Forgiven...Forgiving

Peter asked, “How often shall I forgive my brother?” Jesus replied with an immeasurable value of 70 times 7 times which calculates to 490 times. Jesus also taught his disciples that if a brother “sins against you seven times in a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

These are difficult teachings. No one imagines having to forgive someone seven times in one day or a total of 490 times. In short, Jesus taught that forgiveness has no boundaries.

We (humans) tend to make forgiveness rules. Perhaps it is because we really do understand the demand of forgiveness. The one who forgives bears the insult or shoulders the pain of the injustice that has been done. The one forgiven is released from his debt. Forgiveness is unfair!

Jesus dealt with forgiveness at the person-to-person level. He taught that forgiveness makes no restrictions; there is no limit to the number of times that you should forgive your brother/sister. If, with regard to his wrong, he says, “I repent,” accept him at his word and forgive him.

Yes, but...

Some folks have difficulty accepting the words of Jesus and then explain what they think He really meant. They suggest certain limitations. Some have tried to define every possible ‘sin situation’ in order to write rules for repentance. Then they use their rules to justify occasions to withhold forgiveness. In the end they create a system for judging whether a person is worthy of forgiveness or whether their repentance is authentic. In doing so they attempt to justify an unforgiving spirit.

It is true that Jesus acknowledged that we will know a person by their fruit. However, that is not some sort of forgiveness loophole in which forgiveness is withheld until the fruit is obvious or judged acceptable. Jesus taught that we are to take a person at their word. It might be the words, “I repent,” or “Would you forgive me,” or “I didn’t mean to hurt you,” or simply, “I’m sorry.”

Anyone who assumes the task of evaluating repentance in another individual has presumed to sit in the judgment seat of God.

Repentance is a change in one’s thinking. We must have patience with fellow Christians as they mature. A changed heart is may be sorrowful but desires to walk in the path of righteousness. However, old habits often linger, and the renewing of the mind takes time. We would do well to reflect on our own past, perhaps not so distant in time, when we stumbled and sinned...yet again. Did God forgive you each time you asked?

What if I am wrong?

What if I am unsure about someone’s repentance? I do not want to forgive where I should not forgive. Yet, neither do I want to withhold forgiveness where I should forgive.

Two facts are evident:

• I am not God, and
• Jesus did not give me magical insight into the hearts of others to know their intentions and their sincerity.

In reality, we may make a mistake where forgiveness is concerned. We never want to encourage sin. Yet, Jesus taught that we will not be forgiven unless we forgive our brother from the heart. When faced with a dilemma in which you are unsure about someone’s repentance, wouldn’t you rather err on the side of forgiveness?

After all, God will judge righteously. In addition, it is wise to remember the warning that Jesus gave his disciples: “If you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”

May each of us resolve in our heart to have a forgiving spirit toward our fellow Christians. And then, may we truly forgive from the heart.

Mark Stinnett

September 8, 2024

Distracted by the Headlines

Taking a break from my studies I walk laps in the auditorium, music from my phone playing in the background. I am lost in thought, distracted.

Social media has exploded with comments about the pro-LGBTQ display during the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Some defend, some condemn, some say, “Just watch the games,” and others, “If you don’t like it, don’t watch.” And still others have mixed the parading figures in the opening ceremonies with prophetic imagery from Revelation and declared…. 

(I don’t know what they are declaring. I didn’t listen long enough to find out. I didn’t have to; I didn’t want to.)

Much like the unexpected display in Paris was an unexpected event at the time of Jesus. The Roman governor Pontius Pilate mixed the blood of some Galileans with pagan sacrifices. Some Jews came to Jesus to ask His opinion of this startling headline news. His answer:

“Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?”

—Luke 13:2 (ESV)

Jesus’ question made His listeners think about God’s judgment. It was a way of asking whether the Galileans who died had received divine judgment at the hand of Pilate for being worse sinners. In reality, all sinners are worthy of divine judgment. Then, Jesus continued…

No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (v. 3)

Jesus redirected their focus from the headline news of the day to their individual response to God. They needed to change their way of thinking (repent), or they would perish, i.e., die in their sins, just like those Galilean sinners.

