Repentance, What is it and where does it come from?

JB · Lion King Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1057

Mattathias,

Here is another way to look at this text.

Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent (Meaning- Change you mind) and believe in the gospel(Believe in the Hope of Christ)."

JB

Mattathias · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 8:09 am Post subject:

JB · Lion King Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1057

Mattathias,

You asked:

Mattathias · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 10:03 am Post subject:

JB · Lion King Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1057

The Scripture doctrine of Repentance is to be learned in part from the meaning of the original Greek word used to express it, and in part from its application to a matter which is within the sphere of morals.

I. There are two forms of words used in the New Testament which are translated repent and repentance.

Only one of these is used of the repentance associated with turning to God. This is the verb metanoeo, and the corresponding noun metanoia. The other verb is metamelomai, the noun of which does not appear in the New Testament, but occurs in the Septuagint in Hosea 11:8. The verb is used in the Septuagint in Psalm 110:4; and Jer. 20:16. It is also the word used in the New Testament in Matt. 21:29, which says of the son who had refused to obey his father's command to work in the vineyard, "afterward he repented himself and went." It likewise is found in Matt. 21:32 and 27:3, this latter being the case of Judas. Paul uses it in Rom. 11:29; and 2 Cor. 7:8, 10. It is also the word used in Heb. 7:21. In all other places, translated repent and repentance in the New Testament, the original is metanoeo or metanoia. This word means to reconsider, to perceive afterwards, and hence to change one's view, mind, or purpose, or even judgement, implying disapproval and abandonment of past opinions and purposes, and the adoption of others which are different. In all cases of inward change there is not necessarily a change of outward conduct, nor is such inward change accompanied by regret. These results would flow from the nature of that about which that change has arisen.

We arrive, therefore, at the meaning of Christian repentance partly through the meaning of these Greek words, but also partly because it is exercised about a question of morals. It is seen that it involves a change in the outward life because such change is a result of the change of inward opinions. It also includes sorrow for sin because a change of view as to the nature of sin and of holiness must be accompanied by regret and sorrow as to the past acts of sin.

The word metamelomai means to change one's care, to regret; the idea of sorrow always accompanying it.

The two words are nearly synonymous in their secondary meaning, and each is used in this secondary meaning in the New Testament. Metanoeo, however, traces the feeling of sorrow and the change of life back to an inward change of opinion and judgment as to the nature of sin and holiness, and of the relations of man and God. It is perhaps on this account that it is exclusively used for true repentance in the New Testament. This is not simply sorrow, or remorse, which may pass away, or lead in despair to other sins, or fill the soul with anxiety' but a heartfelt change in the inward soul towards God and holiness, which is lasting and effective, and which may be associated with peace and joy in believing.

II. To set forth explicitly what Christian Repentance is, it may be stated that it includes

1. An intellectual and spiritual perception of the opposition between holiness in God and sin in man. It does not look at sin as the cause of punishment but abhors it because it is vile in the sight of God and involves in heinous guilt all who are sinners.

2. It consequently includes sorrow and self-loathing, and earnest desire to escape the evil of sin. The penitent soul does not so much feel the greatness of its danger as the greatness of its sinfulness.

3. It also includes an earnest turning to God for help and deliverance from sin, seeking pardon for guilt and aid to escape its presence.

It is also accompanied by deep regret because of the sins committed in the past, and by determination with God's help to avoid sin and live in holiness hereafter. The heart heretofore against God and for sin is now against sin and for God.

From these facts it will be seen that

(1.) The seat of true repentance is in the soul. It is not of itself the mere intellectual knowledge of sin, nor the sorrow that accompanies it, nor the changed life which flows from it; but it is the soul's apprehension of its heinous character, which begets the horror and self-loathing which accompany it, and the determination to forsake sin which flows from it.

(2.) That true repentance is inconsistent with the continuance in sin because of grace abounding.

(3.) That true repentance consists of mental and spiritual emotion, and not of outward self-imposed chastisements. Even the pious life and devotion to God which follow are described not as repentance, but as fruits meet for repentance.

III. The Scriptures teach that the author of true repentance is God operating by truth upon the renewed heart.

Acts 5:31. Christ is said to have been exalted "to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins."

