PREMISE: The main gospel ["gospel" is the old English term for "good news"] message is the "Kingdom of God/heaven" (spoken of 142 times) and the lesser message is the New Birth, or being "born again", (spoken of 16 times when "born" as used with respect to the new birth). It may be a shock to you that the New Testament emphasizes the Kingdom 9 times more than being born again. John the Baptist, Jesus, the Apostles, and Paul all preached the Kingdom of God as their main message (this will be shown later). The New Birth is the way one gets into the Kingdom and repentance is the avenue that allows one to experience the New Birth. The imagery of dwelling with God is the old feudal state where a King has a Kingdom in which His subjects live (1 Cor. 15:24-28). We should preach the gospel like John the Baptist, Jesus, the apostles, and Paul did...that people needed to enter the Kingdom, and the way they did it was the new birth through repentance. This can be seen in some of Jesus' first public words.
“BORN”
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto you, you must be born again.
John 3:8 The wind blows where it will, and you hear the sound of it, but can not tell from where it comes, and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Ga 4:23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
Galatians 4:29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides for ever.
1 John 2:29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that every one that does righteousness is born of him.
1 John 3:9 Whoever is born of God does not commit sin; for his seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God.
1 John 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. Whoever loves the Father also loves the child who is born of him.
1 John 5:4 For whoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.
1Jo 5:18 We know that whoever is born of God sins not; but he that is begotten of God keeps himself, and that wicked one touchs him not.
Notice the relationship in John 3:3,5 between the New Birth and the Kingdom. As important as the New Birth is, it is just the entrance to the Kingdom. Without it, one can not see or enter the Kingdom! However, what is more important - the door to something or what is behind it? In that sense, the Kingdom is more important (as indicated also by it appearing 142 times compared to 16 for the various terms describing the New Birth).
Yet, we see very little said about the Kingdom of God in today's preaching and teaching, and it is for this reason that this word study was generated. Because it will be in the study of the Kingdom that we will see what is involved in the Kingdom concerning our attitudes, relationships, duties, responsibilities - all of which have been neglected for the most part in today's preaching. It can be argued that this is one of many reasons for the shallowness, worldliness, and lack of respect for our Lord in the Church today (Lk. 6:46 - "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?").
“KINGDOM”
In the following section of scriptures where the word "kingdom" appears, you will see that the first thing John the Baptist and Jesus preached AND taught was REPENT and the SECOND was the Kingdom. Both of them expressed the relationship between "repent" and "kingdom" was that because the Kingdom was now at hand, people needed to REPENT.
The Greek word for "repent" is "metanoeo" and means: to change one's mind, to go in a totally different direction for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins. It is not something God does but you do. His part is to make you into a new creation (1 Cor. 5:17) through the New Birth. Repentance is not a work that gets you salvation. It reflects your attitude that you are willing to make Jesus Lord.
Repentance is not a popular teaching today. "Just receive Jesus as your personal savior" and "just confess Him as Lord, and you will be saved". The "confession" part of Rom. 10:9,10) has come to mean nothing more than mental assent, and "Lord" has lost its impact in a modern English country like the United States, where the Greek word "kurios" was translated into "King James" English in the 1600s as "lord" which at that time meant "master", or in today's vernacular, "boss", but to many Americans in the 21st century "lord" is just an archaic word that has pretty much lost its meaning. In the English translations though, "lord" is used for God (Mt. 12:36), for Jesus (Mt. 12:36), for an angel (Acts 10:3,4), or for a human master (as in 1 Pet. 3:6, 1 Cor. 8:5).
Failure to preach that "confess" means more than just "say" and means repent from your own lordship to making Jesus your new Lord or boss leads to a shallowness of conversion in which perhaps many "converts" are not really born into the Kingdom at all, but just trying to get "fire insurance" from hell and still control their own lives rather than see their lives as a "living sacrifice to God" (Rom. 12:1,2) because "they were bought with a price [i.e. redemption] and are not their own [any longer]" (1 Cor. 6:19,20). Undoubtedly, some of these truly become born again later when they hear good enough teaching that they can make Jesus boss. However, shallow teaching may indeed insulate some from enough understanding to commit to Him, and the "form of godliness" (2 Tim. 3:5) they have just observed has caused some to mock the very avenue God has appointed for us to move from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of Light (1 Pet 2:9) - namely, the New Birth.
