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Abundant Life in the Son: A Study of Salvation

Conversion in the Bible

Conversion is a marvelous experience that we undergo as we begin
our Christian life. Based upon our individual experiences we might tell
others what happened to us and how it happened. But the only measure
for true conversion is the Word of God. It alone is the objective standard
by which we judge whether conversion is genuine or not.

The Use of the Word Conversion
The word conversion speaks of a complete turnabout or change in a
person’s life. The most common words used in the Bible that refer to
such a change have the same ideas in the original biblical languages.
Sometimes the change referred to is purely physical (Acts 9:40). At other
times, it indicates a change of emphasis (Acts 13:46). However, among
the various uses of the word, there is a common use that speaks about
spiritual change. In 1 Samuel 10:6, Saul’s conversion involved a definite
spiritual change. (See also Mark 4:12; Psalm 51:13; and Luke 22:32.)
Finally, when Peter challenged the people to “repent . . . and turn to
God, so that [their] sins may be wiped out,” we see once again the idea
of spiritual change. Conversion speaks primarily of a person turning to
God and of God granting forgiveness.

There is a contrasting action of turning away from God. This is
called negative conversion or apostasy (Jeremiah 2:27). We see another
example of it when Peter compared apostasy to dogs who return to
their vomit, showing the effects of changing from a good life to a bad
one (2 Peter 2:22).

Some Examples of Conversion

Our conversion experience involves a Person. We aren’t asked
to acknowledge the Ten Commandments, a certain church creed, or
the Sermon on the Mount in order to become Christians. But we are
challenged to believe in a Person and accept Him as Lord of our lives,
believing that He is risen and alive (Romans 10:9–10).

At a certain youth meeting a young lady asked the Christian speaker
about the need for a personal experience with Christ. She said, “It is
hard for me to accept this. If a person believes in Fascism, is he not a
Fascist? If he believes in Communism, is he not a Communist? Well, I

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