Luke 24: 46 – 47 He [Jesus] told them [his disciples], “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

In Luke 3:3 the following is recorded about John the Baptist: “He went into all the country around the Jordan preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” John has been called the forerunner of Jesus. When Jesus came to John to be baptized by him John testified: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me’.” (John 1: 29 – 30).

When Jesus began his ministry we read: “From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”  (Matthew 4:17). Jesus preached repentance to Jews and non-Jews alike. Before he ascended to heaven, Jesus reminded his disciples that he had told them that everything written about him in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms would be fulfilled. Having been eyewitnesses of his life they would be in a position to share with confidence the good news of salvation once they had received the Holy Spirit. Thus we hear Peter boldly proclaim to a large crowd on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended: “Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38) So there is clearly no way to enter into a relationship with God without repentance as the message remained unchanged from John to Jesus, to Peter and until our day.

What then is repentance?  It is brokenness before God and the Psalmist David helps us understand when he confessed his sin, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17). The Holy Spirit explained to me further:

“For I have appointed that men shall meet with me only after they have undergone a process of self-examination, repentance and a conscious decision to turn to me and reject his past ways and life. It must be voluntary and the sacrifice he brings must cost him something. For it is his whole heart that I desire. There can be no wavering. When this is the case his sacrifice is acceptable and I will then send my Spirit to cleanse and renew him that he may seek my will and walk with me in righteousness.”