"God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing that he giveth life, and breath, to all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live and move, and have our being; as certain of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. At the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead."
(Acts 17:24-31)

There was a time, before Christ came and revealed God's fullness, when God winked at sin. This means He looked on the heart of man and saw those who were trying to live the very best they could in what they knew. But NOW commandeth men everywhere to REPENT and believe the gospel. Why is that commandment NOW? It is because God has provided His salvation and a new heart to go with the repentance. Under the Old Covenant, the blood of bulls and goats was offered, which could never take away sin. Before the shedding of Christ's Blood, mankind still had a remembrance of sins and had no power to prevent him from going back to his old sinful life.

Hear what has happened through the New Covenant relationship, which God has now provided..."For godly sorrow worketh repentance to SALVATION not to be repented of." (2 Cor. 7:10)

This godly sorrow comes from the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. It is the goodness of God that brings mankind to repentance. This sorrow causes a complete change or turn around in actions and lifestyle. This is called "conversion" or "being born-again of the Spirit of God."

This is NOW that commandment..."Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." (Acts2:38)

"I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."
(Luke 15:7 & 10)

Again Peter writes..."The Lord is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that one should perish, but that all should come to repentance." ( 2Pet.3:9b)

Jesus came with this message..."The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye and believe the gospel."
(Mark 1: 15)

God's prophet of ancient time wrote: "let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:7)

There must be a returning to the Lord, before He will abundantly pardon. People who think that they have received Divine pardon without FORSAKING their sinful ways through the new birth, are living in a deception.

This is God's message throughout the Holy Writ..."Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out."
(Acts 3:19)

All the conditions of salvation may be said to be, "the way of repentance." The term "repentance" includes a sense of personal guilt and grief because of committed sin against a Loving God. When this happens in the heart of man, there is a resolute turning FROM sin to righteousness.

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and Godly in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee."
(Titus 2:11-14)