Acts 26:19-20
19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
20
But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
The evidence (proof) of repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ can be positively seen in truly converted individuals – and it is demonstrated vividly for us in Scripture.
REPENTANCE IS A CHANGE OF MIND, HEART, AND WILL
1. Doubting Thomas repents – Thomas refused to believe that Christ had been raised from the dead until he could see with his own eyes, and touch with his own hands, the risen Savior.
John 20:24-29 – 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Thomas repented, believed, and made his great profession of faith with – “My Lord and my God.”
2. Three thousand (!) changed their minds, hearts and wills on the day of Pentecost, and immediately gave evidence of their repentance.
Acts 2:41-47 – 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Please take note that these believers did not go back to living the way they did before their conversion.
3. Saul of Tarsus experienced repentance when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. He then gave evidence of repentance –
Acts 9:1-18 – And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord?
And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
4. Cornelius, his entire family and friends repented when they heard the gospel as preached by Simon Peter, and then evidence of repentance followed their conversions. Acts 10:24-48
5. The Philippian jailer and his house repented after being witnessed to by Paul and Silas – the evidence of repentance followed. Acts 16:26-34 – 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Don’t be fooled by the “God loves me no matter what I do,” preaching out there. While it is true that He loves without measure – He also demands proof of conversion. Not for Himself – He knows who is truly saved or not. The evidence of repentance is to give Him glory and honor, to exalt His Word and His name above our own, and that our lives may testify of His Grace and Mercy. Some people claiming the name of Christ, live like the very devil. Sinners should never be able to say that believers are hypocrites, and no different than the world. We should demonstrate our repentance in such a fashion that we lead some to their own repentance.
Repentance is a change of the mind, the heart, and the will.
The proof of repentance is. . .
1.turning from sin
Ezekiel 18:30
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
2. turning to God
Acts 26:20
. . . that they should repent and turn to God,
3. followed by good deeds
Acts 26:20
. . .and do works meet for repentance.
This concludes our seven part study on repentance.
The next series will be an in depth study of The New Birth.
The Vine Vigil 