Biblical Proof: Repentance & Belief—Two Parts of the SAME Saving Act:
Mark 1:15
“And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
Here Jesus gives one command in two inseparable parts — “repent ye” and “believe the gospel.” Both are essential and not two separate works but two sides of the same action in turning to God through Christ.
1. Repentance Prepares Us to Believe
Repentance means a genuine turning from sin and toward God—a change of mind and heart that leads to a change of direction. One cannot truly believe on Christ while clinging to sin and rebellion.
Luke 13:3
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
Without repentance, there is no forgiveness or life. It is the heart’s first motion toward God — acknowledging guilt and turning from sin.
2. Belief Completes Repentance
Acts 20:21
“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”
You cannot believe without repentance, because faith requires surrender to Christ; nor can you repent without believing, since only faith in Jesus gives power to turn from sin.
3. The Order: Repent, Then Believe
Jesus said, “Repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Repentance is the first movement of the soul — recognizing sin before a holy God. Faith follows as trust in Christ’s death and resurrection for salvation.
Acts 3:19
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…”
John 3:18
“He that believeth on him is not condemned…”
Salvation involves both: turning from sin (repentance) and to Christ (faith). They are one spiritual act viewed from two sides — one facing sin, the other the Savior.
4. Scriptural Example
Luke 18:13-14
“God be merciful to me a sinner… I tell you, this man went down to his house justified.”
The publican both repented (acknowledged sin) and believed (called on God for mercy). His repentance and faith were one expression of a heart turning to God.
5. Repentance Is Not a Work
Repentance is often mistaken as a work, but salvation is entirely by grace.
Ephesians 2:8–9
“For by grace are ye saved through faith… not of works, lest any man should boast.”
True repentance is not earned merit—it is the change of mind brought by the Holy Spirit’s conviction. It does not purchase salvation but opens the heart for faith to grasp Christ’s finished work. Repentance is the heart’s agreement with God that sin is wrong and that Christ alone can save.
6. True Meanings of “Repent” and “Believe”
Repent (μετανοέω – metanoeō, Strong’s G3340):
“To change one’s mind, to think differently afterward, to reconsider.”
It means an inward change of mind and heart leading from sin toward God.
Believe (πιστεύω – pisteuō, Strong’s G4100):
“To trust in, to have faith in, to be persuaded of, to place confidence in.”
Belief is not mere assent but full reliance upon Jesus Christ for salvation.
Thus repentance is the change of mind from sin to God, and belief is the trust in Christ as Savior.
7. Summary
Repentance and belief are not two works but one response to the gospel:
1a. Repentance: turning from sin and self—a change of mind toward God.
1b. Faith: turning to Christ for mercy and salvation.
Acts 17:30-31
“God… now commandeth all men every where to repent.”
John 1:12
“But as many as received him… even to them that believe on his name.”
No one can receive Christ without repenting toward God. Repentance and faith together form the one act of conversion—repentance renounces sin, faith trusts Christ to save.
Conclusion:
In Mark 1:15, Jesus revealed the divine order of salvation: “Repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Repentance and faith are inseparable halves of the same response. Neither is a “work of righteousness,” but the heart’s response to God’s grace — the inward change of mind (metanoeō) that turns to trust (pisteuō) in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.
