Is repentance necessary for salvation? What is repentance?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Repentance is the biblical act of changing one’s mind—turning from sin and turning to God—rather than merely performing outward acts to show sorrow. In the Old Testament, repentance (shub) involves both an inward and outward turning to God, leading to restoration and forgiveness. The New Testament emphasizes that repentance (metanoia) is necessary for salvation because it reflects a recognition of our need for God and a willingness to trust Jesus. After salvation, believers continue to repent by turning from former ways, resulting in transformed lives, though these works are not required for salvation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Zacchaeus is a good example of this. When he met Jesus, he vowed to give half his wealth to the poor and restore fourfold anyone he had defrauded. Jesus declared him saved, not because of the money Zacchaeus intended to give away, but because of the mind and heart change that gesture demonstrated. Ultimately, repentance, faith, and the resulting changed life are intimately connected, but salvation is fully a gift of God’s grace, not something we earn.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Hebrew word often translated “repent” is shub, which literally means “to turn” or “to return.” It emphasizes turning away from sin and returning to God (Ezekiel 18:30-32; Joel 2:12-13).
• Repentance involves both acknowledging sin and changing one’s behavior or direction. When the prophet Nathan confronted David about his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband, David immediately admitted, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:13). In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God promises restoration if His people “humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways,” promising restoration.
• Old Testament texts often connect repentance with forgiveness and life. In Isaiah 55:6-7, God promises that those who “seek the Lord” and “turn to Him” will find mercy and pardon.
• Repentance in the Old Testament is both an inward change of heart demonstrated by an outward change of behavior, emphasizing that God desires obedient hearts (Psalm 51:10-13).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The New Testament term for repentance comes from the Greek word metanoia, which literally means “to change one’s mind” (Acts 3:19; 2 Corinthians 7:10). In this sense, repentance is necessary for salvation; we must believe that we need saving—which often begins as a change of our mindset (Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3).
• After we are saved, we continue to repent of our former lives, or to change our minds about our previous ways of living (1 John 1:9; Romans 12:2). The works we do in our transformed lives do not save us, but are evidence we are saved (Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5).
• Zacchaeus’ actions demonstrated his repentance when he offered half of his wealth to the poor and agreed to give fourfold restitution to anyone he had defrauded (Luke 19:1-10). In response to that, Jesus declared, “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:9). Zacchaeus’ giving of money did not save him—it merely demonstrated his sincere repentance.
• God saves us because He loves us. John 3:16 teaches, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
• Ephesians 2:8-9 also makes clear salvation is based on God's grace and that we respond by faith: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
• While Scripture notes the importance of faith for salvation, repentance (or changing one's mind) is also part of the process God uses to save us. Acts 26:20 reveals, "[I preached] that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance." People must first change their minds and hearts to turn to God. Our faith demonstrates our changed mind through works. Faith shows a change of mind that leads to changed behaviors.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Many teach repentance as the works that we do to show we are sorry for wrong.In Bible passages where repentance and salvation appear in the same context (i.e., Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18), some begin to think of salvation as earned. But Scripture does not teach a works-based salvation.

Biblical repentance is the changing of one's mind. How does this change take place? Ultimately, God must convict by His Spirit. That conviction leads to a change of mind and faith in Jesus that we call salvation. The changed life we live as a result is not just repentance; it is the new life we have in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

John the Baptist spoke very clearly about the true role of repentance when he said, "Bear fruit in keeping with repentance" (Matthew 3:8). A repentant person will live differently. A changed mind will lead to a changed life. In fact, it is God's kindness that leads us to repentance or a changed mind that we may live for Him (Romans 2:4).

Biblical repentance, to change one's mind, is part of salvation. Repentance, when defined as works we do to show we are sorry, is not part of salvation. This important distinction must be understood so that true salvation is clearly communicated. Salvation is not something we do, but something God does within us.

UNDERSTAND

• Repentance is changing your mind, turning from sin, and trusting Jesus, which is necessary for salvation.
• True repentance leads to a transformed life.
• Salvation is God’s gift, and repentance is our response, not a way to earn forgiveness

REFLECT

• How have you recognized areas in your life where you need to turn from sin and trust Jesus?
• How has changing your mind about sin already led to transformation in your life?
• How does understanding that repentance is not about earning salvation affect your faith and daily choices?

ENGAGE

• How do we distinguish between repentance as a change of mind leading to action instead of it as an outward work?
• How does biblical repentance naturally flow into a transformed life, and why is this important for our witness?
• How does God’s grace and our response of repentance interact in the process of salvation?