Repentance is the turning from sin and self-rule to God that is inseparable from trusting surrender to Jesus Christ.
Repentance and saving faith are not separate steps. They are the same turning viewed in two directions. Repentance describes the sinner turning from sin and every former allegiance; faith describes him turning to Christ in trusting reliance. Both are contained in surrender to Christ.
Repentance is more than regret, sorrow, or an intellectual change of opinion. Godly sorrow may lead to repentance, but repentance is the actual change of direction. Nor does it earn forgiveness by reforming a life. It abandons self-rule because the sinner is entrusting the whole life to Jesus Christ.
See in Scripture: Mark 1:15; Acts 3:19; Acts 20:21; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:9