B i b l e   S t u d y

Lesson: Repentance

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SCRIPTURE READING: Psalms 51

GOLDEN TEXT:  Acts 2:38

1. What was Jesus’ message from the beginning of His ministry? (Mark 1:14-15, Matthew 4:17, Luke 13:1-5.) Were Christ’s disciples to preach the same message? (Matthew 10:7.) Did Jesus say repentance would be preached among all nations? Luke 24:46-47.)

2. Before Jesus began His ministry, what message did God commission the prophet John the Baptist to proclaim? (Matthew 3:1-8.)

3. On God’s Holy Day, the Feast of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon Christ’s disciples (Acts 2:1-4), what message did God inspire Peter to preach to the multitudes gathered in Jerusalem? (Acts 2:37-38.) Did Peter continue to preach repentance? (Acts 3:19.) Is repentance one of the foundational doctrines of the New Testament Church? (Hebrews 6:1-2.)

Note: This same proclamation to REPENT is a vital part of the message of God’s true Church today.

Is God’s Church to "Cry aloud lifting up their voice like a trumpet and telling God’s people to repent of their sins, transgressions and iniquities? (Isaiah 58:1.)

4. Does the Bible show that there are no exceptions - that all have sinned and must repent? (1 John 1:8-10, Romans 3:23, 5:12, Ecclesiastes 7:20.)

Note: All have sinned and anyone who thinks they have not sinned is guilty of the sin of self- righteousness.

5. Does God specifically command all people everywhere to repent? (Acts 17:30.)

6. If a person chooses to remain unrepentant what do they lay up for themselves? (Romans 2:5.) If they refuse to repent what is Jesus’ warning to them? (Luke 13:3-5.) What is the fate of those who will not repent? (Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:15, Malachi 4:1.)

Note: If God were to grant eternal life to those who persistently rebel and sin and refuse to repent, they would bring nothing but eternal unhappiness and frustration upon themselves and others. Therefore, the most merciful thing that God could do is to deny continued existence to those who are rebellious. The incorrigible will simply be put to death and cease to exist forever. Only those who obey God and repent will be born into God’s eternal family.

7. What does it mean to repent?

Note: Let’s look at a definition from the

"Easton Bible Dictionary:" Repentance - There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. (1.) The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matthew 27:3).
(2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised.

8. Does God love everybody in the world and does He want them to have eternal life? (John 3:16.) Was God willing to let His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, die for all of mankind to make this possible? (Save verse.)

Note: God in His great mercy toward mankind has provided a way by which we may avoid paying the ultimate penalty. This divine pardon is from a loving God who wants all of us to claim the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus Christ, for the remission of our personal sins. Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. We are justified by His blood and we are saved by His life (Romans 5:8-10.) We are to repent or as Jesus said we would perish (Acts 2:38, Luke 13:3-4.) Repentance is a vital step to salvation.

9. Are we to repent and be converted, that our sins may be blotted out? (Acts 3:19.)

Note: To repent and be converted means that we must "change" our way of life and demonstrate to God that we no longer wish to continue in a way of life that leads to eternal death.

10. What are we to repent of? (1 John 3:4.)

Note: We must repent of "sin." Sin is the transgression of God’s Law. To repent means to change and turn from the "get" way of life to the "give" way of life, from selfishness to selflessness.

11. What does sin do? Does it cut you off from God? (Isaiah 59:1-2.) Does God hear sinners? (John 9:31.) Does sin lead to eternal death? (Malachi 4:3.) Is the carnal mind at enmity against God and not subject to the law of God? (Romans 8:7.)

12. Are we to repent and put on the "new man" (Colossians 3:10) and renew our mind? (Romans 12:1-2.) Are we to be holy as God is holy? (1 Peter 1:16.)

13. Are we to follow Jesus’ example? (1 Peter 2:21.) Did Jesus say if we love Him we are to keep His Commandments? (John 14:15.) If we say "I know Him" and do not keep His Commandments, are we a liar? (1 John 2:4-6.)

