KEY TERMS
CONVERSION Q Gospel Q Evangelism Q Conversion Q Disciple Q Discipleship Q Church Q Calling Q IMB Missionary Q Missionary Team Q Unreached
Peoples & Places
Conversion is the divinely enabled personal response of individuals to the gospel in which they turn from their sin and themselves (repent) and trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord (believe). (John 3:1–21; 6:44; 10:27–30; Romans 3:10–20; 8:38–39; Galatians 5:19–24; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 2:5–6, 19; 3:9–10, 14–15, 24; 4:20) Conversion is a divinely enabled response to the gospel. It is not something that sinners can accomplish on their own. According to Scripture, unregenerate people are slaves to sin. They are unable to understand the things of God, to obey God, or to please God, and are justly under His wrath. Rather than seeking God, they are running away from Him. They are dead in their sin. Apart from the gracious initiative of God, no one can be saved. Therefore, God-dependent prayer is an essential component of evangelism. BOT TOM LINE | Our responsibility is to proclaim the good news and urge people to repent and believe. God, and God alone, saves people who are dead, blind slaves to sin. This reality should encourage us to expect fruit even among the most seemingly resistant people groups. It should purify our methods and keep us faithful to the message. It should also keep us on our knees in prayer for the lost.
Conversion is a divinely enabled response of repentance and faith. The gracious work of God in conversion in no way minimizes or eliminates the necessity and responsibility of sinners to respond to the gospel call. Repentance involves turning away from sin and self. It marks a radical break from a life of rebellion against God. Faith involves not only believing that what the Bible teaches about Jesus is true, but also trusting Him alone for salvation while entrusting one’s life to Him. Repentance and faith are not disconnected actions, but rather two sides of the same response: turning away from a life of rebellion against God in repentance and, in the same act, turning toward God through faith in Christ. Neither is complete nor adequate without the other.
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