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Conversion.
Conversion.
1. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul" (Ps. 19:7).
1. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul" (Ps. 19:7).
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
2. "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways and sinners shall be converted unto thee" (Ps. 51:13; see also Mt. 18:3; Acts 3:19; 15:3; Jas. 5:20).
2. "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways and sinners shall be converted unto thee" (Ps. 51:13; see also Mt. 18:3; Acts 3:19; 15:3; Jas. 5:20).
Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; And sinners shall be converted unto thee.
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
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;
And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
3. The Greek word translated "conversion" has reference to a twofold turning on the part of an individual.
3. The Greek word translated "conversion" has reference to a twofold turning on the part of an individual.
One has to do with repentance (a turning from), and the other with faith (a turning to).
One has to do with repentance (a turning from), and the other with faith (a turning to).
It HAS to be in that order!
It HAS to be in that order!
a. Repentance (Greek, metanoia).
a. Repentance (Greek, metanoia).
1) "The prominence given to the doctrine of repentance in the Scriptures can hardly be overestimated.
1) "The prominence given to the doctrine of repentance in the Scriptures can hardly be overestimated.
John the Baptist began his public ministry, as did Jesus also, with the call to repentance upon his lips (Matt. 3:1,2; 4:17).
John the Baptist began his public ministry, as did Jesus also, with the call to repentance upon his lips (Matt. 3:1,2; 4:17).
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
When Jesus sent forth the twelve and the seventy messengers to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of heaven, He commanded them to preach repentance (Luke 24:47; Mark 6:12).
When Jesus sent forth the twelve and the seventy messengers to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of heaven, He commanded them to preach repentance (Luke 24:47; Mark 6:12).
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
Foremost in the preaching of the apostles was the doctrine of repentance: Peter (Acts 2:38); Paul (Acts 20:21).
Foremost in the preaching of the apostles was the doctrine of repentance: Peter (Acts 2:38); Paul (Acts 20:21).
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
The burden of the heart of God, and His one command to all men everywhere, is that they should repent ( 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 17:30).
The burden of the heart of God, and His one command to all men everywhere, is that they should repent ( 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 17:30).
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Indeed, failure on the part of man to heed God's call to repentance means that he shall utterly perish (Luke 13:3)." (The Great Doctrines of the Bible; William Evans; pp. 139,140)
Indeed, failure on the part of man to heed God's call to repentance means that he shall utterly perish (Luke 13:3)." (The Great Doctrines of the Bible; William Evans; pp. 139,140)
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
2) What repentance is not:
2) What repentance is not:
a) It is not , that act of turning over a new leaf.
a) It is not , that act of turning over a new leaf.
b) It is not only, that act of regretting the fruit of one's crime, but not the root. Here we have two biblical examples.
b) It is not only, that act of regretting the fruit of one's crime, but not the root. Here we have two biblical examples.
(i) Esau: "He found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears" (Heb. 12:17; for the full background of this, read Gen. 27).
(i) Esau: "He found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears" (Heb. 12:17; for the full background of this, read Gen. 27).
For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I.
And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:
Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;
And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.
And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.
And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,
Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the Lord before my death.
Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.
Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:
And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.
And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:
My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.
And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.
And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved.
And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:
And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:
And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.
And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son?
And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.
And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the Lord thy God brought it to me.
And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.
And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.
And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau’s hands: so he blessed him.
And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.
And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank.
And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.
And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed:
Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, And the fatness of the earth, And plenty of corn and wine:
Let people serve thee, And nations bow down to thee: Be lord over thy brethren, And let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: Cursed be every one that curseth thee, And blessed be he that blesseth thee.
And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son’s venison, that thy soul may bless me.
And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau.
And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.
And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.
And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.
And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?
And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?
And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.
And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, And of the dew of heaven from above;
And by thy sword shalt thou live, And shalt serve thy brother; And it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, That thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.
And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee.
Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;
And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother’s fury turn away;
Until thy brother’s anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?
And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?
(ii) Judas: "Then Judas, who had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders" (Mt. 27:3).
(ii) Judas: "Then Judas, who had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders" (Mt. 27:3).
Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
(iii) That this was only remorse and not true repentance is shown in verse 5 of Matthew 27 :5 where we are told: "And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself."
(iii) That this was only remorse and not true repentance is shown in verse 5 of Matthew 27 :5 where we are told: "And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself."
And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
c) It is not patience , that act of attempting to make up for one's sins through good works.
c) It is not patience , that act of attempting to make up for one's sins through good works.
3) What repentance is:
3) What repentance is:
a) It is a voluntary and sincere change in the mind of the sinner, causing him to turn from his of it.
a) It is a voluntary and sincere change in the mind of the sinner, causing him to turn from his of it.
It should be noted here that we said sin and not sin(s), plural.
It should be noted here that we said sin and not sin(s), plural.
