What does it mean to "repent?"

Matthew 4:17
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Mark 1:15
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Jesus preached that all men should repent or they would perish.

Luke 13:3
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Jesus’ disciples taught all men to repent and then be baptized in the name of Jesus.

Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, 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.

To repent means to feel remorse or sorrow, be sorry for one’s sins committed against our holy God, and it means to think differently turning away from our sins.

Jesus said the angels rejoice over one sinner who repents.

Luke 15:10
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

When we repent to God of our sins and we humble ourselves before God, we not only acknowledge to God he exists, but we acknowledge to God we have committed wrongs against his holy being, his holiness, and his holy laws.

We truthfully acknowledge our sins before God and accept that we are not only sinners, but we seek his redemption in the mercy and forgiveness from God.

Only God can forgive sins. Only faith in Jesus and his saving work on the cross where God’s Son Jesus bled and died for the sins of all men, can lead one to repent of his or her sins committed against Almighty God.

With faith in Jesus, God sends the faithful a spirit of repentance to repent before God in truth.

Full repentance takes place when we not only repent of our sins, but further seek to actively turn away from committing sins against God.

Once we fully become in Christ, in the Body of baptized believers of Jesus possessing the Holy Spirit, repentance is practiced further in the believer’s daily life for any shortcomings, or sins we might commit against God. Repentance is an active part of a Christian believer’s life.

To learn more about what it means to repent and what the Holy Bible says, read this full article.