Part 8: Repentance - Turning from Sin
Grows from
Romans 2:4
“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
“Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”
Key passages
Mark 1:14-15
“Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
“Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Good News of God’s Kingdom, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and God’s Kingdom is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”
Matthew 4:17
“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
“From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, ‘Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
Acts 2:38
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
“Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 3:19
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”
“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.”
Acts 17:30
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.”
“The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent.”
Acts 20:21
“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus.”
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
“The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Luke 13:3
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
“I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.”
Luke 15:7
“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
“I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.”
2 Corinthians 7:10
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death.”
Romans 2:4
“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
“Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”
What Scripture says
- Jesus’ first preached message: “Repent, and believe” (Mark 1:15; Matt 4:17).
- Peter at Pentecost: Repent → baptism for remission of sins → receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
- Repentance toward God, faith toward Christ — paired (Acts 20:21).
- God commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30).
- God is not willing that any should perish but that all come to repentance (2 Pet 3:9).
- Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation (2 Cor 7:10).
- The goodness of God leads to repentance (Rom 2:4).
- Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7).
Connections
- To Faith — paired together: “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21); “Repent, and believe” (Mark 1:15)
- To Forgiveness — Repent so sins may be blotted out (Acts 3:19); for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)
- To Holy Spirit — Repent → receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)
- To Joy — heaven’s joy over the repentant (Luke 15:7)
- To Grace/Goodness — God’s goodness leads to repentance (Rom 2:4)
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your goodness leads us to repentance, and that You are not willing that any should perish.
Show us where we have turned from You. Give us godly sorrow that leads to repentance, and turn our hearts back to You. Thank You for the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.