True repentance involves the turning from one specific sin - the sin of previously rejection of Christ.
True repentance involves the turning from one specific sin - the sin of previously rejection of Christ.
Jesus spelled this out very clearly for us.
Jesus spelled this out very clearly for us.
b) "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more. Of judgment because the prince of this world is judged" (Jn. 16:7-11).
b) "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more. Of judgment because the prince of this world is judged" (Jn. 16:7-11).
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Of sin, because they believe not on me;
Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
c) God is not primarily interested in only convincing a sinner to give up smoking, swearing, drinking, and illicit sex, as bad as these may be, for this will never save him.
c) God is not primarily interested in only convincing a sinner to give up smoking, swearing, drinking, and illicit sex, as bad as these may be, for this will never save him.
God intends to convict us of even just one sin, to convince us that we are sinners, and are separate from God.
God intends to convict us of even just one sin, to convince us that we are sinners, and are separate from God.
The great sin that will eventually condemn a person forever is the rejection of Jesus Christ as the payment for even that one sin!
The great sin that will eventually condemn a person forever is the rejection of Jesus Christ as the payment for even that one sin!
Repentance therefore deals with a turning from this horrible crime of ignoring and rejecting Calvary’s cross.
Repentance therefore deals with a turning from this horrible crime of ignoring and rejecting Calvary’s cross.
4) In the ministry of john the Baptist : "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Mt. 3:2). "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance" (Mt. 3:8).
4) In the ministry of john the Baptist : "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Mt. 3:2). "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance" (Mt. 3:8).
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
5) In the ministry of Jesus : " . . for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Mt. 9:13).
5) In the ministry of Jesus : " . . for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Mt. 9:13).
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
"I tell you, nay; but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Lk. 13:5).
"I tell you, nay; but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Lk. 13:5).
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
"I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance" (Lk. 15:7).
"I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance" (Lk. 15:7).
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
"And [he] said unto them ... that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Lk. 24:47).
"And [he] said unto them ... that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Lk. 24:47).
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
6) In the ministry of Peter : "Then said Peter unto them, repent and be baptized" (Acts 2:38). "Repent ye therefore and be converted" (Acts 3:19).
6) In the ministry of Peter : "Then said Peter unto them, repent and be baptized" (Acts 2:38). "Repent ye therefore and be converted" (Acts 3:19).
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
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;
7) In the ministry of Paul : "But [I] showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent" (Acts 26:20).
7) In the ministry of Paul : "But [I] showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent" (Acts 26:20).
But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
"And the times [prior to the cross] of their ignorance God winked at [overlooked]; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30).
"And the times [prior to the cross] of their ignorance God winked at [overlooked]; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30).
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
b. Faith .
b. Faith .
1) What it is not.
1) What it is not.
a) It is not a “blind leap into the dark.”
a) It is not a “blind leap into the dark.”
b) It is not supposition.
b) It is not supposition.
c) It is not speculation.
c) It is not speculation.
d) It is not opinion or hypothesis.
d) It is not opinion or hypothesis.
2) What it is.
2) What it is.
Saving faith is a voluntary and sincere decision to turn from believing in anything else and simply and only believing in Jesus the Saviour.
Saving faith is a voluntary and sincere decision to turn from believing in anything else and simply and only believing in Jesus the Saviour.
Everyone has “faith” in everything.
Everyone has “faith” in everything.
The believer must have faith only in Jesus Christ!
The believer must have faith only in Jesus Christ!
3) The sinner is saved by faith (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8,9).
3) The sinner is saved by faith (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8,9).
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
4) The saint is sanctified (grows in grace) by faith.
4) The saint is sanctified (grows in grace) by faith.
Thus, by faith:
Thus, by faith:
a) We live (Rom. 1:17).
a) We live (Rom. 1:17).
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
b) We stand (2 Cor. 1:24).
b) We stand (2 Cor. 1:24).
Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
c) We walk (2 Cor. 5:7).
c) We walk (2 Cor. 5:7).
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
d) We fight (1 Tim. 6:12).
d) We fight (1 Tim. 6:12).
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
e) We overcome (1 Jn. 5:4).
e) We overcome (1 Jn. 5:4).
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
c. We have now seen both sides of the coin of conversion.
c. We have now seen both sides of the coin of conversion.
Repentance is a turning from sin, and faith is a turning to Christ.
Repentance is a turning from sin, and faith is a turning to Christ.
Paul includes both concepts during his farewell message to the Ephesian elders.
Paul includes both concepts during his farewell message to the Ephesian elders.
“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21).
“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21).
Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
d. How conversion is produced.
d. How conversion is produced.
1) “So, then, faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).
1) “So, then, faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2) Here Paul is saying that faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through preaching Christ.
2) Here Paul is saying that faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through preaching Christ.
3) Why conversion is so necessary. “But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6).
3) Why conversion is so necessary. “But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6).
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.