Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ContextIn the context of the Bible, "converts" refers to individuals who have turned from their previous beliefs or lifestyles to embrace faith in the God of Israel, as revealed in the Old and New Testaments. This transformation often involves a profound change of heart and mind, leading to a new way of life in accordance with biblical teachings.
Old TestamentThe concept of conversion is present in the Old Testament, where non-Israelites are sometimes depicted as turning to the God of Israel. One notable example is Ruth, a Moabite woman who declares her allegiance to the God of Israel, saying, "Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God" (
Ruth 1:16). The Old Testament also includes provisions for foreigners who wish to join the Israelite community, as seen in
Exodus 12:48, where it is stated that a foreigner who wants to celebrate the Passover must be circumcised and then may participate as a native of the land.
New TestamentThe New Testament expands the concept of conversion, emphasizing the transformative power of the Gospel for all people, Jew and Gentile alike. Jesus' Great Commission in
Matthew 28:19-20 commands His disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations," highlighting the universal call to conversion. The Book of Acts provides numerous accounts of conversion, such as the account of the Ethiopian eunuch in
Acts 8:26-39 and the conversion of Saul of Tarsus in
Acts 9:1-19.
The Apostle Paul, a key figure in the spread of Christianity, frequently addresses the theme of conversion in his epistles. In
2 Corinthians 5:17 , he writes, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" This verse underscores the radical change that conversion brings to an individual's life.
Theological SignificanceConversion is a central theme in Christian theology, representing a turning away from sin and a turning toward God. It involves repentance, faith, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in
John 3:3 emphasizes the necessity of being "born again" to see the kingdom of God, illustrating the spiritual rebirth that accompanies conversion.
Practical ImplicationsFor converts, the process of conversion often involves a public declaration of faith, typically through baptism, as seen in
Acts 2:38 , where Peter instructs, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." Converts are also encouraged to grow in their faith through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and participation in the life of the church.
Challenges and EncouragementConverts may face challenges, including persecution or estrangement from their previous communities. However, the New Testament offers encouragement, as seen in
1 Peter 4:16 : "But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name." The community of believers is called to support and nurture converts, helping them to mature in their faith and become active members of the body of Christ.
Greek
536. aparche -- the beginning of a sacrifice, ie the first fruit... Short Definition: the first-fruits Definition: the first-fruits, the earliest crop
of the year, hence also met., for example, of the earliest
converts in a
...5040. teknion -- a little child
... little child. Diminutive of teknon; an infant, ie (plural figuratively) darlings
(Christianconverts) -- little children. see GREEK teknon....
Library
Instructions toConverts.
... LECTURE XX. INSTRUCTIONS TOCONVERTS. Text... the. INSTRUCTION OF YOUNGCONVERTS.
To-night I propose to continue the subject by noticing,....
Instructions toConverts.
... LECTURE XIX. INSTRUCTIONS TOCONVERTS. Text."Feed my lambs."John
21:15. YOU, who read your Bibles, recollect the connection...
MartinConverts a Robber to the Faith.
... Sulpitius Severus On the Life of St. Martin. Chapter V. Martinconverts
a Robber to the Faith. From that time quitting military...
The First NativeConverts and Christian Schools
... LIFE OF WILLIAM CAREY, DD CHAPTER VI THE FIRST NATIVECONVERTS AND CHRISTIAN
SCHOOLS. 1800-1810 A carpenter the first Bengali convert...
God UndoubtedlyConverts, Without the External Preaching of the...
... ARTICLE XVIII God undoubtedlyconverts, without the external preaching of the Gospel,
great numbers of persons to the saving knowledge of Christ, among those...
Love of Preachers and theirConverts.
... Homily XII. Chapter II."Love of Preachers and TheirConverts. "I know,
indeed, that you are distressed at being told to do this...
A Little ChildConverts an Infidel.
... A Little ChildConverts an Infidel. I remember hearing of a Sabbath-school teacher
who had led every one of her children to Christ. She was a faithful teacher....
A Little BoyConverts his Mother.
... A Little BoyConverts his Mother. I remember when on the North Side I tried
to reach a family time and again and failed. One night...
Twenty-Sixth Day for the Holy Spirit on YoungConverts
... TWENTY-SIXTH DAY For the Holy Spirit on YoungConverts. WHAT TO PRAY."For
the Holy Spirit on YoungConverts ="Peter and John prayed...
The Jew, Then, Continues his Address toConverts from his Own...
... Chapter IV. The Jew, then, continues his address toconverts from his
own nation thus? The Jew, then, continues his address to...
Thesaurus
Converts (9 Occurrences)...Converts (9 Occurrences).
... Others are visitors from Rome--being either Jews or
converts from heathenism--and others are Cretans or Arabians. (WEY).
...Thessalonica (8 Occurrences)
... he preached the gospel, basing his message upon the types and prophecies of the
Old Testament Scriptures (Acts 17:2, 3). Some of the Jews becameconverts and a...
Magus
... He therefore came forward as one of the newconverts, and was baptized.... And when
they had laid their hands upon theconverts, the Spirit was given to them....
Proselyte (2 Occurrences)
... for a convert to Judaism. There were suchconverts from early times (Isaiah
56:3; Nehemiah 10:28; Esther 8:17). The law of Moses...
Philemon (2 Occurrences)
... "It exhibits the apostle in a new light. He throws off as far as possible his
apostolic dignity and his fatherly authority over hisconverts....
Timothy (28 Occurrences)
... 1:1 1 Timothy 1:2, 18; 1 Timothy 6:20 2 Timothy 1:2 Philemon 1:1 Hebrews 13:23;
the King James Version, Timotheus): 1. One of Paul'sConverts: Timothy was one...
Romans (8 Occurrences)
... This at least suggests the abundant possibility that theconverts and friends belonging
to the "household" who, a very few years later, perhaps not more than...
Apostles'
... exactness. The original germ of it is to be sought for in the baptismal
confession made byconverts in the reception of that rite....
Titus (15 Occurrences)
... ti'-tus (Titos (2 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 7:6, 13; 8:6, 16, 23; 12:18 Galatians
1:2:1, 3 2 Timothy 4:10 Titus 1:4)): 1. One of Paul'sConverts: A Greek...
Philippians (2 Occurrences)
... It is remarkable that the Macedonianconverts were, as a class, very poor (2
Corinthians 8:2); and the parallel facts, their poverty and their open-handed...
Resources
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