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Topics > Repentance from Sin
What is repentance?
What do I have to repent from?
Is repentance a work?
By Sam Adams, Pastor
Jesus said to the Sadducees, “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God” (Matthew 22:29). Many today, who call themselves Independent Baptists, have the same problem as the Sadducees. They preach a powerless, unbalanced gospel message that leaves their “converts” in their sins, acknowledging atonement and justification while denying repentance and regeneration. In their ignorance, they errantly decry the message of repentance that the Lord Jesus, the disciples, and the Apostle Paul preached, and disparage those who rightly include repentance in their gospel message.
One of the great truths of scripture that they fail to grasp is that repentance and saving faith are inseparable. Many passages of scripture use the term “repentance” as a synonym for saving faith and salvation. Without repentance, there can be no true conversion. Repentance is not just an option; it is an essential part of the gospel.
This article will explore the biblical doctrine of repentance by examining key scriptural passages, addressing common misconceptions, and emphasizing the need for repentance from sin in the process of salvation.
The word “repent” comes from the Greek word metanoia, which means a change of mind, heart, and direction. Biblical repentance is not merely feeling regret or sorrow for sin; it involves a complete turning away from sin and turning to God. In Acts 3:19, Peter clearly commands, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” Repentance involves both a recognition of sin and an active turning from it, leading to conversion and the forgiveness of sins.
Jesus Himself preached repentance, as seen in Matthew 4:17: “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Repentance is not an option or a suggestion; it is a command from the Lord Jesus Christ and a necessary condition for salvation.
A significant error in modern evangelical circles is the separation of repentance from salvation. Many argue that repentance is not necessary for salvation and that belief in Christ alone suffices. However, the Word of God consistently teaches that repentance precedes salvation.
John the Baptist began his ministry with a call to repentance: “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Likewise, Jesus’ ministry echoed this message in Mark 1:15: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Notice the order: repentance comes before belief. Salvation involves both a turning from sin and a turning to Christ in faith. Acts 20:21 affirms this, where Paul declared that he testified “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Repentance and faith are inseparably linked, but repentance always comes first. In Acts 11:18, the apostles rejoiced, saying, “Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” Repentance leads to life—spiritual life through salvation.
Another common misconception is that repentance merely means turning from unbelief to belief, with no connection to sin. This is a dangerous error that undermines the gospel itself. Repentance, as defined by God’s Word, is repentance from sin.
Peter, in Acts 3:19, called his listeners to “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” Repentance from sin is not optional but essential. It is a recognition of the sinfulness of man and a response to the holiness of God. Paul preached the same message in Acts 26:20, stating that men should “repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”
Moreover, in Luke 24:46-47, Jesus commanded that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations.” The repentance Jesus speaks of here is clearly linked to the remission, or forgiveness, of sins. Without repentance, there is no forgiveness.
Revelation 21:8 lists unbelief among other sins that lead to eternal judgment: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” This shows that unbelief is not separate from sin—it is itself a sin. Therefore, when some argue that repentance is merely turning from unbelief to belief, they are still acknowledging repentance from sin, as unbelief is explicitly labeled as sinful.
Repentance from unbelief is necessary, but it is not distinct from the broader call to repentance from sin. Unbelief, as part of a person’s sinful nature, must be turned from, just as lying, idolatry, and other sins must be forsaken. Acts 20:21 affirms this dual focus: “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ,” showing that both belief and repentance from sin go hand-in-hand in the process of salvation.
The Bible describes God as repenting in passages like Genesis 6:6 and 1 Samuel 15:11, where He regrets specific actions. However, God’s repentance differs from man’s. God’s repentance is not about turning from sin, as He is sinless and unchanging (Numbers 23:19). Instead, it reflects a change in His actions toward mankind based on their behavior.
