Conversion I. Introduction A. Acts 2:37-40 1. in this passage, we read of the first "conversions" to Christ 2. Peter exhorts the people to "repent" and later to "save themselves from this crooked generation" B. Everywhere in the New Testament, we see people changing and we see the expectation of people to change when they leave the world and enter the Kingdom of Heaven, beginning here in Acts 2 C. Conversion is a critical process, the means by which we can leave the world and serve Christ D. Let us spend some time today analyzing conversion II. Conversion: Defining the Term A. To begin, let us define the word "conversion," and its verb form, "to convert" B. Both words come from the Latin convertere, "to turn" C. Webster's on "to convert": To change or turn into another substance or form; to change from one state to another; to change or turn from one religion to another, or from one party or sect to another; to turn from a bad life to a good one; to change the heart and moral character; (etc.) D. Therefore, "conversion" can refer to the process by which one changes from the world and becomes a Christian 1. Thus we say that one who believes, confesses, repents, and is baptized has "converted to Christ" and is a "convert" E. There is also the more primary definition, the turning of one's life from evil to good F. How does the primary definition fit in with the "acts of conversion," so to speak? 1. Belief: while belief can lead to changes in life and should lead to changes in life, one can change beliefs, accept that Jesus is Lord, and still yet not act as one ought 2. Confession: confessing that Jesus is Lord may be a profession by mouth, and should lead to a profession by deed, but many times people can confess Him by mouth but not in deed 3. Baptism: while baptism is extremely important, baptism is an act that looks backward, not forward. Baptism is the means whereby our previous sins are forgiven and allows us to walk in newness of life; it does not mandate or guarantee that we will remain sinless in the future, or, in and of itself, that we have changed to be the new creature we ought to be 4. Repentance: repentance, by definition, requires a change in mind, and therefore parallels the primary definition of conversion most closely G. Many think of repentance in terms of asking forgiveness 1. In the minds of many, repentance is equated with "I'm sorry" 2. This is, in fact, the way that the word is defined in English H. Repentance is, in Greek, metanoeo, defined by Thayer's as "to change one's mind, i.e. to repent; to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins I. Therefore, while repentance does include a sorrow for past wrongs, that sorrow is made manifest by changing one's mind so as to live life for the better J. The primary definition of conversion, then, works in tandem with repentance 1. One makes the repentance in mind... 2. ...and converts by subsequent deed K. It is upon this repentance and conversion that the rest of the "acts of conversion" have their full effect 1. When one repents of one's former life, and converts his life, one has demonstrated their newfound belief in Christ 2. When one repents and converts, one confesses Christ by his deeds 3. When one repents and converts, one demonstrates that his baptism did give him newness of life and that one is a new creature L. Since this repentance/primary concept of conversion is so critical, it is good to ask: how are we to demonstrate our repentance, our conversion? M. Let us now analyze the Scriptures in this regard III. Conversion by Deeds A. Probably the most evident way in which we are to be converted is in our deeds B. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11: such were some of you...but no longer C. Galatians 5:16-25: those in Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh and its passions D. 1 Peter 1:13-19: we are not to walk as in the times of ignorance but be holy in conduct E. 1 Peter 4:1-3: the time is past to have walked in the ways of the Gentiles F. The witness of the Scriptures attests, therefore, to the need of all Christians to change their behavior, truly converting from their old ways, and to follow the way of Christ G. By necessity, this means that we will act differently than we did before we converted 1. We may not be able to remain in the same job environment if it causes us to stumble 2. We may have to physically relocate or turn down offers to physically relocate due to a lack of good spiritual influence in that area 3. We may have to end friendships (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:33), and even become disconnected with family (cf. Matthew 10:34-37), because they are not influencing us for good 4. We may have to give up entertainment choices because they do not conform to godliness, or give up activities because they also do not conform to godliness or conflict with the assemblies of the saints 5. Likewise, we may have to start doing good to our neighbors, helping those in need, being a shining light in our conduct before all men when we previously cared only for ourselves 6. We of course need to be preaching Jesus to everyone, both by our deeds but also in word, for a converted soul can be a powerful witness and can help others out of the way of darkness H. These are only a few of the ways in which we must convert in deed, and there are many others 1. All of them share in the need to no longer love the things of the world, to no longer conform to the world, but to cling to Christ and to be transformed by the renewal of our minds (1 John 2:15-17, Romans 12:2) 2. This is not limited to those who have recently come to the faith; all of us must share in this attitude of conversion and continually strive to no longer conform to the world in any way but be transformed by the renewal of our minds! 