By: Rev. Merlin Shorb

By: Rev. Merlin Shorb

Rappahannock Methodist

Flint Hillf Willis Chapel, Sperryville

WHO NEEDS TO REPENT?

The verb, to repent, and the noun, repentance, each have a two-fold meaning in the Bible. The Greek word is translated "to change one's mind"; its equivalent in Hebrew means "to turn." So, when we read the word "repentance" in our English, both meanings are intended. Why is this so?

When the Hebrew scholars of the third century B.C. translated their scriptures into the Greek language, they used the word for a change of heart to express their Hebrew for a change of direction. We know this work was in the hands of New Testament writers because their quotes from the Hebrew Scriptures quite often are word-for-word in the Greek. Our ideas must therefore reflect the understanding of Hebrew writers (the first Christians were Jews) expressing themselves in the lingua franca of the first century, which was the Greek language.

Aside from the definition of the word itself, we seem to be in disagreement over the ones who ought to be repenting. The implication so often is that all those folks outside our church are the only ones who need to change their ways. Or, we Christians have already done it; now the rest of the world must do it. But, is this the way our Scriptures set forth the idea?

The Lord addresses seven churches in the early chapters of the book of Revelation. No less than five of them are ordered to repent. The writers also approached the idea using the present participle, expressing repentance as a habit, even in reference to one of the "sheep". (Lk. 15:7) All the commands to repent are framed in present imperative (Mat. 2:2, 4:17), not referring to an isolated event, but to a life-style. Repentance is clearly a way of life to which we are called, and clearly a call to Christians.

We who claim to be the "my people" of II Chr. 7:14; we are the ones setting the example. If the world is not repenting, they are probably taking their cue from us.