We need to stop reacting to headline news; we need to stop focusing on the inequities of life.

Recall what the Apostle Peter wrote:

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

—1 Peter 4:12 (ESV)

Peter was trying to prepare the early saints for persecution, something far worse than being offended by a public display interpreted as ungodly. Why would it be strange that a group/ organization that promotes the glorification of human achievement does not honor God?

Saints, do not be naïve! 

We cannot expect those who do not know Christ to act like Christ! Stop reacting to headline news and the inequities of life. Stop living with your head in the sand engaged in things elsewhere in the world, things over which you have no influence or control. 

Pray? Yes! But wake up!

The words of Jesus echo through the centuries, “Repent!” We must focus our minds on the current year, our current place of residence, and the circumstances surrounding our individual lives. We each need to focus on the kingdom of God. There will be yet another headline tomorrow, another great injustice, another offense. And there will be, for some, true persecution for doing good and standing for Jesus.

On the great day of judgment God’s interest will have nothing to do with your opinion of the questionable things that have occurred on the earth. He will want to know whether you pledged your allegiance to Jesus; whether you remained faithful to Jesus; and whether you went through each day striving to be holy and striving to do good. 

Refocus!

Mark Stinnett

August 4, 2024

The Feet Follow the Heart

Mom said it rather tersely, “Straighten your face!” I heard other parents tell their kids, “You need to change your face!”

These strong words were spoken when one of us kids had worn a sad face too long or we were simply pouting (a silent fit of anger). Have you ever wondered how effective this form of correction was? Did this type of correction bring about the desired response? Were the parents who demanded a ‘straight face’ only interested in seeing a face that was not sad or angry? Or was there a more noble desire? Did our parents really desire a change of heart?

Now, as an adult reflecting on my ‘straighten your face’ experiences, I have considered other disciplinary actions. I have asked myself:

• What is more important, a pleasant face, or a heart with the right attitude?
• Is it better to have acceptable behavior, or a heart that desires to do right?
• Should I teach my children to merely refrain from vulgar speech or train their hearts to think pure thoughts that generate wholesome speech?

We all understand that it is the attitude and disposition of the heart that affects one’s face, affects one’s behavior, and affects one’s speech. We all know and teach that Jesus desired a response from the heart, not mere external obedience.

People can fake the externals. People can put on a show by displaying a happy face, maintaining culturally acceptable behaviors, and acceptable speech. Yet, even with the outer display of goodness, the heart can be rotten.
Jesus rebuked the hypocritical Pharisees of his day saying:

These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

— Matthew 15:8 (NIV)

Parents, this is surely not the result we desire when we correct or discipline our children. We want their hearts to change.

• God wants people with changed hearts.
• Jesus wants people with changed hearts.
• Parents want children with changed hearts.

Did you know that that is what repentance is really all about!?

At the heart of the New Testament word repentance is the idea of a changed mind or changed heart. God knew, and we intuitively know, that changed behavior without a changed heart is hypocritical. In contrast, a change in one’s thinking/attitude will naturally result in changed behaviors. Changed behaviors that are the result of discipline are known as the fruit of repentance. Repentance is always about the heart, about changing one’s perception to truth.

Whether we are correcting our children, or conversing with an unbeliever, or reflecting on our own lives, we must recognize that God desires the heart. We can demand behavioral changes; but even an animal trainer does that.

When the direction of the heart is changed, you can rest assured, the feet will follow.

Mark Stinnett

April 21, 2024

Should a Christian Repent or Confess?

What is a Christian supposed to do when he/she sins?
The typical response is: “Repent!”

That would certainly make sense if you were using one of the English definitions of repent such as, to feel sorrow or to change behavior. Even a new Christian should know that God is opposed to sin. It is God’s holy nature that defines goodness and righteousness. Sin stands against the character of God. For that reason, it seems obvious that a Christian would feel sorrow for sinning against God. It seems obvious that a change in behavior is necessary.

If you have been keeping up with my series of articles on repentance, you might be scratching your head and wondering, “How does the biblical meaning of repent, to change one’s mind/perception, apply?

