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As we concluded in part one, when John the Baptist, Jesus, the Apostles and other Disciples warned their listeners to repent, what they actually meant was that their listeners needed to change their minds. Why? Because that is exactly what the Koine Greek words "metanoeo" and "metanoia" mean, just as that is what the word "repent" also means in the Old Testament as well. They needed a total change in their mental attitude. They needed to stop all of their doubting and their disbelief, and they needed to start believing. Believing in what exactly? Believing in the Gospel. Believing in the Good News. Believing in the fact that Jesus was and is the long awaited Messiah. Is that not the very essence of the Gospel message?

As we saw in part one, Jesus said "Repent ye, and believe the gospel." To paraphrase it, we can now understand that He was basically saying "Change your minds! Believe the Gospel! Believe in me!" Once you come to understand this, it opens up a number of other verses which are found in the pages of the New Testament, and it helps you to see even more clearly what the Apostles were really saying and writing, as I will be explaining later on in this series.

Everything we have examined up to this point confirms this fact. That is how these original Hebrew and Koine Greek words went from just meaning to change one's mind about something, to specifically meaning to change one's mind from a state of disbelief, to a mental state of belief in Jesus Christ. That is how the meaning of repentance evolved in the Christian context. That is how these words became associated with the message of Salvation. As I point out in other articles, the Gospels and other Books of the New Testament make it very clear that most of the political and religious leadership of ancient Israel did not accept Jesus for who He said He was, and is. They rejected Him, exactly as had been prophesied. Consider the following group of verses:

"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not."


"He came unto his own, and his own received him not."


"The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes."


"Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?"


"And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again."


"And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?"


"Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day."


"But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation."


"This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner."


"To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed [that is disapproved, rejected, repudiated] indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed."


As a result, because the people were so hardened of mind and heart, so callous and skeptical, and so spiritually blind, it was necessary for Jesus to prove Himself to them, by way of the many miracles which He performed. Of course, the most convincing miracle of all, was when to their great shock and astonishment, He gloriously rose from the dead. Tragically, even that wonderful event they tried to cover up, as we see by the following set of verses:

"Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.‭ And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,‭ Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him ‭away‭ while we slept.‭ And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.‭ So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day."


So as I said, Jesus had to resort to miracles in order to convince the people that He was, and is, who He claimed to be. Just saying "Repent ye, and believe the Gospel" was not enough. He had to back up His claims with real proof which the people could see with their own eyes. As the Lord said on various occasions "I am he." That was the central issue with many people of that era. Was Jesus just another wannabe prophet and a charlatan, or was He for real? They had to be convinced. Consider the following group of verses where He states this:

"The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he."


"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins . . . Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things."


"Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he."


"They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:"


"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."


"And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works."


For many of us today, it is difficult to understand how the people of that bygone era could have been so blind to the Son of God walking amongst them. We read the Scriptures and wonder to ourselves "Wow! How could they not have known? How could they not have seen it?" Yet the Scriptures do make it plain that they were the blind leading the blind. Consider the following group of verses which confirm this point:

"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed."


"For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.‭"


"And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear."


"Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."


"Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! . . . Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel."


"And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other."


"And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth."


"But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him."


"And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."


"(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day . . . For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in."


"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."


"But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart."


"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."


"Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:"


I think the Apostles Peter and John accurately summed up the overall skeptical attitude of the nonbelievers of that time when they wrote the following in their various Epistles:

"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."


"Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."


"And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world."


"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist."


Yet, honestly speaking, is the world really any different in our current time? So many people today are just as hardened of heart and spiritually blind, as back then. The very same antichrist spirit of rebellion and unbelief exists now, just as it existed two thousand years ago. Who knows. Perhaps it is even worse today. It is sad to see how many people's minds have become closed to the Gospel message. Either that, or if they do believe, oft times it is in fact a false, politically correct, socially acceptable gospel which is far removed from the Gospel of repentance of the First Century, where sin was exposed for what it is, and people were required to change.

Sadly, with this new gospel which has become so popular, and which is now preached everywhere, there is really no price to be paid, if one chooses to believe in it, and it changes few minds and hearts. It is all just outward show, and not much more. It is noise with very little real substance. It is a gospel of convenience and comfort. It is a false gospel of "easy believism". In fact, it is so easy, that one can even remain a homosexual, and God is okay with it. If this is the gospel you have embraced, beware! Consider the following set of verses:

"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."


"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him . . . For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."


"Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein."


"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them."


"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."


"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;"


"If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself."


"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;"


So to reiterate our earlier point, when John the Baptist, Jesus, the Apostles and other Disciples told the people to repent, they were actually saying "Change your minds! Stop being in a mental state of denial and unbelief! Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and Savior of the world!" One of the big problems we see with this modern false gospel of "easy believism", is simply that this is as far as it goes. Yes, people may change their minds to where they do accept Christ as their Savior. But as I mentioned a moment ago, nothing else, or at least very little else, really changes in their lives. They just keep on living their same lives of sin and worldliness, and their spiritual growth becomes stunted. So again, that is not the real Gospel, or the real Jesus. It is another gospel, and another Jesus, exactly as the Apostles wrote.

The real Gospel says "Change your mind regarding who you believe Jesus is, and change your life as well. Because if you don't repent, if you don't change your minds about this, if you don't believe in and accept Jesus as the Messiah, you will surely perish!" This very same message is repeated over and over again throughout the pages of the New Testament, as is clearly evident by the following group of sample verses:

"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent . . . And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."


"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."


"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."


"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."


"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"


"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God . . . He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."


"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst . . . Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life."


"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."


"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:"


"Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me."


"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."


"Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded."


"Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? . . . He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son."


As Jesus plainly stated in the previous set of verses "the work of God [is to] believe on him whom he hath sent." Just believe, believe, believe! Stop being in a state of denial. Change your stubborn mind, and accept and believe that Jesus is who He says He is. Repent and believe! Change your mind and believe! That, my friends, is the key essence of what Biblical repentance is all about when it concerns the topic of Salvation and Eternal Life. Repentance is a mental change of attitude. It is going from a state of unbelief, to a state of belief in Jesus Christ. As we learned earlier, Jesus said "Repent ye, and believe the gospel." That gospel -- or "glad tidings", from the Koine Greek word "euaggelion" -- is summed up in a verse which we all know and love:

"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."


Now, believe it or not, but the phrase "repent of your sins" is nowhere to be found in the KJV Bible. It is nonexistent. In fact, now that we have come to understand what the word "repent" really means, the phrase "repent of your sins" does not even make much sense. Yes, we can change our minds about our sins, but that is not going to result in our Salvation. Just being sorry for our sins is not enough. Let's face it. People are sorry about things all the time, right? However, that does not mean that they are saved, does it? As we have already established, it is changing from a reprobate mind which rejects Christ, to a mind which embraces Christ, that is going to save us. Not only that, but as we have already briefly discussed, this change of mind -- or repentance -- will manifest itself in the way in which we act and live. That is true, full repentance, and only God the Father can bring it about through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We will further discuss this topic later on in this series.

Please go to part three for the continuation of this series.

⇒ Go To The Next Part . . .

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