Of all the steps in the gospel plan of salvation, repentance may be the step that receives the least emphasis. This may be because, unlike the other steps that require concrete, visible actions, true repentance requires an internal change. With this in mind, let’s consider repentance – what it is, why it is important, and what it requires.
The Greek ìåôáíïÝù, or metanoeoô, is translated as repentance. Repentance is defined as to change one’s mind, i.e. to repent; to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of ones past sins. It is similar to remorse or sorrow, but not identical. Consider Matthew 27:3-5, where Judas expresses remorse or sorrow over his betrayal of Jesus. His remorse did not lead to repentance; rather, he committed suicide. Compare this to the sorrow of the Corinthian church, as described by Paul in II Corinthians 7:9-10. Paul notes that the Corinthians’ sorrow led to repentance. Paul describes this as godly sorrow, which "worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of." Sorrow in and of itself is of no value; it is the individual’s reaction to sorrow that determines repentance.
Repentance has been a requirement for proper relations with God throughout both the Old and New Testaments. For examples in the Old Testament, see I Kings 8:46-50, Ezekial 14:6 and 18:30-32, and Joel 2:12-13. Note that in all examples an action verb accompanies the call to repentance: return, turn away, cast away. Ezekiel 14:6 says, "Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations." The inward change is to be accompanied by an outwardly visible change of behavior.
John the Baptizer provides a direct link between the prophets of the Old Testament and the coming Messiah. In both Matthew 3:7-8 and Luke 3:7-8 he warns of the coming wrath and says, "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance." Jesus called for repentance throughout His ministry; see Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:14-15, and Luke 13:1-5 for examples. In Mark 1:15 He says, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." The apostles preached the name of Jesus, calling for repentance in Acts 2:38 and Acts 3:19.
In these examples, notice that the need for repentance is coupled with a requirement need for action – we must bring forth fruits (actions) worthy of repentance. Repentance requires restitution. We cannot judge others’ hearts; Luke 17:3-4 says, "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him." However, we can observe the actions of others. We know from James 2:14-16 that faith without works is dead; therefore, a truly repentant person should show fruits worthy of repentance. If we wrong someone, including God, the mental state of repentance is reflected in the action of restitution.
The Bible gives us examples of repentance and restitution. One is Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10): "And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Another is the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:25-34): "And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway." In both cases, restitution was made for past wrongs.
We can see from the scriptures that repentance requires that the wrongs we commit must be righted, as much as is possible. Without true repentance, the remainder of the plan of salvation is of no use.