Many understand the term repentance as “turning away from sin.” This is not the biblical definition of repentance. In the Bible, the word repentance means “to change one’s opinion or thinking.” The Bible also tells us that true repentance will result in a change of behavior (Luke 3:8–14; Acts 3:19). Acts 26:20b declares, “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and do works worthy of repentance.” The full biblical definition of repentance is a change in thinking that leads to a change in behavior.
So what is the relationship between repentance and salvation? Acts seem to focus primarily on repentance rather than salvation (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; 17:30; 20:21; 26:20). To repent about salvation is to change your mind about Jesus Christ. Peter ends his sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2) with a call to repentance (Acts 2:38). Repentance of what? Peter calls the people who rejected Jesus (Acts 2:36) to change their thinking to recognize that He is indeed “Lord and Messiah” (Acts 2:36). Peter is calling people to change their minds from rejecting Christ as Messiah to believing in Him as 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 your Savior without changing your mind about who He is and what He has done. Whether it is repentance from willful rejection or repentance from ignorance or disinterest, it is a change of mind. Biblical repentance to salvation is changing one’s mind from rejecting Christ to believing in Him.
We must understand that repentance is not an activity that we do to earn or obtain 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 God gives—it is only possible through His grace. No one can repent unless God provides repentance. The result of all salvation, including repentance and faith, is that God draws us to Himself, opens our eyes, and changes our hearts. God’s patience leads us to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), as does His kindness (Romans 2:4).
Although repentance is not a work by which salvation can be earned, repentance to or for salvation results in works. It is impossible to truly and fully change one’s mind without it being reflected in actions. In the Bible, repentance leads to a change in behavior. This is why John the Baptist called people to “bear fruit worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8). A person who has truly repented from rejecting Christ to having faith in Christ will have visible evidence of a changed life (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:19–23; James 2:14–26). Correctly defining 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 is not turning away from sin; that is just one of the results of sincere, faith-based repentance to the Lord Jesus Christ.
