BibleInTonguesRepentance
Repentance in the New Testament is less about feeling bad and more about turning: changing direction because God's kingdom has come near. Trace it from Jesus' first sermon to Peter's altar call and Paul's letters.
More than regret
When Jesus opens his ministry in Mark 1:15, he ties repentance to news: "The time is fulfilled, and God's Kingdom is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News." Repentance is the response to an announcement, not a mood. Something has happened, and the right reaction is to change course and trust it.
Paul sharpens the difference in 2 Corinthians 7:10, distinguishing "godly sorrow" that "produces repentance leading to salvation" from "the sorrow of the world" that "produces death." Sorrow alone can curdle into despair. The kind God works moves outward into a turned life, and it leaves no regret behind it.
How the passages develop it
In Acts 2:38 Peter answers a convicted crowd: "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." Repentance is the doorway, but it opens onto gifts, forgiveness and the Spirit, not just a clean slate.
Acts 3:19 pairs two verbs that interpret each other: "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out." Repenting is turning. Peter then promises "times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord," framing the turn not as punishment but as the path back into God's company.
Read it and pray it this week
Read Mark 1:14-15 and Acts 3:19 side by side and notice the shared logic: a kingdom drawing near, a person turning toward it. Ask of any sin you name, not merely "do I feel bad?" but "which way am I now walking?" That question keeps repentance honest.
Pray it concretely. Name one direction you have been facing away from God, and ask for the turn itself, the change of feet, not only the change of feeling. Acts 2:38 promises the Spirit's help for exactly this; you are not asked to manufacture the turn alone.
Verses
- 20Acts 26:20Read in context
but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.
- 8Matthew 3:8Read in context
Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance!
- 11Matthew 3:11Read in context
“I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.
- 13Matthew 9:13Read in context
But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
- 4Mark 1:4Read in context
John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.
- 17Mark 2:17Read in context
When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
- 3Luke 3:3Read in context
He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins.
- 8Luke 3:8Read in context
Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!
- 32Luke 5:32Read in context
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
- 7Luke 15:7Read in context
I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
- 47Luke 24:47Read in context
and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
- 31Acts 5:31Read in context
God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.
- 18Acts 11:18Read in context
When they heard these things, they held their peace and glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!”
- 24Acts 13:24Read in context
before his coming, when John had first preached the baptism of repentance to Israel.
- 4Acts 19:4Read in context
Paul said, “John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Christ Jesus.”
- 21Acts 20:21Read in context
testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus.
- 4Romans 2:4Read in context
Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
- 92 Corinthians 7:9Read in context
I now rejoice, not that you were grieved, but that you were grieved to repentance. For you were grieved in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing.
- 102 Corinthians 7:10Read in context
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death.
- 252 Timothy 2:25Read in context
in gentleness correcting those who oppose him. Perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,
- 1Hebrews 6:1Read in context
Therefore leaving the teaching of the first principles of Christ, let’s press on to perfection—not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith toward God,
- 6Hebrews 6:6Read in context
and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame.
- 92 Peter 3:9Read in context
The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
- 2Matthew 3:2Read in context
“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”
- 17Matthew 4:17Read in context
From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
- 39Matthew 5:39Read in context
But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
- 15Mark 1:15Read in context
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and God’s Kingdom is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”
- 12Mark 4:12Read in context
that ‘seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand, lest perhaps they should turn again, and their sins should be forgiven them.’”
- 30Mark 5:30Read in context
Immediately Jesus, perceiving in himself that the power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
- 12Mark 6:12Read in context
They went out and preached that people should repent.
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