“repentance IS NEEDED”

“Repentance” is a command that you will find repeatedly in your Bibles. But what is “repentance”? (Acts 14:15) “And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:” According to this reference “repentance” is a “turning”! Turning from what is a very good question. Again from the same reference “repentance is a “turning” from these “vanities” or from one’s sinful ways. Now if you turn from something you must be “turning” toward something else. As this reference again tells us we are to turn “from these vanities unto the living God”. This should be very clear in everyone’s mind; we are to turn from our sinful ways unto God. That, my friends is repentance and that is what God requires of everyone who commits sin and we are further informed that everyone has committed sin: (Rom 3:23) “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” If this be true; and it is, everyone is in need of “repentance.” There is no escaping “repentance”; either we “repent” or face the wrath of God.

To further define “repentance” let us look at an example of a man who was told that he needed to repent. My thoughts would go immediately to a man by the name of Simon. Now Simon lived in Samaria and he was a sorcerer (Acts 8:8–11) “And there was great joy in that city.  ⁹But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:  ¹⁰To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.  ¹¹And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.” Philip was preaching the gospel in this area and Simon believed what he heard: (Acts 8:13) “Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.” Not only did Simon believe he even obeyed the gospel and was baptized for the remission of his sins [Acts 2:38]. However, as he continued with Philip, Peter and John came to Samaria from Jerusalem. Simon witnessed that by the laying on of the apostles hands the Holy Ghost was given. Formerly being a sorcerer this got the best of him and he wanted this power also. What did he do? He offered them money so that he too could have this ability. Was Simon eternally condemned now? NO, Peter told him what he must do to receive forgiveness of this sin: (Acts 8:20–23) “But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  ²¹Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.  ²²Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.  ²³For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.” Without even being asked Peter told Simon what he needed to do. First, he needed to REPENT [I.e. turn away from his sin and turn to God]. Second, he needed to pray to God for forgiveness. Simon then asked for them to join in prayer: (Acts 8:24) “Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.” Did Simon repent? I believe he did because he was willing to do the second part of Peter’s command [I.e. pray]. Now there are those in the religious world who say that Simon was not really converted in the first place; they are wrong because the inspired Word says he “believed and was baptized”. This is what I did to receive salvation and Simon too received salvation. If you are a Christian and temptation gets the best of you; do not despair, follow the advice Peter gave to Simon. If you don’t feel secure in your own prayers ask others to pray with you.

Will God forgive the repentant sinner? He has in the past: (Acts 11:18) “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” God will do the same for you and me!

-Bud