____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ January 16, 1994 ____________________________________________________ Repent Or Perish by Tim Fleeman What Is Repentance? Some people came to Jesus questioning him about two groups of people that had suffered great tragedies. These Jews held the idea that their deaths were a direct result of sins which they committed. Jesus answered their question saying, ``I tell ye nay, but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish'' (Lk 13:1-5). Both John the baptist and Jesus preached that men should repent because the kingdom of heaven was at hand (Matt 3:1-2, Matt 4:17). As Jesus sent out the twelve they went out and preached that men should repent (Mark 6:12). Just before Jesus ascended back into heaven he commissioned his apostles saying, ``Repentance and remission of sins should be preached among all nations'' (Lk 24:46-47). Repentance is a part of the gospel message. The rule is that people are going to perish. The exception is that those who repent will avoid perishing. It is necessary for each of us to know the true meaning of repentance to avoid perishing. W.E. Vine in his expository of New Testament words defines repentance as follows: ``To change one's mind or purpose, always in the New Testament, involving a change for the better, an amendment. In the New Testament the subject chiefly has reference to repentance from sin, and this change of mind involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God.'' Some believe that godly sorrow is repentance, but the Bible teaches that just being sorry is not enough. "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of; but the sorrow of this world worketh death" (2 Cor 7:10). Being sorry before God for sins will lead a person to repent. Repentance is beyond or different than sorrow. Judas Iscariot is an example of the sorrow of this world. He lived to regret his part in the death of Jesus, but rather than genuine repentance he committed self murder (Matt 27:3-5). Contrast this with Peter's regret (godly sorrow) which brought about a change (Lk 22:61-62). One part of the definition of repentance was to have a change of mind. This is exemplified by the man who had two sons. He "came to the first and said, 'Son, go work today in my vineyard.' He answered and said, 'I will not'; but afterward he REPENTED, and went" (Matt 21:28-29). At first this son was unwilling to obey his father. Later he had a change of mind (repented) and he went. Jesus taught that the men of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah (Lk 11:32). Whatever these people did when Jonah preached to them is called repentance by the Son of God. Jonah preached that in 40 days Nineveh would be overthrown. First the men of Nineveh believed God and second they turned from their evil way (Jonah 3:1-10). Only those who truly believe and respect God will repent. God's law is the standard of conduct both toward God and our fellow man. When we find ourself in opposition to God by transgression it is either REPENT or PERISH. Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out (Acts 3:19). Who Is To Repent? The New Testament clearly teaches that ALL MEN must repent. "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; BUT NOW COMMANDETH ALL MEN EVERY WHERE TO REPENT" (Acts 17:30-31). "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet 3:9). This corresponds with Paul's letter to the Romans where he said that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). Since all have sinned, all need to repent. There will not be one accountable person in heaven who has not repented. Paul testified to both the Jews and Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). Included in all men would be those who are lost sinners outside of Christ. These individuals have not obeyed the gospel and thus are not Christians. Peter preached the gospel to the Jews of Judea and Jerusalem on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of our Lord. After convicting them of murdering the Son of God they cried out ``'Men and brethren what shall we do?' Then Peter said unto them, 'REPENT and BE BAPTIZED every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins'" (Acts 2:37-38). One condition of salvation from sin is that a person must repent. "Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19). Peter to the Jewish Christians at Jerusalem rehearsed how he had taken the gospel to Cornelius and his household. Their reply was, ``Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life'' (Acts 11:18). The apostle Paul began preaching the gospel immediately after he obeyed the gospel. Paul said he "shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should REPENT and TURN TO GOD, and do works meet for repentance" (Acts 26:20). If you are not a Christian you must repent or perish. Your sins have separated between you and God. You are guilty before him. If you believe God and have come to regret your sins why not repent, obey the gospel, and turn to God in faithful service. It's either this or perish. Another class of people included in all men are Christians. The Bible teaches that Christians fail and make mistakes. "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us...If we say that we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and his word is not in us" (I John 1:8, 10). Christians are not supposed to sin (I John 2:1) but we do. When a Christian sins he or she must REPENT or PERISH. Simon the sorcerer obeyed the gospel and became a Christian in the city of Samaria (Acts 8:5, 12, 13). Later he sinned and his heart was not right in God's sight (v. 21). This erring Christian was told to repent and pray God for forgiveness (Acts 8:22). Paul mentioned that there were Christians in Corinth who were guilty of uncleanness, fornication, and lasciviousness and had not yet REPENTED of such (2 Cor 12:21). When a Christian sins it is either REPENT or PERISH. At times even churches get into a condition of sin and must repent. God had John write to the church at Ephesus and tell them what he had against them. "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and REPENT, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove the candlestick out of his place, except thou repent" (Rev 2:1, 4, 5). Five of the seven churches in Asia Minor were told to repent in Revelation chapters two and three. Churches that refused to repent would have their candlestick removed. God would no longer walk among them and claim them for his own. A church that finds itself in direct opposition to God in doctrine, work, worship, or organization must REPENT or PERISH. Works Meet For Repentance True Bible repentance will always result in a change. John the baptist told the Pharisees and Sadducees to bring forth fruits meet for repentance (Matt 3:8). Paul preached that men "should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance" (Acts 26:20). The sinner who truly repents will turn from his sin, obey the gospel, and live faithfully toward God. The Christian who sins, regrets it, and repents, will make whatever changes needed to correct the evil he or she has done. Some contend that a person can sin against another, repent, but never say anything to that brother. My position would be that we can never commit any sin that does not need to be confessed. If we sin privately against God, repentance and confession of sin are necessary. Simon was told to repent and pray God for forgiveness (Acts 8:22). "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" (I John 1:8-9). Even in private sin that is just between us and God; the Christian must say something to the one sinned against. He must confess that wrong to God. In the matter of sinning against another individual we are told to say something, "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 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" (Lk 17:3-4). How could my brother forgive me if I am not willing to repent and ask his forgiveness? When the prodigal son returned to his father he said, ``Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son'' (Lk 15:21). This father was not left to wonder what was in this son's heart. All of us sin and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). Those sins will remain on our account until we repent. "I tell you nay, but except you repent, you will perish." ___________________________________________ Write today for a FREE Bible Correspondence Course ----- AND ----- If you live close by and would like to see a series of Bible Film Slides in the convenience of your home, contact us about this. We would be happy to bring this to you. ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 1314 Montgomery Avenue, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@zoomnet.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.zoomnet.net/~tedwards/go ________________________________________