Introduction
The doctrine of repentance features prominently in the redemption message. Throughout Scripture, God consistently calls people to repentance. In the Old Testament, He called Israel to repentance through the prophets (Ezekiel 14:6; Ezekiel 18:30).
John the Baptist—the last of the Old Testament prophets and forerunner to Christ—also preached repentance (Matthew 3:1–2).
Above all, in the earthly ministry of the incarnate God—Jesus Christ—the call to repentance featured prominently.
Matthew 4:17:
“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””
The language of “began to preach and to say” implies that this was not the only occasion that Jesus preached repentance. It was only the beginning.
Ultimately, Christ gave the message of repentance to the church to proclaim to the world (Luke 24:46–47).
However, the doctrine of repentance is often misunderstood. Some understand repentance as merely feeling sorry for sin. Others think it is abandoning all sins before one can come to Christ. Still others view it merely as changing one’s mind concerning Christ, not concerning sin.
These differing views raise the need to examine what the Bible teaches about repentance. Rather than relying on assumptions, this study will examine repentance in its biblical context, exploring its meaning and its relationship to salvation and the Christian life.
Our goal is to arrive at a correct, Christ-centered doctrine of repentance that is faithful to the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27).
Related Article: If Salvation Is Eternal, Does Sin Still Matter?
What The Bible Teaches About Repentance
Our quest to recover the biblical doctrine of repentance must begin with understanding how the Bible defines it.
The primary Hebrew word that expressed “repentance” is the verb shuv, or its noun form Teshuva. It means ‘to turn” or “to return”. It often describes God’s call for His people to turn away from sin and return to Him in covenant faithfulness (Isaiah 55:7).
The emphasis of shuv is not merely on abandoning sin but on returning to the Lord Himself. Biblical repentance is, therefore, relational before it is behavioral.
Another Hebrew word is nâcham, which conveys the idea of being sorry. Depending on the context, it may refer to human repentance or to God relenting from a declared judgment when people repent (Jeremiah 18:7). While nâcham highlights emotion, it doesn’t reduce repentance to emotion alone.
In the New Testament, the Greek translated “repentance” is the noun metanoia or the verb metanoeō. They literally mean “to change the mind.”
However, the biblical doctrine of repentance is beyond a mere change of opinion. It describes a profound transformation in a person’s thinking, attitude, and disposition toward God, sin, Christ, and oneself.
At its core, repentance is an inner reality. External actions may demonstrate repentance, but they are not repentance itself. People can alter conduct out of fear or personal benefit and not for true repentance. But, while true repentance begins in the heart, it inevitably bears visible fruits (Matthew 3:4–8).
Therefore, the biblical doctrine of repentance emphasizes a God-directed change of mind and heart that results in a changed life. It is neither mere remorse nor outward moral change, but an inward turning that reorients a person toward God and His truth.
What Biblical Repentance Entails
To begin with, we must distinguish biblical repentance from many ideas it is often confused with. Biblical repentance is not merely feeling sorry. A person may feel deep sorrow without truly turning to God, as seen in Judas’ case (Matthew 27:3–5; 2 Corinthians 7:9–10).
Again, biblical repentance is not moral self-reform. Scripture never teaches self-reform. Transformation is God’s work. Repentance does not earn salvation; it is the proper response to God’s call through the gospel.
Rather, biblical repentance is a comprehensive inward response to God’s truth which changes a person’s perspective and direction. Biblical repentance involves change in five crucial directions.
A Change of Mind About God
The Fall distorted man’s perception of God, leading to the suppression of His truth and the pursuit our own ways (Romans 1:18–25). In biblical repentance, people’s perspective of God changes. They come to acknowledge God’s holiness, righteousness, and rightful authority. Instead of resisting Him, the repentant heart submits to Him.
A Change of Mind About Sin
Biblical repentance also involves a change of mind about sin. Rather than excusing, minimizing, or justifying sin, the repentant person sees it as God sees it—as an affront to His holy character (Psalm 51:3–4). This new perspective produces a sincere desire to turn away from sin and live in obedience to God.
A Change of Mind About Christ
Then, biblical repentance involves a change of perspective about Christ. The gospel calls people to recognize Jesus as the Redeemer, God’s only provision for eternal salvation through His crucifixion and resurrection Lord, as Scripture has revealed Him (Acts 2:36–38; Acts 17:30–31).
