by Zachary Stout
an article originally published by Always Ready Ministries
A man walks on through life—with the external call ringing in his ears but with no response stirring in his heart, and then suddenly, without any warning, the Spirit taps him on the shoulder. What happens? He turns “round.” The word “repentance” means “turning ’round.” He repents and believes and is saved.
—Peter Marshall—
The role of repentance in salvation currently is being debated in Christian circles, especially among Western Christians. Pastors, churches, and communities of believers have begun emphasizing God’s grace as the cause and means for salvation. Do their discussions leave any room for repentance in salvation and in living the Christian life? What role, if any, does repentance play in a salvation occurring only by God’s grace?
Let’s first consider what biblical repentance is. Many people think of repentance as the turning away from sin or the repudiation of those actions and thoughts that are contrary to God’s holy character. They see it as is putting off one’s old self and thereby removing one’s old lifestyle. They say it involves seeing the world from God’s perspective and recognizing the errors of the “trespasses and sins in which you previously lived according to the ways of this world” (see Eph. 2:1-3). Does this definition of repentance put too much emphasis on the believer’s works, when it is God alone who saves? Certainly it’s important to clarify 1) whether or not this description of repentance is consistent with biblical teaching, and, if it is, 2) how this description can be reconciled with the biblical truth that salvation comes, “not from works, so that no one can boast” (see Eph. 2:8-10). Put another way, we need to explore whether or not repentance in and of itself is a human work or deed for which people can take credit. Obviously, no meritorious deed can lead to salvation, because no such deed ever can be an avenue through which we receive God’s grace. His grace, remember, is undeserved!
Repentance in the Old Testament
Through their writings, the Old Testament prophets uphold the theme of repentance, even as they also uphold the theme of the LORD’s salvation. In this regard, the messages of Jonah and Joel are particularly interesting. In Joel, God is bringing judgement upon Judah, and the proper response of God’s people is an acknowledgement of their sin and a lifestyle change—following God and not their sin. Joel 2, a very important text on salvation, is quoted later by the New Testament authors (see Joel 2:1-2,20-21,28-32; Mark 13:19-20, 24-27; Acts 2:17-21; Rom. 10:13; Titus 3:4-7). Joel writes about “the day of the LORD,” a day of judgement and salvation—judgement on God’s enemies but salvation His people. Yet, in the midst of this description is a call to repentance.
Jonah preached a similar message to the Assyrians, Gentiles who had been extremely ruthless and wicked. When his audience responded in repentance, “God relented from the disaster he had threatened them with. And he did not do it” (Jonah 3:10). Did Judah in Joel 2 and Nineveh in Jonah 3 earn God’s salvation by repenting from their sins?
Repentance in New Testament
In the Gospels, John the Baptist readies the hearts of the people of Israel by encouraging repentance, which was demonstrated through baptism. We find an account of John and his preaching early in each Gospel.
Noteworthy also is Jesus’ own preaching and teaching. Matthew and Mark specifically mention repentance as a part of Jesus’ public message. Luke, the only Gentile among the New Testament writers and a physician, portrays Jesus as a doctor healing the sick, but Luke throws an interesting twist in the narrative when he reports Jesus’ response to the Pharisees. Jesus said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (see Luke 5:27-32).
James 4:6–11 also gives insight into how repentance works in salvation. James explains that God gives the grace to resist the devil and draw near to the Lord. He wants believers to recognize the wretchedness of their sin. No one can follow Christ and live for self at the same time. Furthermore, as James also said, “[F]aith without works is dead.” Isn’t this another way of saying repentance is essential for salvation?
What About the Apostle Paul?
The apostle Paul strongly emphasizes salvation by grace through faith. In Romans 10 the apostle lays out the way of salvation and the need for preaching and evangelism. In the middle of his discussion he writes this glorious statement: “For Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (v. 13). Verses 9-10 also carry this key statement: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that god raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.” Does Paul preach a different gospel than the one we find in Jesus’ ministry and in the Old Testament? An article published by 9marks.org sheds light on this question for us.
[I]s repentance a “work” we must perform in order to earn our salvation? Not at all! Repentance and faith are really two sides of the same coin. Repentance is turning from sin. Faith is turning to, trusting in, and relying on Christ. Repentance is not a “work” anymore than faith is: we simply renounce our sin and rely on Christ [emphasis added].
We need to see Paul’s statements against the backdrop of everything else the Bible says. Scripture demonstrates in Jonah that people never should take God lightly, and that neither should they ever take lightly His promise of judgment. Even so, God is gracious. According to Joel and Jonah, salvation results from responding to God’s impending wrath with repentance. Humility is a key component of this. Repentance is choosing God’s way over one’s own way. It means departing from one’s previously chosen way and taking the way God points to in His Word. One cannot turn toward God without turning away from his or her own path. The first action and the second action aren’t two separate responses to God’s promise of judgment and His overtures of love and grace, but one!
Salvation and Repentance are Intertwined
Thus, while Paul’s message of faith and belief initially may appear to deemphasize the need for repentance, we see upon reflection that it does not do this at all. Consider that the apostle alludes to the need for repentance in several different passages. Moreover, in talking about Israel, he himself says in Romans 10:16-18, “But not all obeyed the gospel…But I ask, ‘Did they not hear?’ Yes, they did.” Thus, because Israel heard the message of faith but refused to obey it, Paul characterizes them as not having correctly heard God’s Word. And consider this. Paul’s own powerful statement in Romans 10:13 is a quotation of Joel 2:32, where the context clearly paints a picture of a salvation characterized by repentance.
This is what the Bible teaches. Following Christ means obeying Him, and authentic faith cannot be separated from obedience. God gives the grace to believe, but this faith is not head knowledge only. This belief leads to repentance, including a recognition of sin, a sorrow for sin, and, with God’s help, turning from that sin to follow Christ.
To summarize, we return to Jesus’ own words as recorded in Mark’s Gospel. What must people do to be saved? “Repent and believe the good news.”
Zachary Stout is a junior majoring in Biblical Studies at Cedarville University
January 20, 2019
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
For further reading: Reflections on Repentance