Helps For Anyone Confused About Bible Repentance

Mark 2:17, “When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

In Mark 2:17 there is no indication that repentance means to turn from sin. Acts 20:21 teaches "repentance toward God." Jesus said in 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." As we clearly see here, the sinners who repented, did so, by believing on the only begotten Son of God. This is what John 20:31 teaches as well, "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." The Gospel of John was written specifically to show humanity the way of salvation. The Gospel of John never mentions the word "repent" even once, because the man who believes (which is mentioned 85 times) has also repented.

Here are some helpful resources explaining Biblical repentance:

Pastor Curtis Hutson (1934-1995), "Repentance: What Does The Bible Teach?"...
http://www.soulwinning.info/gs/curtis_hutson/repentance.htm

The Great Biblical Meaning Of "Metanoia" (Repent)...
http://www.lovethetruth.com/bd/metanoia.htm

Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold, "Repentance In The New Testament"...
https://youtu.be/LokoxECTHW4

Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold, "Repentance In The Old Testament"... 

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/BTP/Pastor_Ralph_Yankee_Arnold/repentance_in_the_old_testament.mp3

Wrong Repentance...
http://getgodsgift.org/index.php?p=1_21_Wrong-Repentance

Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold, "Is Repentance A Part Of Salvation?"...
http://www.jesusisprecious.org/sermons/audio/ralph_yankee_arnold/is_repentance_part_of_salvation.mp3

Dr. Yankee Arnold, "Easy Believism"...
http://www.jesusisprecious.org/sermons/audio/ralph_yankee_arnold/easy_believism.mp3

Pastor Harry A. Ironside )1876-1951), "Except Ye Repent"...
http://www.jesusisprecious.org/books/harry_ironside/Except_Ye_Repent/toc.htm

Sadly, James White is actually in agreement with the Mormon cult on repentance...
http://www.soulwinning.info/fr/mormon/bju_repentance_heresy.htm

Believing On Jesus Is Enough, Repentance Is Automatic...
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Basics/believing_is_enough.htm

Pastor Jack Hyles, "Misunderstood Repentance: An Enemy Of The Gospel"...
http://www.soulwinning.info/books/jack_hyles/enemies_of_soulwinning/misunderstood_repentance.htm

Dr. Harry Ironside, "Hopeless Repentance" (Judas turned from his sins and went to Hell forever)...
http://www.jesusisprecious.org/books/harry_ironside/Except_Ye_Repent/14.htm

All of those resources should prove very helpful my friend. It is important to understand that the English meaning of the word "repent" is NOT the same as the Biblical meaning of the word. Roman Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventists, Mormons and Lordship Salvationists all use the English meaning of "turning from sin." The Greek meaning is simple " a change of mind." The Gospel (Good News) is that Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins. He was buried. Three days later He bodily resurrected from the dead by a miracle of God. That is all you have to believe to be saved. If you acknowledge your sinnership, receiving Christ's sacrifice on the cross as payment for those sins, you are eternally saved.

2nd Timothy 2:25-26, “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” You see, repentance has nothing to do with making an effort to stop your sinning. No one can stop their sinning! You may clean up your life, making great improvements to your character, like a pig all cleaned up from wallowing in the mud, but you are still a dirty sinner. That pig is still a pig. At best we can strive as saints to walk in the Spirit Who lives inside us, but the flesh is still with us until we get to Heaven (Romans 7:14-25).

The Bible never says to “turn from your sins” and believe the Gospel. No, it says in Mark 1:15 to “Repent ye, and believe the Gospel.” Repentance is a matter of acknowledging THE TRUTH (2nd Timothy 2:25) that one is a guilty sinner (Romans 3:19-20) and THE TRUTH of the Gospel. Salvation is a matter of embracing THE TRUTH, not of committing to improve one's character. I only emphasize those words "THE TRUTH" for emphasis, not to shout. The guilty sinner who earnestly “repents” has done so by putting his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. Nothing more is required to receive the gift of eternal life. You have God's Word on it. John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

Lordship Salvation: An Enemy Of Soulwinning (Dr. Jack Hyles)

Misunderstood Repentance: An Enemy Of Soulwinning (Dr. Jack Hyles)