Repentance is an inner matter, an inward action of the soul. But it also has several outward expressions through our actions. God’s purpose in repentance is to turn us around. For this reason, all genuine repentance will be seen in the change of direction it produces in the daily life. The four basic manifestations of genuine repentance are:
Specific confession of sin to God.
True repentance results in confession to God. We do not merely repent “in general,” but we specifically name our sins to God and admit that we are wrong, as we ask His forgiveness. We never begin our petition for forgiveness with words such as these: “If I have done anything wrong. … ” When we come to Christ for the first time, our acknowledgment must include the fact that we are sinners. From this point on, we merely need to mention the specific areas in which we have offended Him. Confession means putting into words and telling Him you are sorry.
“When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me; my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD, and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin” (Psa. 32:3-5).
Restitution to man.
True repentance will lead us to make things right with other people. We will make restitution where this is necessary. We will do all in our power to repair wounded relationships. We must be particularly careful to keep our relationships flowing in up-to-date love to- ward those we call “brothers.” We only love God as much as we love those who are a part of Him.
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much “(James 5:16).
The forsaking of sin.
True repentance means turning away from sin and leaving it behind. We must not only confess our sins, but forsake them. This means that we determine to be done with them.
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Prov. 28:13).
Water baptism.
Initial repentance prepares a person for water baptism. If the repentance is deep and thorough, and the individual has been properly instructed about water baptism for the remission of sins, he will express his repentance by submission to water baptism. This was standard procedure in the early Church.
“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” (Acts 2:38).
The complete renunciation of our life as a sinner includes water baptism. It is in the waters of baptism that we make this choice final by burying the person we were, in order to rise to newness of life. John the Baptist, Jesus, and later the disciples told the people to whom they ministered, “If you are truly repentant and have turned toward God, you will gladly demonstrate this through submitting to baptism.” They did not consider the work of repentance complete until it was expressed in obedience to baptism.