What is repentance?

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What’s Your Question? for April 29, 09

What is repentance?

Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of action. Jesus said we must repent or perish (Lk. 13:3-5). Peter told believers (those who had been “cut to the heart”) to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:37,38). When those who believe in salvation by faith only are confronted with the necessity of repentance, they usually say repentance is included in faith. It was not in Acts 2! Those believers were told to repent. A person may believe and never repent. In another sense, belief may include repentance. Believers were added to the Lord (Acts 5:14), but what kind of believers? Those who repented and were baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38,47). We are saved only by faith, but not by faith only! Saving faith causes the believer to act in obedience to God’s word.