My objective is to find meaning. I want to know what the 1st Century Christians understood when they heard the scriptures read. So, let’s break it down.

First, when a person responds to the gospel message of Jesus Christ, he is instructed to repent. In general, repentance is in reference to the way he has perceived Jesus Christ. He changes his perception from not believing to believing that Jesus is the Son of God and the Christ. From that point forward, his behavior will undoubtedly change because of his changed perception. Or we might say that his behavior will change because he has repented.

Once a person becomes a Christian, he should not change his perception about Jesus. That would be going backwards; back to a time when he did not believe Jesus was the Son of God. So, according to the biblical meaning of ‘repent,’ a Christian should not repent of Jesus.

Maybe we need to rethink our response to the leading question: What is a Christian supposed to do when he/she sins?

Not surprisingly, the answer is found in scripture and it is clear and simple. The Apostle John addressed sin and the Christian. Two verses are of great importance to our question:

I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 
—1 John 2:1

This verse tells us two vitally important things about sin:

• God does not want Christians to sin; and
• If a Christian sins, there is still a solution.

The second verse is also found in 1 John, a letter which was a letter addressed to Christians:

If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleans us from all unrighteousness. --1 John 1:9 

Does that mean that a Christian can sin and then simply admit it and be forgiven?

Yes, but we must not look at sin in a casual way.

Confession is more than verbally admitting sin. A rebellious sinner might openly admit sin...while shaking his fist toward God in anger. That is not confession.

To confess sin to God is to admit the sin, but also to be in humble agreement with God about sin. A person who confesses his sin but keeps on sinning is living a contradiction. His mouth is saying that he agrees with God about his sin, but his heart is not in agreement; otherwise he would stop sinning. So, his confession is a lie. Confession in the Bible is seen when the lips tell the truth and the heart agrees with God.

So, it is God’s desire that we stop sinning! Yet, if a Christian sins, Jesus is still the remedy. When we confess our sin God has promised to forgive!

Mark Stinnett 

January 6, 2020

How Important Is Repentance for the Christian?

(This blog entry is dependent upon the five previous blog entries on ‘repentance.’ By itself, it might not make sense. So…please read the others first.)

What a question! Of course repentance is vital for the Christian...right?

I am not trying to wrangle words, be argumentative or create novelty, but rather, discover and apply biblical truth. So, I must say that as long as we keep pressing an old and incorrect meaning onto repentance, we will not know how to answer the title question.

Remember, repentance in the New Testament is actually a change in perception. Repentance certainly applied to those who did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God, the prophesied Messiah. The call to repentance after the death and resurrection of Jesus was a call to change one’s perception concerning Jesus. (See Acts 2, giving careful attention to verses 36-47.) But what about repentance after a person becomes a Christian?

The epistles (letters) in the New Testament are addressed to Christians, and repentance is fairly rare in those writings. That is not surprising since Christians have already repented. So in the epistles repentance is most often applied to unbelievers, but also believers who have left Christ or are at risk of leaving Christ.

It has often been taught that a Christian who sins should ‘repent of his sin.’ Paul seems to have said that in 2 Corinthians 12:21. He wondered if when he visited he would mourn...

over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality, and sensuality which they have practiced.

Actually, Paul wrote that they had not ‘changed their perception’ concerning their past sins.

The idea is that they had made a proper faith response to Christ, but they had not changed their thinking about their sin. 

Were they still sinning? “Yes.” 

Did they need to change their behavior? “Yes.”

However, instead of telling them to stop sinning or turn from sin or change their behavior, Paul addressed their thinking, that is their attitude toward sin. If their attitude toward sin changed, then their behavior would naturally follow.

We can see the same thought applied to the seven churches of Asia in Revelation 2 & 3. Over and over Jesus called the Christians to repent. Strictly speaking, He admonished them to ‘change their perception.’

As an example, Jesus said to the church in Ephesus,

But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first….
—Revelation 2:4-5

Note that they had ‘left their first love.’ Their behavior was not separate from a change in their heart. In other words, at one time they had changed their heart (mind) toward Jesus, but then, over time, fell. Their fall marked a change of heart (mind) away from Jesus. The call to repentance was a call to change their mind back to the way it was at first. AND they were to couple that changed mind with changed deeds, as they had done at first.

