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| CONVERSION ACCOUNTS IN
ACTS |
#115
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The word “conversion” implies a change. As a vehicle
might be “converted” from gasoline power to diesel power; so an
individual might be converted from not being a disciple
of Jesus to becoming a disciple of Jesus. Thus, they will
have changed their beliefs and behavior, their devotion
and their commitment. In the New Testament book of Acts, we can
read about the “conversion” of several people in the first
century. It is helpful for us to observe the process of their
conversion because the process remains the same for us today.
As we study each of the conversion accounts in Acts, we
detect a total of Five Distinct Steps which are necessary
in the conversion process. It was necessary for each person to
first of all -- Hear about Jesus; then to Believe
the message they heard; then to Repent (or turn away)
from their former sinful actions; then to Confess their
faith in Christ; and, finally, to be Baptized into Christ
for the forgiveness of their sins. It should not be surprising
for us to see these steps reflected in the conversion accounts
in Acts, for we have already seen these basic doctrinal points
described in previous Bible Talks.
People sometimes wonder why all five steps are not found in
every conversion account. In other words, when first
century folks asked what they needed to do to be saved, why did
New Testament evangelists give them varied answers? Why did they
not include all five steps when answering each questioning
sinner? The answer to this dilemma is both simple and logical.
You see, the necessary steps directed to each person depended
upon where they were when they inquired about salvation.
If I was taking a trip to Saint Louis, and asking directions all
along the way, I would not expect the same directions at every
leg of the journey. While still at home, I would expect
directions which included the very first highway I needed to
take. But as my journey continued, I would not need each
informant to begin back at home when giving directions. I would
need directions from where I was then, not from where I began.
In Acts 2:37, people asked the question, “Brethren, what
shall we do?” There was no need for the apostle Peter to tell
them to Hear about Jesus, for he had just finished a
sermon in which he told them all about the Lord. He did not need
to tell them to Believe what they had heard, for the
scripture says “they were pierced to the heart” by the message
Peter spoke. It seems obvious, then, why Peter responded by
saying, “Repent, and let each of you be Baptized
in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins . .
.” (Acts 2:38).
Conversely, the Philippian Jailer of Acts 16 did not know
anything about Jesus. When he asked, “What must I do to be
saved?” (in vs 30), he was told, “Believe in the Lord
Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household” (vs 31).
Paul began at the point of this man’s understanding (which was
very limited). He instructed the man that Faith in Jesus
was necessary for salvation. Having said this, Paul then
proceeded to speak “the word of the Lord to him together with
all who were in his house” (vs 32). The ultimate outcome of the
jailer’s question resulted in his Hearing about Jesus,
Believing the message, Repenting of his former
cruelty (vs 33), and his consequent Baptism “that very
hour of the night.” Paul began to answer his question by
directing him to the initial steps of salvation (Hearing
and Believing), but he did not fail to direct him to the
culminating step of salvation, which is Baptism.
Look for yourself to other Conversion Accounts in Acts, you
will see that none of them stopped at the point of Faith Alone,
but in every case their Faith was followed by
Baptism. Look to the conversion of the “Samaritans” (Acts
8:4-13), the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-39),
the conversion of Saul (Acts 9:1-18), the conversion of
Cornelius (Acts 10:1-48), the conversion of Lydia (Acts
16:11-15), as well as the accounts we have already seen in this
Bible Talk. In every case, Baptism always
followed one or more of the other necessary steps: Hearing,
Believing, Repentance, and Confession.
These Conversion Accounts serve as an example of God’s plan
for all mankind. Throughout the book of Acts we see the same
message repeatedly preached with the same resulting responses.
Consequently, we can have confidence that if we Hear that
same gospel message today and if we Respond in the same
way as those in the first century, we will enjoy the same
Salvation which was promised to them.
| Bible
Probe |
CONVERSION
ACCOUNTS IN ACTS |
115
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1. What do you think it means to be “converted” to Christ?
2. Name the five steps which are necessary in the conversion
process. Look back through previous transcripts in this Bible
Principles series and
provide at least one scripture to prove each step.
3. Why do we not find all five steps listed in any one
conversion account in Acts?
4. When Peter answered the question of Acts 2:37, why did he not
tell the people to “hear” and “believe”?
5. What did Peter tell the people to do “for the forgiveness of
your sins” in Acts 2:38?
6. Why was it necessary for Paul to tell the Philippian Jailer
to “believe in the Lord Jesus”? (Acts 16:31)
7. List the steps of salvation which can be identified in the
conversion of the Philippian jailer. (Acts 16:30-33)
8. Read the 7 conversion accounts in Acts. Do you ever see an
incident where faith is not followed by baptism? (Acts 2:37-41;
8:4-13; 8:26-39; 9:1-18; 10:1-48; 16:11-15; 16:30-33)
9. Do you believe these accounts serve as a pattern for
conversions to Christ today? |
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Your Bible questions answered here.