What is True Repentance?

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arthurfleminger

Well-known member
Aug 18, 2021
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770
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#1
Jesus taught that repentance for our sins was very important. At the start of His ministry the first words He spoke were, "Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand."

So, what is true repentance and how do we repent? And, what are the consequences if we fail to repent? Thanks
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,439
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#2
Hi there,

My Bibles state that Repentance is granted, meaning that a person is enabled to repent. Repenting comes after the Heart is released from the captivity of the Devil, and this is done by the Spiritual Circumcision of Christ. Once that Heart has been set free, they are able to Repent and actually begin to Turn away from their sins . . . a Romans 12:2 Transformation.

As far as consequences go, my Bibles also state that those who the Father has given to Christ, Jesus will not lose one. What happens to those that were not granted Repentance . . . I'm not sure. What is important to me is knowing what happens to a person who does Repent.
 

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2022
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Almost Heaven West Virginia
#3
The first thing to do is this...


You do not get saved by good works like turning from all of your sins. You cannot will yourself into no longer sinning or into a state of sinless perfection.

Romans 5:8

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
 

arthurfleminger

Well-known member
Aug 18, 2021
1,405
770
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#4
The first thing to do is this...


You do not get saved by good works like turning from all of your sins. You cannot will yourself into no longer sinning or into a state of sinless perfection.

Romans 5:8

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Pastor Anderson seems to miss the fact tha Jesus, Himself, commanded us to repent. It wasn't a suggestion but a commandment from Jesus. "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand." Spoken straightforwardly and with authority.
Pastor Anderson seems to ignore Jesus' teaching on repentence. If I have to choose between Pastor Anderson and Jesus, I'll go with Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!
 

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2022
8,093
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Almost Heaven West Virginia
#6
Arthur,

The term repent/ repentance is used in a number of contexts in the Bible. From your reply, I see that you are using it in regards to salvation.

You apparently think that Anderson's gospel presentation that says "you can't expect your works to save you," to be a false gospel.
I agree that salvation is not of works, which is why I didn't post 35 minutes of a street interview by someone trying to convince others how many commands they have broken and that they have to clean up their life before God will save them.

Ephesians 2

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,186
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Oregon
cfbac.org
#7
.
There's more than one Greek word in the New Testament related to repent.

One is metanoeo which means to change one's mind, to think twice, to
reconsider.

Another is metamellomai which refers to regret.

Jesus' cousin John baptized unto metanoia which has to do with reformation,
i.e. changing one's ways.
_
 

Live4Him3

Jesus is Lord
May 19, 2022
1,383
639
113
#8
Jesus taught that repentance for our sins was very important. At the start of His ministry the first words He spoke were, "Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand."

So, what is true repentance and how do we repent? And, what are the consequences if we fail to repent? Thanks
What is true repentance?

Here's a good Biblical answer to that question:

II Corinthians chapter 7

[9] Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
[10] For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
[11] For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

True repentance must begin with "godly sorrow" in that, first and foremost, any sins that we commit are committed against God himself.

With this prerequisite met, we should then be careful to never commit the same sins again, have indignation against the sins that we once committed, fear to ever commit those sins again, have a vehement desire or zeal to do what is right instead of sinning, and seek to revenge all disobedience after we have dealt with our own disobedience or after we have successfully removed the beams from our own eyes first if we want to be clear of any guilt in relation to our past sins.

II Corinthians chapter 10

[3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
[4] (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)
[5] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
[6] And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

In other words, true repentance has to do with a lot more than simply changing one's mind.

We need to not only repent, but to also bring forth fruits worthy of repentance.

Acts chapter 26

[19] Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
[20] But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
12,134
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#9
Jesus taught that repentance for our sins was very important. At the start of His ministry the first words He spoke were, "Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand."

So, what is true repentance and how do we repent? And, what are the consequences if we fail to repent? Thanks
your asking how you can possibly do what God demands of you brother

ask how can I receive the gift that he wants to give to me of repentance ?

That’s the question

It’s why we all share the gospel as we grow

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves;

if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:24-26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

ever hesr the phrase “ the truth sets you free ?”

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

To accept this truth sets us free of the bondage and dominion sin has over us realizing it’s a process of growing our faith and a lifetime walk that we grow up and get better with time and have mercy and grace we need when we fail.

“Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”
‭‭John‬ ‭18:37‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus said this many times in different ways

“Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:29‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:31-32, 34, 36‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:63‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:51‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And the gospel must first be published among all nations.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭13:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:45‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:27-30‬ ‭KJV‬‬

we do that for life and when we fail as we all do again and again in different ways it’s going to cause repentance and not allow us to keep going on and have no conscience. Repentance isn’t saying “ be perfectly sinless first on your own then I’ll have you “

he’s saying “ come all ye sinners to me acknolwedge your sins and failures to me and I will heal your scars and flaws and imperfections within your heart and upon your mind I will call you to repentance just hear what I’m teaching you and receive it with joy because of the promises in it “

while your believing in imperfection I’m perfect enough for you already just follow after me believe and hear , hear and believe and follow And do


“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;

but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

but also everyone should remember as we learn the gospel


“And that servant, which knew his Lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes.

For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:

and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:47-48‬ ‭KJV‬‬
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
8,879
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#10
Jesus said

John 16:7-9
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me;

The Holy Spirit comes to convict the works of the sin of unbelief in Jesus.
This unbelief is not a mere assent that he was a real person.

But the Son of God who was crucified, died, was buried and rose again to reconcile us to the Father.

Our sins forgiven.

That is true repentance.

If we truly believe this then we have also repented of the things we have done wrong and as a result just want to be like him.

Repentance is basically a change of mine.
Which we do as a result of v9 above.

