The Forgotten Word in Acts 2:38 (Part Two)

“Repent” was Peter’s first command in Acts 2:38, but too often today, it’s treated like a forgotten or outdated concept—even among Christians.

This is not the case in other parts of the world. I have known believers in Eastern Europe who refer to their conversion by using the phrase “when I repented.” For them, repentance summarizes what many in America call “becoming a Christian” or “accepting Christ”—the transformation that happens when new disciples believe and are baptized, experiencing what Jesus called new birth.

Repentance requires humbling ourselves and facing the fact that ruling the universe is above our pay grade. It makes us slide out of the driver’s seat so the Lord can take the wheel.

On the Day of Pentecost, Peter’s listeners were cut to the heart—deeply convicted of their sin. Does this happen in our churches today? Does our preaching produce true repentance? Not a manipulative, guilt-induced emotional experience, but a genuine godly sorrow for sin?

Times of Refreshing

If our motives and actions don’t align with the Father’s will, it’s time to repent. If we wear the name of Christ but deny him with our lifestyles, it’s time to repent.

When Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17, New International Version), he wasn’t scolding people; he was offering them a better approach. I think the Lord’s voice rang with the sound of adventure when he invited men and women to follow him. In God’s kingdom, the cross leads to glory. The cost of discipleship is worth the hassle.

God’s kindness, not harshness, leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4)—and to other positive outcomes. It isn’t just “turning from,” but “turning to.” In repentance, we turn from sin toward God, from wrong toward right, from aimlessness toward purpose, from destructive patterns toward healthier habits, from death toward life.

God gave the Israelites a prescription for spiritual renewal in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

What would happen if national and religious leaders would sincerely repent? What if estranged families, embittered friends, divided churches, and hostile neighbors would humbly seek forgiveness from God and from each other? It would lead to “times of refreshing” (Acts 3:19).

No Longer Forgotten

Repentance shouldn’t be a forgotten word. Let’s include a gracious but clear call to repentance in our teaching and preaching, mention it in our evangelistic conversations, and remember it in our disciple-making.

And let’s include it in our prayers. It’s time to pray . . .

Jesus says, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent”

(Revelation 3:19). Let’s ask, as Peter’s listeners did in Acts chapter two, “What shall we do?” And when we hear the answer, let’s humbly obey.