So, what do we say to the title question? Is it just for religious discussion? What does it matter?

While repentance is first, a call to those who do not believe, it is also vital to believers who have fallen away from Christ. As for the Christian who has already changed his perception of Jesus (repented), he surely must not change his mind back to his former way of thinking!


Mark Stinnett
December 30, 2019

Why Is 'Repentance' in the Bible?

The Question:

The title of this blog entry might be confusing. So, to be clear, the question is not about the concept of repentance, but the word itself. 

In recent blog entries I have shown that the underlying meaning of repentance is a ‘change of mind’ or more accurately ‘a change of perception.’ That underlying meaning is based on the meaning of the Greek term that is translated repentance in our English Bibles. Oddly, the English word repentance has connotations of sorrow and regret. In great contrast, the Greek term is a thinking word and deals with the perceptions of the mind. So, how did a ‘sorrow’ word find its way into our English Bibles where the Greek text had a ‘thinking’ word?

That’s Greek To Me:

Without being overly technical, the Greek word that is commonly translated repentance is metanoia. Its verb counterpart, repent, is metanoeo (pronounced: me-ta-no-EH-o). The two words were used to indicate a change of mind/perception. The change of perception was often followed by regret over the embarrassment of having previously been in error. 

A few modern translations and paraphrases use the phrase change your mind/heart or change the way you think instead of repent where the Greek verb metanoeo appears in the text. That is a great improvement, but most English translations still have repent/repentance, so… 

Why were the terms repent and repentance used in the first place? 

The Translation of Metanoeo:

One way to answer this question is to follow the history of the way the Greek term for metanoeo was translated in early English translations and their predecessors. 

The King James Version (KJV) of 1611 used repent to translate the Greek term metanoeo in every instance. An earlier translation that was a major influence on the KJV was made by William Tyndale in about 1535. The English Bibles before Tyndale used do penance to translate metanoeo. Under strong objection by the Roman Catholic Church Tyndale replaced the phrase do penance with repent.

Tyndale was among the earliest English Bible translators to use the ancient Hebrew and Greek manuscripts of the Bible. Earlier English translations were primarily translations of the Latin Vulgate, a Latin translation of the Bible that had been adopted by the Roman Catholic Church as the official Scripture text. 

The Latin Vulgate had a form of the Latin word poenitentia for every occurrence of the Greek term metanoeo. The Latin poenitentia derived its meaning from the Latin verb poenteo meaning: to punish or torment; and later, to make repent; to displease; to feel sorrow or regret.

When the Roman Catholic Church endorsed an English translation of the Bible, the Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB) of 1609, the Latin Vulgate was the source text. It was no surprise that metanoeo was translated do penance which retained the idea of sorrow and punishment for one’s sins.

For comparison, the familiar text of Luke 13:3 is shown below from the Douay-Rheims Bible and the King James Version. Boldface type is used where metanoeo appears in the Greek text.

DRB: "No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish."

KJV: "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

Another familiar repentance verse, Acts 17:30, is shown below:

DRB: "And God indeed having winked at the times of this ignorance, now declareth unto men that all should every where do penance." 

KJV: "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent."

['Winked at' in this text meant to 'overlook.']

The same wording for metanoeo is found throughout the Douay-Rheims Bible. This raises yet another question: Why did the Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible use a term for sorrow/punishment to translate the Greek metanoeo? 

Doctrine over Accuracy:

The Latin Vulgate was a Latin translation of the Bible completed in about 405 A.D. by a Roman Catholic priest, Jerome. He had been commissioned to by the pope to translate the Bible because of a wide variety of unreliable translations that were circulating in his day. He searched for the oldest and most reliable Greek and Hebrew manuscripts as the source for his translation. Overall, the Latin translation of Jerome was an amazing work. However, for every occurrence of metanoeo in the Greek New Testament Jerome translated using a form of the word poenitentia.

