---
title: "Question 87: What is repentance unto life? | Westminster Shorter Catechism"
description: "Westminster Shorter Catechism, question 87: What is repentance unto life? Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of Go"
canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-87-what-is-repentance-unto-life/"
source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=169"
---

# Question 87: What is repentance unto life? | Westminster Shorter Catechism

Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience.

Scripture proofs: Acts 11:18; Acts 2:37-38; Joel 2:12; Jer. 3:22; Jer. 31:18-19; Ezek. 36:31; 2 Cor. 7:11; Isa. 1:16-17.

Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=169)

## Related reading

- [Salvation by grace through faith](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/salvation-by-grace/)
- [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-10-effectual-calling/)
- [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 29: How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-29-how-are-we-made-partakers-of-the-redemption-purchased/)
- [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 67: What is effectual calling?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-67-what-is-effectual-calling/)
- [Question 86](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-86-what-is-faith-in-jesus-christ/)
- [Question 88](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-88-what-are-the-outward-and-ordinary-means-whereby-christ/)

Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-87-what-is-repentance-unto-life/