Repentance is a theological term that describes a stage in
Christian salvation where the believer turns away from
sin. As a distinct stage in the
ordo salutis its position is disputed, with some theological traditions arguing it occurs prior to
faith and the
Reformed theological tradition arguing it occurs after faith. In
Roman Catholic theology repentance is part of the larger theological concept of penance. Generally in the
Old Testament the term 'repentance' comes from the Hebrew word group that means "turn away from." Sometimes this word group is employed to request a turning from sinful activity (
Jeremiah 8:6]. In the
New Testament the
metanoeo word group can mean remorse but is generally translated as a turning away from sin (
Matthew 3:2). Theologically 'repentance', the turning away from sin is linked to a corresponding turn to faith in
God.