Jerome’s word choice reflected the Roman Catholic doctrine of penance that originated in a work by an early Christian writer named Tertullian. His ‘Sacrament of Penance’ stated that upon sinning there must be contrition, confession and satisfaction.

• Contrition is the sorrow felt within the sinner for sin;
• In confession a person admits their sin in public or in private to a bishop; and
• Satisfaction is any number of acts ordered by a bishop for the purpose of satisfying one’s debt of sin.

With this doctrine firmly in place in the Roman Catholic Church by the time of Jerome it is understandable that he would use a Latin term to promote and preserve this doctrine, and indeed he did. The Latin Vulgate became the official Bible of the Roman Catholic Church and remained the text of Scripture for the western world for more than a millennium.

So, the reason for Jerome’s word choice appears to have been linked to the accepted doctrine of penance. Because of the acceptance of his Latin translation the true meaning of the Greek metanoeo was obscured for centuries. When the first English translations appeared the Latin Vulgate was used as the source text. It was not until Tyndale and others who insisted on using the Greek texts as their source that penance was taken out of English translations. Even then, the doctrine of penance had made an indelible mark in the minds of people. 

Tyndale’s choices of the English repent and repentance were tremendous improvements over the infused doctrine of penance, yet they still did not convey the true meaning of the Greek metanoeo: To change the mind/perception. 

Conclusion:

The chart labeled “Figure 1” (below) shows the development of the two English words: penitence and repent. A strong case could be made that the words repent and repentance should not translate the Greek metanoeo. They both descend from Greek and Latin words for punishment and payment for doing wrong. The Greek term poine (see chart) from which the words repent, repentance, penitence and penance descend is not even found in the Greek text of the New Testament.

So, why do the words repent and repentance appear in our English translations? 

In short, they were early English word choices that were improvements over the concept of penance which was introduced into a 5th Century Latin translation of the Bible by a Roman Catholic priest; a translation that has strongly influenced the western world for a millennium.

Can/should English translations do better? Absolutely!

The English language is certainly not lacking with words sufficient to convey the meaning of the Greek term metanoeo (change of perception).

To replace the Greek metanoeo with words that convey sorrow, regret, or worse, penance is inexcusable. Yet, until improvements are made in English translations, Bible readers will do well to learn and remember the meaning of the Greek terms in the Bible behind repent and repentance. They will want to mentally transfer the more accurate and meaningful expression of change one’s perception to the words repent and repentance when they appear in the English text of the New Testament.

Mark Stinnett

December 23, 2019

How Important is Repentance?

What a question! Of course repentance is vital...right?

Over the past few weeks I have written about the meaning of the Greek term behind the word repentance as it appears in the New Testament. A more refined and accurate meaning of the word is a change of perception. So, the question might be asked, “How important is one’s perception”?

One of my daughters has traveled extensively in Italy. She has noted numerous times that some Italians think that all Americans are rich. Obviously, that is a perception. Yet, because of that perception assumptions are made. For example, a border guard might hold an American’s passport demanding a significant sum of money for safe passage. After all, Americans have money.

A person’s perception may or may not be rooted in truth. Regardless, decisions are based on one’s perception of truth. When the American tourist truthfully tells the border guard that he is not wealthy and does not have enough money, the border guard does not believe him. And why? Perception: Americans have money.

So, the border guard tells the tourist to get the money from family or friends. The tourist objects saying that his family and friends don’t have that kind of money. Again, the border guard does not believe him. Perception.

All of the border guard’s actions were filtered through a mind that accepted the perception that Americans have money. Everything the tourist said was filtered through and interpreted with ears that perceived that Americans have money.

Repentance is not merely a change of mind; repentance involves a correction and realignment of one’s perception from error to truth. Until we come to terms with this meaning of repentance we will continue to misunderstand scripture.

What is your perception of God?

Your perception of God will determine the way you approach the Bible; the way you think about the creation account in the Book of Genesis; the way you perceive sin, and how you perceive salvation from divine judgment.

The way you perceive God will determine the way you think about the created world, your fellow man, your family, the government, the church and even the value of life.

Your perception of God will ultimately define your understanding of truth. I want to be clear: Truth stands independent of your perception. There is only one truth: We call it reality. However, people make decisions and take action based on their perception of truth.

