1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea

2 and saying, “Repent [Change your mind], for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

— Matthew 3:1-2

Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”

— Acts 19:4

and saying, “The time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has drawn near; repent [change your mind] and believe in the gospel.”

— Mark 1:15

God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.

— Acts 5:31

and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.

— Luke 24:47

God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.

— Acts 5:31

When they heard this, their objections were put to rest, and they glorified God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”

— Acts 11:18

testifying to Jews and Greeks alike about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

— Acts 20-21

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace and peace to you from Jesus Christ.

Believing plus repenting from our sins is yet another confusing gospel message that veers off the revelation of God’s words concerning salvation. Actually God’s Word does not command repentance from sins in order to be saved. The phrases repent of and repent from ours sins are NOT found anywhere in the Bible. At the same time, with that said, every person who has ever believed in Christ for salvation has repented (changed mind) of Jesus Christ. The biblical usage of the words ‘repent’ and ‘repentance’ used in the New Testament is different from the modern English dictionary definition. Biblical repentance is an afterthought, a change of mind, not a change of conduct. People change their mind of opposing Jesus Christ to believing and trusting Him.

Repentance is in itself neutral. Repentance is not a work an unbeliever must add to salvation. This would not be consistent with salvation by grace alone, apart from works. All unbelievers in the world have some false hope they are relying on for eternal salvation. The truth is when unbelievers trust in Christ for salvation, it is because they have changed their minds. Instead of trusting in the false hope they previously held, they now trust in Christ alone for salvation. We do not need to repent of our sins to be saved. We must repent (change our minds) in order to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance is not a change of life, direction or work. Repentance is a change of our minds and evaluation of Jesus Christ, His name and His redemption work.