Repentance… what is repentance?
I came across a site (http://philosophyofjoel.xanga.com/619390872/item/) the other day which was discussing that Joseph Prince who preaches states repentance is simply change your mind and to which they stated that it is not correct. Well let’s search the scripture and see what the bible says about repentance.
Furthermore, I was very glad with the scripture given by those oppose to the issue of what mind change.
Acts 13:39, Acts17:30, Acts 20:21, Act 3: 19, Eph 2:8-9
Reading through the said article, it occurred to me that we interpret a word using our understanding of ENGLISH and not the GREEK in which the NT part of the bible was written (OT Hebrew) and also not based on context of the said verse, chapter of the bible, thus causing us a lot of disagreement.
For instance, the word remission according to ENCARTA DICTIONARY states forgiveness: pardon or forgiveness (Aphesis) Which is the basic understanding and agrees with the following verses.
Mt 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Mr 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. {for: or, unto}
Lu 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, {by: or, for}
Lu 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
Ro 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Which is the word
Mt 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: {meet...: or, answerable to amendment of life}
Mt 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Mt 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Mr 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. {for: or, unto}
Mr 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Lu 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
Lu 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. {worthy of: or, meet for}
Lu 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Lu 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.
Lu 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Ac 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Ac 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Ac 13:24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
Ac 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Ac 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ac 26:20 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.
Ro 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?
Ro 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
2Co 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. {after...: or, according to God}
2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
2Ti 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
Heb 6:1 ¶ Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, {principles...: or, word of the beginning of}
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Heb 12:17 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. {place...: or, way to change his mind}
2Pe 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.
(KJV)
Now the word metanoia(metanoeo to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction):--repent) we will observe that it is referring to the MIND first of all which some have refused it as a change of action first of all which is not the case, but thinking differently. Could it be that there are a lot of ‘Christians’ who have not thought differently (first of all, i.e. God -has done all-at work in them) which has the power to change their action? but deceived to act differently and hence a lot of problem in their homes, lives? What difference is it from the religions around us?