So, if you hold to an erroneous perception, for example, that there is no God, then you will have a skewed sense of reality. Your decisions and actions will not align with the way things really are.

Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent (change their perception), because he has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead. 
—Acts 17:30 (NASB95)

“Yes,” repentance is vital. 

That is the only way to have a correct perception of God and sin and righteousness...a correct perception of truth. 

Repentance leads to salvation!


Mark Stinnett

December 15, 2019

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

The Object of Repentance, Part 1

Repentance is a change of mind, or more accurately, a change of perception. (See the previous two articles.) But what does that look like in real life? Is repentance always about sin?

When you think about it, the word repentance is rather neutral. After all, if you called a friend and announced, “I’ve changed my mind,” he would be waiting for you to finish your statement. He needs context; you are changing your mind about what???


Imagine when sailors finally learned that the world was not flat. They repented of their perception of the shape of the earth. At that point everything changed. They perceived that they could freely sail the oceans without fear of falling off the edge into an abyss. (There were other things to fear, but not the edge of the earth.)

I know that belief in a flat earth is not a moral issue, but that is the point. The Greek term behind repentance was not always used in reference to morality. The context in which the word was used defined the object of repentance.

Let’s turn to the New Testament and see a few examples of repentance...in context.

John the Baptist came onto the scene preaching

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 
—Matthew 3:2

So, what was the object of repentance? Or, we might ask, “Repent of what?” Or more accurately, “Change your perception about what?” If we were to replace the word ’repent’ with the meaning of the Greek term…

“Change your perception, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Does that help to clear things up?

John was announcing the coming of the kingdom of heaven saying that it was near in time. He insisted, “Change your perception.” That was a wake-up call that alerted people to change the way they had been thinking about the arrival of the kingdom of heaven. Their nation had been waiting and waiting and waiting...and waiting. Now! The time had come.

A person’s mind would be more alert the next time they went to the synagogue to hear the scripture read. They would be more interested in the word-of-mouth news of events transpiring in other locations. They might go to their local rabbi and ask to be reminded of the signs that would accompany the coming of the kingdom and the Messiah.

Everything coming into their mind and going out of their mind would be filtered through this new information, this new perception.

Another repentance verse, spoken by Jesus, is a often quoted:

“I tell you, no, but unless your repent, you will all likewise perish.” 
—Luke 13:3

Interestingly, Jesus was not talking about sin at all. Rather, the people had approached him with the ‘headline news’ of their day wondering what He thought about it.

Jesus actually rebuked them for being distracted by their muddled cause-and-effect thinking associated with the horrible news that had little to do with them personally. He then told a parable instructing them to refocus their minds; to focus on their response to God, not everyone else’s response to God. Change the way you are thinking; change your perception...or you will perish just like the others.

Repentance is vital, but repent of what???

Only when we answer this question does repentance make sense.

(Next week, additional examples to consider.)

Mark Stinnett

December 1, 2019

Repentance and the New Mind

My wife and I were heading home one evening when the conversation turned to dinner. We were reviewing our options, reflecting on the contents of the refrigerator. Then, I suggested that we eat out instead of eating leftovers. We had changed our minds about dinner.

Did repentance come to mind as you read about our dinner decision? 

Probably not.

The meaning the Greek term that is translated ’repent’ in our New Testaments actually meant to change the mind. Yet, who would describe our changed dinner decision as repentance?

In last week’s blog, I explained the way the Greek word metanoeo (repent) was used in the New Testament. While its technical meaning was to change the mind, its actual usage suggested a deeper meaning. It was most often used in a negative sense after a person had come to the realization that he was operating with an erroneous perception. As a result he was practically forced to change his mind, or more accurately, change his perception.

When we use the expression change of mind in reference to dinner, we intuitively understand that we are not referring to a changed perception (repentance); so also the Greek-speaking world of the first century. In fact, the Greek language at the time of Jesus had as many as eighteen different words for 'a change of mind.’ One was descriptive of the impromptu change of mind describing my dinner plans. Others terms described:

• A change of purpose (based on chance);
• A change of purpose (based on knowledge);
• A change of opinion;
• A change of mind because of sorrow;
• A change of mind due to persuasion.

