Referring to Acts 17:30, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:", Dr. Scofield stated, "Repentance means "to have another mind", to "change the mind"". It is used in the New Testament to indicate a change of mind in respect of sin, of God, and of oneself. The 'son' in the parable of the "two sons" in Matthew 21:28-32 illustrates "True" Repentance." This young man "REPENTED" for not having done his father's will, and then he went out and showed that he was sincere in his repentance by "bringing forth fruit meet for repentance." (Luke 3:8). Jesus said, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46).
One dictionary defines "repentance" as 'feeling such regret over one's sins so as to decide to change one's ways'. Another dictionary says, 'Repentance is sorrow for sin...and complete turning from sin.' Scripturally, repentance has three main elements...
Conviction: It is God's red flag warning us that we are going in the wrong direction. Being born in sin, we continue on in sin - doing that which is right in our own eyes without due regard for what God requires in His Word. Therefore, God, through the preaching of the Word, brings conviction that we need to change our ways to line up with His Word. Of course, many are so calloused in their spirits and spiritually blind, that they are are not able to experience Spiritual Conviction. Conviction is the first step toward the Kingdom of God - God is calling YOU to obedience to His Word.
Contrition: This is a sincere sorrow - a godly sorrow - brokenness for our sins (2nd Corinthians 7:10). The Bible says, "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." (Psalms 34:18). Contrition is NOT a shallow sentiment nor an empty emotion. It is a sincere regret over past sins and an earnest, humble desire to walk in a new path of righteousness, according to the instructions laid out in God's Word.
In Isaiah 57:15 God promised, "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit; to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Repentance includes 'humbling' ourselves to God's ways. When we stand at the Cross of Calvary and see what our sins cost God, our hearts should be broken and contrite - humbled; and we should cry out like the Publican, "God, be merciful to be a sinner" (Luke 18:13). The Bible tells us that when Peter considered how he had ignored and denied the Lord, he went out and wept bitterly because of his sin (Matthew 26:75).
Desire To Be Changed: This is the third element of "Repentance"; the desire for God to change your thought pattern, change your attitude, change your ways, change your motives and objectives in life, to conform to His ways and will for you. In 2nd. Corinthians 7:10 the Bible says, "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to Salvation." "IF any man be in Christ (having truly repented), old things (old ways and thoughts) pass away and behold all things become new" (2nd Corinthians 5:17).
On the day of Pentecost the Apostle Peter preached the first Message of Salvation, pointing men and women to the Scriptures fulfilled in their day (Acts 2:1-36). That 'first' anointed message produced "conviction" in the hearts of the hearers.....
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles, Men and brethren, WHAT SHALL WE DO?
The mutlitude was "convicted" of their sin of unbelief in the whole Word of God, and their need for forgiveness. It caused them to scream out, "Men and brethren, WHAT SHALL WE DO?" In essence, they were asking, "What must we do to experience God's Justification, Sanctification and Eternal Life?" Note Peter's answer (a Scripture we have already mentioned).....
Then Peter said unto them, REPENT, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto YOU, and to YOUR CHILDREN, and to ALL that are afar off, [EVEN] AS MANY as the Lord our God shall call.ACTS 2:38-39
Peter's first word of instruction was "REPENT". On that day 3000 souls "Heard and Obeyed", being not of them who draw back but of them who believe "unto" the saving of the soul (Hebrews 10:39).
According to the Scriptures "ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Like David in Psalms 51:5, we were ALL "shapen in iniquity; and in sin did our mothers conceive us"; and because we are ALL sinners by virtue of our natural birth - ALL under the curse of death, we need a Saviour, born by a Virgin birth, bypassing the curse - a Redeemer, a Perfect One, a Just One to lay down His life as a Perfect Sacrifice (in our place) to satisfy God's righteous Law, justify us and Redeem us back to God again.
God's Grace - unmerited favor - provided that Sacrifice in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. In His Life He fulfilled every letter of the Law for us; then willingly laid His Life down as an offering for sin; but because He was not born in sin, neither knew no sin, death could not hold him. On that Resurrection morning Jesus rose from the dead to give us Eternal Life. John 17:2 says, "As thou (Father) hast given him (Jesus) power over all flesh, that he should 'give eternal life' to as many as thou hast given him."
BUT WE MUST FIRST REPENT! Turn around in our atitudes, motives and objectives of life, change our mind and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. Giving ourselves unreservedly to Him in obedience to do only His Will, according to His Word.
We do not take lightly what's written in the Scriptures - "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). To the True Believer, the Bible is more than just 'the good book', it is a "Book of Life"; a Book of Doctrine, Reproof, Correction, and Instruction in Righteousness (2nd. Timothy 3:16). We will be judged according to what is written in the Book - the Bible. Therefore, we approach the Book with a "fervent" desire to know what God wants me to know about Himself, His plan, and His will for my life.