CONVERSION

“Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Rom. 6:16)

Babies are born innocent and as such are in fellowship with God (cf. Psalm 106:37-38; Rom. 9:11; Ecc. 7:29). At the point one is accountable to God and sins, separation takes place spiritually for sin separates (cf. Rom. 7:9; Ezek. 18:20; Isa. 59:1-2). No longer is one in fellowship with God and thus conversion is needed.

Conversion describes the action of “turning about” or “turning towards”. This is what happened to those dwelling at Lydda and Saron after Aeneas was healed (Acts 9:32-35). John the baptizer had the mission of turning (converting) many of the children of Israel to the Lord (Luke 1:13-16).

When does conversion happen? Examining Acts 2:38 and Acts 3:19 together reveals the answer:

• “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
  
• “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,” (Acts 3:19)
  

From these two passages, we see that once a person obeys the Gospel, they become a new convert at the point of baptism. At the moment of conversion, their allegiance changes to God from Satan (cf. 1 John 3:8-10). Satan will not take this lightly and so we must ever be on guard (1 Pet. 5:8-9). Staying obedient to God remains the mission of the convert for the rest of their life (Matt. 7:21-27; Rev. 2:10). The Lord is looking for new converts every day (cf. Acts 2:47); will you be one of them or help someone to be converted?

Trent Thrasher