Repentance (1)
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I speak:
We thank God that our brothers and sisters are able to gather together to listen to His words. We hope and pray that through the sharing of message of God, our faith can be established. Today, for this session, I am going to talk about repentance. Repentance is not a very welcoming subject to talk about, but when we read the scriptures, it is a very important element in our journey of faith.
(Mark 1 : 15)
and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."
Jesus says that the kingdom of God is near. The kingdom of God is given to those who believe in Him, but in order to gain entrance into the kingdom of God there is a process that we must go through. Here, it says that we must repent and believe in the gospel. The gospel is the power of God, the power of God transforms life. For those who accept the gospel, they must have a heart of repentance.
If we look at the gospel of God very closely, it exposes human weaknesses, our wrong beliefs and our way of life which is not in line with the principles of God. It is hard to accept the gospel if we do not have a heart of repentance, because the words of God is going against us, that is why it is important for us to prepare ourselves if we want to accept the gospel.
Jesus was not the first one to talk out repentance, John the baptist also spoke about it.
(Matthew 3 : 8)
Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,
Quite clearly, John the baptist was also inspired by the Spirit to talk about repentance. In the New Testament, John was the first who spoke about repentance, followed by Jesus Christ.
(Luke 24 : 47)
and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Right before the ascension of Christ, Jesus instructed His disciples to preach about repentance and the remission of sins.
(Acts 2 : 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.
The apostles talked about repentance when they were still in Jerusalem. When the gospel reached the Gentiles, the same message was being preached.
(11 : 18)
When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."
After Peter had explained to the believers in Jerusalem to tell them why he had gone to the Gentiles, they understood that it was God who granted the Gentiles repentance to life. When the gospel reached the Gentile land, repentance is also a very important element.
(Acts 26 : 19 onwards)
Here, it talks about Paul coming before the presence of King Agrippa and Paul recounted his own conversion, how he came to believe in Jesus Christ. To his preaching to King Agrippa, he talks about repentance as well.
(Verse 20)
but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
Here, it seems that Paul was defending his own faith. If we look at the contents of his defence, it is about the gospel. At the beginning of the gospel, for one to accept the gospel, repentance is needed. Before a person can truly turn to God, he must repent. After he has turned to God, he must do works befitting repentance. From the very beginning, from John the baptist, to the last minute of Paul's preaching, this subject of repentance is mentioned repeatedly.
