Repentance...What Is It? Part IV

Acts 11:18 "When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." I haven't done enough study on this, but someone mentioned to me that Peter was at the house of Cornelius and that it was he and his family that were saved and baptized this day. There are two things to be aware of in this verse. Cornelius already had physical life. So when this verse says the Gentiles were granted repentance unto life, he was most likely referring to eternal life. And in verse 17, Peter did not use the word "repentance" but "believed." He was making sure that the Jews understood that repentance to life was equal to believing for the remission of sins and eternal salvation.

Mark 1:4 "John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." Remission means forgiveness. Without repentance, there is no forgiveness of sins.

Ezekiel 18:31 "Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" When we repent and CAST our sins away from us, there are two things we achieve in the process. A new spirit and a new heart. Our spirit becomes sweet and loving, humble and meek. And our heart is clean and looking to the Lord.

Luke 15:7,10 "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance...Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." I have a wonderful Christian friend that is probably the most giving and most selfless person I have ever met in my life. She loves the Lord, desires to do what is right, has a heart to serve others. I am continually amazed at how she quietly gives of her time and efforts for others. And for all the good that she does, all of Heaven rejoices more over one person that falls to their knees in repentance. When there is true repentance in the life of one that has gone astray from the Lord, it brings joy to Heaven. It brings joy to us who have prayed for someone living in their sin, and there is joy in the presence of the Lord. If the angels are rejoicing, think of how God must rejoice.