Many of the eighteen change of mind terms do not appear in the Bible. Yet the Greek-speaking people of the first century would have distinguished those words in their vocabulary. So, the shades of meaning were/are very important.

The term translated repentance in the New Testament reflected a change of mind that dealt with the perception. Your perception is like a filter that interprets everything coming into your mind through your senses, and going back out of your mind in speech and behavior.

An atheist and a Christian both have a bank account and worldly possessions. The atheist find meaning and value in his possessions. The Christian agrees with the Apostle Paul:

I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. 
 —Philippians 3:8

Why the difference?

When the Christian repented (i.e. changed his perception) he replaced his old value-filter with a new one based on his convictions regarding Jesus Christ. He adopted a new view toward possessions, a new view of people, of the world and life itself. His mind was changed from a perception defined by and governed by the human senses and human values, to a perception defined by and governed by Christ. Or, as Paul explained, we who are in Christ, have been given the mind of Christ through the Holy Spirit. So we look at life from Christ’s perspective.

Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
—2 Corinthians 5:16-17

Mark Stinnett

November 24, 2019

What You Might Not Know About Repentance

“REPENT! THE END IS NEAR!”

As soon as you read or hear the word ‘repent,’ what comes to your mind?

I don’t know anyone who consistently uses the terms repent and repentance the same way they were used by Jesus and His disciples.

English dictionaries only reflect how ‘we’ English-speaking folks have used the word ‘repent,’ but not necessarily how the Bible did. The definition is presented as a kind of menu selection:

• To do penance (i.e. deeds to pay for sin);
• To feel sorrow;
• To change behavior; or
• To change one’s mind/heart.

Do you know how repentance is used in the New Testament...every time?

The Greek term behind repent and repentance meant to change one’s mind/heart. More literally, it meant ‘to perceive afterward.’ Let me explain.

There are two times that people think about things: before they decide, and after they decide. The wise person thinks ‘before’ making a decision. He investigates, thinks, ponders, studies, and processes. From that he forms a perception upon which he will base his decision. All of that comes before the decision; and as a result, he does not have to change his mind later. The Greeks called that pronoeo (perceiving beforehand). That’s wise.

In great contrast is the person whose investigating and thinking and pondering and processing comes after making a decision. Circumstances occur that prove their decision to be a poor decision based on wrong perceptions. With embarrassment that person, upon coming to terms with their poor thinking, has to change his mind; all because he did his thinking afterward. The Greeks called that metanoeo (perceiving afterward).

The Greek term metanoeo was most often used in a negative sense. It was a sign of foolishness because it followed the surprise or even shock of coming to terms with a previous false perception. Understandably, a sense of sorrow or regret usually preceded metanoeo, but often lingered.

Follow a perfect example of metanoeo in Scripture, when the Apostle Peter preached the first gospel sermon: 

Fifty days after the crucifixion of Jesus, Peter faced a crowd of people on the temple grounds in Jerusalem. Among those people were some (many?) who had been among those who had called for the death of Jesus.

Peter appealed to Old Testament prophecy and showed the crowd that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the long-awaited Messiah and Lord.

They were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 
 —Acts 2:37

Having previously perceived Jesus to have been a fraud, they called for his crucifixion. Then, Peter had showed them the error in their thinking. Their pierced hearts revealed their shock and sorrow regarding their previous erroneous perception.

Peter answered their question: “Repent!” They heard, “change your minds,” or more accurately, “change your perception.” He called for them to change their perception about Jesus of Nazareth from blasphemer to Lord and Messiah.

Their repentance was a change of perception that would affect all future thought and behavior. Everything coming into their minds would be filtered through this new conviction: Jesus is Lord and Messiah. The natural result was a change in all of their future decisions, behavior and speech.

The next time you come across repentance in your Bible reading, remember that it is a change of perception which will naturally result in changed thinking, changed speech and changed behavior. 

But it is first an internal change of perception.

Mark Stinnett
November 17, 2019