Conversion, nature of

True repentance results in a turning from sin and an inner renewal which can only be brought about by God, who draws people to himself and who, through Jesus Christ, gives forgiveness and new life.

Conversion as turning to God

Turning back to God

Deuteronomy 4:30–31; Luke 1:16–17 See also Deuteronomy 30:2–3, Deuteronomy 30:10; Luke 22:32; James 5:19–20

When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice. For the LORD your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers, which He swore to them by oath.

Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous — to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Turning from idolatry

Acts 14:15 See also 1 Samuel 7:3; Jeremiah 3:12–13, Jeremiah 4:1–2; 1 Thessalonians 1:9–10

“Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.

Turning from sinful ways

2 Kings 17:13–14; Isaiah 55:6–7 See also 2 Kings 13:11, 2 Kings 14:24, 2 Kings 15:9; Jeremiah 18:11, Jeremiah 25:5; Ezekiel 18:23; Daniel 9:13

Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.” But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God.

Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Conversion as a turning away from unbelief to faith

It is linked to repentance

Acts 3:19 See also Ezekiel 14:6, Ezekiel 18:30; Acts 26:20

Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,

It is linked to coming to faith

Acts 11:21

The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

Conversion brings new life

It results in a transformed life

2 Corinthians 5:17 See also Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 6:14–15

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!

It is symbolised in baptism

Romans 6:3–4 See also Colossians 2:12, Colossians 3:1–3

Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.

It demands a new lifestyle

Hosea 12:6; Matthew 18:3–4 See also Galatians 5:22–24; Ephesians 4:1, Ephesians 5:8–11; 1 Peter 2:11–12

But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and always wait on your God.

“Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Conversion brings a new relationship with God

It brings a new status

Galatians 4:7 See also Galatians 3:26–29; 1 John 3:1; 1 Peter 2:9–10

So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.

It brings a new understanding

2 Corinthians 3:15–16 See also Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:11

And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

Conversion is a work of God

God turns people to himself

Jeremiah 24:7; Lamentations 5:21 See also 1 Kings 8:58; Jeremiah 31:18; Ezekiel 36:26–27; John 6:44, John 15:16; Ephesians 2:12–13

I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their heart.

Restore us to Yourself, O LORD, so we may return; renew our days as of old,

God gives new birth

James 1:17–18 See also John 3:3–6; Titus 3:4–5; 1 Peter 1:23

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.