Where In The Bible Will I Find:

Just What Is The Process Of Conversion?

Conversion is a process which includes a change of the spirit of man as well as the changes of the state of man. Conversion is not complete in the Biblical sense until man is brought into a different state: or into a different relationship with God. Faith changes the heart; that is, one's disposition toward all, and all things are changed by his faith. But life is changed by repentance.

The apostle Paul tells us what changes the state or relationship of man with God. He says that one is "baptized into Christ" (Gal. 3:27; Col. 12:13), thus the state of man is changed when he is baptized into a new relationship (II Cor. 5:17). To be translated into the kingdom (Col. 1:13) is an emphasis upon the work of God in praising Him for His mercy and grace. It does not, however, detract in any way from man's responsibilities in the change which takes place.

No one who believes in Christ will affirm that this change takes place before faith and repentance, thus admitting that there is something on the part of man to be done. But Paul is merely placing an emphasis upon God's part in the matter. Being saved from past sins in no way reflects against an activity of man in the matter. Saul of Tarsus was told to "Arise, and be baptized, and wash thy sins" (Acts 22:16).

The apostle Peter declared: "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 3:21). Regardless of how one may feel about the matter, or what one may think about it, if one is saved from past sins it is because God saves him and God's Word tells us plainly when that occurs.

There is no more merit in the act of baptism than there is in the act of believing or repenting: but God has required man to do each of the three, and in His Word we are told very plainly at what point God saves us. The process of conversion is hearing His Word (Rom. 10:17); believing (Heb. 11:6); repenting (Acts 17:30); confessing (Rom. 10:9-10); and water baptism (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16).

Obedience to that form of doctrine is when Paul says that one has been changed: "Ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness" (Rom. 6:17-18). He says the point of conversion is "THEN" when one OBEYS that form of doctrine. God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have done their part. It is now up to man to do his part and that requires OBEDIENCE to the Word of God.