Repentance

Repentance is defined in Nave’s Topical Bible Dictionary as a complete reversal of one's attitude, and values. A sincere turning toward God away from sin.

Attributed to God, (our example.)
Gen.6:6-7. “And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7. And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” Here we have the total act of repentance. God was so grieved that he was ready to take action. We cannot really repent unless we are ready to take action. Not at some other time but now, before the grief leaves.

This is the difference between repentance and conviction. Many people are convicted of their sins, but they are not ready to take action.

Acts 26:28. “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Here we find Paul speaking to Agrippa. Agrippa is moved by Paul’s speech. He is convinced Paul is speaking truthfully. Why else would he admit what he did. This is on its face a striking statement. But we never find where King Agrippa called for Paul or acted on his feelings. King Agrippa felt very bad, but he was not ready to do any thing about it. As in our definition your must have complete reversal of one's attitude. Agrippa was not ready to act on what he felt. People all the time come to Church or a Bible Study. They here the Word of God and know what they must do, but will not take the steps that are necessary according to God’s Word.

Again in Acts 24: Felix the governor calls for Paul to accuse him of some wrongdoing. Paul in good form speaks to Felix of the goodness of God. And like Paul is want to do caused Felix to have second thoughts. His answer was in verse 25. “ And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” But again there was never a convenient season. Instead of, at this time right now, asking for forgiveness. Felix sends Paul away and we never see where he calls for Paul again. If Felix would have truly repented at this time he could have been saved.

We must act on our repentance. Now while God is dealing with us.

So what should we do when we repent and why?

Lets look at the Bible for our answer. Acts 2:37. “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,...” Here men who were grieving at what they have done asked Peter. What should we do about the conviction we feel? His answer was to repent and be baptized. Peter also said that this would be done for the remission of sins. What is the remission of sins? Hebrews 10:16. “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;17. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.” Now no more offerings were required. God will completely forget about our sin, so on judgment day our slate will be clean. This is the work that repentance and baptism does.

Matthew 26:14. “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15. And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.”
Judas Iscariot was the one who betrayed Jesus. What a terrible sin! Judas felt horrible about what he had done. Matthew 26: 24. “ The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. 25. Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.” Now he is caught. That is when some of us repent. The Word of God catches us or some one catches us. Something happens and we can’t go on the way we are. There are several things, at this time that Judas could do. One he could confess and repent. Would not Jesus have forgiven him? Sure He would. That is the way Jesus is. What did Judas do? Matthew27:3.” Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.” Instead of going to Jesus like the Bible tells us to he tried to undo what he did. He took back the money like that would undo the sin. We cannot undo sin. We must be reconciled to God by being made clean through true repentance and allowing Jesus to forgive us. The next step is Baptism. Because repentance alone will not save us.