Conversion

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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This is from ἐπιστρέθω, “to turn to.” It is in scripture the real effect that accompanies the new birth, a turning to God. It is beautifully expressed in the case of the Thessalonians, showing how they “turned to [the same word] God from idols, to serve the living and true God” (1 Thess. 1:9). Paul and Barnabas were able to make known to the saints the “conversion of the Gentiles” (Acts 15:3). In Peter’s address to the Jews he said, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19). Without being converted they could not enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 18:3). The word is used in a somewhat different sense in respect to Peter himself. The Lord, knowing that he would fall under the sifting of Satan, said, “When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren”; that is, when he had returned in contrition, or been restored. In the Old Testament the Hebrew words signify the same, “to be turned,” “to turn back” (Psa. 51:13; Isa. 6:10; Isa. 60:5; compare Isa. 1:27, margin).