Repentance and Renewal in Human Nature Theology
Repentance in the New Testament involves more than regret. The Greek verb metanoeo and its cognate noun metanoia denote "a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised," distinguishing true repentance from the mere remorse (metamelomai) that characterized Judas [1]. This linguistic distinction clarifies what Scripture demands: not emotional distress alone, but a fundamental reorientation of will and conduct.
The apostolic preaching consistently links repentance to forgiveness and divine action. Peter commands, "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord" [4]. The call to repent includes "the reception of the Gospel as the proper issue of that revolution of mind" [7], making repentance inseparable from faith's embrace of Christ's work. Acts 2:38 presents baptism as "the visible seal" of the remission that follows repentance [7], situating the inward change within the covenant community's visible practices.
The Necessity of Regeneration
Human nature's corruption necessitates what Scripture calls the new birth. "The corruption of human nature requires" regeneration [3], a reality grounded in texts like John 3:6 and Romans 8:7–8. The term palingenesia (literally "new birth") appears in Titus 3:5, where it "denotes that change of heart elsewhere spoken of as a passing from death to life," "becoming a new creature in Christ Jesus," and "a renewal of the mind" [2]. This regeneration is "effected by God," specifically "by Christ" and "the Holy Spirit," through the instrumentality of "the word of God" and "the resurrection of Christ" [3]. The new birth is "of the will of God" and "of the mercy of God," undertaken "for the glory of God" [3].
Reconciliation theology frames this transformation as mutual change: the sinner "ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love" [5]. Paul's exhortation to "be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20) calls believers to "lay aside their enmity" [5], while Romans 5:10 addresses God himself as "the party reconciled" [5]. Repentance thus initiates a relational restoration, not merely moral improvement. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown notes that repentance serves as "antecedent to the full knowledge of the truth," necessary for those whose "minds being corrupted" require both correction and transformation [6].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Repentance — There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. (1.) The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3). (2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised. Evangelical”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Regeneration — Only found in Matt. 19:28 and Titus 3:5. This word literally means a "new birth." The Greek word so rendered (palingenesia) is used by classical writers with reference to the changes produced by the return of spring. In Matt. 19:28 the word is equivalent to the "restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21). In Titus 3:5 it denotes that change of heart elsewhere spoken of as a passing from death to life (1 John 3:14); becoming a new creature in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17); being born again (John 3:5); a renewal of the mind (Rom. 12:2); a resurrection from the ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: New Birth, The — The corruption of human nature requires -- Joh 3:6; Ro 8:7,8. None can enter heaven without -- Joh 3:3. Effected by God. -- Joh 1:13; 1Pe 1:3. Christ. -- 1Jo 2:29. The Holy Spirit. -- Joh 3:6; Tit 3:5. Through the instrumentality of The word of God. -- Jas 1:18; 1Pe 1:23. The resurrection of Christ. -- 1Pe 1:3. The ministry of the gospel. -- 1Co 4:15. Is of the will of God -- Jas 1:18. Is of the mercy of God -- Tit 3:5. Is for the glory of God -- Isa 43:7. Described as A new creation. -- 2Co 5:17; Ga 6:15; Eph 2:10. Newness of life. -- Ro 6:4. A spir”
- Acts ““Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, -- Acts 3:19”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Reconcilation — A change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity. (1.) In Col. 1:21, 22, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love. In 2 Cor. 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be "reconciled to God", i.e., to lay aside their enmity. (2.) Rom. 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconcile”
- 2 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Timothy 2:25: instructing--Greek, "disciplining," instructing with correction, which those who deal in "uninstructive" or "undisciplined questions" need (see on Ti2 2:23; Ti1 1:20). those that oppose themselves--Greek, "oppositely affected"; those of a different opinion. if . . . peradventure--Greek, "if at any time." repentance--which they need as antecedent to the full knowledge (so the Greek for 'acknowledgment') of the truth" (Ti1 2:4), their minds being corrupted (Ti2 3:8), and their lives immoral. The cause of the spiritual ignorance which prompts suc”
- Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 2:38: Repent--The word denotes change of mind, and here includes the reception of the Gospel as the proper issue of that revolution of mind which they were then undergoing. baptized . . . for the remission of sins--as the visible seal of that remission.”