Repentance

To repent means to change. Repentance is a change of thinking which results in a change of life.

Hebrews 6:1 talks of repentance from dead works. This means to forsake the works of death, or
works which produce death.

HEBREWS 6:1 NKJ

1 . . . elementary principles of Christ . . . the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith
toward God,

Repentance involves a change of mind -- waking up to reality, seeing things as they really are, and
recognizing the error of your ways -- resulting in a change of action.

Repentance includes forsaking old patterns, habits, priorities, and all things that have controlled
you (gods). Repentance means accepting Jesus as Lord!

To repent is to forsake all other gods -- and embrace Jesus Christ as your Lord and God. (Jesus
allows no other gods before Him.)

Greek Word Meaning

The word translated repent in English New Testaments is the Greek word metanoeo.

W. E. Vine's Dictionary¹ says metanoeo literally means to perceive afterwards, hence it signifies
to change one's mind or purpose, and it always involves a change for the better.

Bullinger's Dictionary² says metanoeo means, "to perceive afterwards, hence, to change one's mind
and purpose. This change is always for the better, and denotes a change of moral thought and
reflection; not merely to repent of, nor to forsake sin, but to change one's mind and apprehensions
regarding it. Metanoeo denotes to reform, to have a genuine change of heart and life from worse to
better."

Kittel³ says metanoeo means, "to change one's mind," or "to convert."

MATTHEW 4:17 NKJ

17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

MARK 1:15 NKJ

15 . . . the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

MARK 6:12 NKJ

12 So they went out and preached that people should repent.

LUKE 13:3 NKJ

3 ". . . but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

ACTS 2:38 NKJ

38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

ACTS 3:19 NKJ

19 "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing
may come from the presence of the Lord,

ACTS 17:30 NKJ

30 "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to
repent,

Used As A Noun

The noun form of the Greek word we translate as repentance is metanoya.

Vine¹ says repentance means an after-thought, or change of mind. In the New Testament the
subject chiefly has reference to repentance from sin, and this change of mind involves both a turning
from sin and a turning to God.

The parable of the prodigal son is an outstanding illustration of repentance. (Luke 15:10-21)

In the Gospel of John repentance is not mentioned. Instead the effects are stressed in the active
turning from sin to God by the exercise of faith, resulting in the new birth -- which no other Gospel
mentions.

Bullinger² says repentance means a change of mind from bad to good, not merely pain of mind,
but reformation.

LUKE 24:47 NKJ

47 "and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations,
beginning at Jerusalem.

ACTS 20:21 NKJ

21 "testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus
Christ.

ACTS 26:20 NKJ

20 ". . . they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

ROMANS 2:4 NKJ

4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that
the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

2 CORINTHIANS 7:10 NKJ

10 For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the
world produces death.

Many mistake sorrow for repentance. As this verse shows, godly sorrow leads to repentance, but
they are not the same thing.

2 PETER 3:9 NKJ

9 The Lord is not . . . willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Grant Them Repentance

Unless God reveals truth to you there is no foundation for repentance. To have a change of mind
we must first see the error of our ways.

2 TIMOTHY 2:25 NKJ

25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance,
so that they may know the truth,

ACTS 11:18 NKJ

18 . . . "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."

ACTS 5:31 NKJ

31 "Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and
forgiveness of sins.

Remorse

There is another Greek word, metamelomai, which means to have remorse or regret.

Bullinger² says metamelomai means, "to rue, regret; to have dissatisfaction with one's self for what
one has done, to change or alter one's purpose, have anxiety consequent on a past transaction; to
have pain of mind, rather than change of mind; and change of purpose, rather than change of heart."

Kittel³ says, "Metanoya (repentance) means a change of heart either generally or in respect of a
specific sin, whereas metamelomai means `to experience remorse.' Metanoya implies that one has
later arrived at a different view of something, metamelomai that one has a different feeling about
it."

"Remorse does not have to be pleasing to God. It can be simply a change in mood. It is often the
natural result of imprudent and unjust action. In remorse (metamelomai) a man sees the bitter end
of sin, in repentance (metanoya) he breaks free from it."

"Remorse comes of itself at the end of a sinful and foolish way. But a man is called to repentance
by the one who brings the divine Word."

So, repentance has to do mostly with your thinking and therefore your actions -- not your feelings.

Repentance is associated with renewing the mind (Romans 12:2). When you know the truth -- truth
makes you free as you act on it (John 8:32).

^{___________________________________}

¹W. E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.

²Critical Lexicon & Concordance to the English & Greek New Testament by E.W. Bullinger.

³Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Kittel).

The Meaning of Metanoeo:

The Greek Word for
Repentance

Metanoeo is a combination
of two words:

Noeo

• Literally, "to direct
  one's
  mind to a subject"
• In classical Greek it
  meant
  "to perceive" or "to notice"

• In compounds means
  "after,"
  "with," "around," etc.

