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First, let’s clear up the misunderstanding about the meaning of repentance. The Greek word translated “repent”in the Bible is “metanoeo”. It means to change our mind about something. It’s a combination of “meta” (after) and “noeo” (to perceive or understand). It’s like saying, “I used to believe one way, but that was before I understood. Now that I understand I believe a different way. I have repented.”

Before we can be saved we have to change our mind (repent) about two things. One is to admit that we’re sinners who would be hopelessly lost without a Savior, and the other is to believe that God sent His Son to pay the penalty due us for our sins so He could be our Savior. Therefore repentance comes before salvation, and that’s why we say, “Repent and be saved.”

Some people have the mistaken belief that to repent means to change our behavior. But if that was the case the phrase “repent and be saved” would mean we’d all have to stop sinning before we could be saved. It doesn’t make sense.

Many believers do experience a change in their behavior after they’re saved, But when that happens it’s not called repentance, It’s called the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.

By Jack Kelley Sunday November 1st, 2015

### Before we can be saved we have to change our mind (repent) about two things. One is to admit that we’re sinners who would be hopelessly lost without a Savior, and the other is to believe that God sent His Son to pay the penalty due us for our sins so He could be our Savior. ###

Aren’t those two things essentially the *belief* that occurs when one hears the gospel and *believes*? If these define ‘repentance’, then please explain to me what ‘belief’ is.

Once one believes, then it’s time to change one’s ways. Am I correct in understanding that your view of ‘repentance’ is an absolute, instantaneous, and total change? Meaning, we change *everything* ‘cold turkey’?
My experience is that repentance is evolutionary, beginning as ‘babes in Christ’, then maturing as one becomes aware of sin and invokes a process of discarding that sin.

In the story of Simon, the Sorcerer, the Lord causes the narrative to be written so that it is obvious that Simon is a Christian; it says (the Lord says) “…Simon believed and was baptized...” After Simon messes up, Peter commands Simon to repent of his sin. Simon, according to your view as I understand it, has already repented, because earlier he had believed he was lost and that Jesus was his Savior. So how can Simon repent again? Peter commands Simon to repent of his sin, not of his unbelief.

Who is wrong here? Peter? The Holy Spirit guiding Luke as he writes Acts? The Holy Spirit guiding Peter as he speaks to Simon? The Lord who is advising the Holy Spirit? All of the above? None of the above?