What Is Involved In Conversion?
The theme of the Bible is salvation
through Jesus. But, what is involved in conversion? What agents bring about
salvation?
In Acts chapter 2 we have record of the
first gospel sermon being preached and about 3000 people being converted. Peter
and the other apostles preached the unsearchable riches of Christ. Peter spoke
of the great miracle working ministry of Jesus, of how He fulfilled prophecy
and of His death, burial and resurrection. Those who desired to become Christians
were told, "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
Then in the next chapter (Acts 3) we have
a part of Peter's second gospel sermon. In this sermon Peter emphasized the
same three points. Peter showed that the man at the temple gate was healed as a
part of the great miracle working ministry of Jesus. (Acts 3:11-13.) He also
proclaimed again Jesus' death, burial and resurrection.
(Acts
Sin is a horrible thing. It is a
transgression of God's law. (I John 3:4.) We also sin by knowing what is right
and failing to do it. (James 4:17.) Our prejudices can also cause us to sin.
"But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law
as transgressors." (James 2:9.) Our sin needs forgiveness. But what is
involved in conversion?
Truth is involved in conversion.
Pilate asked, "What is truth?" In John
You will never be saved without truth. Our
spiritual life must not be built on personal opinion but on a "thus saith
the Lord." Paul felt strongly the need to proclaim truth. He said, "So,
as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in
The Holy Spirit is involved in conversion.
There is a great deal of confusion as to the work of the Holy Spirit in
conversion. But, the Holy Spirit revealed the truth. The Holy Spirit does His
work through the gospel. Our Lord's promise to the apostles was that the Holy
Spirit would guide them into all truth. (John 16:13.) A work of the Holy Spirit
was to reveal the truth. Peter said, "knowing
this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for
prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were
moved by the Holy Spirit." (II Peter 1:20-21.)
The words of the Bible are Spirit given
words. "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."
(John 6:63.) In II Peter 1:3 we learn that we have been given all that pertains to life
and Godliness. Truth has been revealed by the Holy Spirit of God. "All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of
God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (II Timothy
3:16-17.) If you are lost you cannot blame the Holy Spirit.
The apostles are involved in conversion.
The Holy Spirit revealed truth. The work of the apostles was to be instruments
through whom truth was confirmed. As they went forth
to preach God was working with them confirming their word. "And He said to
them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to
every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does
not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe:
In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they
will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means
hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. So then,
after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down
at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord
working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying
signs." (Mark 16:15-20.) The apostles confirmed the faith which was once
and for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3.)
The preacher is involved in conversion. What
part does the preacher play in conversion? The preacher must preach the word.
The power is not in the man but in the message of Christ and Him crucified. (I
Corinthians 1:23.) Every preacher has the obligation to preach the word. Paul
wrote to Timothy saying, "I charge you therefore before God and the Lord
Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His
kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince,
rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come
when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires,
because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and
they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an
evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (II Timothy 4:1-5.) Any time one
stands to preach He should hear the words of those Greeks who came to see
Jesus. They said to His apostles, "Sir, we would see Jesus." (John 12:21.)
It is the obligation of those who preach to explain in simple terms the
gospel plan of salvation.
The church is involved in conversion.
In conversion the function of the church is to support the truth. Paul said,
"These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if
I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in
the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground
of the truth." (I Timothy 3:14-15.) If the church does not support the
truth who will? The church must see that truth and nothing but truth is
preached to sinners.
The sinner is involved in conversion.
The sinners part is to obey the truth. Only when truth
is obeyed can hearts be purified. (I Peter 1:22-23.) How do you obey the truth?
You obey the truth by believing in Jesus (John