Title Page

Lesson Nine

Matthew 3:1-4

Matthew 3:1-41 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

Matthew 3:5-8

Matthew 3:5-85 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

Matthew 3:9-10

Matthew 3:9-109 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Matthew 3:11-12

Matthew 3:11-1211 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Focus Verse

Luke 24:47

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all

nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Focus Thought

Salvation demands repentance. When we repent, we identify with the death of Jesus

Christ on the cross.

IntroductionIntroduction

The title “Saved by Repentance” reveals the essentiality of repentance to salvation. Although redemption requires more than just repentance, it is impossible for one to be born again without true and deep repentance. The new-birth experience is not a series of steps separate and isolated from each other; rather, it is the product and outcome of faith and obedience to the entire plan of God in salvation.

IntroductionSalvation begins with faith, which is necessary to please the Lord (Hebrews 11:6). John penned the words of Jesus, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Belief is necessary, but genuine belief propels one toward acts of total obedience.

IntroductionSome individuals have wrongly concluded that belief alone is enough for salvation, but they ignore Jesus’ statement to Nicodemus: “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Clearly, we must include water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ and receiving the Holy Ghost as essential elements of the plan of salvation.

IntroductionHowever, none of the above is possible without a person first exhibiting genuine repentance of his sins. Repentance is an essential element of God’s plan of salvation (Acts 2:38). Jesus clearly unveiled the essentiality of repentance (Luke 13:3, 5). Salvation is the combination of faith’s process and total obedience as we draw near to God.

IntroductionThe salvation journey always originates with a person’s acknowledgement that he is a sinner and that Jesus Christ died and shed His blood for salvation. Saving faith is the open door through which the grace of God is extended to a sinner. Saving faith is not just a state of mental assent, but it involves an act of the will, the intellect, and the emotions, all of which affect one’s total personality.

IntroductionSaving faith is faith unto obedience, which leads to genuine repentance of sins and water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. These responses to God’s grace prepare a person to receive the culmination of God’s great work of regeneration.

IntroductionThe salvation journey does not end with water baptism, but God fills a person with His Holy Spirit. That individual speaks with other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance, which is the initial sign of one receiving the Holy Ghost. He has been born again! He has begun a life with Jesus Christ that will last a lifetime here on earth and for eternity in heaven.

IntroductionRepentance is not only mandatory for salvation, but it should become a lifestyle for the child of God (I John 1:8-10). We live in a wicked and evil world and we need daily cleansing through repentance. Indeed, one of the Christian’s greatest friends should be his personal altar of repentance.

I. The Purpose of Repentance A

The Purpose ofRepentance

Repentance is mankind’s response to the realization that he is a sinner and that Jesus died on the cross to provide atonement for man’s sins. Repentance is the result of our faith, the first step that we take in our journey of God’s great plan for salvation.

I. The Purpose of Repentance AThrough repentance one identifies with the death of

Jesus Christ. Jesus was the only one who was without sin and who did not deserve to die. He was the only perfect substitute to pay the penalty for sin. We could not rise to where He was, so He came to where we were that He might redeem us and give us the hope of eternal life with Him. (See II Corinthians 5:19.) 

I. The Purpose of Repentance A

A. Man Is Inherently Sinful

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of

God” (Romans 3:23).

I. The Purpose of Repentance AAll members of the human race were born in a

state of sin and need a savior. Mankind fell when Adam fell—for everyone descended from his lineage. All individuals are sinners, whether they live according to high or low morals. Reformation may lift a person so that he lives on a higher moral plane, but he still lives in a sinful state because of his sinful condition at birth. (See Proverbs 20:9; Isaiah 64:6.)

I. The Purpose of Repentance B

B. Sin Offends the Natureof God

Sin offends God’s holiness and destroys His original design for mankind; therefore, God hates sin. Sin is rebellion against God and a challenge to His sovereignty. God hates sin so much that He decreed the penalty to be death. (See Romans 6:23; James 1:15.) 

