What does 'Repent' mean ?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

TheDivineWatermark

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2018
10,923
2,118
113
#21
In the context of Peter speaking to "ye men of Israel" (Acts 3:12+), I think he uses "repent" in the sense of "changing their minds as to His [/Jesus'] identity"

(i.e. He truly is their promised Messiah... He came [first] as "Suffering Servant [vv.13,26]," which aspect they had overlooked/bypassed in their "expectations" from OT scripture, thus themselves fulfilling that very thing [His rejection and death on the Cross], but which aspect Peter is pointing out how the OT prophets "from Samuel and those that follow after, ... have foretold OF THESE DAYS" [v.24, speaking of His "Suffering Servant" days--first advent/earthly ministry before and including the Cross--See Samuel 8:7 and compare with what Jesus said in Luke 19:14 and what was said about Joseph's FIRST dream [reflective of Jesus' FIRST advent], in Genesis 37:7-8]).


Yes, calling for a "change of mind" concerning His IDENTITY.


https://biblehub.com/text/acts/3-19.htm - 3:19 "repent and..."
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
#22
Isnt the ' stony heart , replaced by a fleshy heart ,about Israel in the future?
It is about regeneration for people from every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, Rev 5:9. At regeneration, God puts the Holy Spirit within a person. This process of being born again has been happening the same way sense the beginning of time, from the old testament through the new testament. Isaiah 63:11, Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that PUT HIS HOLY SPIRIT WITHIN HIM?
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
#23
////
that can be pricked by God to feel guilty when he has broken a spiritual law///// Which verse says this?
And Rom 2.14
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
In Acts 2, on the day of pentecost, Peter was preaching about some Jews, blaming them for crucifying Jesus, and some of them, were PRICKED in the heart (the fleshy heart that can be pricked) and said men, and brethren, what must we do?

In contrast when Steven was preaching the same sermon, some of the Jews with the stony heart, were CUT to the heart, and stoned Steven to death.
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#24
It is about regeneration for people from every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, Rev 5:9. At regeneration, God puts the Holy Spirit within a person. This process of being born again has been happening the same way sense the beginning of time, from the old testament through the new testament. Isaiah 63:11, Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that PUT HIS HOLY SPIRIT WITHIN HIM?
Could you find a verse thats not about Israel that says Gentiles in 2020 get a new fleshy heart and a stone heart removed?
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#25
In Acts 2, on the day of pentecost, Peter was preaching about some Jews, blaming them for crucifying Jesus, and some of them, were PRICKED in the heart (the fleshy heart that can be pricked) and said men, and brethren, what must we do?

In contrast when Steven was preaching the same sermon, some of the Jews with the stony heart, were CUT to the heart, and stoned Steven to death.
There could be many messages that ' prick ' peoples hearts that simply mean they responded that way upon hearing . Why are you adding more than necessary to the text . ?
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#26
In Acts 2, on the day of pentecost, Peter was preaching about some Jews, blaming them for crucifying Jesus, and some of them, were PRICKED in the heart (the fleshy heart that can be pricked) and said men, and brethren, what must we do?

In contrast when Steven was preaching the same sermon, some of the Jews with the stony heart, were CUT to the heart, and stoned Steven to death.
Its simply saying they responded . Thats all . It happens today . I respond to my gas bill , Tax bill , good news , bad news . One man responds with Anger to a message ,another apathy ,another rejoice , indifference, remorse, ect
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,564
13,547
113
58
#27
The Greek word for "repent" is "metanoia" (noun) and "matanoeo" (verb) you see as defined in the Strongs #3340, 3341: to think differently or afterwards, reconsider. After thought, change of mind. Repentance basically means a "change of mind" and the context must determine what is involved in this change of mind. Where salvation is in view, repentance actually precedes saving faith in Christ and is not a totally separate act from faith. It is actually the same coin with two sides. Repentance is on one side - "what you change your mind about" and faith in Christ is on the positive side - "the new direction of this change of mind." (Acts 20:21)

The Bible also tells us that true repentance will result in a change of actions. Acts 26:20 declares, "I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds." This is the fruit of repentance (Matthew 3:8) and not the essence of repentance (change of mind). Certain people confuse the "fruit of repentance" with the "essence of repentance" (and also do the same thing with faith) and end up teaching salvation by works.
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#28
What is everyone's opinion on Ray Comfort ? Many say he is preaching Lordship salvation with the way he teaches " there's two things you have to do to be saved. You have to repent and believe. When he explains repentance he will sometimes say " turn from sins " ?
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#29
////
that can be pricked by God to feel guilty when he has broken a spiritual law///// Which verse says this?
And Rom 2.14
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

Paul was pricked with the thorns of the gospel .The letter of the law (death) it woke him up to the grace, the law of faith that worked in him to both will and do the good pleasure of God.

The thorn in the flesh takes away the desire to glory in the flesh. It can lead to blindness .

