Bible Study › Lesson 5 of 8
Repentance
Jesus asked why anyone would call Him Lord and not do what He says. The first thing He and His apostles told believers to do was repent. This lesson looks at what repentance is, who must do it, and what it looks like when it is real.
3No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
What does Jesus say will happen to those who do not repent?
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They will perish. Jesus says it plainly, and He says it to everyone listening... "you will all likewise perish." Repentance is not only for people with especially bad pasts. It is required of everyone, and the alternative is to be lost.
30Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.
Whom does God command to repent?
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All people everywhere. Paul says God once overlooked the times of ignorance, but now commands everyone to repent. No nation, no background, and no good reputation is excused.
10Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Is being sorry the same as repenting? What does godly sorrow produce, and what does worldly sorrow produce?
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No. Godly sorrow produces repentance, which leads to salvation. Worldly sorrow produces death. Sorrow is where repentance starts, but sorrow by itself is not repentance. Plenty of people are sorry they got caught, or sorry about the consequences, and never change. Godly sorrow is sorrow over the sin itself, and it leads somewhere.
20First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone throughout the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance.
What did Paul preach that people should do, along with repenting?
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Turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance. Repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of direction. Paul expected it to show up in what people actually did afterward.
8But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.”
What did Zacchaeus say he would do, and what does that tell us about his repentance?
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He would give half of his possessions to the poor, and repay four times over anyone he had cheated. He did not just feel bad about being a dishonest tax collector. He set out to make it right. That is what repentance looks like when it is real... it costs something and it changes how a person lives.
37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The people in this passage already believed what Peter preached about Jesus. When they asked what to do, what was the first thing Peter told them?
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Repent. These were believers, cut to the heart by the gospel, asking what to do. Peter did not tell them they had already done enough by believing. He told them to repent and be baptized. The next lessons take up what follows, but notice that repentance came first on Peter's list.
9The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
What does God want for everyone, and why has He waited?
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He does not want anyone to perish, but wants all to come to repentance. His patience is not slowness or indifference. It is Him giving people time to turn. That time is a gift, and it is not unlimited.
In short
Repentance is commanded of everyone, and Jesus said those who do not repent will perish. It begins with godly sorrow over sin, but it does not stop there. It is a change of mind that turns a person toward God and shows up in what he does next, the way Zacchaeus made restitution instead of just feeling guilty.
When believers on the day of Pentecost asked what they must do, the first word out of Peter's mouth was repent. God is patient because He wants everyone to come to repentance, but His patience has a purpose, and it is meant to be used. The next lesson takes up what Jesus said about confessing Him before others.
Go deeper: How To Become A Christian... What Must I Do To Be Saved?