I. The Purpose of Repentance C

C. Only Repentance Appealsto the Righteous Characterof God

The penitent heart is fertile ground for God’s grace to produce the work of redemption. Repentance and obedience to God’s salvation plan is the only way that mankind can receive God’s mercy and be restored to a relationship with Him. (See Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3.)

I. The Purpose of Repentance C

King David was known as a “man after God’s own heart,” yet no other character in the Word of God better illustrates the moral range of human nature for both good and evil. At the same time, no one is a better example of God’s grace and mercy toward mankind. David rose to be the greatest king and general in Israel’s history. His psalms, read and sung even today, express mankind’s desire for God’s blessings and the passion to be in His presence. Yet David fell into gross immorality and murder, and God still forgave him. Why? Because David knew the power of repentance. (See Psalm 51.)

I. The Purpose of Repentance C

God called Jonah to go to the wicked and cruel city of Nineveh to preach a message of repentance. Jonah, knowing that the Lord would hear the prayer of penitent Nineveh, tried to run from God and discovered that no one is successful in doing so. Jonah went down into the ship, but God was there and sent a storm. Owning up to the fact that he was the reason for the storm, Jonah asked the sailors to throw him down into the sea where he ended up in the belly of a large fish. From this place of despair, Jonah prayed a prayer of repentance: “I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD” (Jonah 2:9).

I. The Purpose of Repentance C

God heard his cry, and the fish “vomited out Jonah upon the dry land” (Jonah 2:10). Jonah headed for Nineveh, where He preached a message of doom with no mercy: “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4). The men of Nineveh believed, and the king proclaimed prayer and fasting. They repented and God stayed His judgment. Jonah, who himself had been forgiven, was displeased that God would forgive those cruel enemies of Israel. However, God is “no respecter of persons”; He hears the prayer of all penitent sinners.

I. The Purpose of Repentance C

Simon Peter denied the Lord after boasting that all others might forsake Jesus, but he would not. When the rooster crowed in the morning and Jesus looked lovingly at him, he went out and wept bitterly.

I. The Purpose of Repentance C

But Jesus restored Peter in His typical loving, compassionate fashion. When in his discouragement Peter declared, “I go a fishing,” Jesus followed him to Galilee. After Peter had toiled all night and caught nothing, Jesus was on the bank where He soon would cook breakfast for him. Peter recognized Jesus only after hearing His instruction to cast his nets on the other side of the boat. Jesus then gently reproved him and asked him three times if he loved Him. Jesus probed deeply, “Lovest thou me more than these?” (John 21:15). 

I. The Purpose of Repentance C

Bible commentators vary in their interpretation of Jesus’ questioning Peter over the campfire when He said, “Lovest thou me more than these?” Of the various viewpoints, The Life Application Commentary states the possible interpretations most succinctly: “Jesus’ first question to Peter could be translated in three ways: (1)‘Do you love me more than these men love me?’ (2)‘Do you love me more than you love these men?’ (3)‘Do you love me more than these things?’ (that is, the fishing boat, nets, and gear).”

I. The Purpose of Repentance C

The Life Application Commentary goes on to identify the first interpretation as the “most appropriate because Peter had boasted that he would never forsake Jesus, even if all the other disciples did.” We may not know for certain the intention of Jesus other than to know that He was clearly probing deeply the measure of Peter’s devotion and commitment to Him. 

II. The Practice of Repentance A

The Practice ofRepentance

A. Commanded by God

God loves His people and desires to commune with them, but it is not possible as long as sin and rebellion are present (Ezekiel 18:30-32). Repentance, the only way that mankind can approach God, brings God’s promise. (See II Chronicles 7:14.) Jesus preached repentance (Matthew 4:17; Luke 13:3-5), and He also commanded His disciples to do the same (Luke 24:47). 

