What Was Jesus' First Word When He Began His Public Ministry?

It was "repent."  "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Holy Bible, Matthew 4:17, KJV).

Jesus said, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Holy Bible, Luke 13:3, KJV).

What does it mean to "repent?"  It is defined by Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary as, "To feel pain, sorrow or regret for something done or spoken."

That sounds like how David felt about his sin.  "For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin." (Holy Bible, Psalm 38:18, KJV).

Repentance is the desire to turn from your sin to Jesus Christ, and to live a new life for him. "But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance." (Holy Bible, Acts 26:20, KJV).

Have you repented of your sins, and asked the Lord Jesus Christ to save you?  "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (Holy Bible, 2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV).



How To Be Saved