Often when speaking of salvation in church circles, we speak of it as conversion. We use this term rather frequently; however, the word itself occurs only once in the New Testament — in Acts 15:3. The passage references instances where witnesses like Paul and Barnabas joined others to share how the gospel was flourishing among Gentiles. Subsequently the passage references Paul and Barnabas “being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles.”
However, although the noun occurs only once, we have strong biblical warrant for speaking of salvation as conversion when we consider the word used as a verb. With a little child as His object lesson, Jesus declared to His listeners, “Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3). Another passage describes the preaching of the apostles as a straightforward and clear message: “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19–20b).
In the Old Testament
It is not only in the New Testament — the Old Testament also makes use of the idea of conversion. Psalm 19:7 declares, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul,” thereby relating conversion to the instrument of God’s revealed Word. In a similar way Psalm 51:12–13 gives part of David’s repentant prayer in these words: “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You,” thereby describing conversion as something sinners need.
Whether as a noun or a verb, the basic idea expressed by conversion is that of turning or changing. Several passages describe the idea of conversion without using the term itself.
One such passage is Acts 26, in which Paul gave to King Agrippa a summary of his ministry. He began by recounting his direct commission from the glorified Christ, who said, “I have appeared to you as a servant and witness” (v. 16). With reference to Gentiles, Christ continued, saying, “To whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sin and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me” (vv. 17–18). Having recounted his commission, Paul gave testimony to his response: “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God” (vv. 19–21).
Turning from darkness
Paul continued to describe the idea of conversion without using the term itself. He spoke of a change wrought by repentance and faith and of a turning from darkness to light, as well as receiving forgiveness and a place among all believers. This speaks of Christian conversion (vv. 17–18).
Similarly in his commendation of the Thessalonian Christians, Paul recalled with thanksgiving “how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thess. 1:9). Then and now, Christian conversion is a matter of turning to God, which requires repentance (turning from sin) and faith (turning to God).
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