Topical Encyclopedia
The term "penitent" refers to an individual who feels or expresses sincere remorse for their sins or wrongdoings and seeks forgiveness from God. This concept is central to Christian theology, emphasizing the importance of repentance in the believer's relationship with God.
Biblical FoundationThe Bible consistently underscores the necessity of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for repentance, "shuv," implies a turning back or returning to God. The prophets frequently called the people of Israel to repentance, urging them to turn from their sinful ways and return to the Lord. For instance, in
Joel 2:12-13 , the prophet declares, "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion."
In the New Testament, the Greek word "metanoia" is used, which means a change of mind or a transformative change of heart. John the Baptist and Jesus both began their ministries with a call to repentance. In
Matthew 3:2 , John the Baptist proclaims, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Similarly, Jesus emphasizes the necessity of repentance in
Mark 1:15 , saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel."
Characteristics of a Penitent HeartA penitent heart is marked by several key characteristics:
1.
Recognition of Sin: The penitent individual acknowledges their sinfulness and understands the gravity of their actions. This recognition is often accompanied by a deep sense of sorrow and regret.
2.
Confession: Confession is an essential aspect of penitence. The penitent openly admits their sins to God, as seen in 1
John 1:9 : "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
3.
Desire for Forgiveness: The penitent seeks God's forgiveness, trusting in His mercy and grace.
Psalm 51, a psalm of David, is a profound expression of this desire, where David pleads, "Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions" (
Psalm 51:1).
4.
Commitment to Change: True penitence involves a commitment to turn away from sin and live a life that is pleasing to God. This transformation is evidenced by a change in behavior and a renewed dedication to following God's commandments.
Examples of Penitence in ScriptureSeveral biblical figures exemplify the penitent heart:
·
David: After his sin with Bathsheba, David's penitence is vividly captured in
Psalm 51, where he seeks God's forgiveness and cleansing.
·
The Prodigal Son: In the parable of the prodigal son (
Luke 15:11-32), the younger son demonstrates penitence by returning to his father, acknowledging his sin, and expressing a desire to be reconciled.
·
Peter: After denying Jesus three times, Peter weeps bitterly, showing his deep remorse. His subsequent actions reflect a transformed life dedicated to Christ (
Matthew 26:75).
Theological SignificancePenitence is not merely an emotional response but a vital component of the Christian faith. It is the means by which believers experience God's forgiveness and restoration. Through repentance, individuals are reconciled to God, receive the Holy Spirit, and are empowered to live a life that reflects the character of Christ. As Jesus stated in
Luke 15:7 , "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent."
In summary, the penitent heart is central to the Christian experience, embodying the believer's journey from sin to salvation through the grace and mercy of God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Feeling pain or sorrow on account of sins or offenses; repentant; contrite; sincerely affected by a sense of guilt, and resolved on amendment of life.
2. (a.) Doing penance.
3. (n.) One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of his transgressions.
4. (n.) One under church censure, but admitted to penance; one undergoing penance.
5. (n.) One under the direction of a confessor.
Library
The Tears of thePenitent.
... XIII."THE TEARS OF THEPENITENT. Adversity had taught David self-restraint, had
braced his soul, had driven him to grasp firmly the hand of God....
ThePenitent Thief
... SERMON XXXI. THEPENITENT THIEF. Luke 23:42, 43. And... paradise. The story of
thepenitent thief is a most beautiful and affecting one....
A Colloquy Between aPenitent and God
... A COLLOQUY BETWEEN APENITENT AND GOD.... Thepenitent soul is absorbed in the
thought of its own evil. Its sin stands clear before it....
ThePenitent Thief
... VII THEPENITENT THIEF.... How different is the case of thispenitent thief! He
confessed his sins, and Christ had mercy on him there and then....
Whether by thePenitent's Permission, a Priest May Reveal to...
... OF THE SEAL OF CONFESSION (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether by thepenitent's permission,
a priest may reveal to another a sin which he knows under the seal of confession...
The TruePenitent.
... REPENTANCE AND REFORMATION. 330. " The TruePenitent. 330. CM Breviary.
The TruePenitent. 1 O sinner! bring not tears alone...
Whether aPenitent, at the Point of Death, Can be Absolved by any...
... Whether apenitent, at the point of death, can be absolved by any priest?
Objection 1: It would seem that apenitent, at the point...
Psalm 51:1. First Part. LM APenitent Pleading for Pardon.
... Psalm 51:1. First Part. LM Apenitent pleading for pardon. 1 Shew pity, Lord, O
Lord, forgive, Let a repenting rebel live: Are not thy mercies large and free?...
ThePenitent Thief. Ch. 23:39-43
... VII. THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION. CHS. 22 TO 24 I. ThePenitent Thief. Ch.
23:39-43. 39 And one of the malefactors that were hanged...
God's Mercy to thePenitent.
... REPENTANCE AND REFORMATION. 327. " God's Mercy to thePenitent. 327.
SM Jervis. God's Mercy to thePenitent. 1 Sweet is the...
Thesaurus
Penitent (7 Occurrences)...Penitent (7 Occurrences). Mark 1:4 So John the Baptizer came, and was in the Desert
proclaiming a baptism of the
penitent for forgiveness of sins. (WEY).
...Repentance (28 Occurrences)
... commandments. The truepenitent is conscious of guilt (Psalm 51:4, 9), of pollution
(51:5, 7, 10), and of helplessness (51:11; 109:21, 22)....
Impenitent (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Notpenitent; not repenting of sin; not contrite;
of a hard heart. 2. (n.) One who is notpenitent. Multi-Version Concordance...
Thief (41 Occurrences)
... Thepenitent thief ("robber," the Revised Version (British and American) Mark
15:27 Matthew 27:38, 44; "malefactor," Luke 23:32, 39) was one of the two...
Repentant (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.)Penitent; sorry for sin.... 3. (n.) One who repents,
especially one who repents of sin; apenitent. Multi-Version Concordance...
Paradise (6 Occurrences)
... 3. Used by Christ: Christ uses the word but once (Luke 23:43), when He said to the
penitent thief, "Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise" (see ABRAHAM'S...
Proclaiming (63 Occurrences)
... (WEY YLT NAS). Mark 1:4 So John the Baptizer came, and was in the Desert proclaiming
a baptism of thepenitent for forgiveness of sins. (WEY YLT)....
Absolution
... 3. (n.) The exercise of priestly jurisdiction in the sacrament of penance, by which
Catholics believe the sins of the trulypenitent are forgiven....
Sinlessness
... before us the profound ethical paradox of a person who, on the one hand, enjoins
penitence and (with a tenderness infinitely deep) loves thepenitent, and, on...
Guilt (180 Occurrences)
... decides. It is thepenitent publican who goes down justified, not the Pharisee
with his long credit account (Luke 18:9-14). That...
Resources
What is penitence? What does the Bible say about penitence? | GotQuestions.orgIs penance mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the Parable of the Prodigal Son? | GotQuestions.orgPenitent: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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