The Relationship Between Regeneration and Repentance Part 2

The Relationship Between Regeneration and Repentance Part 2

"Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
Mark 1:14–15

From our last time together, we purposed to pursue the proper understanding of the relationship between Regeneration and Repentance. Therefore, let’s continue where we closed. We will commence our consideration of this week’s topic with a definition of the term Repentance.

According to Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, Repentance is defined as:
In theology, the pain, regret, or affliction which a person feels on account of his past conduct, because it exposes him to punishment. This sorrow, proceeding merely from the fear of punishment, is called Legal Repentance, as being excited by the terrors of legal penalties, and it may exist without an amendment of life.
Real penitence is sorrow or deep contrition for sin as an offense and dishonor to God, a violation of His holy law, and the basest ingratitude toward a Being of infinite benevolence. This is called Evangelical Repentance and is accompanied and followed by an amendment of life.

Therefore, the former (Legal Repentance) is not fixed in faith but in fear of the consequences. So, let’s put it on a shelf so we can help ourselves to some spiritual understanding. As it relates to our faith, a person’s real and robust remorse for our rebellion against God is greater than the fear of going to hell. Our conviction of crimes against God concerns us considerably more than the consuming fires of hell.

Different denominations and Christian communities convey the order of Regeneration and Repentance with a divergence of emphasis. There are those who offer the position that repentance and belief are concurrent characteristics of conversion. Others give prime precedence to faith while still asserting that authentic faith produces repentance, and some see repentance as a continuing position for believers as well as a criterion for early salvation.

Many recognize the term repentance to mean “a turning from sin.” Being remorseful for sin and turning from it are related to repentance but are not the complete meaning of the word. In the Word of God, the word repent means “to change one’s mind.” The Holy Scriptures also state that true repentance will result in a change of conduct.

Acts 3:19 — "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."

When we review Paul’s ministry, he reports in Acts 26:20: 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.

Briefly speaking, the biblical definition of repentance is “a change of mind that results in a change of how we move in life.”

Not a sermon, just some thoughts.
FtGG