of Sin, Gen. 3:8; 4:9-10; Prov. 28:13.
1. cf. Achan, Josh. 7:20-21.

2. Sin is only truly “covered” when they are forgiven (Ps. 32:1-5); Blotted out when there is repentance, Acts 3:19.

B. Not Being Sorry for Sin.

1. Judas was remorseful, but not unto salvation, Matt. 27:3.

2. Herod was sorry for vow, but still beheaded John, Mark 6:26.

C. Not a Promise to Quit Sinning, Luke 3:8, 10-11.

1. Yes, there must be a determination not to sin when we repent.

2. But it is more that making a promise not to sin; it bears fruit.

D. Not Confessing Sin (cf. Matt. 27:4).

1. Repentance bears the fruit of confessing sin (to God and self).

2. Drunkard, liar, adulterer, and idolater: Can acknowledge sin but not repent, 1 Thess. 1:9.

3. “Going forward” is not repenting of sin.

4. Confessing sin without a changed heart is reporting, not repenting.

E. Not Being Afraid because We have Sinned, Acts 24:25 (James 2:19).

-Fear over our sins ought to move us to repent, but it is not the repentance.

F. Not the Reformed Life (stopping the sin).

1. Thief can stop because he is arrested without repenting; Drunkard can stop because of liver disease but never repent.

2. Repentance causes us to stop the sin, Rev. 9:20-21.

G. Not Prayer, Acts 8:22.

H. Not Baptism, Acts 2:38.

I. Not Forgetting about Our Sin, Heb. 6:1.

-“Who knows us?” Isa. 29:15 (cf. “in-sliding”).

Conclusion

1. God wants every sinner to repent, Ezek. 18:30, 32; 2 Pet. 3:9.

2. Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents, Luke 15:7.

3. Failure to repent hardens hearts toward God and sin, Heb. 3:7-11.

4. Do not “go astray in your heart” (Heb. 3:10).

By: Joe R. Price

Posted June 9, 2021