Now read the following word study for "Kingdom" as used concerning God's Kingdom and see what is entailed in this reality!
Matthew 3:2 And [John the Baptist] saying, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:19 Whoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 8:11 And I say to you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Matthew 10:7 And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 11:11 Verily I say to you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
Matthew 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
Matthew 13:11 He answered and said to them, Because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Matthew 13:19 When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Matthew 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
Matthew 13:33 Another parable spake he to them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Matthew 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
Matthew 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
Matthew 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hides, and for joy thereof goes and sells all that he hath, and buys that field.
Matthew 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Matthew 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
Matthew 13:52 Then said he to them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which brings forth out of his treasure things new and old.
Matthew 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
Matthew 18:1 At the same time came the disciples to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Matthew 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come to me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say to you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Matthew 20:1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard.
Matthew 20:21 And he said unto her, What do you want? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
Matthew 21:31 Whether of the two did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
Matthew 21:43 Therefore say I to you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Matthew 22:2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for you neither go in yourselves , neither allow them that are entering to go in.
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; and then shall the end come.
Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Matthew 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Matthew 26:29 But I say to you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe the gospel.
Mark 4:11 And he said to them, To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but to them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
Mark 4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
Mark 4:30 And he said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
Mark 9:1 And he said to them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.
Mark 9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
Mark 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Allow the little children to come to me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Mark 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
Mark 10:23 And Jesus looked round about, and says to his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Mark 10:24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again, and said to them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
Mark 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Mark 11:10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that comes in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
Mark 12:34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said to him, You art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that dared ask him any question.
Mark 14:25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honorable counselor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Luke 4:43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
Luke 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be you poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Luke 7:28 For I say to you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
Luke 8:1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad news of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,
Luke 8:10 And he said, To you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
Luke 9:2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Luke 9:11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.
Luke 9:27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.
Luke 9:60 Jesus said to him, Let the dead bury their dead: but you go and preach the kingdom of God.
Luke 9:62 And Jesus said to him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Luke 10:9 And heal the sick that are there, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come near to you.
Luke 10:11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaves on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come near to you.
Luke 11:2 And he said to them, When you pray, say, Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
Luke 12:31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luke 13:18 Then said he, What is the kingdom of God like? and what shall I compare it to?
Luke 13:20 And again he said, How shall I liken the kingdom of God?
Luke 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
Luke 13:29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
Luke 14:15 And when one of them that sat down to eat with him heard these things, he said to him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presses into it.
Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God comes not with observation:
Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Here! or, There! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Luke 18:16 But Jesus called them to him, and said, Suffer little children to come to me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Luke 18:17 Verily I say to you, Whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
Luke 18:24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Luke 18:25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Luke 18:29 And he said to them, Verily I say to you, There is no man that has left house, or parents, or brothers, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,
Luke 19:11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
Luke 19:12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
Luke 19:15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
Luke 21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, you know that the kingdom of God is near at hand.
Luke 22:16 For I say to you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
Luke 22:18 For I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
Luke 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father has appointed unto me;
Luke 22:30 That you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Luke 23:42 And he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou come into thy kingdom.
Luke 23:51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, Verily, verily, I say to thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say to you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from here.
Acts 1:3 To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Acts 19:8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
Acts 20:25 And now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
Acts 28:23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
Acts 28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
1 Corinthians 6:9 Don’t you know not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1 Corinthians 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 15:24 Then comes the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1 Corinthians 15:50 Now this I say, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption.
Galatians 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 5:5 For this you know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Colossians 1:13 Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Colossians 4:11 And Jesus, who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort unto me.
1 Thessalonians 2:12 That you would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
2 Thessalonians 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
2 Timothy 4:1 I charge you therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he says, Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom.
Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers, Has not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom who he has promised to them that love him?
2 Peter 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Revelation 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accused them before our God day and night.
REPENT, REPENTANCE, REPENTING: Now take a look at the following verses to get an idea how important repent, repentance and repenting are in the Kingdom and Kingdom living!
Mt 3:2 And saying, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mt 3:2 And saying, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mt 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
Mt 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Mt 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mt 9:13 But go ye and learn what that means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Mt 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
Mt 11:21 Woe to you Chorazin! Woe to thee, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Mt 12:41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
Mt 21:29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
Mt 21:32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and you believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when you had seen it, repented not afterward, that you might believe him.
Mt 27:3 Then Judas, who had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
Mr 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Mr 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Mr 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he says to them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Mr 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Lu 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
Lu 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say to you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
Lu 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Lu 10:13 Woe unto you, Chorazin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
Lu 11:32 The men of Nineveh shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
Lu 13:3 I tell you, No: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.
Lu 13:5 I tell you, No: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.
Lu 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Lu 15:10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents.
Lu 16:30 And he said, No, father Abraham: but if one went to them from the dead, they will repent.
Lu 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against you, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
Lu 17:4 And if he trespass against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to you, saying, I repent; you shall forgive him.
Lu 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Ac 2:38 Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Ac 3:19 Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Ac 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Ac 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven you.
Ac 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance to life.
Ac 13:24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
Ac 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent:
Ac 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Ac 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ac 26:20 But showed first to them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Ro 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
Ro 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
2Co 7:8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
2Co 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for you were made sorry after a godly manner, that you might receive damage by us in nothing.
2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death.
2Co 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
2Ti 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Heb 7:21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said to him, The Lord swore and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
Heb 12:17 For you know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Re 2:5 Remember therefore from whence you art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will remove your candlestick out of its place, except you repent.
Re 2:16 Repent; or else I will come to you quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Re 2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
In summary then, John the Baptist, Jesus, the apostle, and Paul all preached and taught that the gospel was the Kingdom of God/Heaven and that it was entered through the New Birth by one whose heart and affections were conditioned by an attitude of repentance towards their new boss. Anything short of that is not the New Birth, and such persons have not entered the Kingdom and do not have eternal life.
Some times people “go through the motions” of the “Sinner’s Prayer”, fake a good confession of salvation, or “say the Words” of Rom. 10:9, 10 without meaning them. They want the “fire insurance” to avoid hell, so we want to be sure that people don’t get into these scenarios that lead to a fall conversion.
Jesus warned us about shallow conversions in some of the scriptures mentioned here below…
Luke 6:43 For no good tree gives bad fruit, and no bad tree gives good fruit. 44 For every tree is judged by its fruit. Men do not get figs from thorns, or grapes from blackberry plants. 45 The good man, out of the good store of his heart, gives good things; and the evil man, out of his evil store, gives evil: for out of the full store of the heart come the words of the mouth. 46 Why do you say to me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that will say to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith. To such, Paul warns, "Examine yourselves to see if you be in the faith. Test your self. Don't you know that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you be a counterfeit" (2 Corinthians 13:5)?
A proposition as important as this one needs to be taken seriously by every profess-or of eternal life, for the failure to genuinely have it will have dire consequences in eternity! Let all who name the name of Jesus Christ be sure that they have made Jesus boss and then and only then will He receive the glory that He is worthy from them! For He is worthy of our worship...the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world!
If you do not have eternal life and have not entered the Kingdom of God through the New Birth, go HOW TO RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE to find out how.
FAQ on controversial issues our readers have asked at OTHER BIBLE STUDIES
HOME PAGE for the following...
WHEN DID JESUS SAY THE RAPTURE WOULD TAKE PLACE?
WHEN DID PAUL SAY THE RAPTURE WOULD TAKE PLACE?
HOW DOES THE DAY OF THE LORD RELATE TO THE RAPTURE?
FREE COMPUTER BIBLE PROGRAM - See "Downloads" in center column