Metanoeo literally
means
"after directing one's mind to a subject." But what did it mean to the
Greeks?

Metanoeo . . .

• can first mean "to
  note after,
  later";
• it can then mean "to
  change
  one's mind" or "adopt another view" or "to change one's feelings";
• if the change of mind
  derives
  from recognition that the earlier view was foolish, improper or evil,
  there
  arises the sense "to regret," "to feel remorse," "to rue."

Metanoeo
is literally "know after." To repent is first of all . . .

•  change of mind
• a change of feelings
• a change intentions
• a change plans
• to reflect (which
  implies a
  time later than the first knowledge)
• to reconsider a first
  opinion
• is a new form of
  thought or
  feeling after coming under the influence of Deception (apate),
  whence
  derive ignorance and error

What
characterizes this
evolution
is that it is accompanied by regret, sorrow, or shame at the former
opnion
or attitude.

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I visited ob yesterday. Baby has flipped to head down again. He is still growing, believed to be a really tall baby at present. We are doing well. So well that I get to skip next weeks visit. All of my kiddos are doing well. DH old car is having some trouble so we are kind a one car family for a bit. My DDs are dancing in an Israeli conference (Vision for Israel) this Friday and Saturday. I am working really hard around my home to get things the way I need them. I have started stocking our freezer with meals that my family can easily put in the oven and warm. I am trying to make life easier for me. I have realized in recent years that I need that rest period after baby to recuperate especially to help prevent postpartum depression. I am driven and tend to wear myself out.
I have also worked on syllabus of sorts for the children so I won't really need to do that either for at least 6 weeks. I even have chore charts in advanced. I usually do these things weekly. Just because it is easier to change last minute plans.

Our City sprayed our neighborhood this week for cankerworms with a supposed organic substance called DT. Our green grass looks white. I think that stuff is making my allergies worst. Especially since DH cut grass yesterday and upon his entering our home, I proceeded to have a sneezing "fit". Thing morning I just have the itchy eyes,throat sensations.

Fwren has inspired me with her bird photos. We have a bird feeder immediately outside our living room window. I am working on capturing the birds of my yard in photo. I have realized that task is more difficult than I originally thought.

We are going to enjoy our spring days. The weather here vacillates between spring and winter...one day short sleeves jackets the next. Today is supposed to be sunny and summery  almost 80 degrees. Our water restrictions have been lifted here for the next ten days , so I plan to get outside and wash my van. It is covered in DT and pollen.

I have finished with packing my bags. I realize I can have as few as  2 weeks given my history of deliveries.

I am still trying to decide if I like Windows Vista. Anyone with clues to minor glitches if you have them clue me in to secrets.
This is the end of my morning ramble.

Blessings,
Angie

I rarely post lately. I am really really in nesting mode. My home is still not "fixed" yet.

Resurrection Sunday was great! All of my big kiddos danced in our church's annual Sunday Morning
performance. We had a nice spring break with springlike weather in the 70's for several days.
I dog Tammy we had spayed on Thursday so we've spent tons of time babysitting her, making sure she
isn't chewing and scratching her stitches. The older kiddos danced today at a local elementary school's International Day.

I have a bassinet my mom purchase for me for Sam about 4.5 years ago. I need to put together. Currently it is in it's box unassembled in the attic.
I saw ob Friday. Baby has great heart rate  and he's growing well. But he is breech again. Our next visit begins the weekly visits.

Noah is getting his molars. He and Sam have enjoyed our week of heat. Lived on the swings and the trampoline.

That's all for now. I may pop in again later I may not. My digital camera is loade full of pictures I take but have yet to download.

Blessings,
Angie

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!

Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!

See, your king comes to you,

righteous and having salvation,

gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

I will take away the chariots from Ephraim

and the war-horses from Jerusalem,

and the battle bow will be broken.

He will proclaim peace to the nations.

His rule will extend from sea to sea

and from the River to the ends of the earth.

Zechariah 9:9-10

We DH and I went to ob this morning. Baby is measuring a wee past 32 weeks. He is currently head down!!!
I am encouraging him to stay that way with whatever I can do. Thank You for the prayers!!

I have a new hobby. Grocery store hopping with coupons for sales. It saves money and it is fun watching the totals go down to almost
nothing on the bills. WOW!

I am a wee disheartened today. I have spent most of the day watching my dog Bear ( a LARGE black lab mix) He is dying. We've had him since my
oldest son started walking. 12 years. I can't stand to watch him. I think he is in pain. DH doesn't like the thought of putting an animal to sleep. I pray he has died the next time we check on him. I can't bear this stress of watching him go down much longer. He has had labored breathing with spells of apnea ALL day long. I am feeling worn and stressed. I hope he isn't hurting too bad.