14. How do we repent? First of all, we have to realize that we are sinners and that we fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23.) Next we must know that only Jesus can save sinners. (1 Timothy 1:15.)

Is it only through Jesus’ name that we are saved? (Acts 4:12 NKJV). How does Jesus save us sinners? (Romans 5:6-8.) He died for us.

We must accept Jesus as our personal savior and walk as He would walk.

We must ask God to forgive us of our sin of breaking His commandments and ask Him to give us strength in keeping His commandments. We should ask God for grace and mercy because salvation is a gift (Ephesians 2:8-10.)

Repentance is an ongoing process and we must bear fruit worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:8.) 
Read Psalms 51 and see how David’s repented.

In Conclusion: REPENT!


For more information on "sin" and "repentance" read our articles titled:  
What is Sin?
             Repent

(Pick the Link & Read it On-line)



Scriptures


Scripture Reading:  Psalms 51 (NKJV) Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. {2} Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. {3} For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. {4} Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight; That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. {5} Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. {6} Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. {7} Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. {8} Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. {9} Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. {10} Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. {11} Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. {12} Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. {13} Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. {14} Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. {15} O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise. {16} For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. {17} The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart; These, O God, You will not despise. {18} Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem. {19} Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.


Golden Text: (Acts 2:38 NKJV) Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.


1.) (Mark 1:14-15 NKJV) Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to 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, and believe in the gospel."

(Matthew 4:17 NKJV) From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

(Luke 13:1-5 NKJV) There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. {2} And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? {3} "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. {4} "Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? {5} "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."

(Matthew 10:7 NKJV) "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'

(Luke 24:46-47 NKJV) Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, {47} "and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

2. (Matthew 3:1-8 NKJV) In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, {2} and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" {3} For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.'" {4} And John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. {5} Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him {6} and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. {7} But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? {8} "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,

3. The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

(Acts 2:1-4 NKJV) When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. {2} And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. {3} Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. {4} And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

(Acts 2:37-38 NKJV) Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" {38} Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

(Acts 3:19 NKJV) "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

(Hebrews 6:1-2 NKJV) Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, {2} of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

(Isaiah 58:1 NKJV) "Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins.

4. (1 John 1:8-10 NKJV) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. {9} If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. {10} If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

(Romans 3:23 NKJV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

(Romans 5:12 NKJV) Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned;

(Ecclesiastes 7:20 NKJV) For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin.

5. (Acts 17:30 NKJV) "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,

6. (Romans 2:5 NKJV) But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,

(Luke 13:3-5 NKJV) "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. {4} "Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? {5} "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."

(Romans 6:23 NKJV) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Revelation 20:15 NKJV) And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

(Malachi 4:1 NKJV) "For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," Says the LORD of hosts, "That will leave them neither root nor branch.

7. - 

8. (John 3:16 NKJV) "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

(Romans 5:8-10 NKJV) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. {9} Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. {10} For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

(Acts 2:38 NKJV) Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

(Luke 13:3-4 NKJV) "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. {4} "Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?

9. (Acts 3:19 NKJV) "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

10. (1 John 3:4 NKJV) Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

 

11.  (Isaiah 59:1-2 NKJV) Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. {2} But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

(John 9:31 NKJV) "Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.

(Malachi 4:3 NKJV) You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this," Says the LORD of hosts.

(Romans 8:7 NKJV) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

12. (Colossians 3:10 NKJV) and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

(Romans 12:1-2 NKJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. {2} And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

(1 Peter 1:16 NKJV) because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

13. (1 Peter 2:21 NKJV) For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

(John 14:15 NKJV) "If you love Me, keep My commandments.

(1 John 2:4-6 NKJV) He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. {5} But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. {6} He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

14.
(Romans 3:23 NKJV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

(1 Timothy 1:15 NKJV) This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

(Acts 4:12 NKJV) "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

(Romans 5:6-8 NKJV) For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. {7} For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. {8} But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

(Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, {9} not of works, lest anyone should boast. {10} For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

(Matthew 3:8 NKJV) "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,