Acts 11:18. "Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life."

The means used is the preaching and other exhibition of the truth. Repentance like faith comes through the hearing of the word. By this men are exhorted to that duty, and gain the knowledge of the truths taught by God, through spiritual apprehension of which men are led to the truth.

JB

GospelCompilation · Bear Joined: 18 May 2008 Posts: 699 Location: Arizona

JB · Lion King Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1057

GospelCompilation,

This response will come in portions. It would be to large for one post.

1.) (part 1) An intellectual and spiritual perception of the opposition between holiness in God and sin in man. It does not look at sin as the cause of punishment but abhors it because it is vile in the sight of God and involves in heinous guilt all who are sinners.

The first will deal with the intellectual and spiritual perception of the opposition between Holiness in God and sin in man.

Isaiah 6 makes for a clear defense for point 1A. Isaiah had his vision in the temple. As a man of God, Isaiah had the self perception that he was a decent God fearing leader. But that was about to change. As he had his vision or dream, depending on rendering, several things about his life became very clear to him.

a.) He recognized that he was an unclean man. (Isaiah 6:5) (Spiritual awakening)

Then I said, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips.

B.) And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."
(Intellectual acknowledgment) He became aware of the conditions of his surroundings.

The remedy that was needed was cleansing. (Verse 6-7) Isaiah knew by the presence of God that he was helpless to cleanse himself through good deeds. (again we see spiritual awakening)

As a result,

One of the Seraphims flew to Isaiah with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched Isaiah's mouth {with it} and the Angel said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven."

We also can take note:

Isaiah's self perception is seen on two levels.

First he served God and therefore he was a spiritual man.
second. In his mind, he was right before God.

The moment that humanity comes into the presence of the living God, things change. For Isaiah there was a spiritual change and there was a mental change. In the New testament this same idea is true. God has the same effect upon us today as we stand in His presence as is true also with our Old Testament ancestors.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, {which is} your spiritual service of worship.
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.

In another post we both agreed at least in part that repentance was turning towards God which is synonymous with change of mind about the Christ. As I recall, you also posted that, salvation begins with change of mind. That suggests the intellect.

I think that this is a good starting point, and there is more to come.

JB

JB · Lion King Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1057

GospelCompilation,

Here is the next installment. (part 2) Very Happy

I quoted:

GospelCompilation · Bear Joined: 18 May 2008 Posts: 699 Location: Arizona

JB · Lion King Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1057

GospelCompilation,

My second post was an attempt to show a contrast. Mans condition before he is saved and mans condition after he is saved. The final payment is death. But the condition of sin in this text is the idea that it controls the unregenerate man. You never have enough sin. The unregenerate seeks more sin. All he desires is sin. That is the separation between man and God.

I guess what I attempted to write isn't what your read. No offense taken.

Let's revisit my original post which really was the question.

1.) An intellectual and spiritual perception of the opposition between holiness in God and sin in man. It does not look at sin as the cause of punishment but abhors it because it is vile in the sight of God and involves in heinous guilt all who are sinners.

Did I adequately address the first part or wasn't that clear? Since you didn't respond to the first post I assume that you don't disagree.

I noticed that you showed concern on my view of Romans 6 which is the second portion. I agree that the wages of sin is death. But I believe that Paul's choice of words in this text for wages was to emphasize the controlling problem of sin.

JB

JB · Lion King Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1057

GospelCompilation,

after some prayer the Lord laid on my heart to share this idea. I would like to give an expanded translation of Romans 6:23.

The wages of sin is death.

The outer man (unregenerate) desires to sin and has no other option than to sin until he enters into the glorious light. As a result of this condition and the fact that sin is totally inadequate, the outer man finds himself unsatisfied by the sin that has been committed and therefore needs to sin more in an attempt to satisfy the inadequacy of the first sin. desire. As a result of the inadequacy, the outer man dies.

The contrast is seen in the second half of this verse. The gift of God or the regeneration and the beginning of the newness of life is seen in the life and conduct of the new believer. He has now been enabled to combat sin.

JB

JimD · Bear Cub Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 628

Hello everybody:)

JB · Lion King Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 1057

JimD,

You said: