Our church calls for repentance, understanding that “easy believism”—belief without the act of repentance—results in an incomplete faith.

What is repentance? What is saving faith?

As we continue our study in Romans 2:1-11, it is important for us to know what repent is and what it is not. So, let’s examine repentance in five key areas from the New Testament.

1. John the Baptist’s Call to Repentance (Matthew 3:1-8; Luke 3:3-8).

In Matthew 3, we see the start of John the Baptist’s public ministry. John came preaching, and it’s significant that the first word out of his mouth was “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” John began his ministry by calling for repentance, which defined his entire message.

The word “repent” means a change of mind, But it is much more than head knowledge. Literally, it is a change of mind where a person has a completely different perspective on God and himself. There is a knowledge of God and a knowledge of Christ that suddenly, drastically changes. In that moment, that a person understands with clarity the holiness of God and the unholiness of self.

This change of mind leads to a change of heart. This brings deep conviction, grief, sorrow, and even shame over one’s sin, as guilt floods the heart and soul. After the change of mind and heart comes a change of will, where a person chooses to turn away from a life of sin and turn to God and the Lord Jesus Christ, choosing to embrace Christ as Lord and Savior.

Repentance involves a “turning the back” of the old life and a redirection of life away from sin toward God and Jesus Christ. And a turning away from a self-centered, sin-centered life and a turning to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Without repentance, there is no entrance into the kingdom now being offered. True repentance will always be accompanied by the fruit of repentance, which is a changed life (James 2).

2. Jesus’ First Command: Repent (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14-15).

As Jesus begins His public ministry, He opens His gospel preaching with the word “Repent.” He calls for all who hear to turn from lives of selfish pursuits, sinful desires, false religion, cloaks of hypocrisy, pride, and arrogance. Jesus defined this repentance in Matthew 5:3-6 through the Beatitudes—still early on in His public ministry—where He explains who it is that is genuinely in His kingdom.

Repentance is a change of mind, as in “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3), realizing that one is spiritually bankrupt and has no spiritual capital whatsoever for salvation. The word “poor” refers to a beggar who holds out an empty hand to passersby, cowering and ashamed.

The change of mind is to realize it is “me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.” This leads to a change of heart, described in “Blessed are those who mourn” (Matthew 5:4). Mourning is the heart’s response to this realization of spiritual poverty, filled with grief over a life that violated God’s holiness and contributed to Jesus’ death.

Lastly, repentance includes a change of will, as in “Blessed are the meek” (Matt. 5:5), meaning that a person submits their will to God, coming under the authority of a greater Master.

3. The Apostles’ Preaching on Repentance (Acts 2:38; Acts 5:29-31; Acts 17:30).

In Acts, the apostles continue the same message of repentance.

At Pentecost, Peter calls out to the crowd, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38). Repentance, Peter makes clear, comes first, then the forgiveness of sins.

In Acts 5:31, Peter explains that God exalted Jesus to His right hand as Prince and Savior “to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Repentance is the gateway to forgiveness and eternal life—a thread that runs through the entire book of Acts.

This call is for all people—its universal. In Acts 17:30, Paul declares that God now commands all people everywhere to repent. In Acts 20:21, he reminds the elders at Ephesus of his message:

repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ. The apostles preached repentance as the initial and essential step in true salvation.

Peter’s and Paul’s preaching offers two startling observations that distinguish apostolic preaching from “milk and toast preaching” common in many places today.

First, they preached the lordship of Jesus Christ, emphasizing that He is called “Lord” 93 times and “Savior” twice in the book of Acts.

Second, they emphasized repentance far more than faith, continually calling people to turn their lives around before discussing faith in Jesus as Savior.

4. Epistles Reinforce the Need for Repentance (Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 2 Peter 3:9).

Repentance remains vital throughout the epistles. Peter writes in 2 Peter 3:9:

“The Lord is not slow about His promise…but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

Here, repentance is virtually synonymous with salvation, showing that it is an inseparable part of genuine conversion. Paul, likewise, insists on repentance as a response to God’s kindness, which “leads you to repentance” (Romans 2:4). It is required of anyone who would enter the kingdom of heaven. So, repentance is never an option or an afterthought.

5. Jesus’ Final Words to the Churches: Repent (Revelation 2-3)

In Revelation, Jesus’ messages to 5 of the 7 churches reiterate the call to repentance.

“Remember from where you have fallen and repent” (Rev. 2:5), Jesus instructs the church at Ephesus. And he will do this similar commands to other churches.

FAITH LESSONS—here are some simple takeaways on this topics to apply:

1. The mark of a Christian is not perfection but repentance.

—Defensive heart: “It wasn’t that bad” (downplaying).

—Repentant heart: “It was a big deal” (honesty).

—Defensive heart: “But look at what I did!” (Diversion)

—Repentant heart: “Here is specifically what I did wrong” (honesty).

2. “Old dead guy” Thomas Watson wrote in his famous book entitled “Repentance” that there are six ingredients of true repentance: 1. Sight of sin 2. Sorrow for sin 3. Confession of sin 4. Shame for sin 5. Hatred of sin 6. Turning from sin.

3. Do not confuse God's patience with sinners as Him being apathetic about sin (2 Peter 3:9).

4. Backsliding is often marked by a thousand small steps in the wrong direction. Repentance is often a thousand small steps in the right direction. Turn to Jesus while you still have time (Eph. 5:15-16).

From beginning to end, Jesus’ message remains: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The command to repent is book-ended in the New Testament, with Jesus’ first and final words to the church both underscoring repentance as an ongoing call to turn to God.

May we thank God he opened our eyes to repent and believe on the risen Jesus. And may we never stop repenting, not for salvation, but for our holiness and growth before God until he calls us home or we pass away.