2 Corinthians 12:6-8 King James Version (KJV)
For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#30
What is everyone's opinion on Ray Comfort ? Many say he is preaching Lordship salvation with the way he teaches " there's two things you have to do to be saved. You have to repent and believe. When he explains repentance he will sometimes say " turn from sins " ?

The work of Christ who first repents working in us turns us so that we can then can turn to repent comfort one self console oneself. To repent has more to do with having mercy . If we accredit the work of turning to ourselves then we have turned things upside down talking his power to move us who have no power to turn. and seek after him the comforter who has no form

Brown-Driver-Briggs' Definition
1) to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be sorry, be moved to pity, have compassion
1a2) to be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent
1a3) to comfort oneself, be comforted
1a4) to comfort oneself, ease oneself
1b) (Piel) to comfort, console
1c) (Pual) to be comforted, be consoled
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
7,600
3,622
113
#31
My understanding is that repentance simply means ' change of mind ' .
It could also be breaking frame from a current set of propositions.

Jesus gives an example of repentance being a change of mind in Mathew 21 .
28¶But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
29He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he REPENTED AND WENT.
30And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
31Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
32For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
So we see two things . He repented ( changed his mind and went . So repenting isn't the action its the changing of mind .

Thoughts?
Agree ?
Disagree ?
To me it is a change of mind about sin and about the will of God..

A person who is sinning and rejecting the will of God about that sin.. repents when they change their mind to accept Gods will in regard to that sin..

A person who is rejecting the Atonement of Jesus can also Repent and change their mind and acknowledge that what Jesus did on the cross does pay the penalty for their sins and they..

But again some people see repentance as being a person ceasing to sin.. And that if a person does ever sin again then that means they have not repented.. This is a works salvation definition of repentance. Not a grace salvation one..
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,465
6,722
113
#32
To the title. Repenting is turning from everything creation to everything Creator.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,599
13,861
113
#33
Paul was pricked with the thorns of the gospel .The letter of the law (death) it woke him up to the grace, the law of faith that worked in him to both will and do the good pleasure of God.

The thorn in the flesh takes away the desire to glory in the flesh. It can lead to blindness .

2 Corinthians 12:6-8 King James Version (KJV) For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
The "thorn in the flesh" was given to Paul long after he believed in Jesus. Read the rest of the passage. It is plainly stated why Paul suffered in this way, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with repentance.
 

SoulWeaver

Senior Member
Oct 25, 2014
4,889
2,534
113
#35
I believe that the thorn in the flesh was Paul's pain of regret because he murdered and helped murder so many brothers and sisters (even though he knew he was forgiven as soon as he repented, thus, messenger of satan to buffet me; God only gives pangs of conscience fruitfully to lead to repentance and doesn't want us to suffer permanently). But I might be wrong
 
S

Scribe

Guest
#36
In the context of Peter speaking to "ye men of Israel" (Acts 3:12+), I think he uses "repent" in the sense of "changing their minds as to His [/Jesus'] identity"

(i.e. He truly is their promised Messiah... He came [first] as "Suffering Servant [vv.13,26]," which aspect they had overlooked/bypassed in their "expectations" from OT scripture, thus themselves fulfilling that very thing [His rejection and death on the Cross], but which aspect Peter is pointing out how the OT prophets "from Samuel and those that follow after, ... have foretold OF THESE DAYS" [v.24, speaking of His "Suffering Servant" days--first advent/earthly ministry before and including the Cross--See Samuel 8:7 and compare with what Jesus said in Luke 19:14 and what was said about Joseph's FIRST dream [reflective of Jesus' FIRST advent], in Genesis 37:7-8]).


Yes, calling for a "change of mind" concerning His IDENTITY.


https://biblehub.com/text/acts/3-19.htm - 3:19 "repent and..."
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
This is why we must examine our message and make sure that we always include the necessity of repentance from sin.
Repentance Toward God and Faith in Jesus Christ are the requirements for salvation and Repentance must never be left out as it so often is in many messages today.
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
#38
There could be many messages that ' prick ' peoples hearts that simply mean they responded that way upon hearing . Why are you adding more than necessary to the text . ?
Only his sheep (regenerated children of God) can hear his voice, and he gives unto them eternal life. Why do you try to reject some scriptures that do not fit your misguided theory?
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,441
1,213
113
#39
Its simply saying they responded . Thats all . It happens today . I respond to my gas bill , Tax bill , good news , bad news . One man responds with Anger to a message ,another apathy ,another rejoice , indifference, remorse, ect
The natural man responds to the things of man. The spiritual man responds to the things of the Spirit.
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#40
Only his sheep (regenerated children of God) can hear his voice, and he gives unto them eternal life. Why do you try to reject some scriptures that do not fit your misguided theory?
Because when you read who Jesus is speaking to , and what he's saying this really helps . I find it really strange how some Christians read the bible as if every verse is directly to them ?