Conviction and Repentance in the Conversion Process
Conversion, in a biblical sense, refers to the turning of a sinner to God [1]. This process involves a fundamental change in one's life, where "old things pass away, and all things become new" [1]. Key components of this transformation are conviction and repentance.
Conviction often precedes repentance, as it involves a recognition of sin and one's need for God. The Bible indicates that condemnation is a universal consequence of Adam's offense and an inseparable result of sin [6]. Conscience itself testifies to the justice of this condemnation [6]. This awareness of sin and its implications can be intensified by impenitence, unbelief, pride, oppression, and hypocrisy [6]. The law also testifies to the justice of condemnation [6].
Repentance (Greek: metanoia) signifies a change of mind and purpose, leading to a change in life, to which the remission of sin is promised [5]. This is distinct from metamelomai, which denotes regret or remorse but not necessarily a change of heart, as seen in Judas's repentance [5]. True repentance involves turning away from wicked ways and turning to the Lord, demanding a change in how one lives in favor of God's requirements [10]. The prophet Isaiah calls for the wicked to "change... turn to the Lord" (Isaiah 55:7) [10].
Repentance is a necessary step in the conversion process, often followed by faith [2]. Peter exhorted his listeners, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19 KJV) [4]. John Gill interprets this as repenting of the sin of crucifying Christ and turning to him, acknowledging him as the Messiah, receiving his doctrines, submitting to his ordinances, and reforming one's life [7]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary notes that "repent" in Acts 2:38 signifies a change of mind that includes receiving the Gospel [8].
Conversion is initiated by God, through Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit [2]. It is an act of grace [2]. The Scriptures and ministers serve as instruments in this process [2]. Examples of conversion in the New Testament include the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:19-34), Paul (Acts 9:1-22), the Ethiopian treasurer (Acts 8:26-40), Cornelius (Acts 10), and Lydia (Acts 16:13-15) [1].
The outcome of repentance and conversion is the blotting out or forgiveness of sins [7]. God's compassion extends to the needy, and he forgives generously [10]. This forgiveness is foundational to the good news of redemption [10]. Matthew Henry notes that the covenant of grace promises pardon upon repentance, assuring that even the greatest sinners, if they repent and are converted, will have their sins pardoned and be restored to God's favor [9]. This restoration is a change from enmity to friendship, a reconciliation where the sinner ceases to be an enemy to God and yields full confidence and love to Him [3].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: 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 [125]REGENERATION.)”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conversion — By God -- 1Ki 18:37; Joh 6:44; Ac 21:19. By Christ -- Ac 3:26; Ro 15:18. By the power of the Holy Spirit -- Pr 1:23. Is of grace -- Ac 11:21,23. Follows repentance -- Ac 3:19; 26:20. Is the result of faith -- Ac 11:21. Through the instrumentality of The scriptures. -- Ps 19:7. Ministers. -- Ac 26:18; 1Th 1:9. Self-examination. -- Ps 119:59; La 3:40. Affliction. -- Ps 78:34. Of sinners, a cause of joy To God. -- Eze 18:23; Lu 15:32. To saints. -- Ac 15:3; Ga 1:23,24. Is necessary -- Mt 18:3. Commanded -- Job 36:10. Exhortations to -- Pr 1:23; Isa 31:6; 55”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Reconcilation — A change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity. (1.) In Col. 1:21, 22, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love. In 2 Cor. 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be "reconciled to God", i.e., to lay aside their enmity. (2.) Rom. 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconcile”
- King James Version “[KJV] 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.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Repentance — There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. (1.) The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3). (2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised. Evangelical”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Condemnation — The sentence of God against sin -- Mt 25:41. Universal, caused by the offence of Adam -- Ro 5:12,16,18. Inseparable consequence of sin -- Pr 12:2; Ro 6:23. Increased by Impenitence. -- Mt 11:20-24. Unbelief. -- Joh 3:18,19. Pride. -- 1Ti 3:6. Oppression. -- Jas 5:1-5. Hypocrisy. -- Mt 23:14. Conscience testifies to the justice of -- Job 9:20; Ro 2:1; Tit 3:11. The law testifies to the justice of -- Ro 3:19. According to men's deserts -- Mt 12:37; 2Co 11:15. Saints are delivered from, by Christ -- Joh 3:18; 5:24; Ro 8:1,33,34. Of the wicked, an example ”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 3:19: Repent ye therefore,.... The Ethiopic version adds, "and be baptized"; see Gill on Act 2:38, and be converted. The apostle's sense is, repent of the sin of crucifying Christ, which is what he had been charging them with, and turn unto him, and acknowledge him as the Messiah; receive his doctrines, and submit to his ordinances; externally reform in life and conversation, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance, such as will show it to be true and genuine: that your sins may be blotted out; or forgiven, see Psa 51:9. Not that repentance and reformation procure the ”
- Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 2:38: Repent--The word denotes change of mind, and here includes the reception of the Gospel as the proper issue of that revolution of mind which they were then undergoing. baptized . . . for the remission of sins--as the visible seal of that remission.”
- Deuteronomy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 30:1: These verses may be considered either as a conditional promise or as an absolute prediction. I. They are chiefly to be considered as a conditional promise, and so they belong to all persons and all people, and not to Israel only; and the design of them is to assure us that the greatest sinners, if they repent and be converted, shall have their sins pardoned, and be restored to God's favour. This is the purport of the covenant of grace, it leaves room for repentance in case of misdemeanour, and promises pardon upon repentance, which the covenant of innocency d”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 55:7: 55:7 Let the wicked change . . . turn to the Lord: True conversion demands a change of how we live in favor of God’s requirements (see 1:16-17; 30:15; 59:20). • have mercy on them: God’s compassion reaches out to the needy and finds them where they are. • he will forgive generously: Forgiveness of sin is foundational to the good news of redemption (see Eph 1:7; Col 1:14; see also Pss 32:1; 86:5; 99:8; 103:2-5).”