The Doctrine of Repentance

I. THE SCRIPTURALNESS OF REPENTANCE

A. Repentance in the Old Testament

1. Repentance by Job (Job 42:5-6)
2. Repentance in Israel (1 Kings 8:41-52; Jeremiah 31:18-19; Ezekiel 14:6; Ezekiel 18:30-31)
3. Repentance in Nineveh (Matthew 12:41; Luke 11:32)

B. Repentance in the Gospels (Luke 24:47)

1. Preached by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-2, 7-12; Mark 1:4-5; Luke 3:1-14; Acts 13:24; Acts 19:4-5)
2. Preached by Jesus (Matthew 4:12, 17; Matthew 9:9-13 w/ Mark 2:17 and Luke 5:31-32; Matthew 11:20-21; Luke 13:1-5); Note: Even suggested to continue (Luke 24:36-49)
3. Preached by disciples (Mark 6:7, 12)

C. Repentance in the Church Age

1. Repentance in the early church
a. Preached by Peter at Pentecost (Acts 2:37-38)
b. Preached by Peter at the healing of a lame man (Acts 3:12-21)
c. Preached by Peter after imprisonment (Acts 5:29-31)
d. Preached by Peter toward Simon (Acts 8:18-23)
2. Repentance in the ministry of Paul
a. Preached as applying to “all men every where” (Acts 17:30)
b. Preached as something “toward God” (Acts 20:21; Acts 26:20)
c. Preached as originating with God (Romans 2:4) or godly (2 Corinthians 7:8-10)
3. Repentance later in the ministry of Peter
a. Confirmed by Peter as being offered to the Gentiles (Acts 11:1-3, 15-18)
b. Preached as desired for all (2 Peter 3:9)
4. Repentance later in the ministry of John
a. To those in Ephesus (Revelation 2:5)
b. To those in Pergamos (Revelation 2:16)
c. To those in Thyatira (Revelation 2:21-22)
d. To those in Sardis (Revelation 3:3)
e. To those in Laodicea (Revelation 3:19)

D. Repentance in Daniel’s Seventieth Week

1. Lacking among those who remained (Revelation 9:20-21)
2. Lacking among those who were judged (Revelation 16:9, 11)

II. THE COMMON THOUGHTS ON REPENTANCE

A. Turning from Sin

1. As was expected of Israel when they were carried away captive (1 Kings 8:47)
2. As was manifested by Job (Job 42:6)
3. As lamented by the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 8:6)
4. As admonished by the Lord (Ezekiel 14:6; Ezekiel 18:30)
5. Due to an association with calling sinners to repentance (Matthew 9:13; Luke 15:7, 10)
6. As admonished by Peter (Acts 8:20-22)
7. As preached by Paul (2 Corinthians 12:21)
8. As demonstrated in Daniel’s seventieth week (Revelation 9:20-21)

B. Change of Direction

1. As seen by the concern for the Israelites repenting at the sight of war (Exodus 13:17)
2. As seen in the preaching of Paul (Acts 26:18, 20)
3. As encouraged in the church of Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-5)

C. Change of Mind

1. God repented or offered to repent of the evil he “thought to do” (Exodus 32:14; Jeremiah 18:8).
2. Due to an association with doing that which is promised (Numbers 23:19; Psalm 110:4; Jeremiah 4:28; Ezekiel 24:14; Jonah 3:9-10; Zechariah 8:14).
3. A son who chose not to work in his father’s vineyard, repented and did so (Matthew 21:28-29).

D. Concluding Thoughts

1. The honest individual can easily understand why people would come to the various conclusions concerning repentance.
2. However, the honest individual ought to also recognize that each of these common teachings bears its own set of complications.
a. To suggest that repentance is turning from sin borders on the line of suggesting that repentance is a work. While this may seem insignificant at the onset, it would eventually cause one to entertain the thought that salvation requires works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
b. To suggest that repentance is turning from sin suggests that God is a sinner and in need of turning from His sinful behaviour (Genesis 6:6-7; Exodus 32:12, 14; Numbers 23:19; Deuteronomy 32:36; Judges 2:18; 1 Samuel 15:11, 29, 35; 2 Samuel 24:16; 1 Chronicles 21:15; Psalm 90:13; Psalm 106:45; Psalm 110:4; Psalm 135:14; Jeremiah 4:28; Jeremiah 15:6; Jeremiah 18:8, 10; Jeremiah 20:16; Jeremiah 26:3, 13, 19; Jeremiah 42:10; Ezekiel 24:14; Hosea 11:8; Hosea 13:14; Joel 2:13-14; Amos 7:3, 6; Jonah 3:9-10; Jonah 4:2; Zechariah 8:14). In fact, out of the forty-five verses in the Old Testament using a form of the word repent, thirty-six of them (80%) are referencing the Lord as the One either repenting or refusing to repent.
c. To suggest that repentance is either a change of direction or of thoughts seems to come short of the fullest reach of the biblical usage (Genesis 6:6; Judges 2:18; Job 42:6; Jeremiah 8:6; Jeremiah 15:6; Jeremiah 31:19; Acts 26:20; 2 Corinthians 7:8-10; 2 Timothy 2:25; Hebrews 12:16-17; Revelation 2:22).

