The Church of God

2. John the Baptist required repentance of those who came to him to be baptized. Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; Luke 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.

3. What is the definition of 'repent': 'To feel self-reproach, compunction, or contrition for past conduct; to feel regret or change one's mind with regard to past action in consequence of dissatisfaction with it or its result. Isaiah also defines repentance. Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

4. Jesus commanded all men to repent. Mark 1:15 And saying, the time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand, repent ye, and believe the gospel.

5. The apostles commanded sinners to repent. 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. 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; Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

6. Repentance is required of everyone no matter how good or self-righteous they might be. Luke 13:1-5 There were some present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 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 dwell in Jerusalem? I tell you, nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

7. Repentance implies real Godly sorrow. Luke 18:10-14 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 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. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

a) True Godly sorrow is not the sorrow of the world. 2 Cor 7:8-11 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. 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. For behold this selfsame thing, for 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 yorself to be clear in this matter.

b) When the prodigal son returned home he exemplified Godly sorrow. Luke 15:11-21 And he said, a certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. Luke And when he came to himself, he said, how many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

8. The Spirit of God must first convict man of his sins before man can repent. John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement:

9. Sins need not be confessed before men. They must be confessed to God who alone has power to forgive sins. I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10. Confession of wrongs and seeking forgiveness must be made to men who have been wronged. Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

This produces a good conscience toward men as well as toward God. Acts 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward man.

11. Repentance requires that restitution be made. Ezekiel 33:15 If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Restitution was one of the first things that Zacchaeus thought of after he met Jesus Christ. Luke 19:2-8 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, that he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus, stood, and said unto the Lord; behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

12. Repentance includes forgiving others. All hatred, malice, grudges, and ill-feelings toward others must be erased and those persons forgiven. Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: Matt. 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Luke 23:34 When said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do, and they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

13. The act of repentance is two-fold. It means not only the turning away from sin but also the turning to God for forgiveness. Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. a. As a man turns from sin and seeks God a great feeling of humility and unworthiness overwhelms him. 2 Cor 7:11 For behold his 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.