A Change of Mind About Oneself
Additionally, biblical repentance includes a change of mind about oneself. Instead of trusting in personal merit, the repentant person acknowledges personal deficiencies and the need for God’s grace. This humility is reflected in Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9–14).
A Change of Conduct
Ultimately, biblical repentance produces a change of conduct. Scripture calls these changes “fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8) and “works befitting repentance” (Acts 26:20). These changes do not create repentance; they prove that repentance is genuine.
Repentance Versus Faith
Often debated in Christian circles is the relationship between repentance and faith: are they the same or distinct aspects of conversion? But a careful study of Scripture shows that while repentance and faith are distinguishable, they are neither separable nor competing realities.
Repentance and faith are not the same. As we have seen, biblical repentance emphasizes a turning away from false perceptions about God, Christ, sin, and ourselves. Faith emphasizes trusting in Christ’s redemptive work for salvation.
Repentance is the negative aspect of conversion—a turning from. Faith is the positive aspect of conversion—a turning to. Both are complementary responses to the gospel. This complementary relationship is clearly seen in Jesus’ proclamation in Mark 1:15:
“…The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
And, in Paul’s summary of his ministry:
“…testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21).
This explanation also settles the controversy about which occurs first, repentance or faith? Scripture doesn’t present the two as separate phases of salvation, where one ends before the other begins. Rather, they occur together.
When a person truly believes in Christ, he has necessarily turned from unbelief and embraced the truth about Christ. Likewise, when a person genuinely repents, that repentance finds its expression in faith in Christ.
This explains why different passages of Scripture sometimes emphasize one without explicitly mentioning the other. Some passages call people to repent (Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30), while others call them to believe in Christ (John 3:16; Acts 16:31).
These are not contradictory messages but complementary emphases. Each assumes the reality of the other because both are essential elements of a wholehearted response to the gospel.
The biblical evidence, thus, does not portray repentance and faith as competing truths. Instead, they function together in conversion. Repentance turns the heart toward God, while faith grounds it in Christ alone for salvation. Both are inseparable responses produced through the work of the Spirit as the gospel is proclaimed.
Some accuse Paul of preaching a different gospel from what Jesus and the other apostles preached by replacing repentance with the preaching of faith alone in Christ. This accusation, however, does not stand up to careful examination.
Jesus began His public preaching with the call, “Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Repentance and faith are both critical responses to the gospel. After His resurrection, He commissioned that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations” (Luke 24:46–47).
And the apostles faithfully carried out the commission. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter urged his hearers:
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” (Acts 2:38)
Again, in Acts 3:19, he proclaimed:
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”
Peter’s emphasis on repentance reflected the need for his Jewish audience to turn to Jesus—the Messiah promised to their fathers—whom they had rejected.
Paul’s preaching was entirely consistent with this message. While his epistles emphasize righteousness by faith, he also preached repentance. In Acts 17:30, He proclaimed to the Athenians:
“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.”
Paul summarized his ministry to the Ephesian elders:
“Testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:21)
Later, in Acts 26:20, Paul testified of his ministry before King Agrippa:
“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.”
John likewise emphasized believe in Jesus (c.f. John 3:16; John 20:30–31). Yet this does not diminish the necessity of repentance. John’s purpose was to demonstrate that Jesus is the Messiah so that people might believe and have life in His name. The call to believe assumes a turning from unbelief to Christ, which is the essence of repentance.
In the real sense, the apostles proclaim one gospel. There is no contradiction among them. Their unique emphases reflect the needs of their audiences and the particular truths they sought to highlight, not different doctrines of salvation.
Peter emphasized repentance because he was addressing Jews who needed to recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah. Paul’s emphasis of faith was directed to Gentiles who, unlike the Jews, didn’t have problem with Jesus’ identity as Messiah. John emphasized believing to underscore how people receive eternal life.
How Does Repentance Happen?
Scripture, on one hand, presents repentance as human response to God’s command to all people. On the other hand, it described repentance as something God graciously grants. These are not contradictory but complimentary truths working together within God’s saving purpose.
God’s universal command of repentance requires response from all humans. Paul declared to the Athenian philosophers:
“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” (Acts 17:30)
At the same time, Scripture teaches that repentance is an act of God’s grace. After hearing of the Gentiles’ conversion, the Jewish believers glorified God, saying:
“Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” (Acts 11:18)
Likewise, Paul instructed Timothy to correct those in opposition with humility, “If God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth” (2 Timothy 2:25).
