Repentance is an important biblical concept that is often debated among Christians. At its core, repentance refers to making a fundamental change regarding sin and God. But there are differing views on whether repentance is primarily a change of mind or the turning away from sinful behavior. Looking at key Bible passages can shed light on both aspects of repentance.
Change of Mind
Several verses present repentance as changing one’s mind. When Jesus began His ministry, He said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). To repent is to reconsider one’s ways in light of the nearness of God’s kingdom. Peter called the crowd at Pentecost to “repent and be baptized” (Acts 2:38). This implies turning from unbelief to faith in Christ. Paul later reflected on his ministry saying he “declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance” (Acts 26:20). Repentance is linked to turning to God, indicating a changed mindset.
When Jonah preached to the Ninevites, they “believed God” (Jonah 3:5). This belief was demonstrated by proclaiming “a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them” (Jonah 3:5). Their change in behavior showed their change in allegiance from their pagan idols to the one true God. The king of Nineveh said, “let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish” (Jonah 3:8-9). For the Ninevites, repentance began with a change of heart and mind that then led to bearing fruit in keeping with that repentance.
In the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), the wayward son reflected on his sin and made a decision to return to his father, saying “I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you'” (Luke 15:18). His repentance started with a change of mind that led to a change of direction back toward his father.
These passages demonstrate that repentance means turning away in one’s mind from sin toward God. It connotes changing one’s allegiance and mindset regarding sinful ways.
Turning from Sin
Other Bible verses present repentance as the act of turning away from sin. John the Baptist preached “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3). When the people asked what they should do in response, John said “bear fruits in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8). To repent meant visibly turning away from specific sins. Zacchaeus demonstrated this by pledging to give half his goods to the poor and to restore anything he gained by fraud (Luke 19:5-8). His actions displayed his repentance.
Jesus rebuked some cities saying, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Matthew 11:21). The repentance Jesus describes involves grieving over sin demonstrated through sackcloth and ashes. Later, Jesus said He didn’t come to call the righteous but “sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). The implication is that sinners must turn from sin by abstaining from immoral behavior.
Paul exhorted the Corinthians to discipline an unrepentant man by “deliver[ing] this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 5:5). The desired outcome was for the man to renounce his sin. Paul instructed Timothy to “correct those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth” (2 Timothy 2:25). Repentance here means turning away from false teaching to embrace sound doctrine. Correcting and rebuking sin seems pointless if repentance is merely a change of mind.
In Revelation, Jesus rebuked the church at Ephesus saying, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first” (Revelation 2:5). He called them to return to their former obedience, indicating repentance requires turning from wrongdoing and back to righteous living.
These passages demonstrate repentance is not only an inward turning of the mind, but also an outward turning from wickedness. To repent means visibly abandoning sinful patterns of behavior.
Connection Between Both Aspects
While some verses emphasize the change of mind in repentance, and others focus on the change of behavior, both are important. True repentance will manifest both inwardly and outwardly. A changed heart should produce changed actions. But changed actions require a renewed mind.
Ezekiel 18 states, “Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!” (Ezekiel 18:31). God then says, “For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live” (Ezekiel 18:32). This call to repentance includes both getting “a new heart”—representing an internal change of mind—as well as casting away transgressions—the outward evidence of a converted heart.
Likewise, in Isaiah God says, “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good” (Isaiah 1:16-17). The cleansing represents the internal washing from sin, done by turning to God in the heart and mind. This results in changed deeds—the external outworking of inner repentance.
When Jesus sent out His disciples, Mark 6:12 notes “they went out and proclaimed that people should repent.” Then immediately after, verse 13 notes “they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.” Their call to repentance included both inward conversion and its tangible demonstration through healing people.
Hebrews 6:1 mentions both “repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.” Repentance requires turning away internally from sinful ways and turning in faith to God. One aspect focuses on the mind, the other on behavior, but both are essential.
So repentance entails a renewed mind that produces changed actions. A mental shift alone is incomplete if behavior remains unchanged. But behavioral change requires aligning one’s heart with God’s truth.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
How is someone able to make this fundamental shift in mind and deed? A key factor is the work of the Holy Spirit. When giving the Great Commission, Jesus said “repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations” (Luke 24:47). But He then added, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). Empowerment from the Spirit is needed to proclaim and live out the message of repentance.
In Acts 11:18, the church leaders realized that “to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” Repentance is ultimately a gift from God, made possible by His Spirit enabling sinners to turn to Him. Paul said “godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10). As the Spirit convicts someone of sin, it brings about repentance.
So true repentance arises from God’s initiative to grant repentance and by the Spirit’s work to convict people of sin and draw them to Christ. An inward change will produce outward change by the power of the Spirit.
Repentance in Salvation
Repentance is a crucial part of conversion. But there are differing views on the relationship between repentance and faith in salvation. Some see repentance merely as a synonym for faith. Others argue repentance prepares the way for faith. Still others see repentance and faith as overlapping concepts that together characterize conversion.
The gospel call often includes a summons to “repent and believe.” In Jesus’ early ministry, “Repent and believe in the gospel” was part of His core message (Mark 1:15). After His resurrection, He told His disciples “that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations” (Luke 24:47). Repentance seems closely tied to believing the gospel.
However, some verses distinguish repentance and faith. Paul testified “of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). The author of Hebrews wrote of both “repentance from dead works and of faith toward God” (Hebrews 6:1). In these verses, repentance is differentiated from faith. Yet they still function together in the conversion process.
Other passages present repentance as the prerequisite for faith. Jesus said, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5). A call to salvation follows a summons to repentance. In Acts 2, Peter concludes his gospel presentation by saying “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38). Repentance seems to precede placing faith in Christ as Savior.
So repentance and faith both play key roles in salvation, sometimes distinguished and sometimes overlapping. Repentance focuses on turning from sin, faith on turning to Christ. But both are part of the complete Biblical picture of conversion.
Conclusion
In summary, repentance in the Bible involves both an internal turn from sin in the mind and heart, as well as the external evidence of turning away from wicked behavior. Repentance represents a fundamental reorientation in one’s attitude toward sin and God. While repentance includes mental assent and remorse over sin, it must consist of more than emotion and thought. True repentance transforms the mind and demonstrates itself in changed patterns of life. Repentance originates from God’s grace at work through His Spirit convicting sinners of their need for Christ. Together with faith in the gospel, heartfelt repentance is an essential part of the salvation process.
Though Christians debate the precise nature of repentance, Scripture contains a complex picture involving both inward turning from sin and outward turning to God. Any view of repentance that focuses solely on human effort or merely an emotional experience falls short of the Biblical portrayal. Repentance unto salvation comes as an act of God’s grace and Spirit, compelling the sinner to simultaneously abandon sin in mind and deed as they embrace Christ in saving faith. This life-changing repentance brings wonderful freedom and hope.
