The book of Acts...or the "Acts of the Apostles" as is the proper title, makes us realize we might want to take a deeper look at this repentance thing and recognize it's importance. Acts is a book full of stories on how the Early Christian church really got "off the ground" and how it was initially accepted by the people who heard this message. And what was in the theme of hearing and accepting this new message of "Good News"?...repentance!
Here are some various Gleanings from verses recorded in the New Testament's on this "hot topic"... from this book we refer to as "The Book of Acts":
Acts 2:38 " This is a time for you to change your very views and purpose on how you live your life, and to accept the very will of God into your hearts and minds, making a decision to no longer reject the "very much alive"...Christ Jesus! This ancient promise now fulfilled, is targeted for you and your children, yet now extends itself to anyone who sees the seriousness of their sin in rejecting Him, the very Christ...God's only and dear Son. If you decide to make this decision to do so, you will now put yourself in a position by God's very grace...to receive the Holy Spirit....the One who comforts, aids, and will now lead you...in every part of your life...including having purpose in life and what God's will is for you."
Acts 3:19 further states: " Now is the time for you to change...to change everything! Change your mind as to your purpose in life, change your whole attitude you have toward life, and change your ways and how you conduct yourself...daily. By doing so, God will see that you no longer love sin in your life...more than you love Him...and will wipe away any sin you have done against Him...because you embrace the "very much alive" Christ Jesus...God's only and true Son. This will allow you time to have a complete recovery, a full refreshing from all the turmoil and pressures you were formally living under. This is now available to You because you have chose to live in His Presence...specifically...the Lord Jesus!"
Acts 11:18 " When everything has been spelled out...the specifics being what the Lord Jesus has done for all those who accept Him, it was then everyone began to quiet down. In fact, as Peter allowed the words he had spoke begin to take root...the people listening to the words of Peter reacted in a way entirely different. The people began to glorify God...and included "Songs of Praise." Then...the whole thing really got going, for the message that Peter proclaimed began to "hit home"...and they received it with joy...with the realization that God now includes the Gentiles (non-Jewish)...giving them the very same invitation...that being "Follow Me".
Acts 17:30 "In the past, God tolerated and even overlooked the ignorance...the need for a true Messiah in their lives...and this a result of the people...not understanding their need for Him.
Yet, now the unknown has become the very known...if we are to understand the radical decision needed now. God the Father has made it abundantly clear: now is the time to repent, this meaning to change your mind and put a complete end to rejecting His Beloved Son...and the work He has done...for each one of us!"
Acts 21:20 "Look! Look and see for yourselves...what is happening right here! The Jewish people themselves, the ones aware about a coming of a Messiah, are now embracing this fresh message of the "Good News". Jewish people are now accepting this "very much alive" Christ Jesus, who is the "real deal"...He is the True Messiah they have been yearning for. And, it's not just a few Jewish people here and there that are receiving this announcement...they are literally embracing Christ Jesus as their Messiah...by the thousands! Imagine, these very same Jewish people who have been insisting everyone must abide to Jewish Law, Jewish traditions, and Jewish customs...are now accepting this "Good News"...by simply abiding in Him...Christ Jesus! And they have even taken it a step further...it makes no difference whether you are Jewish or Gentile (non-Jewish)!"
Acts 26:20 " First, I shared the "Good News"...these fresh reports of the True Messiah...the "very much alive" Christ Jesus to the people in Damascus, then I went on to Jerusalem, later we travelled into all of Judea, and now we are active with this message to other regions and countries...outside of Israel....to the Gentiles (non-Jewish people).
The Message is simple: Everyone who desires the Messiah...must learn to repent...that is to have a complete change of heart and mind as to who the true God is and how to please Him. This type of repentance comes by accepting God's plan, sending His Only Son to us and receiving Him into our very hearts as the True Messiah. By doing so, we now allow our lives to demonstrate His influence on us...through our daily lifestyles and how we conduct ourselves...with one another."
Repentance...seems to be a key word...a key action in receiving this One we call "Our Messiah."
The word repentance in many of our secular dictionaries today is defined as "expressing regret and making a decision to no longer pursue an action in our lives (perhaps a lifestyle). Instead, a person has a complete change of heart and mindset on any affairs that may be of concern.
