Bible Study # 10
Repentance and Conversion
Introduction
It is important that we put in order the works of the Holy Spirit within the elect when He comes to bring them to God. First He regenerates us, that is, He causes us to be born again to spiritual life, which we call the new birth. When a man who was dead in his trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2: 1-4) is raised to the life of God through regeneration, he acquires the capacity to love, believe, and fear the Lord. That means he is now ready to receive repentance and conversion. We make this clarification because there are those who confuse conversion with the new birth and others who teach that conversion occurs before the new birth.
1. What was the first message that Jesus and John the Baptist preached when they began their ministry?
Matthew 3: 1-2 “In those days John the Baptist appeared preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying: ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’”
Matthew 4:17 From then on Jesus began to preach and to say: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near!”
2. How did Saint Peter respond to the crowd who, cut to the heart, asked what they should do to be forgiven of their sins?
Acts 2:37,38 When they heard this, they were grieved in heart and said to Peter and the other apostles: “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Peter said to them: “Repent, and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
3. God, in times past, overlooked our ignorance, but what does He require and command of all people today?
Acts 17:30-31 “Therefore, although God overlooked the times of ignorance, at this time he commands all men, in all places, to repent; 31 because he has set a day on which he will judge the world with justice by the Man whom he has appointed, giving assurance of this to all by raising him from the dead”
4. Who is the one who works repentance in us?
7 But I tell you the truth: it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I do not go, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. 9 Of sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more; 11 and of judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged already.
Acts 11:18 When they heard this, they were grieved in heart and said to Peter and the other apostles: “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Peter said to them: “Repent, and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
5. What is it that leads us to repentance?
Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, patience, and magnanimity, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
6. When repentance is genuine, what does it produce in us?
Matthew 3:8 8 Bring forth, therefore, fruits worthy of repentance;
Acts 26:20 Rather, first to those who were in Damascus, and in Jerusalem and throughout all the land of Judea, and to the Gentiles, I have proclaimed that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.
7. What two things are necessary for our sins to be blotted out?
Acts 3:19: “Therefore, repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out; so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord
8. Why do repentance and conversion always appear together as indispensable elements for receiving the forgiveness of sins?
Acts 3:19 and Acts 26: 20
The word repentance means to change one’s mind, attitude, and purpose. It is to feel sorrow for having offended God and for having lived far from Him. But repentance also involves turning away from sin.
The word conversion in the language of the Bible means “to turn around.” It implies a “turning from…” and “a turning toward…”. For example, Saint Paul says: “you were converted from idols to God” (1 Thess. 1:9). To be converted is to turn around so as to turn our back on sin and follow God.
In conclusion, repentance is the deep conviction that I must return to God; conversion is the very act of turning to God.
9. How can I identify the New Birth, repentance, and conversion?
Luke 15:32 2 “But it was necessary to make merry and rejoice, because this your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.”
- To Be Born Again is to be raised from among the dead and to receive spiritual life. When did this happen with the prodigal son? Jesus said it in this little expression: ‘And coming to himself…’ A dead man does not come to himself unless he receives resurrection.
- Repentance: we can identify the prodigal son’s repentance in the confession: “I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired servants” (Luke 15:18-19).
- Conversion: We can see it in the first part of verse 20, which says “And arising, he came to his father” Why can we affirm that there was conversion? The answer is: because he not only decided to turn to his father, but he actually did it.
10. How does the Heavenly Father receive and treat all those who, like the prodigal son, turn to Him with a repentant and converted heart?
Luke 15:20-32 “He arose and went to his father. While he was still far off, his father saw him and had compassion. He ran and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 The son said to him: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But his father said to his servants: ‘Bring out at once the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us eat and rejoice, 24 because this my son was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to rejoice.”
11. Besides forgiveness and acceptance, what else do those who experience repentance and conversion receive?
Acts 2:38 Peter said to them: “Repent, and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
12. What do God and the angels in heaven feel when a sinner repents?
Luke 15:7-10 “I say to you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who have no need of repentance. Or what woman who has ten drachmas, if she loses one drachma, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search diligently until she finds it? When she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying: ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma that was lost.’ I say to you that in the same way there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
