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RE: What is Biblical 'repentance'? - 9/20/2008 11:28:07 AM
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rcjames
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Repentance is a changing of the mind concerning something.
Biblical repentance would be changing one's mind about sin.
But it goes further than that to one not doing the sin anymore.
As Paul put it;
Acts 26:20l “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.”
Thanks
RC
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RE: What is Biblical 'repentance'? - 9/20/2008 11:33:54 AM
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LivingParadox
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rcjames
Repentance is a changing of the mind concerning something.
Biblical repentance would be changing one's mind about sin.
But it goes further than that to one not doing the sin anymore.
As Paul put it;
Acts 26:20l “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.”
Thanks
RC
Yep, that's it. I was having a conversation with a co-worker this week about how most people don't just decide to be corrupt in a conscientious decision but lots of little compromises until you are corrupt. Repentence is honestly looking at missing the mark and making the decision not to make "little" decisions anymore.
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RE: What is Biblical 'repentance'? - 9/20/2008 12:26:22 PM
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Little_1
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quote:
......"Repent of Sin." This often-quoted phrase "repent of sin" does not even occur in the Bible. Most people are quite shocked to find that it does not appear in the Scripture. Nowhere does the Scripture use the phrase, "repent of sin" to be saved. Scripture does say in Acts 20:21, "repentance toward God" (change of mind), and "faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ......"-- Bibleline Ministries.
quote:
......It is crucially important that we understand repentance is not a work we do to earn salvation. No one can repent and come to God unless God pulls that person to Him (John 6:44). Acts 5:31 and 11:18 indicate that repentance is something God gives – it is only possible because of His grace. No one can repent unless God grants repentance. All of salvation, including repentance and faith, is a result of God's drawing us, opening our eyes, and changing our hearts. God's longsuffering leads us to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), as does His kindness (Romans 2:4).
While repentance is not a work that earns salvation, repentance unto salvation does result in works. It is impossible to truly and fully change your mind without that causing a change in action. In the Bible, repentance results in a change in behavior. That is why John the Baptist called people to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). A person who has truly repented from rejection of Christ to faith in Christ will give evidence of a changed life (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:19-23; James 2:14-26). Repentance, properly defined, is necessary for salvation. Biblical repentance is changing your mind about Jesus Christ and turning to God in faith for salvation (Acts 3:19). Turning from sin is not the definition of repentance, but it is one of the results of genuine, faith-based repentance towards the Lord Jesus Christ.......-- GotQuestions
This gave me food for thought today.
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 9/20/2008 12:41:39 PM >
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RE: What is Biblical 'repentance'? - 9/20/2008 12:48:24 PM
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deliveredarling
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I have to disagree with your quoted portion Little One. Repentance is something we do. One of the many defintions of repentance is turning from sin towards God.
When we take our thoughts captive, we are turning from sin towards God. We have made a conscious decsion to not sin at that point.
When we have been taught a lesson by Godly discipline, we have then repented of that sin and vow to not do it again.
The words repent are not mentioned together in scripture, yet it is mentioned there of pertaining to sin.
EX:
2Ch 6:36 "When they sin against You (for there is no man who does not sin) and You are angry with them and deliver them to an enemy, so that they take them away captive to a land far off or near,
2Ch 6:37 if they take thought in the land where they are taken captive, and repent and make supplication to You in the land of their captivity, saying, 'We have sinned, we have committed iniquity and have acted wickedly';
It is also a concept demonstrated throughout scripture.
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RE: What is Biblical 'repentance'? - 9/20/2008 1:03:46 PM
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rcjames
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Little_1
So does this mean that Jesus dying on the cross was not enough and we have to 'do repentance first' before we can receive God's free gift of grace?
I will repost this verse;
Acts 26:20l “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.”
It seems very obvious that repentance will be followed by deeds to prove that repentance.
No deeds that prove the repentance = no repentance = no salvation.
Thsnks
RC
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Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: What is Biblical 'repentance'? - 9/20/2008 1:42:51 PM
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LivingParadox
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To repent is to do an about face --turning from sin to face God. Repentence is walking towards God.
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RE: What is Biblical 'repentance'? - 9/20/2008 2:06:47 PM
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Little_1
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quote:
ORIGINAL: LivingParadox
......Repentance is walking towards God.
