Now to show why I believe that repentance is the product of the new birth, lets look at 1 Pet 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy
hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
The words begotten us again, speaking of new birth, is the word
anagennaō:
- to produce again, be born again, born anew
- metaph. to have one's mind changed so that he lives a new life and one conformed to the will of God
So repentance correlates with being born anew, which is produced through the resurrection of Christ from the dead. This explains why Peter says in Acts 5:31
31
Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
notice to be born anew is to have one mind changed, which is the essence of repentance.3