CONVERSION IS DESCRIBED-JOHN 3;14-21

The transition from Regeneration to Conversion, is by a special operation of The Holy Spirit.
Now, Get this truth; Conversion may be a marked crisis in one''s life, or, it may be in the form of a gradual process.

In The Old Testament, 2 words are used for conversion.
The 1st word serves to express a deep feeling of sorrow, or, of relief.
It is used, not only of men, but of God-

Genesis 6;6-7-''And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.''

Exodus 32;14-''And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.''

Judges 2;18-''And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.''

The 2ND Word, which means, to turn, to turn about and return, is commonly used for conversion, in The Old Testament.
This word is most prominent in The Prophets, in referring to Israel's Return to The Lord.

In The New Testament, 3 words come into consideration, in the study of Conversion.
The One, most commonly used, refers to man's conscious life, when his mind is changed.
The change, indicated by this word refers to;
Number 1-The Intellectual Life-2 Timothy 2;25-[Turn]. This is identical with the action of faith.

Number 2-The conscious volitional life, a turning from self to God-
Acts 8;22-''But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jaews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the very Christ.''

Number 3-The Emotional Life-
2 Corinthians 7;10-''For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of; but the sorrow of the world worketh death.''
This Change is accompanied by godly sorrow, and opens new fields of enjoyment, for the repenting sinner.

Now, get this truth; to be converted is not merely to pass from one conscious direction to another, but, to do so, with a clearly perceived aversion, to the former direction.

Conversion, therefore, has both a negative and a positive side. It looks backward and forward.
The converted person becomes conscious of his ignorance and folly.

Titus 1;15-[Turn].

The 2nd word used in The New Testament indicates the final act of conversion-
Acts 3;19-23-''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; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which was before preached unto you; Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.''

In Acts 3;19, the 1st and 2nd words I have mentioned, are used, side by side.
At times, the 1st word, carries the idea of Repentance only, while the 2nd, always includes the element of faith.

The 3rd word is used only, as a verb in The New Testament, and literally means to become distressed afterwards.
It is used only 5 times, in The New Testament, Matthew 1;29, 32; 2 Corinthians 7;10-[Turn].
Hebrews 7;21-''[For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedec;]''

You see, Repentance doesn't always mean true repentance.

Now, The Bible does not always speak of conversion, in the same sense.
The nation Israel repeatedly turner her back on God;
and after experiencing God's Displeasure, repented of her sin and returned, unto The Lord.
This is NATIONAL CONVERSION.

Another Biblical Example of it, is found in Jonah 3. There was an outward reformation of life, of the Ninevites, at the preaching of Jonah.

Also, There are what can be called, TEMPORARY CONVERSIONS. The Conversion of
Individuals, that represents, no change of heart, falls into this category.
It couldn't be said, that they turned to Jesus Christ.

People, who have been converted from one false Religion to Another, and not, to Jesus Christ, have only, a temporary conversion-
Matthew 13;20-21-''But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while; for when tribulation, or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.''

I Timothy 1;19-20-''Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck; Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.''

2 Timothy 2;17-18; I John 2;19-[Turn].

Hebrews 10;38-39-''Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition;but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.''

But, Thank God, there are those, who are truly converted to truth and Jesus Christ. . .
Examples;
1. Naaman-2 Kings 5;5-15
2. Zacchaeus-Luke 19;8-9.
3. The Samaritan Woman-John 4;28, 39.
4. Ethiopian Eunuch-Acts 8;30-39.
5. Saul of Tarsus-Acts 9;5.
6. Cornelius-Acts 10;44.
7. Lydia-Acts 16;13-14.

In The Bible, We have also many references of repeated conversions, which only manifest The
Restoration of God's People-
Luke 22;31-32-''And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thou are converted, strengthen thy brethren.''

Revelation 2;5, 16, 21-22--[Turn].

Revelation 3;3, 19-[Turn].

Now get this truth; REGENERATION IS NEVER CALLED A BIRTH, BUT IT ISSUES IN MANY EXPERIENCES, CALLED CONVERSIONS.
Conversion is one part of the saving process, but, it is a vital part of an organic process.

There can never be be an act of conversion without a previous work of grace, by the Holy
Spirit in Regeneration.

Conversion doesn't alter man's position, but it alters man's condition before God.
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