II. The Practice of Repentance B

B. Convicts Us of Sin—Godly Sorrow

When God’s people sin, He sends them conviction to nudge them back to His path. If their conscience is not seared, He sends a still small voice to gently reprove them. Conviction is not condemnation, for God has lifted His people above condemnation, although Satan will continue to try to cause them to feel condemned. In spite of Satan’s badgering, however, there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus! (See Romans 8:1.) 

II. The Practice of Repentance C

C. Confession Is Required

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso

confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy”

(Proverbs 28:13).

II. The Practice of Repentance CForgiveness cannot exist until a person

acknowledges and confesses his iniquity. David could not find release until he confessed his sin to God. Writing to the church, John declared, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:8-9).

II. The Practice of Repentance D

D. Convinces Us of Righteousness

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath

appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world”

(Titus 2:11-12).

II. The Practice of Repentance D

Not only does God reprove us of sin in our lives, but He also replaces it with His righteousness: “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (I Timothy 6:11).

II. The Practice of Repentance E

E. Changes Our Direction

Saul of Tarsus was on his way to Damascus (Acts 9) to arrest every Christian he could find and bring them to Jerusalem for trial and persecution. While he was still on the road, God arrested him and asked, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” When Saul questioned who spoke to him, the voice replied, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.” God changed Saul that day and turned him around. Saul later became Paul, the great apostle to the Gentiles. With the same fervor that he had persecuted Christians, he began preaching the gospel and establishing churches.

II. The Practice of Repentance EIn like manner, we were walking in sin toward the

world before we met Jesus. However, we turned around and now walk toward and with Him. 

II. The Practice of Repentance F

F. Compels Us to Obey

True repentance motivates us to obey God’s commandments. After Peter preached the great salvation sermon on the Day of Pentecost, conviction smote the hearts of those who heard him, and they asked what they should do (Acts 2:37). That day, three thousand souls gladly received the Word and obeyed. True repentance compels a person to obey the known will of God.

II. The Practice of Repentance G

G. Commits Us to Christ

God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham faced a decision: would he disobey the command of God because it seemed unreasonable, or would he obey the known will of God? Although ultimately God did not allow Abraham to slay his son, He was testing Abraham’s commitment to serve Him. In like manner, when Jesus went to the cross, He was committed to God’s purpose. He expects total commitment from us to His purpose for our lives.

Romans 12:1-2II Timothy 2:2“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye

present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye

transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect,

will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

III. The Power of Repentance A

The Power ofRepentance

Apostle Paul wrote his first letter to the church at Corinth to discipline and to instruct them in areas where they were falling short of God’s mark. Apparently, he had written a prior letter to them on the issue of moral laxness, but he had received reports that indicated it was still a problem. (See I Corinthians 5:9-10.) Things such as divisions, various erroneous practices, and false doctrines had also crept into the church. Paul was strong and plain in his call for the Corinthian Christians to repent and change.

III. The Power of Repentance APaul also had received a report that the Corinthian

church was tolerating a case of incest (I Corinthians 5:1-5), where a man in the church was living with his father’s wife. Paul instructed them to abandon the member and to give him over to Satan so that he might repent and his soul would be saved. Later, Paul complimented the Corinthian church on their repentance evidenced by their godly sorrow. He was happy they were sorrowful unto repentance and changed their direction.

III. The Power of Repentance A

A. Brings a Brokenand Contrite Heart

According to Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, it appears that a broken and a contrite heart brings or initiates repentance. Or possibly one could say that it provides the proper setting to foster and facilitate repentance.

II Corinthians 7:9-10II Timothy 2:2“Now I rejoice, not that ye were

made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the

world worketh death” (II Corinthians 7:9-10).

III. The Power of Repentance B

B. Brings God to Forgiveness

In true repentance, a person recognizes and acknowledges his transgression and sin. This results in his turning away from sin and turning toward God. True repentance gains God’s attention and turns Him from judgment to forgiveness and mercy. The Bible says that when Nineveh repented, God also repented. This reveals the aspect of change that genuine repentance always entails. Although God does no wrong and needs no repentance from sin, our repentance influences Him to change or defer His judgments. (See Jonah 3:8-10.) Our reaction to God determines His reaction to us. Certainly, He will reward us if we diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

III. The Power of Repentance C

C. Brings Forgiveness of Sins

Sin and disobedience bring a heavy burden of guilt, but when a person receives forgiveness, the release of that load of guilt brings great peace and joy. The psalmist expressed it this way: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile” (Psalm 32:1-2).