In contrast, man’s repentance always involves turning from sin. Some argue that if God’s repentance isn’t about sin, human repentance doesn’t require turning from sin either. This view is flawed, as it still argues that God, when repenting, must be turning from unbelief—which is absurd. The Bible teaches that human repentance unto salvation is about forsaking sin (Acts 3:19, Ezekiel 18:30), not just changing belief. Repentance requires turning from both sin and unbelief, reflecting a complete transformation in a person’s heart and actions.
The Bible distinguishes between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow. Worldly sorrow is self-centered, focused on the consequences of sin rather than the sin itself. Godly sorrow, on the other hand, is sorrow over having offended a holy God. In 2 Corinthians 7:10, Paul explains, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
Godly sorrow brings about true repentance because it leads a person to acknowledge his sin before God. It produces a heartfelt turning from sin and a desire to live in obedience to God. This is the kind of repentance that leads to salvation.
Repentance is often misunderstood as a form of salvation by works. Some argue that requiring repentance for salvation means adding human effort to grace. However, this is a misrepresentation of what repentance truly is. Repentance is not a human work; it is a response to God’s grace.
Romans 2:4 teaches that “the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” Repentance is a gift from God, brought about by the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. It is not something we achieve in our own strength. Acts 5:31 declares that God exalted Christ “to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Repentance is a divinely initiated response to the gospel.
Biblical repentance is not just a change of mind but a turning away from sin and rebellion to submit to Jesus Christ as Lord and Master. This is often referred to as “Lordship Salvation,” meaning that true repentance involves not only belief in Jesus as Savior but also surrendering to Him as Lord. In Matthew 7:21, Jesus makes it clear: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Genuine repentance includes a desire to obey Christ and submit to His authority.
Repentance from sin is the act of turning from self-rule and rebellion against God to acknowledge Jesus as the sovereign Lord of one’s life. Acts 26:20 emphasizes that repentance involves “turning to God, and doing works meet for repentance,” signifying a transformed life that seeks to obey Christ. True repentance recognizes Christ not only as Savior but also as Lord.
Just like faith, true repentance is always accompanied by visible fruit. In Matthew 3:8, John the Baptist said, “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” The Apostle Paul testified before Agrippa in Acts that he preached that very same message in Acts 26:19-20: Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 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.
Biblical repentance is not a work that a man accomplishes, but repentance that does not result in a changed life is not genuine. Jesus warned in Matthew 7:21-23 that many who profess faith but do not live in obedience will be rejected: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
A person who has truly repented will demonstrate that repentance through a transformed life. As Paul taught, “That they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance” (Acts 26:20). True repentance leads to holiness and a desire to live according to God’s commands. As Paul also wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Repentance brings about a new creation, where the sinner’s old sinful ways are replaced by a life of righteousness through Christ.
This transformation is possible because of what Christ accomplished for us. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul explains, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Christ took on our sin so that, through repentance and faith, we might receive His righteousness. Therefore, the fruit of repentance is not just a moral improvement, but the evidence of Christ’s righteousness being manifested in the life of the believer.
Despite the clear teaching of the Scriptures, repentance is often neglected or softened in today’s preaching. Many pastors avoid the subject for fear of offending their congregations, or for fear of offending sinners. However, Jesus and the Apostles were unashamed in their proclamation of repentance, and we must follow their examples.
Jesus’ first message was a call to repentance (Matthew 4:17), and the apostles continued to preach repentance throughout their ministries. “…And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”.
The command to repent is universal: “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30). This message must be preached today as boldly as it was in the early church.
Repentance is not a one-time event, but an ongoing reality in the life of a believer. While it is essential for salvation, it is also critical for sanctification. Christians are called to live in a state of continual repentance, turning away from sin and striving toward holiness. As 1 John 1:9 reminds us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Ultimately, repentance is a gift from God that leads to salvation, produces lasting change, and draws us closer to Him. Without repentance, there is no salvation, for repentance is the acknowledgment of our sin and the turning to God in faith for forgiveness.
Bro. Sam Adams • Pastor, Independence Baptist Church • Ocala, Florida
Listen to other sermons about biblical repentance and the eternal security of the true believer.
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