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RE: What is Biblical 'repentance'? - 9/20/2008 2:06:50 PM
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URForgiven
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The simplest explanation of Biblical repentance I've heard is:
A “change of mind” that allows for a “change of action” by allowing God’s divine action to become operative in our life.
Peace
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RE: What is Biblical 'repentance'? - 9/20/2008 2:22:40 PM
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makarizo
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Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
isn't that verse the actual biblical definition of repentence?
repent:
metanoeō
met-an-o-eh'-o
From G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent.
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RE: What is Biblical 'repentance'? - 9/20/2008 2:36:01 PM
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Little_1
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rcjames
......It seems very obvious that repentance will be followed by deeds to prove that repentance.
No deeds that prove the repentance = no repentance = no salvation.
Thsnks
RC
I agree in the sense that repentance which I understand is 'turning to God' first and foremost and not turning from sin first and foremost (please see the explanation for this in post #12) and will be followed by deeds to prove that turning to God.
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 9/21/2008 6:38:32 AM >
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RE: What is Biblical 'repentance'? - 9/20/2008 2:44:30 PM
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drmark
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quote:
Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
isn't that verse the actual biblical definition of repentence? Please don't forget the context! Paul is specifically addressing "brothers" (verse 12:1), not the unsaved. In view of Acts 26:20, I find it quite unlikely that Paul would define the repentance of unbelievers to be "offering our bodies as living sacrifices in spiritual worship so that we are transformed to approve God's perfect will." Sounds like way too much for the average sinner to accomplish at initial sanctification, don't you think?
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RE: What is Biblical 'repentance'? - 9/20/2008 2:46:47 PM
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LastofAll
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There are several ways to describe repentance in which gives us the idea of its meaning. This is how I view repentance: It is a remorse for ones sins that touches their heart, and causes them to reform their life. Regretting circumstances is mere regret, and nothing more, but the remorse that touches our heart, and causes us to reform is repentance.
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RE: What is Biblical 'repentance'? - 9/20/2008 2:53:14 PM
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drmark
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Would you consider a slight amendment, LastofAll? Perhaps we should say repentance enables or allows God to reform our lives, rather than anything we do or cause to reform.
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RE: What is Biblical 'repentance'? - 9/20/2008 2:56:50 PM
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deliveredarling
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quote:
If repentance is 'turning from sin' so we can become Christians then I cannot agree. Sorry. We cannot turn from sin before we are saved because "how can we turn from sin in our own strength?" If we could we would not need salvation! Even since becoming a Christian, I cannot turn from sin in my own strength. I can only do so by renewing my mind according to God's Word and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Question, we are talking about biblical repentance right? If a person is not saved, why would they consider repenting? An unsaved person does not see their sin and they see no need to repent. Biblical repentance would be referring to the unsaved, as in addressing the Israelites in the OT and the unbelievers in the NT. Seems like it is a warning to unbelievers in both texts.
We won't and don't repent until we recognize the sin in ourselves. That recognition comes from the HS. So an unbeliever can not repent even if they wanted too, without the aid of the HS.
Choice is still a factor here. We choose God. (I know for many that is debatable) We choose to things whether they are right or wrong. To sin or not sin. We can ask God to remove a certain sin we are struggling with and He will, in His timing, not necessarily upon demand.
Paul hated the sin that he did, yet struggled with it. As it is with all of us. He repented because the Lord walloped him upside the head with a holy 2 x 4. God can choose the unsaved as well as in Paul's case. Repentance doesn't mean salvation, it does mean that it is a part of salvation and is the result of salvation.
"Those who love Me will keep My commandments."
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"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
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RE: What is Biblical 'repentance'? - 9/20/2008 3:01:26 PM
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Little_1
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quote:
ORIGINAL: drmark
quote:
Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
isn't that verse the actual biblical definition of repentance? Please don't forget the context! Paul is specifically addressing "brothers" (verse 12:1), not the unsaved. In view of Acts 26:20, I find it quite unlikely that Paul would define the repentance of unbelievers to be "offering our bodies as living sacrifices in spiritual worship so that we are transformed to approve God's perfect will." Sounds like way too much for the average sinner to accomplish at initial sanctification, don't you think?
