4/2/25 Luke 24:47-48 “Repentance and Forgiveness”
One of the statements that Jesus made shortly before He ascended to heaven was, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.” Notice the common theme of the gospel, that Jesus suffered and died, and that He rose from the dead. The presentation of the gospel is central to Christianity. We deserve to die, but Jesus died in our place to pay the penalty for our sins, so that we can be forgiven and have eternal life.
Notice that we are to be witnesses of these things. God has chosen for the good news about Jesus to be shared by people, by His disciples. When we follow Jesus, He will make us fishers of men.
Finally, notice that repentance and remission of sins should be preached. The Greek word for repentance is μετάνοια, which indicates “a change of mind”. The idea is turning from our sin and trusting Jesus to save us and forgive. us. The responsibility of the disciples was to preach repentance leading to the forgiveness of sins. We are saved by faith, but genuine faith involves a desire to put behind our sins and receive God’s forgiveness, and to live for God. Check out Ephesians 2:8-10.
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