When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…” – Acts 2:37–38 (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)
“Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.” – Isaiah 55:7 (BSB)
“I will set out and go back to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.’ … But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion.” – Luke 15:18, 20 (BSB)
Next, I confess my sins to God. Confession is not vague or general—it is honest, specific, and humble. Fr. Caleb Evans (Anglican Orthodox Church, St. Stephen’s Mission, GA) teaches, “Confession is agreeing with God about our sin. It is the act of naming our rebellion so that His mercy may rename us as forgiven.” (Restoring the Penitent Soul, 2020)
But repentance also involves turning—a decisive break from sin and a sincere return to God. This requires action: forsaking evil habits, making restitution where possible, and reordering my life around Christ’s lordship. Canon George Grant (ACNA, Parish Presbyterian Church, TN) explains, “Repentance is not just stopping sin—it is starting holiness. It is the life of continual renewal through the Spirit.” (Recovering Anglican Piety, 2019)
Prayer, Scripture, and accountability are essential in sustaining repentance. Bishop Keith Ackerman (Forward in Faith, Diocese of Quincy) says, “Daily repentance keeps the soul soft toward God. It is not merely for crises, but for communion—for walking closely with the One who forgives and transforms.” (Lectures on the Devotional Life, 2016)
Fr. Elijah Simmons (Anglican Union, Church of the Holy Redeemer, TX) adds, “I repent by returning again and again to the cross—where justice met mercy, and where my shame was undone by love.” (The Shape of Conversion, 2022)
“To repent is to recognize the lie of sin and return to the truth. It is the soul’s awakening to God’s mercy.” – Augustine of Hippo, Sermons on the Psalms, c. 400 AD
“He who repents walks the path of tears to the throne of grace. God receives the penitent with joy, not with scorn.” – Cyprian of Carthage, On the Lapsed, c. 250 AD
“Repentance is the turning of the soul from death to life, from error to truth, from darkness to light.” – Irenaeus of Lyons, Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching, c. 180 AD
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
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St. Thomas Church is a Church planting movement in ancient tradition.
