What is repentance?
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The word repent is a translation of the Greek verb "metanoeo" which means to have a change of mind in respect to sin. To repent is to regret, to turn away from, be remorseful, and ask forgiveness. To repent is to humble ourselves and admit that our past thoughts and actions were wrong and agree to change the direction of our lives.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary tells us that to repent is "to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life."
According to the "New Scofield Reference Bible," (published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York; page 1191) the word repent "is used in the New Testament to indicate a change of mind in respect to sin, God, and self. This change of mind may, especially in the case of Christians who have fallen into sin, be preceded by sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:8-11); but sorrow for sin, though it may cause repentance, is not repentance. The son in Matthew 21:28-29 illustrates true repentance. Repentance is not an act separate from faith, but saving faith includes and implies that change of mind which is called repentance."
To accept Christ is to repent.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary tells us that to repent is "to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life."
According to the "New Scofield Reference Bible," (published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York; page 1191) the word repent "is used in the New Testament to indicate a change of mind in respect to sin, God, and self. This change of mind may, especially in the case of Christians who have fallen into sin, be preceded by sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:8-11); but sorrow for sin, though it may cause repentance, is not repentance. The son in Matthew 21:28-29 illustrates true repentance. Repentance is not an act separate from faith, but saving faith includes and implies that change of mind which is called repentance."
To accept Christ is to repent.
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