Repentance involves a change of direction in a person’s life rather than simply a change in thinking or a feeling of remorse.1 It is a turning away from sin to God and the things that please God. Man is incapable of doing this by himself which is why repentance is said to be a gift from God (Acts 5:31; Acts 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25). Repentance and faith are closely linked together in Mark 1:15. In the context of Peter and the crowd, repentance would involve an admission of guilt in the death of Jesus, an acknowledgement that he is the Christ of God and a commitment to serving him from that moment onwards.2
19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,