REPENTANCE IS EVIDENCE OF GENUINE FAITH

FROM SELF-WILL TO THE WILL OF GOD

Acts 14:15 - "...Sirs, why do ye these things?  We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities* unto the living God, Who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein."
 
*Note:  "vanities" - from the Greek μάταιος (mataios), which describes "the worthlessness of prideful religious works" - see:  Rom. 10:3; Eph. 2:8-9; Phil. 3:9; Jam. 1:26.

Acts 26:20 - "But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent** and turn to God, and do works meet*** for repentance."

**Note:  "repent" - from the Greek μετανοέω (metanoeō), "to have a change of one's thinking; to reconsider in such a way that one turns away from one's own will, to seeking the will of God" - see:  Mk. 1:15; Lk. 13:1-5; 15:10; Heb. 6:1.

***Note:  "meet" - from the Greek ἄξιος (axios), "having a weight suitable and equal to another thing of value; worth as much as; befitting" - see:  Mt. 3:8; 1 Cor. 16:4; 2 Th.1:3.

Hebrews 5:12 - 6:1-3 - "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles**** of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.  For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the Word of Righteousness:  for he is a babe.  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  And this will we do, if God permit."

****Note:  "oracles" - from the Greek λόγιον (logion), which pertains to "the words, utterances, teachings of God" - see:  Acts 7:38; Rom. 3:2; 1 Pet. 4:11.

AN ILLUSTRATION OF GENUINE REPENTANCE

Matthew 21:28-31 - "...A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today in my vineyard.  He answered and said, I will not:  but afterward he repented, and went.  And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir:  and went not.  Which of them twain did the will of his father?  They say unto him, The first.  Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you."