Do You Think You Are Converted

By JC Ryle

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted” – Acts 3:19

The subject which forms the title of this paper is one which touches all mankind. It ought to come home to all ranks and classes, high or low, rich or poor, old or young, gentle or simple. Any one may get to heaven without money, rank, or learning. No one, however wise, wealthy, noble, or beautiful, will ever get to heaven without CONVERSION.

There are six points of view in which I wish to consider the subject of this paper. I will try to show that conversion is

I. A Scriptural thing;
II. A real thing;
III. A necessary thing;
IV. A possible thing;
V. A happy thing;
VI. A thing that may be seen.

Let me show, in the first place, that:

I. Conversion Is a Scriptural Thing

I mean by this, that conversion is a thing plainly mentioned in the Bible. This is the first point we have to ascertain about anything in religion. It matters nothing who says a thing, and declares it to be religious truth; it matters nothing whether we like or dislike a doctrine. Is it in the Bible? That is the only question. If it is, we have no right to refuse it. If we reject a Bible truth because we do not like it, we do so at the peril of our souls, and might as well become infidels at once. This is a principle which ought never to be forgotten.

Let us turn to the Bible. Hear what David says: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul”— ”Sinners shall be converted unto Thee” (Psa 19:7, 51:13). Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ says: “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Mat 18:3). Hear what St. Peter says: “Repent ye, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Act 3:19). Hear what St. James says: “He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (Jam 5:20).

I could easily add to this Scriptural evidence. I could quote many passages in which the idea of conversion is contained, though the word itself is not used. To be renewed, to be transformed, to be created anew, to be raised from the dead, to be illuminated, to pass from death to life, to be born again, to put off the old man and put on the new man—all these are Scriptural expressions, which mean the same thing as conversion. They are all the same thing, seen from a different point of view. But enough is as good as a feast, in these matters. There can be no doubt of the truth of my first position: that conversion is a Scriptural thing. It is not a mere device of man’s invention: it is in the Bible.

Read more -->HERE.

Day 316

XVII The Ministries of Paul and Peter ~ cont.

A. First records the early church at Jerusalem ~ cont.

4. Tiberius, Emperor, dies - A.D. March 15, 37
5. Conversion of Saul (Paul)
a. Christians persecuted - Acts 9:1-2
b. Paul converted - Acts 9:3-25
c. Paul grows in grace - Galatians 1:17
d. Paul visits Jerusalem - Galatians 1:18-19; Acts 9:26-31
6. Growth of church under Peter's ministry
a. Miracles performed - Acts 9:32-43
b. Cornelius (gentile) hears gospel - Acts 10:1-48; 11:1-18


"And he (Saul) trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6a)


trembling - G5141 - Strengthened from a primary word τρέω treō (to “dread”, “terrify”); to “tremble” or fear.


astonished - G2284 -From G2285; to stupefy (with surprise), that is, astound.


No ifs, ands or buts.  Tell me what to do, I will do it.  I recently found a quote from Corrie ten Boom, "Don't bother to give God instructions; just report for duty."


I remember my conversion, not the actual date or time, but the month, where I was, exactly what happened.  I do not remember trembling - I do remember being thoroughly astonished.  What an exhortation Paul is...he continued to carry that zestful spirit post-conversion.  Far too many people, well, they settle.  I remember someone telling me that once I had been a Christian for a while, I would settle down; and thinking, NO WAY.


I want to be ON FIRE, always and continually.  O that the Bride of Christ would recapture that fervency, that turn the world upside down mentality.  Lord, stir up Your gift which You have placed within us, cause us to be bold, fervent, full of the Spirit, speaking forth Your word without fear or care of offending.


God tells Ananias that Paul is a chosen vessel (Acts 9:15) - Paul was most definitely NOT looking for the Lord, he thought he already 'had' his God, his religion.  He was out to make sure others were not polluting the 'true religion.'  What an awesome testimony of how even when we think we are 'saved' by some religious checklist, if we are His, He will cause us to see and hear Him.


Cornelius, a centurion (captain of 100 men), devout (well reverent, pious), feared (awe, revere) God, gave alms (compassionateness) to the people, prayed (beg, petition) to God.


Sees in a vision and receives instruction to send for Peter - Peter lodging with Simon the tanner.  Peter up on the housetop to pray, falls into a trance and sees a sheet let down from heaven, containing all manner of beasts, creeping things and fowls and is told to rise, kill and eat.  Peter resists, a good Jew, keeping the Law does not eat unclean animals.


Out of curiosity I googled clean and unclean animals and came up with several articles.  The one listed was streamlined.  This is not an area I have extensively researched and know people on both sides of the aisle - some very emphatic about their position - and will leave it to the reader and God to work out.  Obviously Peter, being sent to the Gentiles, was going to encounter some alternate food practices and Father did not want him turning his nose up.  In fact, later on Paul has to rebuke Peter for having an attitude about eating with the Gentiles.


Jesus, upon sending out the 70 tells them to eat what is set before them.  Later in Corinthians believers are encouraged to eat, but to be cautious of offending the conscience of others.


Peter goes, preaches to Cornelius and the Holy Ghost is poured out...those who are regenerated speak with other tongues, magnifying God.  Then they are baptized.


Peter returns to Jerusalem and has to contend with those of the circumcision - and he recounts all that transpired - ending with:


"Then remembered I the word of the Lord , how that the said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.  Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?" (Acts 11:17-18)


Thus they glorified God and said, "Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." (Acts 11:18).


Amen!