Question 288: What Is Repentance?

An Anglican Catechism (Expanded Version)

Question 288: What is repentance?

Repentance is the heartfelt turning away from sin and turning to God in faith. It involves sorrow for offending God, confession of sin, a sincere desire to change, and trust in His mercy through Jesus Christ. True repentance leads to a transformed life by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 3:19, 2 Corinthians 7:10, 1 John 1:9, Proverbs 28:13, Ezekiel 18:30–31)

Full Scripture References

“Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” – Acts 3:19 (BSB)

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” – 2 Corinthians 7:10 (BSB)

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9 (BSB)

“He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.” – Proverbs 28:13 (BSB)

“Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. Cast off from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.” – Ezekiel 18:30–31 (BSB)

Expanded Explanation of Catechism Question

Repentance is more than regret—it is a Spirit-empowered turning of the whole person toward God. It includes sorrow for sin, hatred of evil, confession to God, and a resolve to walk in newness of life. Fr. James Basinger (Reformed Episcopal Church, Diocese of Mid-America) writes, “Repentance is not penance. It is not about earning forgiveness, but receiving it with a heart broken by grace and remade by mercy.” (Lectures on Gospel Repentance, 2020)

True repentance is rooted in the knowledge of God’s holiness and love. Bishop Stephen Leung (ACNA, ANiC, Diocese of Western Canada and Alaska) explains, “We repent not just because sin is ugly, but because God is beautiful. The sorrow of repentance is sweetened by the mercy of the cross.” (Catechesis and the Gospel of Grace, 2021)

Repentance must be both personal and ongoing. It is the doorway into the Christian life and also the rhythm of it. Canon George Grant (ACNA, Parish Presbyterian Church, TN) observes, “Repentance is not a one-time act—it is the Christian posture. Daily, we return to the Lord who daily welcomes us.” (Recovering Anglican Piety, 2019)

Anglican liturgy echoes this call. In the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, we are taught to confess our sins regularly with “humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient hearts.” Fr. William Beasley (AMiA, Anglican Awakening) reflects, “Repentance is a gift. It is the first sign of revival and the ongoing work of sanctification in every soul awakened by the gospel.” (Awakening and the Ancient Paths, 2017)

Fr. Elijah Simmons (Anglican Union, Church of the Holy Redeemer, TX) concludes, “Repentance is not merely turning from sin—it is turning toward Christ. It is the daily reorientation of the soul toward its true home.” (Spiritual Formation and the Heart, 2022)

Early Church Fathers On Catechism Question

“Repentance is the second birth—the cleansing of the conscience, the healing of the soul. It is not despair, but hope.” – John Chrysostom, Homily on Repentance, c. 390 AD

“Let no one say, ‘I have sinned too greatly to repent.’ There is no wound the great Physician cannot heal.” – Augustine of Hippo, Sermon on 1 John, c. 410 AD

“Repentance is the plow of the soul, breaking up the hardness of sin so that grace may take root.” – Tertullian, On Repentance, c. 200 AD

“He who truly repents not only mourns his past but changes his future. He confesses, forsakes, and is restored.” – Cyprian of Carthage, On the Lapsed, c. 250 AD

An Anglican Catechism (Expanded Version)

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An Anglican Catechism (Expanded Version)