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Conversion is a word used by both Old Testament and New Testament writers; therefore it warrants our prayerful consideration and
study. Let us begin this lesson by examining some of the meanings of conversion and then looking at specific Scriptures which relate to it.
From a theological standpoint, conversion means a spiritual or moral change during which the sinner turns to God. An analysis of
Scriptures which use the word reveals that it means: a turning upon, turning back or refreshing, turning about or upon, or being turned.
It is obvious that one idea is repeated again and again; thus, from a scriptural viewpoint conversion simply means turning or turning
back. Change is an essential part of conversion, because when someone turns there is a change of direction. The turning as used with regard
to conversion is more than a change in direction; it also involves a change in behavior.
As a minister I am understandably concerned with the conversion of people. There is a definite need for people to turn to God or to
return to Him. Basically the Old Testament presented conversion as people turning from false gods to the true God of Israel, Jehovah.
Even though God manifested Himself to the Jew sin many remarkable ways, they frequently became entangled in pagan worship and needed
to be converted to the true worship of God again. The same is true of saints in these days. Sometimes God's people become so involved
in the secular interests of life that they lose sight of His service. If they are ever again to serve God acceptably, they must be converted.
In the New Testament when people were converted it was most often manifested by repentance and accompanied by baptism. When
a person turned from a life of sin and lived by the teachings of Jesus, he had been converted. In Christian conversions, people turn from
a life of folly to a life of faith. It is evident that there is a great need for such conversions in our world today. When conversion takes place,
there develops an allegiance of the soul to God and the individual makes a positive change.
In considering this most important subject, we must recognize that the roots of true conversion lie in the work of God's grace. Only the
saved are able to experience conversion as previously outlined. Apart from God, there is no real and lasting conversion. Paul described this
work of grace as a new creation by which we are internally changed. He said, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17). When Paul wrote to the Ephesians, he reminded them
that grace must precede the performance of good works. Because God has worked in our lives, "...we are his workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10). This gracious work is performed
as God takes dead sinners and quickens them into divine life (Eph. 2:5). This imparting of divine life is what we call the new birth John
3:7) or regeneration. In regeneration the Holy Spirit enters the spiritually dead and breathes into them new life, so that wonderful
changes are wrought. These transforming changes create an interest in conversion. Without regeneration, there would be no desire to
change from sin to service, but by grace we are empowered to change (l Cor. 15:10) and become more like Jesus. This is the holy quest at
which conversion is aimed.
As we probe deeper into this subject, let us make a connection between conversion and healing. The healing is not of a physical
nature but is a spiritual one. In the final chapter of the Book of Acts, as Paul preached at Rome, he made this statement: "...For the heart
of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and
hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them" (Acts 28:27). Now this idea
was not original with Paul; he was simply quoting from the writings of Isaiah in chapter 6, verse 10. Strangely enough Jesus also quoted
this passage and it is recorded in Matthew 13:15, Mark 4:12, and John 12:40. While there are many mysterious and complicated teachings
set before us in those passages, yet it is evident that when there is conversion there is also healing. From the language of Mark's writings,
we discover that the healing is in the form of divine forgiveness. This healing of sin is found when the forgiveness of God is felt.
Notice also the connection between repentance and conversion. These two are connected by Peter in Acts 3:19, when he said, "Repent
ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."
In this relationship it is important to point out that people will not likely be converted until they repent of their sins. Why would people
want to change from their ways if they saw no wrong in their conduct? On the other hand, when the sinner sees his awful condition and
how much sins displease God, then, repenting, he desires to turn from those old ways. Turning to God and His holy ways, the person
experiences conversion. So before conversion is expressed, conviction must be experienced. When Jesus was confronted by the mob that
wished to stone the woman taken in adultery, He said, "...He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her" John 8:7),
"And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and
Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst" John 8:9). Because of conviction they turned, ceased to be a violent mob,
and dispersed. In their turning, conversion resulting from conviction was illustrated.
We detect another important fact in the passage from John. There is evidently a connection between the Word of God and conversion.
Those people were convicted by the words of Jesus. When the Word of God is faithfully proclaimed we will witness conversions today.
David said, The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple" (Ps. 19:7).How
else are we to know when we are wrong and need to change? We certainly cannot rely upon the constantly changing standards of men.
Jesus described man's way as a "broad way" which ultimately leads to destruction (Mt. 7:13), so by the Word are we able to view God's
ways which lead to a full life. The Scriptures reveal the need for conversion, holding before us our role model, Jesus.
The same writer who reminded us of the power of the Word in conversion also promised to be actively involved in the conversion
of others. David said, "Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee" (Ps. 51:13). It is obvious that
transgressors and sinners need converting, and we are to endeavor to turn them around. James wrote, "Brethren, if any of you do err
from the truth, and one convert him Let him know, that he which converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from
death, and shall hide a multitude of sins" Oames5:19-20).A "brother" may depart from truth either by belief or behavior, but in either case
he walks the path of sin and we should endeavor to convert him.
Before we shall enjoy the success of converting others, we must first be converted. The subject of personal conversion was addressed in
the words of Jesus to Peter. He said, "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy
brethren" (Luke 22:32). If you have not found the strength to turn your life around and be converted, how will you have strength to
inspire others to do so? How can you sell the idea of conversion if you have manifested that it has no worth to you? We should seek
personal conversion as an act of obedience to God. Because there are many sins from which we need to turn, we need multiple
conversions. The Christian life cannot involve only one change, nor should it involve only a few scattered experiences of conversion but
again and again it should take place until our lives become one continuous conversion experience. Through the invaluable experience
of conversion, we grow (2 Peter 3: 18) and daily become more and more like Jesus, thereby bringing glory and honor unto Him.
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