The United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI) has
been among the fastest growing denominations in North America since it was
formed in 1945 by the merger of the Pentecostal Church, Incorporated, and the
Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ... [more]
The three words of this title come from Luke 13:5, which reads, "Except ye
repent, ye shall all likewise perish". Plainly, then, the tragic alternative to
repentance is eternal perdition.
In view of this fact, it is extremely important that everyone knows what
repentance is and how it is accomplished.
Repentance Is More Than Reformation
To reform is to "improve one's character or conduct; to become better; to behave
better; to give up misconduct; to make better by removing faults or defects."
One who genuinely reforms will, from that moment on, live a better life. And
certainly this is to be desired.
However, reformation falls short in at least one vital particular - it does
nothing about the past. It leaves upon the pages of God's record all the sins
that a person has committed. Consequently, it leaves the sinner still under the
sentence of death.
Suppose that a criminal who has been guilty of many and various offenses against
the law decides to reform. From that moment on, he determines to be a
law-abiding citizen. This would be commendable, but it would not absolve him
from the guilt of his past crimes. If he is apprehended, or if he surrenders
himself, he will still be called upon to pay for his past crimes, unless he is
given a pardon.
The same is true of the sinner in relation to this past sins.
What Is Repentance?
Repentance is, first of all, a turning away from all sin. And, so far as this
first aspect is concerned, it closely resembles reformation.
But repentance further involves turning to God, in believing prayer, for
forgiveness and cleasning from all sin. Such prayer is not necessarily vocal,
but it usually is. The repentant person confesses to God that he is a sinner and
asks for forgiveness. If he obeys the gospel, he can rest assured that God will
forgive, for His Word promises, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins" (1 John 1:9).
The Basis of Repentance
How is genuine repentance brought about? Paul explained, "For godly sorrow
worketh repentance to salvation" (2 Corinthians 7:10). Before a person can
repent, he must feel sorrow for his sins. And this must be godly sorrow. For
someone to be sorry merely because they have brought trouble upon him, is not
enough. He must be sorry because he has broken the commandments of God, spurned
His gospel, and thereby grieved Him days without number.
Such godly sorrow is the only motivating force for real repentance.
Repentance and the Holy Ghost Baptism
A person cannot receive the Holy Ghost before repentance. Jesus said that the
"world" could not receive this experience (John 14:17). He meant that those who
were unwilling to give up the carnal things of the world, through repentance,
could not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Peter made this plain in Acts 2:38 - "Repent, and be baptized every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost". It was no accident that he mentioned repentance first.
In God's divine order, repentance must precede water baptism and receiving the
Holy Ghost.
The requirements for receiving the Holy Spirit are repentance and faith. In many
cases, those who tarry for this spiritual experience without receiving it simply
have not repented. If and when this is true, it is useless for such a one to
praise God with the expectation of receiving the Holy Ghost. He should first
repent and claim God's promise of forgiveness. As his burdens lift because of
confession of sin and as he feels God's love and mercy, he will naturally begin
to worship God. And God will pour out His Spirit upon this repentant, believing,
worshiping soul!
Time for Repentance is Limited
The time to repent is strictly limited by the extent of earthly life. There can
be no repentance after death. Since in the normal course of events no one knows
how long he will live, it is perilous indeed to procrastinate. The Bible
declares, "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment"
(Hebrews 9:27).
The time of repentance is further limited by the duration of a person's
capability of being impressed by conviction. A continued refusal to repent when
called by God's Spirit brings hardness of heart. Paul spoke of people who were
"past feeling" (Ephesians 4:19). Such people no longer feel God's Spirit leading
them to serve them. They have lost all desire for repentance.
The apostle also asked this question: "Despisest thou the riches of his goodness
and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth
thee to repentance?" (Romans 2:4). Think of the goodness of God to you, and
surely your heart will be inclined toward repentance.
The Lord is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
Taken from the Word Aflame Press tract "Except Ye Repent" - #156722069X
