Theological Glossary
Six Christian traditions define Repentance below — each in its own words, paraphrased from its official documents. These are attributed positions, not assertions of fact.
The Catholic Church teaches that repentance (metanoia) is a radical reorientation of one's whole life — a return and conversion to God with all one's heart — prompted by the Holy Spirit. It holds that interior repentance finds expression in contrition, confession of sins, and acts of penance.
Source: CCC 1427–1433 ↗
The Orthodox Church teaches repentance as metanoia — a lifelong, ongoing turning of the mind and heart toward God, not a one-time event. It holds that true repentance involves sorrow for sin, confession, and amendment of life, renewed continually in the mystery of confession.
Lutherans teach that repentance consists of two parts: contrition — terror of conscience over sin — and faith, which believes that sins are forgiven for Christ's sake. They hold that this repentance is the daily life of the Christian, who returns again and again to baptismal grace.
Source: Augsburg Confession, Art. XII ↗
The Reformed tradition teaches that repentance unto life is a saving grace by which the sinner, grieved for and hating sin, turns from it to God with full purpose of new obedience. It holds that true repentance is never separated from faith and evidences itself in fruits of righteousness.
Baptists teach that repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God — one of two inseparable experiences of grace alongside faith. They hold that the sinner responds to the Spirit's conviction of sin in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Source: BFM 2000, IV.A ↗
Methodists teach repentance as the sinner's turning from sin toward God in response to prevenient grace — the necessary doorway to justifying faith. In the Wesleyan way, repentance involves conviction of sin, godly sorrow, and a firm purpose of amendment, issuing in a changed life.
Source: UMC What We Believe ↗
See how the traditions compare on related topics: