I grew up in the Seventies and Eighties and listened to a lot of music that is now considered classic rock. I was introduced to some of it through my uncle Neil’s record collection. I remember seeing one album cover that completely captivated me as a child. I didn’t know what the music sounded like at the time but I knew that I would like it if I ever heard it. This is that album.
If you are familiar with this album then you know that its most well-known track is More Than A Feeling, which is four minutes and forty-five seconds of pure rock bliss. This is just my opinion but it may be one of the greatest pop songs ever written. However, that is not what this particular post is about.
Over the summer I had the opportunity to volunteer at two weeks of Christian camp. The first week was 4th and 5th graders and not only did I get to teach, I had the chance to lead worship. It was a great week and I had a wonderful time. The second week (literally the very next week) was 6th and 7th graders and once again I was given the opportunity to teach. One of the topics I was assigned was biblical repentance. I did not take Hebrew or Greek while I was in Bible College and my personal studies of both languages cannot even be considered rudimentary. I know enough to be able to use some of the language tools available but I must depend upon scholars for this sort of thing.
The two Hebrew words commonly associated with repentance are niham and shub and both convey a variety of meanings depending upon the context in which they are used. The first is often used to convey a sense of sorrow while the second carries the connotation of turning back to or turning away from something. Interestingly enough, niham is most often used to describe God dealing with humanity both positively and negatively. The LXX (Greek translation of the Old Testament) uses the Greek words metanoeo and metamelomai to translate it. Both of these words can refer to either divine or human response. On the other hand, the LXX typically translates shub with the Greek words epistrepho and apostrepho.
In the New Testament, epistrepho (48 times) and apostrepho (10 times) are used to convey the idea of “turning away” or “returning to” in both the literal and figurative sense. As always, context determines the meaning. Metanoeo (34 times) and its masculine form metanoia (24 times) are translated as “repent”, “repented”, and “repentance” for the latter. Metamelomai (9 times) and is translated in various ways depending upon the English translation. It is used to show a change of mind or a sense or remorse/regret.
I do not plan to examine every single biblical use of these words but I did want to briefly mention the words that are used in Scripture. The concept of repentance is crucial for those who claim to follow Jesus. John the Baptist’s message in the wilderness was for people to “repent” because the kingdom of heaven (kingdom of God) was at hand. Jesus, after being baptized by John and tempted by Satan, began to preach the same message. Later, on the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached to the crowd gathered in Jerusalem (Acts chapter 2). After hearing his message and being convicted by the Holy Spirit they ask,”Brothers, what should we do?” Peter responds and says, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” In all these instances, the writers uses either metanoeo or metanoia.
The idea is that true repentance involves more than just feeling sorry about something. In Matthew 27:3, when Judas realized what he had done he felt deep remorse (metamelomai). This feeling did not cause him to change his ways. Instead, it drove him to commit suicide. In 2 Corinthians 7:8-9 Paul acknowledges that he upset some of his readers with his previous letter. He doesn’t apologize though. He tells them that he did not regret writing it and any regret he may have felt was temporary. He uses metamelomai here. He then says that he rejoices because any grief he caused led them to repentance (metanoia).
When Jesus told the people to “repent” he didn’t leave it as some vague command. When you go back and read his words during the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) you see him describe what true repentance looks like. It’s more than changing your mind. It’s more than feeling sorry. To tie it back in to my opening, it’s more than a feeling. The result of true repentance is a changed life. I personally believe that it doesn’t end the second we become Christians. As we continue walk in the Spirit and mature, God will continue to change our minds about things. That will require us to continually modify the way we live our lives. Paul, in Romans 12:1-2 (CSB) describes it this way:
Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Grace and peace.
Sources used: Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Second Edition) and blueletterbible.org
That 80s Pastor Dude 