Conversion

The turning of a sinner to God (Acts 15:3). In a general sense the heathen are said to be “converted” when they abandon heathenism and embrace the Christian faith; and in a more special sense men are converted when, by the influence of divine grace in their souls, their whole life is changed, old things pass away, and all things become new (Acts 26:18). Thus we speak of the conversion of the Philippian jailer (16:19-34), of Paul (9:1-22), of the Ethiopian treasurer (8:26-40), of Cornelius (10), of Lydia (16:13-15), and others. (See REGENERATION.)

CONVER'SION, or turning from one state, pursuit, inclination, or direction to another. Acts 15:3. The corresponding Greek term in the N.T. denotes a change of mind or heart which takes place in the sinner when the Holy Spirit convinces him of his sinfulness, persuades him to hate sin and to forsake it, and to lead a life of holy obedience to Christ. Matt 3:8; Luke 3:3; Luke 15:7; Luke 24:47; Acts 5:31; Acts 11:18; Acts 20:21;2 Cor 7:9-10; 2 Tim 2:25; Heb 6:16; Heb 12:17; 2 Pet 3:9. Conversion is an act of man, while regeneration, or the new birth, is an act of God, but both are produced by the agency of the Holy Spirit, and usually coincide, though not always; for very young children may be regenerated, but cannot, strictly speaking, be said to be converted. The Scriptures describe mankind as alienated from God, as having the understanding darkened, and as dead in trespasses and sins. Hence the corresponding force and pertinency of the terms by which the change is described; such as created, renewed, Eph 4:23-24, restored to sight, Eph 1:18; Rev 3:18, and raised from the dead. John 5:21, Jud 6:24; Eph 2:1.

CONVER'SION, or turning from one state, pursuit, inclination, or direction to another. Acts 15:3. The corresponding Greek term in the N.T. denotes a change of mind or heart which takes place in the sinner when the Holy Spirit convinces him of his sinfulness, persuades him to hate sin and to forsake it, and to lead a life of holy obedience to Christ. Matt 3:8; Luke 3:3; Luke 15:7; Luke 24:47; Acts 5:31; Acts 11:18; Acts 20:21;2 Cor 7:9-10; 2 Tim 2:25; Heb 6:16; Heb 12:17; 2 Pet 3:9. Conversion is an act of man, while regeneration, or the new birth, is an act of God, but both are produced by the agency of the Holy Spirit, and usually coincide, though not always; for very young children may be regenerated, but cannot, strictly speaking, be said to be converted. The Scriptures describe mankind as alienated from God, as having the understanding darkened, and as dead in trespasses and sins. Hence the corresponding force and pertinency of the terms by which the change is described; such as created, renewed,

Eph 4:23-24, restored to sight, Eph 1:18; Rev 3:18, and raised from the dead. John 5:21, Jud 6:24; Eph 2:1.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. The act of turning or changing from one state or condition to another, or the state of being changed; transmutation; change. Artificial conversion of water into ice. Bacon. The conversion of the aliment into fat. Arbuthnot.

2. The act of changing one's views or course, as in passing from one side, party, or from of religion to another; also, the state of being so changed. "Conversion to Christianity." Prescott.

3. An appropriation of, and dealing with the property of another as if it were one's own, without right; as, the conversion of a horse. Or bring my action of conversion And trover for my goods. Hudibras.

4. The act of interchanging the terms of a proposition, as by putting the subject in the place of the predicate, or the contrary.

5. A change or reduction of the form or value of a proposition; as, the conversion of equations; the conversion of proportions.

6. A change of front, as a body of troops attacked in the flank.

7. A change of character or use, as of smoothbore guns into rifles.

8. A spiritual and moral change attending a change of belief with conviction; a change of heart; a change from the service of the world to the service of God; a change of the ruling disposition of the soul, involving a transformation of the outward life. He oft Frequented their assemblies, . . . and to them preached Conversion and repentance, as to souls In prison under judgments imminent. Milton.