By Gary Ray Branscome
Our conversion involves far more than just a change
of opinion. It is a transformation that changes our standing with God, our
spiritual nature, and the place where we will spend eternity. For that reason,
in order to fully appreciate conversion we need to understand the synonyms of
conversion used in Scripture.
While the Bible sometimes speaks of repentance as nothing
more than sorrow for sins, one example being when it tells us that Judas “repented,”
at other times it uses repentance as a synonym for conversion, such as when it
tells us that, “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who
repents, than over ninety and nine just persons, who do not need to repent”
(Matthew 27:3, Luke 15:7). [See Mark 14:21.]
Whenever the Bible speaks of repentance bringing salvation,
such as when it says, “Unless you repent, you will all perish,”
repentance is being used as a synonym for conversion (Luke 13:5). However,
whenever it separates repentance from faith or forgiveness, it is speaking only
of sorrow for sins. For example: The words, “The
The words, “Unless a man is born of water and of the
Spirit, he cannot enter the
The words, “You formerly… were by nature the children of
wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His
great love for us, Even when we were dead in sins, has made us alive together
with Christ,” speak of conversion as a transformation from being “dead
in sins” to being “alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:2-5).
The words, “He has made you, who were dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, alive together with Him,
having forgiven all of your sins,” again speak of conversion as a
transformation from being “”dead in your sins” to being “alive together with”
Christ (Colossians 2:13). Telling us also, that the
transformation is the result of forgiveness.
The words, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from
darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive
forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among those who are sanctified
through faith in me [Christ],” speak of conversion as being brought “from
darkness to light” and “from the power of Satan to God” (Acts 26:18). The
words, “I [Jesus] have come into the world as a light, so that no one who
believes in me will remain in darkness,” speak of conversion [i.e.
believing in Christ] as a change from darkness to light (John 12:46). And, the
words, “You were once darkness, but now are light in the Lord: walk as
children of light,” again speak of conversion as a change from darkness to
light (Ephesians 5:8).
The words, “Many are called, but few are chosen,”
separate being “called” from actual conversion (Matthew