CONVERSION (1 THESS. 1:9)

The depraved man is always a captive of the devil. He lost the glory and the domineering role God appointed him at creation. The helpless state of man is such that requires the mighty hand of God to deliver him from the power of darkness and satanic dominion.

God has ordained that salvation must be by grace seeing man’s inability to regain freedom through self effort. Again, it takes the supernatural power of God to open the eyes of men, turning them from darkness to light and from Satan to God. Since the grace that brings salvation ‘’FAITH’’ has appeared to all men. This implies that for a man to be made a partaker of this free gift of God, the man must exercise himself to obey God’s word and have faith in Jesus (Acts 3:19-23, Phil. 3:9, Rom. 9:31-32).

After repentance, there is need to fill the vacuum of the past life with the word of God by faith in Christ.

Conversion is the operation of God in man, turning or re-directing the man’s mind through exercising faith and obedience in the word of God unto righteousness (Ps. 19:7-9, Lam.5:21, Acts 3:19-23).

In the New Testament, conversion is seen as that work of grace in the subconscious whereby the Holy Spirit causes a penitent to heartily return to God in conforming to righteousness through believing the word of God and confessing faith in Christ, as basis for salvation and new life; (Rom. 10:1-4, 8-11; Eph. 2:8-9; Acts 26:18, 1 Cor. 12:3; Rom. 1:16-17

It is also seen as a deliverance from the power of darkness and Satan to be made righteous by grace, so that through faith man is exalted to the liberty of the children of God and made partaker also of Christ’s kingdom and inheritance; (Gal.3:36, Rom. 4:3-11; Col. 1:13, Rom. 5:17-19).

At conversion, a man through faith is baptized spiritually into Christ. This is an operation portrayed physically by water baptism, as symbol of genuine conversion; (Acts 2:38; Mk. 16:16; 1 Cor. 12:13, Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:27). It is this spiritual baptism that appropriates salvation to the believer in Christ, not water baptism which in itself is a figure (1Pet. 3:21)

Conversion is a non-renewal process. It is an instant experience as a penitent turns to God by faith. It is the basis and the very beginning of a changed life. Conversion and repentance are the basic essence in the new birth. In conversion, man plays a minimal role since it is the Holy Spirit that uses the word of God to convert a soul (John 16:7-11, 6:44-45, Phil.2:13, 1 Pet.1:2).

TYPES OF CONVERSION

1.    GENUINE OR TRUE CONVERSION: This is the conforming of the spirit man in a penitent to obeying God’s word and profession of faith in Christ, thus affecting the behavioral pattern in newness of life. It is an outward display of righteousness according to the word of God being rooted in the heart where this is imputed. It is a total deliverance from the power of darkness and Satan, being translated into the kingdom of Christ with a changed status and freedom accruing to God’s children. In a genuine experience, there must be deepness of the word of God, renewing the human mind with a corresponding walk in the new vocation. A genuine convert is actively committed to Christ and is consumed by the zeal of the Lord; (Ps. 69:9, Lk. 2:49, 1Pet. 2:5). Genuine repentance is the basis for fruitfulness; (Matt. 3:7-9; Rom. 6:17-20). Examples of those that had true conversion are Ruth; (Ruth 1:16-1-8, Naaman; (2 Kings 5:15-18), Zaccheaus; (Lk. 19:8-9), the Eunuch; (Acts 8:30-38), Paul; (Acts 9:1-20).

2.    TEMPORAL OR MOMENTARY CONVERSION: This is the case of a genuine conversion short-lived. Here, the work of grace is lost through cares and pleasures of life or afflictions such that it becomes unfruitful. This results when there is no continued yielding and commitment, which always end up in lukewarmness or backsliding, (Matt. 13:20-22, Heb. 10:23-`29. After conversion, men ought to strive to perfect holiness in the fear of God continually. Examples; Orpah, (Ruth 1:1-14), Demas (Col. 4:14, 2Tim. 4:10).

3.    NATIONAL CONVERSION: God can turn a whole nation to himself. This instant national yield to God brings about blessings as long as they remain obedient to God’s word. Examples; Israelites, (Ex.33:1-10), Nineveh (Jonah 3:10).

4.    HYPOCRISY CONVERSION: This kind of conversion is counterfeit in nature as it tends to seek approval of men, an outward show without a hearty turning to the Lord. He goes about establishing his own righteousness by works in pretence without yielding to God. It is based on carnal principles and eye service, ill motivation and self-willed (double standard). Example; Gehazi , (2 Kgs 4:29-31, 5:20-27), Joab; (2 Sam.14:1-20)