Romans 12:2 does definitely refer to Christian brethren drmark, and Biblical mind renewal means nothing to those who are not Christians. I do believe mind renewal has a part to play when it comes to gaining victory over sin but this only comes after salvation. Turning to God (repentance) is the first stage which leads us to salvation. After we become Christians, mind renewal has a large part to play in overcoming sin and this is what I believe makarizo was referring to in post #13. Sanctification is an ongoing process through God's Word (Jn 17:17).
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 9/20/2008 3:29:42 PM >
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RE: What is Biblical 'repentance'? - 9/20/2008 3:07:08 PM
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drmark
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quote:
If a person is not saved, why would they consider repenting? An unsaved person does not see their sin and they see no need to repent. Well, it's called prevenient grace in some theological traditions. I have seen numerous unsaved people who know exactly the depth of their depravity and their own helplessness to change. Surely you have too, dd. But until that moment of personal decision, they remain unsaved. Some would say that prevenient grace is universal and irresisitible; salvific grace is for those who appropriate it through faith.
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RE: What is Biblical 'repentance'? - 9/20/2008 3:11:39 PM
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deliveredarling
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quote:
Some would say that prevenient grace is universal and irresisitible; salvific grace is for those who appropriate it through faith.
You are speaking a foreign language to me Dr Mark. Can you restate in layman's terms please?
If I am to understand you, I thought I used a prevalent example of that by using Paul as an example. What part did I miss?
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"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
http://www.myspace.com/egaip
Come visit
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RE: What is Biblical 'repentance'? - 9/20/2008 3:11:40 PM
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drmark
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quote:
this is what I believe makarizo was referring to in post #14. Okay, but that's not what he posted in #13. Are you suggesting that renewing our minds subsequent to salvation also requires repentance?
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RE: What is Biblical 'repentance'? - 9/20/2008 3:21:37 PM
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drmark
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quote:
You are speaking a foreign language to me Dr Mark. Can you restate in layman's terms please? Sure, I'm a layman. Have you ever known a lost sinner who was able to see they were not right in their actions and had no way to change themselves? How would they ever come to that awareness unless God enabled them to? That is a simple example of "prevenient grace" or the grace that "comes before" salvation. Not everyone uses the term, but pretty much everyone realizes we are all depraved sinners before conversion. So unless God graciously softens our hearts to His love, how could anyone ever be saved?
quote:
If I am to understand you, I thought I used a prevalent example of that by using Paul as an example. What part did I miss? If you're referring to Romans chapter 7, that is a passage debated widely by people much brighter than us. It should be discussed on a different thread from this one.
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RE: What is Biblical 'repentance'? - 9/20/2008 3:22:21 PM
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Little_1
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quote:
ORIGINAL: drmark
quote:
this is what I believe makarizo was referring to in post #14. Okay, but that's not what he posted in #13. Are you suggesting that renewing our minds subsequent to salvation also requires repentance?
My understanding of repentance is that it is 'turning to God' (not turning from sin and then turning to God but turning to God first which in turn will effect a turning from sin). When we renew our minds through God's Word, this will often show us that there is sin in our lives which the Holy Spirit wants to sanctify us concerning. Yes - I do believe repentance is part of mind renewal. Mind renewal cannot be effected without God and His Word (which reveals God).
Please bare in mind that what I mean by repentance and what others may mean by repentance on this thread may differ and may cause mix ups in posts! Some believe repentance is being very sorry/remorseful for their sin(s) to the point of 'turning from sin' pre salvation followed by turning to God.
My understanding of Biblical repentance is 'turning to God' pre salvation in my sinful and helpless condition and not a slightly cleaned up condition first. Repentance includes the 'faith' which effects salvation and is given freely to us by God's amazing grace ("by grace you are saved by faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God lest anyone should boast"). 'Mind renewal' is an ongoing process which effects sanctification through God's Word (Jn 17:17) and helps me turn from sin after salvation.
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 9/21/2008 11:39:59 AM >
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We cannot turn from sin before we are saved because "how can we turn from sin in our own strength?" If we could we would not need salvation! Even since becoming a Christian, I cannot turn from sin in my own strength. I can only do so by renewing my mind according to God's Word and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 