When we get it wrong I think we don't need to repent but confess our sin, ask God to help us to be more like Jesus.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,439
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#11
.
There's more than one Greek word in the New Testament related to repent.

One is metanoeo which means to change one's mind, to think twice, to
reconsider.


Another is metamellomai which refers to regret.

Jesus' cousin John baptized unto metanoia which has to do with reformation,
i.e. changing one's ways.
_
You just blew my mind. I KNEW there was something different about John's Baptism. Those who received John's Baptism developed "eyes" and "ears" for the Word of God, while those who did not accept his Baptism . . . well, their eyes and ears remained shut.

Luke 7:29-30 NLT – “When they heard this, all the people--even the tax collectors--agreed that God's way was right, for they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God's plan for them, for they had refused John's baptism.”

I believe that the reason why Jesus said that there was no one greater than John the Baptist. First, John was the reincarnated Elijah, and more directly, I believe that Jesus was Spiritually Circumcising the hearts of those who John had baptized. Or, and this is more extreme, Jesus had given John the ability to Circumcise hearts along with and/or through the water baptism.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
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#12
Jesus taught that repentance for our sins was very important. At the start of His ministry the first words He spoke were, "Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand."

So, what is true repentance and how do we repent? And, what are the consequences if we fail to repent? Thanks
I guess you’re asking because you need help repenting? No shame in that. If so then just ask God to help you repent. I believe God really wants to answer this sort of prayer. In my experience, God wants to be involved in our life in miraculous ways, if only we’d invite Him in.

Revelation 3:20
20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,685
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#13
I believe that the reason why Jesus said that there was no one greater than John the Baptist. First, John was the reincarnated Elijah,
Um, no.

Reincarnation is a Buddhist belief, not a biblical concept. John came in the spirit and power of Elijah, and he was the fulfillment of the prophecy, but he was not "the reincarnated Elijah"... at all.
 
Sep 13, 2022
90
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#14
Believing upon the name of Jesus gives us eternal life. The books are kept in heaven. The book of life lists those who accepted God's savior. Our sins are also recorded in the books and we must answer for them if not repented for. When we repent and ask forgiveness, our sins are blotted out and forgotten.
 

Grandpa

Senior Member
Jun 24, 2011
11,551
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#15
True Repentance is turning from your own understanding and performance and turning to the Lord Jesus Christ and asking for His Understanding and Performance.

See Matthew 5 (esp verse 48), Matthew 11:28-30, and Ezekiel 36:25-27

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,314
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#16
Jesus taught that repentance for our sins was very important. At the start of His ministry the first words He spoke were, "Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand."

So, what is true repentance and how do we repent? And, what are the consequences if we fail to repent? Thanks

First of all, the unregenerate person will not, and cannot, repent of breaking a spiritual law, coming from a spiritual God, that he cannot understand, and thinks it to be foolishness. (1 Cor 2:15). Only the regenerate person, who has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit will repent of breaking a spiritual law.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,314
1,184
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#17
Hi there,

My Bibles state that Repentance is granted, meaning that a person is enabled to repent. Repenting comes after the Heart is released from the captivity of the Devil, and this is done by the Spiritual Circumcision of Christ. Once that Heart has been set free, they are able to Repent and actually begin to Turn away from their sins . . . a Romans 12:2 Transformation.

As far as consequences go, my Bibles also state that those who the Father has given to Christ, Jesus will not lose one. What happens to those that were not granted Repentance . . . I'm not sure. What is important to me is knowing what happens to a person who does Repent.
You are right, in my understanding, that a person has to have been born again, with the stony heart being exchanged for the fleshy heart, before they have the conscience to repent of breaking a spiritual law.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,439
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#18
Believing upon the name of Jesus gives us eternal life.
Colossians 2:9-15 tells me that what determines Eternal Life is whether or not a person has received the Circumcision of Christ which Enables the mind to Believe in Christ.

The "church" MUST begin to teach Spiritual Circumcision and we the people MUST ascend to it and begin including it when we share the Gospel. Wait . . . what "christian" is sharing the Gospel? No one is sharing it with me . . . because we don't understand Spiritual Circumcision.

Let's get ourselves together . . . "christians."
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,439
1,856
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#19
You are right, in my understanding, that a person has to have been born again, with the stony heart being exchanged for the fleshy heart, before they have the conscience to repent of breaking a spiritual law.
Precisely! How can a person who has been Cursed by the Lord with confusion, the Mind of the Devil, "choose" to believe in Christ? Sure, we may gladly receive the Word, hoping to one day fully and Truly believe . . . but do we REALLY? Prior to the release of the Curse of the Lord, a part of us may long for Him deeply, but that wall of Spiritual Confusion disallows an unregenerated heart to Truly understand what is at stake. Until a person has been released from the captivity of the Devil, that person is unable to please the Lord. To please the Lord, a person must be Known by Christ, and to be Known by Christ means to have received the Circumcision of Christ.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
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#20
I just posted this same exact post in a different thread, but I thought maybe it'd get more attention here since it's more on topic.

Mark 3:28
28"Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme..."

Jesus said that all sins would be forgiven, but that does not always exclude us from physical consequences up and and including death.

Luke 13:4,5
4Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

In my view, Jesus basically said that when the tower of Siloam fell on 18 people and killed them that their spiritual status was irrelevant. The point is repenting is more important.

If you read between the lines a bit, contrasting and comparing, the story of Ananias and his wife Sapphira in Acts 5, the story of the tower of Siloam, the question is were these people given a chance to repent before their deaths? Or had they already repented and therefore didn't need an opportunity to repent?

Ananias and Sapphira were saved members of the early church. What insight can we glean from their fate and what repentance is exactly? Repentance a one time event or a process that must be repeated as often as necessary?