Repentance, examples of

Scripture provides examples to illustrate the importance of repentance for individuals and communities.

The repentance of individuals

The call to personal repentance

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Examples of individual repentance

Numbers 22:31–35 Balaam; 2 Samuel 24:10 parallel 1 Chronicles 21:8 David, after taking a census; 1 Kings 21:27–29 Ahab; 2 Kings 22:19 Josiah; Job 42:6 Job; Psalm 51:1–17 David, following his adultery with Bathsheba; Luke 15:21 the prodigal son; Luke 18:13 the tax collector in the temple; Matthew 26:75 parallels Mark 14:72, Luke 22:61–62 Peter's sorrow after denying Jesus Christ; John 21:15–17 Peter's confession and reinstatement; Acts 8:22–24 Simon the sorcerer's repentance may not have been genuine.

Corporate repentance

Examples of corporate repentance

Jeremiah 18:7–8; Matthew 3:1–6 parallels Mark 1:1–6, Luke 3:1–6 See also Numbers 21:7 Israel in the desert; Judges 10:15–16 Israel in the time of the judges; 1 Samuel 7:3–4 Israel, after asking for a king; Isaiah 19:22 Egypt turns to God in repentance; Acts 9:32–35 the people of Lydda and Sharon

At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed. But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to bring.

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

Leaders encouraged corporate repentance

Ezra 10:1 See also 2 Kings 23:1–7 Josiah leads Judah in repentance; 2 Chronicles 15:8–15 Asa leads Judah in repentance; 2 Chronicles 30:6–9 Hezekiah leads Israel and Judah in repentance; Ezra 10:10–12 Following the exile, Ezra leads the Israelites in repentance; Jonah 3:6–8 The king of Nineveh leads the people in repentance.

While Ezra prayed and made this confession, weeping and falling facedown before the house of God, a very large assembly of Israelites — men, women, and children — gathered around him, and the people wept bitterly as well.

Corporate repentance within the church

Revelation 2:4–5 See also 2 Corinthians 7:9–11; Revelation 2:14–16, Revelation 2:20–22, Revelation 3:3, Revelation 3:19–20

But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love. Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Symbols of repentance

1 Kings 21:27; Jonah 3:5 See also 1 Samuel 7:6; Ezra 8:21; Nehemiah 9:1; Jeremiah 36:9; Joel 1:13–14, Joel 2:12

When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly.

And the Ninevites believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least.