--- title: "Chapter 15: Of Repentance Unto Life | RP Testimony" description: "Chapter 15 of the RP Testimony: Of Repentance Unto Life. Read the 2026 RPCNA Constitution text, Scripture proofs, and the corresponding Westminster Confession chapter." canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-15-repentance-unto-life/" source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=54" --- # Chapter 15: Of Repentance Unto Life | RP Testimony 1. Repentance leads to eternal life only when it is accompanied by faith in Christ. Acts 20:21; Mark 1:15. 2. Although a believer is freed from the penalty of sin by justification, he is still bound to give perfect obedience to God’s law. Because of incomplete sanctification he is unable to do this, but daily breaks the commands of God in thought, word and deed. Therefore, all men are in continual need of repentance. 1 John 1:8-10; Rom. 7:14-25; 1 Tim. 1:15; Lev. 19:2; Eccl. 7:20; Gen. 8:21; John 13:10. 3. We reject the doctrine that Christians can in this life attain a condition in which they no longer have need of repentance. 1 Tim. 1:15. 4. Unregenerate men may, and often do, feel regret or remorse, realizing that sin brings shame and misery and is an obstacle to the happiness they seek; but they may not see sin as an offense against the holy God. Since they do not turn to God, they do not exercise true repentance. 2 Cor. 7:10; Heb. 12:16-17; Rom. 1:32. 5. The unpardonable sin is the rejection of the testimony of the Holy Spirit concerning Jesus Christ. It is the willful and persistent rejection of the only hope of forgiveness through the Savior. Matt. 10:33; 2 Tim. 2:12. 6. Self-examination is essential to true repentance. A person must examine his life to detect specific sins, and repent of them. Ps. 26; Ps. 139; Ps. 32:5-6; 1 John 1:9; Ps. 119:59; 2 Cor. 13:5. 7. Since sin is primarily an offense against God, confession to other men cannot take the place of repentance toward God. Since each one is to confess his sins to God, the source of forgiveness, he has no need of priest or other intermediary except Jesus Christ. He should also confess to men against whom he has sinned, and submit to all lawful penalties. Ps. 32:5; Ps. 51:4; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; Jas. 5:16. 8. Every man bears a degree of responsibility for the sins of groups in which he participates. When sins are corporate, repentance and confession should be corporate as well as individual. Josh. 7:11; Dan. 9:3-20; 2 Chron. 15: 8-15; Neh. 9; Rev. 2:5, 16; Matt. 6:12. 9. Godly repentance implies true faith and union with Christ, but is not the ground of pardon. It precedes the joy which flows from the assurance of pardon. Zech. 12:10; Eph. 1:7; Rom. 3:28; Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19; Ps. 51:1, 8, 12; 2 Cor. 7:10. ## For kids — a study explanation (ages 10–13) These explanations are separate from the official text above. Words to knowRepentanceTurning from sin to God, grieving over sin and seeking to obey because of his mercy.ReconciliationRestoring a relationship damaged by wrongdoing.RejectsSays that a teaching is wrong and must not be accepted. ### Testimony 15.1 Turning from sin leads to life only together with faith in Christ. [Read original point 1 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-15-repentance-unto-life/#point-1) ### Testimony 15.2 Christians still sin in thoughts, words, and actions. Although forgiven, they continue to need repentance and remain responsible to obey God. [Read original point 2 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-15-repentance-unto-life/#point-2) ### Testimony 15.3 The Testimony rejects the claim that a Christian can reach a stage in this life where repentance is no longer needed. [Read original point 3 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-15-repentance-unto-life/#point-3) ### Testimony 15.4 Feeling ashamed of sin’s consequences is not necessarily repentance. True repentance turns to God because sin offends him. [Read original point 4 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-15-repentance-unto-life/#point-4) ### Testimony 15.5 The Testimony explains the unforgivable sin as persistently rejecting the Spirit’s testimony about Christ, the only Savior who can forgive us. [Read original point 5 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-15-repentance-unto-life/#point-5) ### Testimony 15.6 Repentance requires honestly examining our lives and identifying particular sins to turn from. [Read original point 6 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-15-repentance-unto-life/#point-6) ### Testimony 15.7 Confess sin to God through Christ, without needing another priest or mediator. Also acknowledge wrongs to those you hurt and accept lawful consequences. [Read original point 7 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-15-repentance-unto-life/#point-7) ### Testimony 15.8 People can share responsibility for a group’s sins. Groups should acknowledge and repent of their wrongdoing together, as individuals also repent. [Read original point 8 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-15-repentance-unto-life/#point-8) ### Testimony 15.9 Repentance accompanies faith and union with Christ, but does not earn forgiveness. The joy of assured forgiveness follows our turning to God. [Read original point 9 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-15-repentance-unto-life/#point-9) ### Talk about it How is repentance different from being sorry you were caught? ### Discuss and remember Read the chapter together, then choose a question to talk about. - How is repentance more than feeling sorry about being caught? - Why can we come honestly to God with our sin? #### Scripture to remember 1 John 1:9 [Read the memory passage in our Bible reader →](https://ctkrp.org/bible/?q=1%20John%201%3A9) Read the passage in context. Explain it in your own words, then practice one short phrase at a time. Review it together during the week. #### Put it into practice If you have hurt someone, ask forgiveness and consider how to put it right. [Find help for family worship](https://ctkrp.org/family-worship/) Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=54) ## 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/) - [Westminster Confession · Chapter 15](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-15-repentance-unto-life/) - [Chapter 14](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-14-saving-faith/) - [Chapter 16](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-16-good-works/) Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-15-repentance-unto-life/