Repentance
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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?
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.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
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;
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
I. The Necessity of Repentance
I. The Necessity of Repentance
A. A Scriptural Mandate
A. A Scriptural Mandate
1. We are ALL in sin.
1. We are ALL in sin.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
a. Just like a person can be in one state (Colorado), and yet be at various altitudes, so it is with sin -we are all born into one “state,” yet some are deeper in sin than others.
a. Just like a person can be in one state (Colorado), and yet be at various altitudes, so it is with sin -we are all born into one “state,” yet some are deeper in sin than others.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me.
b. Regardless, however, of “altitude,” we are still all born in sin!
b. Regardless, however, of “altitude,” we are still all born in sin!
2. God is Holy.
2. God is Holy.
Exalt the Lord our God, And worship at his holy hill; For the Lord our God is holy.
3. Because we are sinners and God is holy, we must be cleansed before we can approach unto God.
3. Because we are sinners and God is holy, we must be cleansed before we can approach unto God.
a. The scriptures clearly command it.
a. The scriptures clearly command it.
And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Or 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?
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
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.
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
(1) Pay close attention to the tense: God winked (PAST), but NOW (Present).
(1) Pay close attention to the tense: God winked (PAST), but NOW (Present).
(2) Pay close attention to the mandate: commandeth, ALL men, EVERY WHERE
(2) Pay close attention to the mandate: commandeth, ALL men, EVERY WHERE
b. In response to the question of “What shall we do [to be saved],” Peter’s FIRST command was “REPENT!”
b. In response to the question of “What shall we do [to be saved],” Peter’s FIRST command was “REPENT!”
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?
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.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
c. Here, the apostle makes it clear that the only way to have our sins “blotted out” is to REPENT.
c. Here, the apostle makes it clear that the only way to have our sins “blotted out” is to REPENT.
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;
II. What is Repentance?
II. What is Repentance?
A. What it is NOT
A. What it is NOT
1. It is NOT “believing on the Lord” or “accepting the Lord.”
1. It is NOT “believing on the Lord” or “accepting the Lord.”
2. It is NOT saying, “I’m sorry for my sins.”
2. It is NOT saying, “I’m sorry for my sins.”
a. To prove this, consider the following scripture.
a. To prove this, consider the following scripture.
Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
b. If he was seeking carefully with tears, why could he find no place to say, “I’m sorry?”
b. If he was seeking carefully with tears, why could he find no place to say, “I’m sorry?”
c. Obviously, there is more to it than a simple apology.
c. Obviously, there is more to it than a simple apology.
B. What it IS
B. What it IS
1. As we will discover through scripture, repentance is a process, with each step predicated on the one before.
1. As we will discover through scripture, repentance is a process, with each step predicated on the one before.
a. We will examine this process (and its succeeding steps) through the remainder of this lesson.
a. We will examine this process (and its succeeding steps) through the remainder of this lesson.
C. Finding Repentance
C. Finding Repentance
1. See Sin from God’s Perspective.
1. See Sin from God’s Perspective.
a. God sees sin as the cause of death.
a. God sees sin as the cause of death.
The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
(1) This is NOT just an “Old Testament Principle.”
(1) This is NOT just an “Old Testament Principle.”
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
b. God hates sin like any parent hates a disease that threatens the life of his children.
b. God hates sin like any parent hates a disease that threatens the life of his children.
(1) Sin is NOT just a “harmless mistake.”
(1) Sin is NOT just a “harmless mistake.”
(2) Although it IS a product of human nature, we cannot simply dismiss it and overlook it.
(2) Although it IS a product of human nature, we cannot simply dismiss it and overlook it.
(a) It must be dealt with like any fatal disease, for that is EXACTLY what it is (in the spiritual sense).
2. Feel Conviction.
2. Feel Conviction.
a. As Peter preached the Word of God to the crowd at Pentecost, they felt conviction.
a. As Peter preached the Word of God to the crowd at Pentecost, they felt conviction.
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?
b. This is evidently what Paul had been feeling, even though he tried to fight against it.
b. This is evidently what Paul had been feeling, even though he tried to fight against it.
And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
(1) Notice that, in both instances, it brought the same question from the heart of those convicted: “What must I do?”
