Repentance Is The Command of God! - Rev. Bobby L. Johnson

Matthew 21:32, “For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans
and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.”

The best way to interpret the Bible is to allow the Scripture to speak for itself. Concerning our text verse, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Jesus to question His authority. Jesus rebuked them for their unbelief. They had heard the preaching of John the Baptist. They had seen the publicans and harlots believe on Jesus. Yet, the Bible says they repented not themselves.

Had they repented they would have believed. That is what Jesus said. Jesus didn't say they would have forsaken their sins or surrendered their lives to God if they repented. No, rather, Jesus said they would have BELIEVED on Him had they repented. Biblical repentance is a change of mind toward God, acknowledging the truth that we are a guilty sinner in His sight. Repentance is a change of mind from thinking wrong thoughts to BELIEVING the Gospel. The moment that an admitted sinner believes on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, believing that He died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and bodily resurrected 72 hours later, is born-again. It's that simple. 1st Corinthians 1:21, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” The man who believes has also repented. If you didn't repent, you'd never believe. You Are Not Saved By Repenting, You Are Saved By Your Faith In Jesus Christ (Pastor Danny Castle).

The Gospel of John mentions the word “believe” or “believed” 85-times, without ever mentioning the word “repent” even once. This is clear evidence that faith and repentance are inseparable, and that by believing on Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, one has also repented. Repentance is acknowledging one's sinnership in the eyes of a holy God—admitting that I am as dirty and guilty a sinner as God hath declared me to be in His Holy Word. The Law of God was given “that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God ... for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:19-20b).

It is wrong to teach that a person must repent first, and then believe second; that is a false doctrine. The Bible teaches that the man who believes on Jesus has also repented. They happen simultaneously. One who has turned to Jesus for salvation has also turned his back against sin. This is Biblical salvation, evidenced by the plain words of John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” You don't turn from your sins to trust Jesus, you turn to Jesus to receive the gift of forgiveness of your sins. Amen!

Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried and is bodily risen (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). This is the Gospel (i.e., Good News). Jesus' grave is empty. We have a hope (John 16:33). Christ died, that's history; Christ died for me, that's salvation. If you repent toward God, through faith in His Son Jesus Christ, to be forgiven of your sins, then you ARE saved (Romans10:13).