Jesus Himself is presented as the One by whom God grants repentance. Peter declared that God exalted Christ “to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel…” (Acts 5:31). Thus, biblical repentance is not merely a human attainment but a gift made possible through Christ’s saving work.
These truths remind us that salvation is not a human achievement. The God who commands repentance is the same God who works through the gospel and His Spirit to bring sinners to repentance. Those who respond cannot boast in themselves, for even their response is ultimately the result of God’s gracious initiative.
This truth shapes both evangelism and prayers. Believers must faithfully proclaim the gospel, and also labor in prayer for God to open hearts, convict of sin, and cause genuine repentance. Such dependence keeps us humble and reminds us that salvation is entirely of the Lord.
What About Continuing Repentance For Believers?
One major, ongoing debate in Christian circles is whether repentance is only for conversion or a continuing part of Christian living. Some say believers no longer need to repent because all sins —past, present, and future—are forgiven. Others say that we must maintain a repent heart perpetually. What does Scripture teach?
Firstly, Scripture teaches that believers have been one-for-all justified through faith (Romans 5:1). Our acceptance before God is permanent, hinged on Christ’s finished work (Hebrews 10:10–14). Therefore, Christians do not repent in order to regain acceptance before God.
Nonetheless, because we still have a striving against sin to do, Scripture calls us to maintain a repentant heart. Jesus commanded the churches in Revelation—churches which already belonged to Him—to repent of specific sin and renew their devotion to Him, warning of His discipline if they refused (Revelation 2–3).
In 2 Corinthians 7:8–12, Paul wrote of the godly sorrow and repentance of the Corinthian church—a church beset by many sins—because of his apostolic rebuke. He writes in verse 8:
“Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance.”
Then in verse 11, Paul wrote of what their repentance produced: diligence, clearing of yourselves, indignation, fear, vehement desire, zeal, and vindication!
The apostle John, in 1 John 1:8-9, also writes to believers:
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Some say that when believers sin, we are only to confess our righteousness not the sin. Scripture teaches no such thing. Rather, it requires us to confess our sin. Confessing sin is neither to inform God of our sin—He definitely knows, nor is it an attempt to recover a lost salvation.
Rather, confessing sin is a posture of humility; it is aligning ourselves with God’s view of sin, that sin is an affront to His holy character. It is our right response as dear children who desire unhindered fellowship with our Father.
Indeed, through faith, we were judicially forgiven and stand permanently justified before God. Nevertheless, like children who grieve a loving father, we must demonstrate humility through acknowledgment of our failures. While our position remains intact, sin disrupts our fellowship with God. Repentance, therefore, is to restore fellowship, not to restore our standing in Christ.
Repentance, thus, is a vital part of Christian growth. As God’s Spirit convicts us, we must respond in repentance and renewed devotion. This is not a denial of the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work but an evidence that His work is active in our life. Those who are truly saved will continue to live with a humble heart, continually turning away from sin and toward God.
Conclusion
Biblical repentance is far beyond a feeling of regret. It is a radical change of mind and heart that turns a person toward God. It is a crucial response to the gospel, calling sinners to forsake their rebellion and embrace God’s authority.
When understood in its context, biblical repentance does not compete with faith but complements it. Jesus and all the apostles proclaimed one message: salvation through repentance and faith, though each had unique emphasis according to the needs of their audience.
Repentance and faith are thus inseparable realities of genuine conversion: repentance turns from sin and unbelief, while faith grounds in Christ alone for salvation.
Importantly, repentance is not confined to the moment of conversion. Believers are called to maintain a humble heart, continually turning from sin and growing in obedience as the Holy Spirit conforms us to the image of Christ.
This ongoing repentance is not human effort to preserve our salvation; rather, it reflects the ongoing work of God’s grace in our lives as those He has redeemed.
Ultimately, the doctrine of repentance points to God’s mercy. The God who commands repentance is the same God who enables it through Christ’s saving work and the Spirit’s ministry. Thus, biblical repentance is a gracious call to receive God’s pardon and life found in Christ alone.
Therefore, may your response, dear reader, to that gracious call be of repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. And, may your life continually bear fruit worthy of repentance.
