TRUE REPENTANCE

In today’s world the word repentance simply means to ‘stop doing evil’. Although repentance does consist of this element, it is not a stand alone definition of the word. T’shuvah [the Hebrew word for repentance] , which means to turn around also denotes a richer meaning.

In the times of Yahshua and just a few years afterward repentance had added meaning as well.  Although we , as modern believers, reject extra-biblical writings that were read in the Assembly during the earliest Assemblies. One of these ‘extra-biblical’ books was the Epistle of Clement of Alexandrias [a disciple of Peter], commonly called 1st Epistles of Clement. Let us read just one chapter an the subject of repentance:

” THESE things, beloved, we write to you, not only for your instruction, but also for our own remembrance.

2  For we are all in the same place of encounter, and the same combat is prepared for us all.

3  Wherefore let us lay aside all useless and empty cares; and let us come up to the Glorious and Venerable rule of our holy calling.

4  Let us consider what is good and acceptable and well pleasing in the sight of HIM who made us.

5  Let us look steadfastly at The Blood of Messiah and see how precious His blood is in the sight of YAHWEH: which being shed for our salvation, has obtained the grace of repentance for all the world.

6  Let us search into all the ages that have gone on before us; and let us learn that our Master has in every one of them still given place for repentance to all that would turn to HIM .

7  Noah preach repentance and as many as heard him were saved.

Jonah denounced destruction against the people Nineveh,

8  howbeit they repenting of their sins, appeased YAHWEH by their prayers and were saved, though they were saved, though they were strangers to The Covenant of YAHWEH.

9  Hence we find how all the servants of the grace of YAHWEH have spoken by the Sacred Spirit of repentance. And even The Master of All Himself declared, with an oath concerning it;

10  ‘As I live, says YAHWEH, I do not desire the death of a sinner, but that he should repent. Adding to this sentence, saying: Turn from your evil-doing, O House of Israel.

11  Say to The Children of MY People, Though your sins should reach from the earth to Heaven; and though they should be redder than scarlet, and blacker than sackcloth; yet if you shall turn to ME with all your heart, and you should call ME, Father, I will listen to you, as to a Holy People.’

12  And in another place HE said to the wise,

Wash yourself,

Make yourself clean,

Put away the evil that you are doing from before MY eyes,

Cease to do evil,

Learn to do well,

Seek judgment,

Relieve the oppressed,

Judge the fatherless,

Plead for the widow.

13  Come now and let us reason together, says YAHWEH:

though your sins may be scarlet, they shall become white like snow;

though they are crimson, they shall be like wool.

14  If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat of the good land.

BUT, if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by The Sword;

for The Mouth of YAHWEH has spoken it.

15  These things has YAHWEH established by HIS Almighty will, desiring that all HIS beloved should come to repentance.”

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The mindset of today is radically different than the Original Faith.

This is the question that every believer must ask themselves.

Shalom!

Your brother in Messiah,

Kenath