Repentance is a change of mind and purpose and life; a conversion from sin to God. I Thessalonians 1:9 – … how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

Many understand the term repentance to mean “turning from sin.” This is incomplete. In the Bible, the word repent means “to change one’s mind.” The Bible also tells us that true repentance will result in a change of actions. Acts 26:20 – … that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

The full biblical definition of repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of action.

Lent is a period of fasting and repentance traditionally observed by Catholics and some Protestants in preparation for Easter. The length of the fast was established by the Catholic Church in the 4th century as 40 days beginning with the observance of Ash Wednesday, a way for Catholics to remind themselves to repent of their sins in a manner similar to how people in the Old Testament repented in sackcloth, ashes, and fasting. Catholics speak of “doing penance” for their sins; a purpose mentioned repeatedly in Roman Catholic literature is that of paying or atoning for one’s sins; making a payment toward the temporal punishment to satisfy God’s justice. This purpose is closely tied to the idea of indulgences and is all completely contrary to Scripture. The Bible does speak of repentance, but never is there the message of “you must pay or atone for your sins by doing some good deed or by abstinence,” or by anything else. Titus 3:5 – Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;