---

This is a turning from sin to God. When genuine it is a fruit of the Spirit, and secures the further gift of the Spirit. In its widest sense it includes the whole process of conversion. It has been well defined to be "a saving grace whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth with grief and hatred of his sin turn from it unto God with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience."

I. ITS MEANS.

1. From a due sense of sin. This includes —

(1)  A knowledge of sin.

(2)  A conviction of our own sinfulness.

(3)  A proper sense of our own guilt and pollution.The knowledge of sin supposes proper views of the holiness and justice of God, and therefore of the greatness of the evil of sin, and that we are absolutely at God's mercy.

2. It is with apprehension of God's mercy in Christ. Repentance is not possible as long as we think we are without hope. For despair excludes repentance. We must apprehend, i.e., believe —

(1)  That God is merciful.

(2)  That He can consistently exercise His mercy.

(3)  That we are, or may be, its objects.

(4)  That this is through Christ; because out of Christ conscience and Scripture teach Him to be a consuming fire.

II. THE ATTENDING CIRCUMSTANCES.

1. Grief, i.e., sincere sorrow for having sinned; including —

(1)  Remorse.

(2)  Self abhorrence.

(3)  Self-condemnation.

(4)  Shame.

2. Hatred of sin, which includes —

(1)  Disapprobation.

(2)  Disgust.

III. THE ACT ITSELF.

1. Turning from sin: from its

(1)  Approbation.

(2)  Indulgence.

(3)  Promotion.

2. Turning to God —

(1)  As an object of excellence.

(2)  As an object of enjoyment.

IV. ITS EFFORTS.

1. Purpose. A decision of the will to obey God in all things.

2. Endeavour to do so.

(1)  Continued.

(2)  Sincere.

(3)  Effective.

(C. Hodge, D. D.)

---

---

KJV: 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.

WEB: Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.