Origins of the Topic
What is repentance?
Repentence is not just a verbal statement that you will not do a particular sin anymore. If the sin caused damage to someone, repentance states that you correct the damage and make it better than it was.
Commentary: See the Judaism statement of belief for a description of the requirements for repentance.
Old Testament
Must return things to their original state with the people you have sinned against - Key Verse - 
|
|---|
|
Numbers 5:6-8 [6] Speak unto the children of Israel, when a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the Lord, and that person be guilty; [7] Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed. [8] But if the man have no kinsman to recompense the trespass unto, let the trespass be recompensed unto the Lord, even to the priest; beside the ram of the atonement, whereby an atonement shall be made for him. Commentary: These verses describe that repentance is not only the recompensation to the injured person equal to the trespass, but also a fifth part more. This is an important aspect of repentance - that you must "make things right" and correct what was done and then a litte more. Even if it is not possible to recompense the person, or the person's relatives, repentance must be to the Lord.
|
| Lying needs repentance - God need not repent for he is perfect |
|---|
|
Numbers 23:16-19 [16] And the Lord met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus. [17] And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the Lord spoken? [18] And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor: [19] God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? |
| Sins are a transgression against God, repent and receive a clean heart. The inward part (the heart) holds the truth. Wisdom is understanding this |
|---|
|
Psalm 51:3-7,10-12 [3] For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. [4] Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou Judgest. [5] Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. [6] Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. [7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. [10] Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. [11] Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. [12] Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. |
| Repentance and wisdom (in our hearts) are linked |
|---|
|
Psalm 90:11-13 [11] Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. [12] So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. [13] Return, O Lord, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. |
|
Repentance is the turning away from sin and will be part of our judgment - Key Verse -
|
|---|
| Ezekiel 18:30 - Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. |
|
Sinners can repent and live - Key Verse -
|
|---|
|
Ezekiel 33:18-19 [18] When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. [19] But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby. |
|
Your heart must be true, otherwise you need to repent - Key Verse -
|
|---|
|
Joel 2:12-13 [12] Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: [13] And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. |
New Testament
| Repentance is needed to get into the Kingdom of Heaven |
|---|
|
Matthew 4:16-17 [16] The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. [17] From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. |
| Repentance is key to understanding the Kingdom of God |
|---|
|
Mark 1:14-15 [14] Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, [15] And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. |
|
Jesus told his disciples to preach repentance - Key Verse -
|
|---|
|
Mark 6:10-12 [10] And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. [11] And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. [12] And they went out, and preached that men should repent. |
|
Jesus said to repent or perish - Key Verse -
|
|---|
|
Luke 13:2-5 [2] And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? [3] I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. [4] Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? [5] I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. |
| Connects the concept of recompensation |
|---|
|
Luke 14:13-14 [13] But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: [14] And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. |
|
Parable of the Prodigal son - Whole chapter is about repentance - Key Verse -
|
|---|
| Luke 15 |
|
If a person repents, we shall forgive them (both people will have a clean heart) - Key Verse -
|
|---|
|
Luke 17:3-4 [3] Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. [4] And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. |
| Just saying that you believe is insufficient - if you believe, it will be in your heart |
|---|
|
John 12:42-43 [42] Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: [43] For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Commentary: See Romans 10:10-11 ([10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed). Just saying you repent is insufficient.
|
| Many aspects of repentance - return, sins are forgiven, and restitution |
|---|
|
Acts 3:18-21 [18] But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. [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. [20] And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: [21] Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. |
| Speaks of glory/wisdom. Must repent or even the littlest sin will corrupt us |
|---|
|
1 Corinthians 5:6-7 [6] Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? [7] Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: |
Book of Mormon
|
God commanded that everyone should repent - Key Verse -
|
|---|
|
2 Nephi 1:107-109 [107] And the days of the children of men were prolonged, according to the will of God, that they might repent while in the flesh; [108] Wherefore, their state became a state of probation, and their time was lengthened, according to the commandments which the Lord God gave unto the children of men. [109] For he gave commandment that all men must repent; |
|
Everyone is commanded to repent or they cannot be saved - Key Verse -
|
|---|
|
2 Nephi 6:48,72 [48] And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they can not be saved in the kingdom of God. [72] And, in fine, wo unto all those who die in their sins: for they shall return to God, and behold his face, and remain in their sins. |
|
Repent or you cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven - Key Verse -
|
|---|
| Alma 3:89 - And also the Spirit saith unto me, yea, crieth unto me with a mighty voice, saying, Go forth and say unto this people, Repent, for except ye repent, ye can in no wise inherit the kingdom of heaven. |
| Repentance is required to receive Christ's atonement |
|---|
| Alma 13:46 - And since man had fallen, he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atoneth for their sins, through faith and repentance, etc.: |
Statements of Belief
- No Found or Stated Position
- Consistent with Scripture
- Partially Consistent with Scripture
- Inconsistent with ScriptureAnabaptism -
Anglican -
Assyrian Church -
Church of Christ -
Church of Jesus Christ (Restoration Branches) -
Epitome of Faith: We believe that these ordinances are, first, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, repentance; third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Commentary: Repentance as an ordinance (commandment) is consistent with the scriptures.
(Utah) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -
Community of Christ -
Eastern Orthodox -
Islam -
Jehovah's Witnesses -
Judaism -
The Mosaic legislation distinguishes between offenses against God and offenses against man. In the first case the manifestation of repentance consists in: (1) Confession of one's sin before God (Lev. v. 5; Num. v. 7), the essential part of which, according to rabbinical interpretation (Yoma 87b; Maimonides, l.c. i. 1), is the solemn promise and firm resolve not to commit the same sin again. (2) The offering of the legally prescribed sacrifice (Lev. v. 1-20). Offenses against man require, in addition to confession and sacrifice, restitution in full of whatever has been wrongfully obtained or withheld from one's fellow man, with one-fifth of its value added thereto (Lev. v. 20-26). If the wronged man has died, restitution must be made to his heir; if he has no heir, it must be given to the priest who officiates at the sacrifice made for the remission of the sin (Num. v. 7-9).
Commentary: With the exception of sacrifices for atonement (see Atonement) which has been fulfilled by Christ, these are the criteria for repentance.
Lutheran -
Methodist -
Pentecostal -
Presbyterian -
Roman Catholic -
Seventh-Day Adventist Church -
Southern Baptist Convention -