Here are some various Gleanings from verses recorded in the New Testament's on this "hot topic"... from this book we refer to as "The Book of Acts":
Acts 2:38 " This is a time for you to change your very views and purpose on how you live your life, and to accept the very will of God into your hearts and minds, making a decision to no longer reject the "very much alive"...Christ Jesus! This ancient promise now fulfilled, is targeted for you and your children, yet now extends itself to anyone who sees the seriousness of their sin in rejecting Him, the very Christ...God's only and dear Son. If you decide to make this decision to do so, you will now put yourself in a position by God's very grace...to receive the Holy Spirit....the One who comforts, aids, and will now lead you...in every part of your life...including having purpose in life and what God's will is for you."
Acts 3:19 further states: " Now is the time for you to change...to change everything! Change your mind as to your purpose in life, change your whole attitude you have toward life, and change your ways and how you conduct yourself...daily. By doing so, God will see that you no longer love sin in your life...more than you love Him...and will wipe away any sin you have done against Him...because you embrace the "very much alive" Christ Jesus...God's only and true Son. This will allow you time to have a complete recovery, a full refreshing from all the turmoil and pressures you were formally living under. This is now available to You because you have chose to live in His Presence...specifically...the Lord Jesus!"
Acts 11:18 " When everything has been spelled out...the specifics being what the Lord Jesus has done for all those who accept Him, it was then everyone began to quiet down. In fact, as Peter allowed the words he had spoke begin to take root...the people listening to the words of Peter reacted in a way entirely different. The people began to glorify God...and included "Songs of Praise." Then...the whole thing really got going, for the message that Peter proclaimed began to "hit home"...and they received it with joy...with the realization that God now includes the Gentiles (non-Jewish)...giving them the very same invitation...that being "Follow Me".
Acts 17:30 "In the past, God tolerated and even overlooked the ignorance...the need for a true Messiah in their lives...and this a result of the people...not understanding their need for Him.
Yet, now the unknown has become the very known...if we are to understand the radical decision needed now. God the Father has made it abundantly clear: now is the time to repent, this meaning to change your mind and put a complete end to rejecting His Beloved Son...and the work He has done...for each one of us!"
Acts 21:20 "Look! Look and see for yourselves...what is happening right here! The Jewish people themselves, the ones aware about a coming of a Messiah, are now embracing this fresh message of the "Good News". Jewish people are now accepting this "very much alive" Christ Jesus, who is the "real deal"...He is the True Messiah they have been yearning for. And, it's not just a few Jewish people here and there that are receiving this announcement...they are literally embracing Christ Jesus as their Messiah...by the thousands! Imagine, these very same Jewish people who have been insisting everyone must abide to Jewish Law, Jewish traditions, and Jewish customs...are now accepting this "Good News"...by simply abiding in Him...Christ Jesus! And they have even taken it a step further...it makes no difference whether you are Jewish or Gentile (non-Jewish)!"
Acts 26:20 " First, I shared the "Good News"...these fresh reports of the True Messiah...the "very much alive" Christ Jesus to the people in Damascus, then I went on to Jerusalem, later we travelled into all of Judea, and now we are active with this message to other regions and countries...outside of Israel....to the Gentiles (non-Jewish people).
The Message is simple: Everyone who desires the Messiah...must learn to repent...that is to have a complete change of heart and mind as to who the true God is and how to please Him. This type of repentance comes by accepting God's plan, sending His Only Son to us and receiving Him into our very hearts as the True Messiah. By doing so, we now allow our lives to demonstrate His influence on us...through our daily lifestyles and how we conduct ourselves...with one another."
Repentance...seems to be a key word...a key action in receiving this One we call "Our Messiah."
The word repentance in many of our secular dictionaries today is defined as "expressing regret and making a decision to no longer pursue an action in our lives (perhaps a lifestyle). Instead, a person has a complete change of heart and mindset on any affairs that may be of concern.
"Repentir" is of French origin meaning to "express with intensive force" and "Pentir" is Latin meaning "for the right reason or cause".
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