Answer: Many understand the concept of repentance as “turning away from sin.” This is not a biblical definition of repentance. In the Bible, the word of repentance means “change one’s mind / thought”. The Bible also tells us that true repentance will result in a change in behavior (Luke 3: 8-14; Acts 3:19). Acts 26: 20b proclaims: “… I have preached to repent and turn to God, and do deeds worthy of repentance.”
So, what is the relationship between repentance and salvation? The Acts of the Apostles seem to focus primarily on repentance rather than salvation (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; 17:30; 20:21; 26:20). To repent, in relation to salvation, means to change your mind about Jesus Christ. Peter, in his sermon on Pentecost (Acts 2), ends with a call to repentance (Acts 2:38). Repentance of what? Peter calls on people who have rejected Jesus (Acts 2:36) to change their minds to recognize that He is truly “Lord and Messiah” (Acts 2:36). Peter calls people to change their minds, from rejecting Christ as the Messiah to believing in Him as the Messiah and Savior.
Repentance and faith can be understood as “two sides of the same coin”. It is impossible to place your faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior without changing your mind about who He is and what he did. Whether it is repentance of deliberate rejection or repentance of ignorance or disinterest, it is a change of thought. Biblical repentance in relation to salvation is changing your mind from rejecting Christ to believing in Him.
It is very important that we understand that repentance is not the activity we do to earn / gain salvation. No one can repent and come to God unless God draws Him to Himself (John 6:44). Acts 5:31 and 11:18 indicate that repentance is something that God gives — it is possible only through His grace. No one can repent unless God repents. The result of all salvation, including repentance and faith, is that God is pulling us together, opening our eyes and changing our hearts. God’s patience leads us to repentance (2 Peter 3: 9), as does His kindness (Romans 2: 4).
Although repentance is not an act by which salvation can be earned, repentance to salvation / to salvation results in deeds. It is impossible to truly and fully change the mind without reflecting on deeds. In the Bible, repentance leads to a change in behavior. That is why John the Baptist has called people to “bear fruit worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3: 8). A person who has indeed repented of Christ’s rejection of faith in Christ will have visible evidence of a change in life (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5: 19-23; James 2: 14-26). The right definition of repentance is necessary for salvation. Biblical repentance changes your mind about Jesus Christ and turns you to God in faith for salvation (Acts 3:19). The definition of repentance does not lie in turning away from sin – this is only one of the results of sincere, faith-based repentance to the Lord Jesus Christ.
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