Repent Meaning

What is the meaning of "Repent"?

Repent Meaning
ACTS 2 COMMENTARY
Acts 2:33-37 Right Hand of God

Acts 2:38-43 Repent Meaning

Acts 2:44-47 All Things in Common
ACTS 2:38  38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

What does Peter tell them to do first?
"Repent" (Acts 2:38).

From what?
Sins.

What does "repent" mean?
μετανοησατε (metanoesate), the original Greek word translated "repent," means to "change one's mind, attitude and purpose," and carries in its root the sense of pain, so repenting from sins doesn't simply mean an academic change of mind, but a heartfelt transformation of one's mind, attitude and purpose away from sins, which if genuine, will lead to the transformation of one's actions away from sins.

What does Peter tell them to do next?
"Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38).

Why?
Peter wasn't saying that the act of baptism, which involves being submerged in water for a moment (βαπτισθητω (baptistheto) the original Greek word translated "be baptized," literally means to be immersed or submerged) results in the remission - i.e., forgiveness - of sins (see Baptism), but to be baptized as a symbol of believing "with all your heart" (Acts 8:37) that Jesus' death on the cross accomplished that.

If Jesus' death on the cross did that, why then do we need to "receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38)?
Because we are human, while on earth, we remain imperfect and do not completely stopping sinning despite our best efforts: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8). After all, who can claim to obey Jesus' command: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment." (Matthew 22:37-38)? The Holy Spirit is the One who guides, teaches and admonishes us so that we sin less and less over time and become more and more the person that Jesus wants us to be. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit gives us spiritual gifts: "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills." (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

ACTS 2:39  39 “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

Who receives these gifts of the Holy Spirit?
Every Christian receives at least one spiritual gift of the Holy Spirit.

What are we supposed to do with them?
Help each others and to bring glory to Jesus. Spiritual gifts are not to be used for selfish gains.

ACTS 2:40-41  40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 

What ended up happening to this crowd?
"About three thousand" (Acts 2:41), a large number in those days, as well as today, accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior right then and there.

How many believers were in Jerusalem when Jesus ascended to heaven?
"About a hundred and twenty" (Acts 1:15)

How many new Christians did each of them have to tend to after this one sermon alone?
3000 / 120 = 25. The harvest indeed had begun.

ACTS 2:42-43  42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

What came next?
"Fellowship," "prayers," and learning the correct "doctrine" (Acts 2:42)

What "fear" (Acts 2:43) came upon them?
The fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of both wisdom and knowledge: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever" (Psalm 111:10). "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7).