Repentance in Acts  11:18

(Starting from Acts chapter 10)

1       There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

2       A devout man, and one that feared God . . .

3-5    . . . an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. . . . now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

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34-36         Then Peter opened his mouth, and said . . .  preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

38     How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

39     And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

40     Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

41     Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

42     And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

43     To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Acts 11

17     Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

18     When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Subject who Repents:         Cornelius (Acts 10:1)

Object of Repentance:                  The object of repentance is not expressly stated.  Since repentance means "a change of mind," we can only inferentially determine the object of repentance by determining the concepts or propositions about which men must change their mind in the context.  Peter teaches Cornelius about Jesus death (Acts 10:39), resurrection (Acts 10:40-41), His destiny to judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42) and to bestow on all who believe the remission of sins (Acts 10:43).  That this is the "object of repentance" is further corroborated by the fact that "repentance unto life" (Acts 11:18) is in apposition (it is equivalent) to "believ[ing] on the Lord Jesus Christ" in Acts 11:17.

Consequence of Cornelius' repentance:       "The remission of sins" (Acts 10:43) and "life" (Acts 11:18).

Repentance in Acts 11:18