It was actually probably the first thing that came out of his mouth when he started his ministry. He went on the street and said 'repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.' You can read about this man in the bible at the beginning of the book of Matthew and Mark. Obviously that's not all he said - he had a lot of love to offer and forgiveness etc. The point is would you be embarrassed when he challenged people or agreeing with him.
2007-09-19 21:40:47 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think you misunderstand the meaning of the word 'repent'.
Whenever I used to hear that word, I would get a picture of an angry man shaking his finger at me, scowling, because I had been bad.
But that is not what repent means. Repent simply means to change the way that you think.
As per Strongs Dictionary (Greek number G3340), repent means: "to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent."
John the Baptist and Jesus both preached that same message: "Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand." That means "Change the way that you are thinking because the rule of God here on Earth is so close that you can reach out and grab it." In God's Kingdom, Jesus is the KING and we are kings under Him... that is why He is called the King of kings. We will all be ruling and reigning with Him through all Eternity.
For the Jews who heard His message it applied so much more because they were under Roman rule at the time. They were oppressed and dominated. They were a slave nation. Their thinking needed to change from a slavery mentality to a royal one. Thus, that statement was a message of empowerment, not oppression or domination at all.
God bless you
2007-09-19 22:07:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're looking only at Matthew and Mark, you're not getting all the story.
There are different biblical canons. For example, Roman Catholics have a larger canon than Protestants. The Syrian Christian Bible has many fewer books. The Ethiopian Bible has many more.
The point is, you need to read the Bible in context. It wasn't written in 1955. Jesus challenged people to revolt against the people Rome had installed in the temple, and install the original priests to power. "I come not to bring peace, but to bring a sword."
Che Guevara used provocative language, too. That's a necessary thing for those who would foment revolution.
2007-09-19 21:51:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Atheism IS a belief.
Look at it this way.
If you stick your hand into running water. Its either cold or it isn't.
Well, life is your hand and God is the water. Is it lukewarm cold or hot because whether you want to see it in your current state of mind, no matter how you are picturing it in your head, you are alive and the prophecies of God have came true.
I have experienced God in my life. I talk to Him and He talks to my heart. He will help and lead you, all you have to do is begin to see what God is really trying to say not what i myself or anyone else is trying to say. He speaks to the heart. It's Satan who speaks to the mind. If you choose to not beleive in God's Son, Jesus Christ, well then you have made a decision on that subject now haven't you. That isn't atheism my friend that is Satanism the way God sees it. God doesn't expect you to be like every other person in this world. He understands that you have to take small steps sometimes and that it's not goign to be easy for you. Afterall, He came into flesh and experienced it for you so that you could be forgiven by the Creator of science, the universe, and all the things that you haven't figured out yet and aren't considered science yet as well. He's not going to give you this Grande choice and then take it away by revealing Himself. That would defeat the whole purpose of Him giving us the choice to start with now wouldn't it.
yes i have already said this incase you ask.
2007-09-19 22:01:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word "repent" is not a bad word and may or may-not involve judgement. "Repent" means to "to turn away from and never do it again" is in old and new testaments. John the Baptist said it alot and was misunderstood too. I am not easily embarrassed.Basically, he was saying" Come go with me to my father's house!" which is a subject of pride.
2007-09-19 22:06:27 · answer #4 · answered by NISSI 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Repent:
Romans 3,6,10
Eph 2:8-9
Acts 2:21
Matt 24-25
Job 19
2007-09-20 04:30:59 · answer #5 · answered by robert p 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Repent means to change your ways; to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life; to feel regret or contrition; to change one's mind.
Why are you suggesting this is judgmental?
No, I would not be embarrassed if challenged one way or the other.
2007-09-19 22:26:30 · answer #6 · answered by D.A. S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is generally stated as an order..... and people don't like to be given orders. They like to think themselves important, and beyond merely being the puppets of others.... so naturally they will not take kindly to being ordered to repent.... especially when they see absolutely no need to do so.
2007-09-19 21:52:17 · answer #7 · answered by Lucid Interrogator 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Most people in the Bible were mental!
2007-09-19 21:58:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
In christian theology, that's all a man can do to save his soul, for we are all sinners.
2007-09-19 21:50:07 · answer #9 · answered by הפיליפינים 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't dodat.
Repent ! The end is near.
2007-09-19 22:01:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