All About Mormons

Scripture-Study List: Repentance

Jesus Christ Himself commanded His followers to repent of their sins.

Matthew 4:17:

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

Elsewhere Jesus again emphasized that His purpose was to call sinners to repentance.

Matthew 9:12-13:

• But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
• But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

In His parable of the lost sheep, Jesus Christ explained that the heavens rejoice when sinners–and that means all of us–repent.

Luke 15:4-7:

• What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
• And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
• And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
• I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

The very purpose of His suffering, explained Jesus, was to give us the opportunity to repent of our sins.

Luke 24:46-47:

• And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
• And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Christ also taught through the apostle John that those who repent will overcome their sins through His atoning sacrifice and will sit with Him on His thrown, suggesting progression from this our mortal state to a state of glory.

Revelation 3:19-21:

• As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
• Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
• To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

The apostle Peter taught the “First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel,” including repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost.

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.

Elsewhere Peter further clarified the importance of repentance, by which our sins can be forgiven.

Acts 3:19:

• Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

Peter also taught that the Lord wishes all would repent.

2 Peter 3:9:

• The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The apostle Paul also taught that repentance is vital for salvation.

2 Corinthians 7:9-10:

• Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
• For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

God has commanded all men and women to repent.

Acts 17:30:

• And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: