Repentance and baptism will take away sins. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins . . . God does not want anyone to be lost, but he desires everyone to repent. Though God patiently waits now, someday time will cease and judgment will begin. Study of God's Word produces faith.
Faith leads one to repent.
Repentance is followed by profession of Christ to others. Finally, baptism takes away sins. Repentance is part of God's plan to save us.