Repent to Begin the Change
Are you looking for real and lasting transformation? You have to repent to begin the change!
But what does it really mean to repent? In this powerful session, evangelist Scott Camp reveals why repentance is the foundational message of both the Old and New Testaments. From Noah to Jesus, Peter to Paul, the call to repent has echoed through every generation – because lasting change begins with a decision to turn. Whether you’re new in your faith or longing for deeper transformation, this session will help you understand repentance not as a one-time act but as a lifelong gateway to renewal and growth.
Why Repentance Is the Missing Message
There’s a missing message in today’s church, and it’s the message of repentance. I want to talk to you today about what it means to repent.
Jesus said in Luke 13:5:
“Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Jesus was echoing the one message that’s consistent throughout the entire Bible. The first preacher that we know about in the Bible was a man named Noah. The Bible says that Noah was a preacher – a messenger of righteousness. His one message to his generation was a message of repentance.
Old and New Testament Views of Repentance
Similarly, major prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel also preached repentance. Now the word “repentance” in the Old Testament – the word “shuwb – is a word that means “to turn.” Shuwb implies some kind of moral or ethical change.
In the New Testament, Jesus used the word “metanoia,” which means “to change your mind.” So whether it’s in the Old Testament or the New Testament:
Repentance = a change of mind that leads to a change of behavior.
This is the message that John the Baptist preached: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
It’s the message Jesus preached. In fact, the first message that we ever heard from the lips of Jesus – much like an Old Testament prophet – was the message of repentance.
Repentance Is the Gateway to Transformation
Then on the day of Pentecost, when the crowd asked the apostles,
“Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Peter said to them, “Repent…” (Acts 2:37-38)
The apostle Paul’s message to the intellectuals of the city of Athens was the same: Repent. As we see in Acts 17:30-31 in his Mars Hill sermon:
“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
The last message that Jesus ever preached in the Book of Revelation, six times to seven churches, was this message of repentance.
In upcoming sessions, we’ll unpack more of what it means to repent.
Reflection Question:
Think about a time you experienced a change of mind that led to a change in your behavior. How might God be inviting you to take a similar step today?
Prayer:
Father, thank You for calling me to something deeper through repentance. I don’t want to stay stuck – I want to grow, change, and walk in Your will. Help me recognize areas where You’re asking me to turn and give me courage to respond with faith and obedience. In Jesus’ name, amen.
What’s Next?
In this session, we explored what the Old and New Testaments have to say about the nature of repentance. Next time, you’ll discover what repentance really means in your spiritual life.
Additional Resources:
- Acts 17
After his dramatic beginning as a persecutor of the early church, Paul changed completely. This New Testament chapter details some of his missionary work, including his famous sermon in Athens. - “Why Is Repentance So Important?” by Inspiration Ministries
Do you find repentance intimidating – or downright unpleasant? Repentance starts with a heartfelt desire to change. Learn more. - Inspiration Ministries Spiritual Growth Hub
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