Repentance is a supernatural work of God whereby a responsive sinner, being convicted by the Holy Spirit of his rebellion, turns to God from his sinful ways and trusts Jesus Christ for salvation (2Ti 2:25; Joh 16:8; Ac 11:18; 26:20).

Repentance means more than sorrow or regret or despair or grief. It is also more than mere confession or acknowledgement of sin. Pharaoh, Saul, and Judas did all of that but did not exercise Bible repentance (Ex 9:27; 1Sa 15:24; 24:17; 26:21; Mt 27:3-4).

Bible repentance means a turning to God and a change of mind toward God that results in a change of life (Mt 3:1-2; Lu 5:32; 13:1-3; 18:13; Ac 2:38; 5:31; 17:30; 20:21; 26:20; 2Pe 3:9). There are two types of repentance: (1) Repentance for unbelievers for salvation (Lu 13:3; Ac 2:38). (2) repentance for believers from daily sin (Re 2:5,16,21-22).

The preceeding material on this page was copied from the Way of Life Encyclopedia, Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061–0368.