3. We must continually examine ourselves and our deeds to make sure that we exhibit the fruit of repentance, and make any and all necessary changes to that end IV. Conversion by Thought A. Another way in which we are called to convert is in our thoughts B. Matthew 5:27-28 1. Jesus establishes that not only is physical sex with one other than your spouse is adultery, but also lust-- an activity of the thought-- is "adultery with her in your heart" 2. The mental intent, then, is considered little better than committing the act itself C. Proverbs 23:7 1. Generally translated, "as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he"; the idea is firmly established in the Scriptures 2. Actions proceed from thought: as one thinks, so one acts 3. It is entirely possible to act differently than one thinks, but such is much harder 4. If you do not think and meditate upon evil, you will not do evil D. 2 Corinthians 10:5: we are called upon to take every thought captive to Christ E. We can see, then, that the Scriptures teach that we are to convert not only in our deeds but also in our thoughts F. We are not only to not practice immorality, but not even think about practicing immorality! G. We can see where thinking about immorality can lead: practicing immorality H. Hence, Philippians 4:8: we must think upon good and noble things, which keep us from thinking of evil I. We cannot, as the Israelites, think about how great we had it while under bondage (cf. Numbers 20:3-5), and therefore lose sight of the heavenly reward; we must convert, not only in deed, but also in thought V. Repentance/Conversion in Mind/Perspective A. Another aspect of conversion is the substantive ground of repentance: turning of our minds, a changing of perspective B. Just as conversion of thought leads to an easier time to convert by deed, if we truly repent and change our mind/perspective in general, it will be easier to convert in our thoughts and deeds C. We see this changing of mind clearly in the Apostles D. Paul: Acts 9:1-6, Acts 22:3-11, Acts 22:17-21 1. Paul was a Jew, zealous for the traditions of his ancestors... 2. ...but God called upon him to change, to not only accept Jesus as the Christ, but also to preach to the Gentiles 3. This would require a complete change of perspective: Paul could no longer cling to the idea of election through his ancestry, and the people whom he once despised he now had to love and bring to the truth E. Peter: Acts 11:17 1. Interesting passage: Peter is describing to the Jews in Jerusalem the account of the conversion of Cornelius, and is describing how God bestowed upon Cornelius et al the Holy Spirit just as He did to the Apostles in Acts 2 2. Interestingly, Peter says that the point at which the Apostles received the Holy Spirit is "when we believed in the Lord Jesus" 3. It would seem, then, that Peter is establishing that the Apostles only truly believed when they received the gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2! 4. This makes sense when we look at the need to convert/repent when we believe in Jesus a. the disciples certainly believed that Jesus was the Messiah, but it was manifest that they thought of Him as the Messiah the Jews were expecting, a political ruler to restore the fortunes of Israel (cf. Matthew 20:20-28, Acts 1:6) b. they only truly believed in the Lord Jesus Christ after Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit filled them and demonstrated to them the true nature of the kingdom and of the mission of Christ 5. Only when their perspective was changed, when they saw that Jesus was not the messiah the Jews were expecting but the one who would deliver mankind from sin, can it be said that they "believed in the Lord Jesus" 6. We should take heed and recognize that even though we believe in Jesus, if our perspective is not similar to the perspective of Christ, our belief may not be the belief He seeks and that will save us! 7. Even the disciples needed to have a change of perspective to believe truly in Jesus the Christ! F. It should be manifest, then, that we need to change our mind/perspective and have a mind more like Christ's (cf. Philippians 2:5-11) G. When we truly repent and convert, we will start to see things differently 1. Practices which we once thought were not harmful we start seeing as harmful 2. Beliefs which we once thought were innocent we begin seeing as deceptive and a cause for stumbling 3. We begin to see the world through the eyes of faith, and we start seeing that the world is lost in its sin and most do not follow the truth (cf. Matthew 7:13-14), and that we must preach the truth to save some H. Our perspective/mind will change in many other ways, all toward the way that God, through the Scriptures, views the world I. Indeed, if our mind/perspective does not change, we ought to be concerned! J. By converting in our mind/perspective, we can more easily be converted in thought and in deed, for we will be overall mentally aligned with Christ VI. Conclusion A. Complete conversion, then, is imperative in Christianity B. We must go through the acts of conversion-- belief, confession, repentance, and baptism... C. ...yet we must not lose sight of the primary definition of conversion, the changing of deed, thought, and mind/perspective, all to conform to Christ and not the world D. Romans 6:16-19 1. Paul summarizes here the need for conversion 2. As we all once submitted our members as obedient to sin, we all must change, and submit ourselves to be obedient to righteousness 3. We must no longer be slaves of sin, but slaves of righteousness, and to do such we must repent of sin and act according to that repentance-- to convert in deed, thought, and mind/perspective E. Let us all strive to repent of all wickedness and then convert in conduct, in thought, and in mind/perspective F. Invitation/songbook G. If you have not converted to Christ in any way, you stand as a slave to sin, and the wages of that sin is death (Romans 6:23) 1. You have the opportunity today to convert as we have demonstrated: believe, confess, repent, be baptized, and then convert your deeds, thoughts, and mind/perspective 2. This is the salvation that leads to the free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23) H. Or perhaps you initially converted, yet have not demonstrated your repentance by converting in deed, thought, and/or mind/perspective. Return to God, and let us encourage you with prayer today I. Or perhaps you simply require encouragement to continue to make good on your repentance, to keep a converted life J. Let us help you in whatever way we can; please come to the front as we stand and sing