The Object of Repentance, Part 2

The meaning of repentance has been unintentionally ambiguous. “Repent of your sins” is often intended to mean “Turn from your sins.” Curiously, the statement “Repent of your sins” is not found in the New Testament.

On one occasion when Peter was preaching in Jerusalem he called the people to repentance:

“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away….” 
—Acts 3:19

Peter did not say, “Turn and return….” Rather, the Greek word translated repent meant to change one’s perception. (See previous blog entry.) So, what did Peter mean? What was the object of repentance? The people were to change their perception about what?

Peter had been preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. He had been declaring that the ancient promise to Abraham and many Old Testament prophecies had been fulfilled in Jesus.

When Peter called for repentance, he was specifically inviting the people to change their perception about Jesus. They had, in ignorance, rejected Jesus as the Messiah, so they needed to change their perception. Not only that, he insisted that they ‘return.’ The implication was that they had turned away from God.

On another occasion Peter gave the Holy Spirit to some believers. A new Christian, Simon, was amazed and tried to buy the power from Peter so that he could do the same. Rebuking him, Peter said:

Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. 
—Acts 8:22

Did Peter mean, “turn from this wickedness”?

That would make sense, but that is not the meaning of the word repent. The remainder of the verse helps us to understand that the problem was Simon’s ‘intention of his heart.’

Yes, it was wicked; and yes, he needed to turn. But Peter literally said, “Change your perception of this wickedness of yours….” More specifically, Peter was addressing the intention of Simon’s heart. Simon had perceived that the authority to give the Holy Spirit could be purchased. He needed to change his thinking, his attitude.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth to explain something about repentance:

For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. 
—2 Corinthians 7:10

As explained in an earlier blog entry, the Greek term for repentance was generally used in a negative sense. A person was compelled to change his perception because he had not used forethought. Only after a decision was made and a course of action taken did sound reasoning take place. That approach was viewed as foolish, not wise. So, it was natural for regret to accompany repentance because of one’s error and backward thinking.

However, God does not see things the same way when it comes to faith in Jesus. When a person changes his perception concerning Jesus (repentance), the result is not regret. It is true that his previous perception was in error and that his thinking was foolish. However, God assures the believer that when he changes his perception about Jesus there is no regret. The simple reason is that changing one’s perception about Jesus leads to salvation. So, in that case genuine sorrow motivates repentance and joy follows...no regrets!

Mark Stinnett

December 8, 2019