Topical Encyclopedia
The term "converted" in the biblical context refers to a profound transformation or change in an individual's spiritual state, often marked by a turning away from sin and a turning towards God. This transformation is central to the Christian experience and is frequently associated with repentance, faith, and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the concept of conversion is often linked with repentance and returning to God. The Hebrew word "shuv" is commonly used, which means to turn back or return. This is seen in passages like
Isaiah 55:7, "Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon."
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, conversion is more explicitly connected with the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Greek word "epistrepho" is used to denote turning or returning, often in the context of turning to God.
Acts 3:19 states, "Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."
The Role of the Holy SpiritConversion is not merely a human decision but is deeply rooted in the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus speaks of the necessity of being "born again" in
John 3:3, saying, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." This new birth is a spiritual rebirth facilitated by the Holy Spirit, as further explained in
John 3:5-6, "Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit.'"
Faith and RepentanceConversion involves both faith and repentance. Faith is the trust in Jesus Christ and His redemptive work on the cross, while repentance is the acknowledgment of sin and the decision to turn away from it.
Acts 20:21 encapsulates this dual aspect: "I have testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus."
Evidence of ConversionThe evidence of a genuine conversion is seen in a transformed life. The Apostle Paul writes in
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" This transformation is characterized by a new set of desires, behaviors, and attitudes that align with the teachings of Christ.
Conversion of Notable Biblical FiguresSeveral notable conversions are recorded in the Bible, illustrating the transformative power of God's grace. The conversion of Saul of Tarsus, who became the Apostle Paul, is one of the most dramatic.
Acts 9:3-6 describes his encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, leading to his radical transformation from a persecutor of Christians to a devoted apostle.
ConclusionThe concept of being "converted" is foundational to the Christian faith, signifying a complete and radical change brought about by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a process that involves the whole person—mind, heart, and will—and results in a life that bears the fruit of the Spirit.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Convert.
Greek
4762. strepho -- to turn, ie to change... to turn, ie to change. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: strepho Phonetic Spelling:
(stref'-o) Short Definition: I turn, am
converted, change Definition: I
...3504. neophutos -- newly planted
... neophutos Phonetic Spelling: (neh-of'-oo-tos) Short Definition: newly-planted, recent
convert Definition: (lit: newly-planted), newlyconverted to Christianity...
1290. diaspora -- a dispersion (Isr. in Gentile countries)
... From diaspeiro; dispersion, ie (specially and concretely) the (converted) Israelite
resident in Gentile countries -- (which are) scattered (abroad)....
2921. Krispos -- Crispus, a Corinthian Christian
... Krispos Phonetic Spelling: (kris'-pos) Short Definition: Crispus Definition: Crispus,
ruler of the synagogue at Corinth,converted and baptized by Paul....
571. apistos -- incredible, unbelieving
... ie not ( by God). 571 ("faithless, unpersuaded") does always refer to the
converted -- see Jn 20:27. 571 () describes someone who...
Strong's Hebrew
2015. haphak -- to turn, overturn... become, change, come, be
converted, give, make a bed, overthrow turn, perverse,.
A primitive root; to turn about or over; by implication
...7725. shub -- to turn back, return
... back (1), call (1), came again (1), came back (1), cause (1), certainly bring (1),
certainly bring them back (1), come back (10),converted (1), deluded (1...
Library
TheConverted Infidel
... THECONVERTED INFIDEL. Some two miles from the village of C. on a road that
wound in among the hills stood a great white house. It...
Whether the Husband, BeingConverted to the Faith, May Remain with...
... OF DISPARITY OF WORSHIP AS AN IMPEDIMENT TO MARRIAGE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the
husband, beingconverted to the faith, may remain with his wife is she be...
How St FrancisConverted to the Faith the Sultan of Babylon
... PART ONE. HERE BEGIN THE LITTLE FLOWERS OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHAPTER XXIV
HOW ST FRANCISCONVERTED TO THE FAITH THE SULTAN OF BABYLON....
Whether Bread Can beConverted into the Body of Christ?
... OF THE CHANGE OF BREAD AND WINE INTO THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (EIGHT ARTICLES)
Whether bread can beconverted into the body of Christ?...
Two Philosophers areConverted to the Faith by the Simplicity of...
... Book I. Chapter XVIII."Two Philosophers areconverted to the Faith by the
Simplicity of Two Old Men with whom they hold a Disputation....
"Except Ye beConverted, and Become as Little Children...
... Address 52: "Except ye beconverted, and become as little children? "Except
ye beconverted, and become as little children, ye...
Innocents Day Except Ye beConverted, and Become as Little...
... Innocents Day Except ye beconverted, and become as little children, ye
shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven. Except ye be...
But Can those who areConverted to God Perfectly Keep These...
... Lord's Day 44 Question 114 But can those who areconverted to God perfectly
keep these commandments? But can those who areconverted...
How Wilbrord, Preaching in Frisand,Converted Many to Christ; and...
... BOOK V CHAP. X. How Wilbrord, preaching in Frisand,converted many to Christ; and
how his two companions, the Hewalds, suffered martyrdom. [690 AD]....
AConverted Village Blacksmith.
... CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. ACONVERTED VILLAGE BLACKSMITH. We have already seen
how Daniel tried to bring his heathen neighbours into...
Thesaurus
Converted (11 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Convert. Multi-Version Concordance
Converted (11 Occurrences). Matthew 13:15 For this people's
...Conversion (1 Occurrence)
... 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...
Timothy (28 Occurrences)
... is first brought into notice at the time of Paul's second visit to Lystra (16:2),
where he probably resided, and where it seems he wasconverted during Paul's...
Ethiopian (11 Occurrences)
... qv), queen of Ethiopia. He wasconverted to Christianity through the
instrumentality of Philip (Acts 8:27). The northern portion...
Proselyte (2 Occurrences)
... n.) A new convert especially a convert to some religion or religious sect, or to
some particular opinion, system, or party; thus, a Gentileconverted to Judaism...
Convert (6 Occurrences)
... 9. (vi) To be turned or changed in character or direction; to undergo a change,
physically or morally. 10. (n.) A person who isconverted from one opinion or...
Novice (1 Occurrence)
... a beginner; a tyro. 2. (n.) One newly received into the church, or one newly
converted to the Christian faith. 3. (n.) One who enters...
Onesimus (2 Occurrences)
... Useful, a slave who, after robbing his master Philemon (qv) at Colosse, fled to
Rome, where he wasconverted by the apostle Paul, who sent him back to his...
Gross (12 Occurrences)
... have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their
ears, and should understand with their heart, and should beconverted, and I...
Waxed (57 Occurrences)
... have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their
ears, and should understand with their heart, and should beconverted, and I...
Resources
What is a faith conversion? What does it mean to be converted? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I detect a false conversion? | GotQuestions.orgHow do I convert to Christianity? | GotQuestions.orgConverted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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