In Chapter 17 of the book of Acts, we see in verse 30 that Paul tells the learned philosophers listening to him that “these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.”

They were not only ignorant as to who the God was that they had erected an altar to as The Unknown God, but ignorant also of their need to repent. The idolatrous gods they worshipped required nothing of them, but the God of heaven did. Due to the influence of Satan, multitudes today are in the same situation, not knowing God or their need to repent.

God sent Christ from heaven that we might know Him (John 14:6-11). The Gospel, inspired by the Holy Spirit, concerning what God would have us do to be saved has been preached since the day of Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2). If one does not know the God of the Bible as these Paul preached to, he too must repent. That is God’s command.

If one does not know God and what He requires, he must recognize that fact, have a change of mind or heart, and learn of Him and what He requires. We must learn who God is and what He has done for our salvation (John 3:15). Those facts cause us to love God and believe or have faith (Romans 10:17). Having believed these facts of the Gospel, our faith will produce godly sorrow in the honest and good heart. Having experienced godly sorrow, that godly sorrow leads us to repent (2 Corinthians 7:10). To repent is to have a change of mind or heart, making the decision to do whatever God requires of us.

With the death of Christ and the preaching of the Gospel (Acts 2), the times of ignorance that God once overlooked ended. God has revealed and confirmed these truths so that those who believe might repent of their wrong ideas concerning God and turn to the Living God. God’s requirement of repentance is fulfilled when one learns God’s will sufficiently to believe it and sees his own sinful condition. Godly sorrow is produced by this faith (2 Corinthians 7:10) and in turn produces a decision to change one’s life and do God’s will.

Jesus said, “Repent” (Luke 13:3). Peter said, “Repent” (Acts 2:38). Paul said, God commands it (Acts 17:30). Satan doesn’t want anyone to know this. He doesn’t care how many people believe in Christ as long as they don’t repent of their sins. Why? Because having come to such faith as to repent and making the decision to change one’s life and do God’s will, one will then want to be immersed into Christ in order to have the forgiveness of their sins. Then we no longer belong to Satan, but to God.

In our next article, we will consider Paul’s reason for God’s command to repent. That’s another thing Satan doesn’t want us to know about. Would you like to study about these things in detail? Let’s talk.