Here are verses talking about what Johns baptism is;
Mark 1:4*And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a*baptism of repentance*for the forgiveness of sins.
Luke 3:3*He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a*baptism of repentance*for the forgiveness of sins.
Acts 13:24*Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel.
Acts 19:4 Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus."
Four scriptures says Johns baptism was a baptism of repentance....this is the very reason why Baptism was happeneing IN THE FIRST PLACE, the voice of one calling out "make straight paths".... (change your ways), John was preaching a baptism OF REPENTANCE, so what is repentance?
Repentance[1]*is the activity of*reviewing one's actions*and feeling*contrition*or regret for past wrongs.[2]*It generally[citation needed]involves a commitment to personal change and resolving to live a more responsible and humane life. The practice of repentance plays an important role in the*soteriological doctrines*of the world's major religions where it is considered necessary for the attainment of*salvation. In religious contexts it often involves an act of*confession*to a spiritual elder (such as a monk or priest). This typically includes an admission of*guilt, a promise or resolve not to repeat the offense; an attempt to make restitution for the wrong, or in some way to reverse the harmful effects of the wrong where possible.*
So where is it elsewhere in scripture, this following verse proves there is a difference in the acknowledgement of one's sin and the very ACT of REPENTANCE itself?
A: Job 34:31*"Suppose a man says to God, 'I am guilty*but will offend no more.*32*Teach me what I cannot see;if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.'*33*Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent?*
There is an ACT OF REPENTANCE, a humbling of one's self and a conscious acknowledgement of HURTING GOD BY ONES ACTIONS.
This usually comes with tears, when one understands how his actions actually HURT GOD. This sorrow leads to true repentance and paves the way for the holy spirit....
2nd Corinthians 7:9-"yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation*and leaves no regret."
So what is the water, what does it have to do with baptism and repentance?
A: 1st Peter 3:21-"and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you*also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge*of a good conscience*toward God."
The water doesn't clean ones outward body, it's the 'inside of the dish' that needs to be cleaned, it is a circumcision of the heart and a pledge of conciousness to obey the spirit and not the flesh, but repentance requires an acknowledgment of wrong, a humbling of one's self, a pledge of a good concious, which all requires the ability to differentiate between what is right and wrong.