I want to start with dictionary definition of the word *Repentance*
Repentance [n.]: The act of repenting, or the state of being penitent; sorrow for what one has done or omitted to do; especially, contrition for sin.
The word repentance could also means having a sense of remorse for one's wrong doing.
But it is not just to feel remorseful for one's wrong doing.
True repentance also calls for a turn around and a decision to change.
When John the Baptist was preaching repentance,he was telling people not only to feel remorseful for their wrong doing,but to also prepare to accept Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God who had come to take away the sins of the world.
Luke 3: 2. Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
John's baptized people unto repentance but they could only receive the forgiveness of sin through Jesus.
That was why John never said to anyone "your sins are forgiven you".
But when Jesus came on the scene and began His ministry,He went about forgiving people their sins, and that didn't go well with the Pharisees.
Mark 2: 1. And again he entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 3. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 5. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 6. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7. Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 8. And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 9. Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10. BUT THAT YE MAY KNOW THAT THE SON OF MAN HATH POWER ON EARTH TO FORGIVE SINS, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11. I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 12. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
Our ministry is not to preach repentance only like old testament prophets,John the Baptist and the Apostles did before Jesus went to the Cross.
We can now preach both repentance and forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ.
Meaning,we can now tell people that through Christ, they can now receive the forgiveness of sins.
Repentance and REMISSION (removal) of sins are now available through the Gospel.
Luke 24: 46. And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47. And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Now we don't condemn people,rather we let them know that they can now receive forgiveness of sins and justification from Christ when they believe the Gospel.
Now we don't condemn people,rather we let them know that they can now receive forgiveness of sins and justification from Christ when they believe the Gospel.
Both the Jews who had the Law and the Gentiles who had no Law needed to believe in the sacrifice of Christ for them to be justified.
Acts 13: 38. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
39. And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Another meaning of repentance is to change one's mind.
Which we can also call the renewing of one's mind.
Meaning that a believer who has been wrongly taught or discipled would need to "repent" (renew his mind) and accept Gospel Truth when someone now present it to him.
Many Believers need to repent from living by the Law and embrace grace in its entirety.
Some preachers and Believers who are busy condemning the unbelievers need to repent from preaching condemnation and start preaching Grace because God didn't give the Church the ministry of accusation and condemnation but THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION, telling people that God is not counting their sins against them.
2 Corinthians 5: 17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Meaning that if we present Gospel correctly to the people and teach them well,they ought to have known from the beginning that one cannot stand on his good works in order to receive help from God.
No
He must receive everything from God by grace through faith.
Ephesians 2:8-9.
Many Believers (preachers included) need to repent from dead works (legalism,self righteousness and seed sowing) and embrace grace.
So repentance is not only for someone to repent from wicked works,it also means that self righteousness people MUST repent from their self righteousness as well.
Romans 10: 1. Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Repentance is not only meant for the "wicked", good people and morally upright people who are standing on their self righteousness also need to repent and believe the Gospel.
Likewise,those who think that God is punishing them for their wrong doing need to repent from that wrong mindset and receive total forgiveness that Christ has already purchased for them through His sacrifice.
We need to repent from wrong doctrines,teachings and beliefs that are contrary to Gospel Truth and embrace the Truth of the Gospel.
Thanks for reading..
