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“A Change” Mr. Webster defines “conversion” as “In a general sense, a turning or change from one state to another.” With regard to substances he gives the example of water turning to ice. Of late we have seen plenty of that happening here in Missouri. I would probably go so far as to say that the water becomes a completely different substance. Haven’t we all seen the Word of God completely change a woman or a man? Understanding that the word “conversion” means to turn can we find a scripture reference that just might tell us that the alien sinner needs to be converted [or turned]? I believe I can show you just such a scripture: (1 Kings 18:37) “Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.” Here we have Abraham addressing God on behalf of the people. Abraham desired that their hearts be turned back to the true religion of their ancestors. They had transgressed into sin and Abraham realized that their hearts needed turning back; thus be converted! What is it that can cause a “conversion” of someone? Sometimes it may be reproof or a rebuke: (Prov 1:23) “Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.” Words are often the means of a “conversion”. However, to make sure that you are converted to the right way make certain that the words come from God. All too often people are converted and are actually in no better standing with God that they were before they were converted. The apostle Paul dared not to speak anything other that what Jesus had spoken of what he had received by inspiration: (Rom.15:18) “For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,” It can be said that “conversion” is of the grace of God: (Acts 11:21) “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” This verse says “they believed”. What was it they believed? They believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; it was God’s grace that sent His Son to earth to die for our sins, therefore the grace of God had a huge part in their believing and being converted. After they believed they sent for Barnabas and notice what verse twenty three says: (Acts 11:23) “Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” When Barnabas arrived he saw that they had turned to God [I.e. they were converted] and he recognized it as being by and through God’s grace. It is interesting to note that the word “converted” [or “conversion] follows the word “repentance” in the Word of God: (Acts 3:19) “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;”(Acts 26:20) “But showed 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.” Did you notice how Luke [the writer of the book of Acts] in one place recorded that they should be “converted” and in the other reference he used the phrase “to turn to God”? Is this not proof that Webster’s definition of “conversion” is exactly what the Bible also means? Referring back to Acts chapter eleven verse twenty one again we see that their conversion was a result of faith: (Acts 11:21) “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” What does it say? It says “a great number believed” [I.e. they now had faith]. What did their faith result in? It resulted in their turning to God. Friends, the only way you can be converted is to hear the TRUTH, believe it and TURN TO GOD!
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