III. The Power of Repentance D

D. Brings Us Back intoGod’s Presence

In his second letter to the Corinthian church, Paul expressed the change he noticed in them. (See II Corinthians 7:11.) Now free of condemnation, they were much more careful and more fervent in their walk with God. 

III. The Power of Repentance E

E. Brings Restoration of Joy

The classic story that Jesus told of the prodigal son demonstrates the elements of true repentance and the mercy of God toward the penitent. When the prodigal son faced his sin, turned around, and returned to his father’s house, restoration and rejoicing awaited him.

III. The Power of Repentance E

The father did not go down to the far country looking for him, but he watched and waited at the door for his son’s penitent return. When his son came into view, the father, without blame or condemnation, ran to his son who had returned. Only love and a celebration party awaited his lost son who had come home (Luke 15:21-24). Jesus likened this celebration of rejoicing to what happens in heaven when one sinner repents. (See Luke 15:7.) Certainly, God loves every errant person and wants that individual to repent!

IV. The Pattern for SalvationThe Pattern for Salvation

The pattern and plan of the Tabernacle in the Old Testament demonstrates the path that leads a person to God. Situated in the Holy of Holies, the ark of the covenant represented the presence of God. To reach this place, the priest had to go through a series of steps—all symbolic of the plan of redemption.

IV. The Pattern for Salvation

First was the death of the sacrificial lamb and the shedding of its innocent blood on the brazen altar as a sacrifice for sin—symbolic of repentance and of a person’s dying out to self and sin. Next, the priest had to wash at the brazen laver—symbolic of water baptism in Jesus’ name for the remission of sins.

IV. The Pattern for SalvationNext, the priest would walk into the Holy Place, which contained important symbols of the new life a person begins as he is converted and turns away from a life of sin. On the left side of this room was the seven-branched lampstand, which represented the light of the Lord and His church. On the right side of the room was the table of shewbread, which represented the Word of God that we should eat daily. Immediately in front of the veil sat the altar of incense, which represented our worship, praise, and prayers.

IV. The Pattern for SalvationOnly the high priest could go into the Holy of Holies once a year, and only after going through the above steps. Thus it represented the culmination of the plan of salvation—entering into the holy presence of God by receiving the Holy Spirit. Paul reinforced this understanding through his declaration to the Corinthians that the gospel message is the death, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (See I Corinthians 15:1-4.)

IV. The Pattern for SalvationThe Gospel in Action • He died for my sins—so I must die out to self, to sin, and the world through repentance.• He was buried for me—so I must identify with Him in His burial by baptism in His name for the remission of my sins.• He rose triumphantly over the grave—so I must rise to a new life in the Holy Ghost. 

IV. The Pattern for SalvationInterestingly, at the death of Christ on the cross, the veil between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies was split in two from the top to the bottom. This divine act was full of significance. It symbolized that from that moment the Holy of Holies, which is symbolic of the presence of God, is open for whosoever will to enter in. It is not only an opportunity for a select few once a year, but all may enter into the redemptive presence of the Lord! 

ReflectionsFrom the definitions of two Greek words, metanoeo, “the changing of one’s mind,” and metamellomai, “contrition that signifies godly sorrow,” we arrive at the full meaning of true repentance as turning away from sin and changing one’s attitudes and ideas. Certainly, repentance is not only the turning away from something, but it is also a turning toward God with one’s heart melted and pliable. However, mankind in his sinful state is incapable of doing this alone. He must have the help of God. Jesus indicated that no one could come to Him unless the Spirit of God draws him (John 6:44). Thus, the doctrine of repentance is essential to a salvation experience with God.