Topical Bible: Faith in Christ Is: Followed by Conversion

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Faith in Christ is a central tenet of Christian doctrine, representing a transformative belief in Jesus as the Son of God and Savior. This faith is not merely intellectual assent but involves a deep, personal trust and reliance on Christ for salvation. The New Testament presents faith in Christ as the catalyst for conversion, a profound change in one's spiritual state and life direction.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of faith leading to conversion is rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. In the Gospel of John, Jesus emphasizes the necessity of faith for eternal life: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). This belief is not passive but active, requiring a response that results in a new birth, as Jesus explains to Nicodemus: "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" (John 3:3).

The Apostle Paul further elucidates the relationship between faith and conversion in his epistles. In Ephesians 2:8-9, he writes, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast" . Here, faith is depicted as the means by which God's grace is received, leading to salvation and a transformed life.

The Process of Conversion

Conversion, as a result of faith in Christ, involves several key elements: repentance, regeneration, and sanctification. Repentance is the turning away from sin and a turning toward God, a change of mind and heart that aligns with God's will. In Acts 3:19, Peter calls for repentance as a response to faith: "Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away" .

Regeneration, or being "born again," is the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life, bringing about a new spiritual birth. This is a fundamental change in nature, as described 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!" .

Sanctification follows conversion, as the believer grows in holiness and becomes more like Christ. This ongoing process is empowered by the Holy Spirit and involves the believer's active participation. Paul encourages believers in Philippians 2:12-13 to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good pleasure" .

Examples of Conversion in Scripture

The New Testament provides numerous examples of individuals whose faith in Christ led to conversion. The account of the Apostle Paul is a dramatic illustration of this transformation. Once a persecutor of Christians, Paul encountered Christ on the road to Damascus and experienced a radical conversion (Acts 9:1-19). His faith in Christ resulted in a complete change of life and mission, as he became one of the foremost apostles and evangelists.

Another example is the Philippian jailer, who, after witnessing the miraculous events surrounding Paul and Silas, asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household" (Acts 16:30-31). His immediate response of faith led to his conversion and baptism, demonstrating the transformative power of faith in Christ.

Theological Implications

Faith in Christ, followed by conversion, underscores the necessity of a personal relationship with Jesus for salvation. It highlights the grace of God as the initiator of salvation and the response of faith as the means by which individuals enter into this new life. This process affirms the transformative power of the Gospel, which not only forgives sin but also renews and restores the believer to a right relationship with God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 11:21
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned to the Lord.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Old and New Terminology.
... receives more abundantly from the fulness which is in Christ, his Surety ... and does
not recall it, but God confirms it, faith is at once followed by conversion ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xix old and new terminology.htm

Obedience to God the Way to Faith in Christ.
... much, that years elapsed after his conversion before he ... necessary than it, one man
puts faith, another outward ... heirs of light, who have followed Christ in His ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xiv obedience to god.htm

Conversion
... ardent and enthusiastic preacher of the faith in Jesus ... the very marked results which
followed the appearance ... became an enthusiastic witness for Christ (Acts 9 ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study ii conversion.htm

How St. Augustine in Kent Followed the Doctrine and Manner of Life ...
... Augustine in Kent followed the doctrine and manner of life of ... their heathen rites,
to have fellowship, through faith, in the unity of Christ's Holy Church. ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xxvi how st augustine.htm

Conversion.
... I had committed since the first convictions: temptations also followed me very ... attain
to any comfortahle persuasion that I had faith in Christ; hut instead ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xi conversion.htm

How to Make Use of Christ for Taking the Guilt of Our Daily Out ...
... I answer, this same course must be followed with them ... them together in a heap, or
as a closed bagful, and by faith nail them to the cross of Christ, as if ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter viii how to make.htm

Christ's Sayings Respecting Martyrdom.
... This confession is followed by that which is partial ... Had this been Christ's teaching,
there would have been no ... and no visible Church to hand down the faith.]. ...
/.../chapter ix christs sayings respecting martyrdom.htm

Marks of a True Conversion
... that have already gotten some, though but weak, faith in Christ. ... I am alone, my wicked
heart has followed me, go ... But though Jesus Christ does not call us to go ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/marks of a true conversion.htm

Conversion
... Jesus Christ was the world's greatest teacher and preacher ... Multitudes followed him
because he taught them, not as ... to be remembered that when by faith we accept ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/conversion.htm

Hopkinsians.
... free grace of God, through the redemption which is in Christ, and to exercise faith
in his ... power in such a manner as he purposed should be followed with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/hopkinsians.htm