III. THE CONFUSION CONCERNING REPENTANCE

A. Scriptural Associations

1. It repented the LORD that He had made man, and it grieved Him at His heart (Genesis 6:6). After it repented the LORD, He said, “I will destroy man whom I have created” (Genesis 6:7).
2. When the LORD judges His people and sees that their power is gone, He will repent Himself for His servants (Deuteronomy 32:36).
3. The oppression of God’s people and their ensuing groanings repented the LORD (Judges 2:18).
4. The people repented them for Benjamin, because the LORD had made a breach among them (Judges 21:15).
5. Saul turned back from following the LORD, and it repented the LORD that He set up Saul to be king (1 Samuel 15:11, 35). When Samuel heard that it repented the LORD, it grieved Samuel (1 Samuel 15:11).
6. The LORD sent an angel to judge Israel, but repented Him of the evil when He saw the destruction of the people (2 Samuel 24:15-16; 1 Chronicles 21:14-15).
7. Solomon prayed that the LORD would extend mercy to captive Israel when they “bethink themselves,” repent, confess sins, and return unto Him with all their heart and soul (1 Kings 8:46-48).
8. Job abhorred himself and repented in dust and ashes (Job 42:6).
9. The LORD abhorred Israel (Psalm 106:40) and gave them to their enemies (Psalm 106:41), but remembered His covenant and repented according to the multitude of His mercies (Psalm 106:45). He made them also to be pitied of their enemies (Psalm 106:46).
10. The LORD spake of Israel sliding back and refusing to repent of their wickedness, saying, “What have I done?” (Jeremiah 8:4-6, 12).
11. Ephraim bemoaned himself saying that after he was turned, he repented; and after he was instructed, he smote upon his thigh (Jeremiah 31:18-19).
12. The Lord GOD commanded Israel to “Repent, and turn” (Ezekiel 14:6; Ezekiel 18:30).
13. The Lord said concerning judgment, “mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together” (Hosea 11:8).
14. The Lord associated repentance with mercy rather than sacrifice (Matthew 9:13; see also Proverbs 21:3; Hosea 6:6).
15. Repentance is a partner to faith in the work of salvation (Acts 20:21).
16. Paul preached that people should repent AND turn to God AND do works meet for repentance (Acts 26:20).
17. Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation (2 Corinthians 7:9-10).
18. Repentance precedes the acknowledging of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25).

B. Developing Definitions

1. Very few would argue the general thought of repentance equaling a turning. It is when the definition seeks to get more specific that folks tend to part ways.
2. The frustration seems to be over whether repentance is a turning from thoughts or sins or ways.
3. The greater frustration should probably be over where the repentance takes place. Is repentance an outward act, or is it something that takes place within the heart eventually manifesting itself outwardly?
4. Historically, the word repent was defined as “to regret” or “make sorry.”

C. A Doctrinal Position

1. From scripture
a. Repentance followed sight or hearing and preceded action (Genesis 6:5-7; Judges 2:18; 1 Samuel 15:9-11, 24-29; 2 Samuel 24:15-17; Psalm 106:44-46).
b. Repentance followed self-consideration and preceded supplication (1 Kings 8:47-48).
c. Repentance followed an inner turning and was associated with one smiting his thigh, being ashamed and confounded, because of reproach borne for youthful actions (Jeremiah 31:18-19).
d. Repentance followed an admonition from the Lord and preceded action (Ezekiel 14:6; Ezekiel 18:30).
e. Repentance and faith are partners in salvation (Acts 20:21). In fact, repentance seems to precede acknowledging of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25).
f. Repentance preceded turning and demanded outward works fit for repentance (Acts 26:20).
g. Repentance is available because of the goodness of God (Romans 2:4).
h. Repentance is produced by godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:8-10). Yet, repentance is not merely the outward demonstration of sorrow (Hebrews 12:17).
i. Repentance follows remembrance of falling and precedes a change of action (Revelation 2:5).
j. Repentance is associated with the turnings of the heart (Hosea 11:8) and the grieving of the heart (Genesis 6:6) and mourning (2 Corinthians 12:21 with 1 Corinthians 5:2).
2. From dictionaries
a. To feel such regret as produces amendment of life
b. To regret or make sorry
c. The distinction between regret and repent was not present in older periods.
3. Concerns
a. How could godly sorrow work repentance if they are the same? (Ecclesiastes 1:18; Ecclesiastes 2:23; Isaiah 17:11; Isaiah 53:3, 4; Jeremiah 45:3)
b. Is it necessary for an individual to feel remorse for sin? (Psalm 38:18)