(1) Notice that, in both instances, it brought the same question from the heart of those convicted: “What must I do?”
3. Possess a Godly Sorrow.
3. Possess a Godly Sorrow.
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.
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
a. This involves “all the heart.”
a. This involves “all the heart.”
Therefore also now, saith the Lord, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, And with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
b. It also involves brokenness and contrition, usually with weeping.
b. It also involves brokenness and contrition, usually with weeping.
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
4. Make Confession to God.
4. Make Confession to God.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
a. If your sin is only against God, you only confess to Him.
a. If your sin is only against God, you only confess to Him.
5. Plead for Mercy
5. Plead for Mercy
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
a. This is good for us – to admit our condition and desperate NEED of God !
a. This is good for us – to admit our condition and desperate NEED of God !
6. Ask for Forgiveness
6. Ask for Forgiveness
Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: Say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: So will we render the calves of our lips.
a. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus instructed us to ask for forgiveness.
a. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus instructed us to ask for forgiveness.
And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
7. Determine to Turn from Sin
7. Determine to Turn from Sin
Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
a. Jesus commanded this.
a. Jesus commanded this.
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
b. Repentance is a type of death.
b. Repentance is a type of death.
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
(1) We become “dead to sin.”
(1) We become “dead to sin.”
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
c. Confession was not the ONLY thing scripture required for obtaining mercy.
c. Confession was not the ONLY thing scripture required for obtaining mercy.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
(1) You must confess AND forsake.
(1) You must confess AND forsake.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
(2) Jesus came to save us FROM sin, not IN sin!
8. Accept God’s Forgiveness
8. Accept God’s Forgiveness
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; And plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
a. It is PROMISED, and we should BELIEVE it.
a. It is PROMISED, and we should BELIEVE it.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
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;
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
III. What Happens at Repentance?
III. What Happens at Repentance?
A. Three Things
A. Three Things
1. You’ll Experience Great Joy
1. You’ll Experience Great Joy
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.
And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
a. The reason for this is that the load of sin has been removed.
a. The reason for this is that the load of sin has been removed.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
2. You’ll Experience a Change of Nature
2. You’ll Experience a Change of Nature
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
a. John the Baptist preached that true repentance would bear fruit.
a. John the Baptist preached that true repentance would bear fruit.
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
b. Paul preached that true repentance would manifest itself in good works.
b. Paul preached that true repentance would manifest itself in good works.
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.
c. Story: A king had two sons. Each wanted to prove his theory concerning “gentlemen.” One believed they were born that way; the other believed they were made into what they were. The king gave them thirty days to establish some proof. One son visited an establishment where a cat was dressed in a sports coat, walked on two legs, and carried a serving tray. He bought the cat as proof that even animals could be taught good behavior. The other son was distraught. The thirty days was nearly over and he had no proof. Finally, he passed a store and something caught his eye. He went in, made a purchase, and waited for the day of proof. When his brother brought out the trained cat, all were amazed. When he opened his box, however, out scurried several small mice. The cat promptly forgot his training and ran after the mice. Thus, you can “dress up” a new character, but the old character still remains. It must be “born” into you!
c. Story: A king had two sons. Each wanted to prove his theory concerning “gentlemen.” One believed they were born that way; the other believed they were made into what they were. The king gave them thirty days to establish some proof. One son visited an establishment where a cat was dressed in a sports coat, walked on two legs, and carried a serving tray. He bought the cat as proof that even animals could be taught good behavior. The other son was distraught. The thirty days was nearly over and he had no proof. Finally, he passed a store and something caught his eye. He went in, made a purchase, and waited for the day of proof. When his brother brought out the trained cat, all were amazed. When he opened his box, however, out scurried several small mice. The cat promptly forgot his training and ran after the mice. Thus, you can “dress up” a new character, but the old character still remains. It must be “born” into you!
3. You have begun the process of salvation.
3. You have begun the process of salvation.
a. In order to be saved, you must OBEY the gospel.
a. In order to be saved, you must OBEY the gospel.
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
(1) “The gospel” will be explained fully in a future lesson.
(1) “The gospel” will be explained fully in a future lesson.