Acts 9:19-22

Repentance has more than one definition.  We do not get to choose what definition the New Testament intends based upon our own wishes and desires.  Repentance as the writers of the New Testament use it contains two elements of meaning that are inseparable.  The first element of the definition of repentance involves changing one’s understanding or thinking.  To repent is to think differently.  Many people want to stop at this point.  They do not have a problem with the requirement that we think differently about our actions, (we regret them and experience sorrow).  They are comfortable with a requirement that we ask God’s forgiveness for what we have done.  However, they overlook or completely ignore the second element of the New Testament meaning of repentance.  Whereas the first part of the meaning deals with our thinking, the second part deals with behavior or living.  To repent is to have a changing of our direction.  True New Testament repentance requires us to change direction in the way we are living our lives.

The life of Saul gives us a wonderful illustration of true repentance.  Having encountered Jesus, he had a changing of his mind.  He understood the Old Testament scripture in an entirely new way.  He recognized that the writings of the prophets, when understood from our side of the resurrection all pointed to Jesus.  The life, death and resurrection of Jesus filled all the old scripture with new meaning for Saul.  Having a new mind caused him to experience feelings of great regret and sorrow for his persecution of Christians.

According to some, at this point he met the requirements of repentance.  However, true repentance also requires a change of direction and behavior.  He immediately began to preach that Jesus is the Son of God.  He used his new understandings of the scriptures to prove that Jesus was the messiah.  He was a new man.

With true repentance, we change our mind about Jesus, we feel regret and sorrow and we change the way we live.  Repentance changes everything.