Acts: The Pattern of Conversion

CONVERSION …what is it? Our word “conversion ” comes from the Latin: “convers” meaning to “turn around” Con – all together; Verte – to turn Turn from and send in a new direction

CONVERSION …what is it? Our word “conversion ” comes from the Latin: “convers” meaning to “turn around” Con – all together; Verte – to turn Turn from and send in a new direction I Thess. 1:9: turn unto- turn from Thessalonians turned unto God from idols

Jesus speaking to Paul… “…delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles unto whom I send thee, to open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in Me” (Acts 26:17-18)

Paul sent to open the eyes of the Gentiles (Acts 26:17) Why Paul Is Sent… Paul sent to open the eyes of the Gentiles (Acts 26:17)

Paul sent to open the eyes of the Gentiles (Acts 26:17-18) Why Paul Is Sent… Paul sent to open the eyes of the Gentiles (Acts 26:17-18) Our eyes are closed in the darkness of ignorance (Acts 26:18, Eph. 4:18-19)

Paul sent to open the eyes of the Gentiles (Acts 26:17) Why Paul Is Sent… Paul sent to open the eyes of the Gentiles (Acts 26:17) Our eyes are closed in the darkness of ignorance (Acts 26:18, Eph. 4:18) Our eyes are closed by the power of Satan- blinds you to not see the spiritual realm (Acts 26:18, 2 Cor. 4:4, Eph. 2:2-3)

Why Paul Is Sent… Paul sent to open the eyes of the Gentiles (Acts 26:17) Our eyes are closed in the darkness of ignorance (Acts 26:18, Eph. 4:18-19) Our eyes are closed by the power of Satan- blinds you to not see the spiritual realm (Acts 26:18, 2 Cor. 4:4, Eph. 2:2-3) We are the walking dead – living life - giving self to pleasures in accordance to Satan (I Tim. 5:6)

Paul Sent to Open Eyes… The word preached opens eyes Christ is proclaiming light both to the people (Jews) and Gentiles through the Gospel (Acts 26:23, 2Tim. 1:10)

Paul Sent to Open Eyes… The word preached opens eyes Christ is proclaiming light both to the people (Jews) and Gentiles through the Gospel (Acts 26:23, 2Tim. 1:10) Opens eyes of ignorance (Acts 8:29-31, 35)

Paul Sent to Open Eyes… The word preached opens eyes Christ is proclaiming light both to the people (Jews) and Gentiles through the Gospel (Acts 26:23, 2Tim. 1:10) Opens eyes of ignorance (Acts 8:29-31, 35) Opens eyes to Christ - Acts 8:5

Paul Sent to Open Eyes… The word preached opens eyes Christ is proclaiming light both to the people (Jews) and Gentiles through the Gospel (Acts 26:23, 2Tim. 1:10) Opens eyes of ignorance (Acts 8:29-31, 35) Opens eyes to Christ - Acts 8:5 Opens eyes to the Kingdom Acts 8:12

BELIEVING IS ESSENTIAL TO “TURNING” Turning to the lord in Trust … (Acts 11:20-21)

BELIEVING IS ESSENTIAL TO “TURNING” Turning to the lord in Trust … (Acts 11:20-21) Evidence for trust- Reading the Lord’s miracles (John 20:30-31)

BELIEVING IS ESSENTIAL TO “TURNING” Turning to the lord in Trust … (Acts 11:20-21) Evidence for trust- Reading the Lord’s miracles (John 20:30-31) Evidence for trust – Jesus’ Resurrection – Eye witnesses (I Cor. 15:5-6)

REPENTING - ESSENTIAL TO “TURNING” Repentance and turning are two different actions (Acts 3:19)

REPENTING - ESSENTIAL TO “TURNING” Repentance and turning are two different actions (Acts 3:19) Repentance is the change of mind that results in a change of living

REPENTING - ESSENTIAL TO “TURNING” Repentance and turning are two different actions (Acts 3:19) Repentance is the change of mind that results in a change of living Produced by Godly Sorrow (2 Cor. 7:10) Change – fruits of repentance (Matt. 3:8)

Turning leads to Remission of Sins… Acts 26:18, 3:19 Jesus promised preaching of repentance and remission of sins - Jerusalem (Lk. 24:47) Peter fulfills promise: Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)

Turning leads to Remission of Sins… Acts 26:18, 3:19 Jesus promised preaching of repentance and remission of sins - Jerusalem (Lk. 24:47) Peter fulfills promise: Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) CONFESSION precedes BAPTISM (Acts 8:35- 39)

Turning leads to an INHERITANCE… I Pet. 1:3-5 Because of God’s Mercy Based upon Jesus’ Resurrection Inheritance… Incorruptible Undefiled Fadeth not away

Saved From The Wrath To Come! God’s Wrath is ahead for all who do not turn (I Thess. 1:10, Rom. 5:8-9)

Saved From The Wrath To Come! God’s Wrath is ahead for all who do not turn (I Thess. 1:10, Rom. 5:8-9) TURN or BURN ! (Matt. 10:28, 13:41-42)

Behold the PATTERN… HEARING the preached word – BELIEVING -trust in the Lord to save – CONFESS – who He is – the Son of God – REPENTANCE – a mind to turn a new direction due to godly sorrow – BAPTISM – for the remission of sins – JOY – seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord – the One we have turned to.

Behold the PATTERN… HEARING the preached word – BELIEVING -trust in the Lord to save – CONFESS – who He is – the Son of God – REPENTANCE – a mind to turn a new direction due to godly sorrow – BAPTISM – for the remission of sins – JOY – seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord – the One we have turned to. Eunuch Acts 8:35-39

Behold the PATTERN… HEARING the preached word – BELIEVING -trust in the Lord to save – CONFESS – who He is – the Son of God – REPENTANCE – a mind to turn a new direction due to godly sorrow – BAPTISM – for the remission of sins – JOY – seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord – the One we have turned to. Eunuch Acts 8:35-39 Jailor Acts 16:23-34

Understand the PATTERN… Sometimes the record is highlighting specific steps – without excluding the others (Acts 18:8)- Hearing – Believed - Baptized

Understand the PATTERN… Sometimes the record is highlighting specific steps – without excluding the others (Acts 18:8)- Hearing – Believed - Baptized Sometimes FAITH is INCLUSIVE OF SPECIFIC STEPS (Acts 26:18) Sanctified by faith – not faith only Can you be sanctified while still in your sins? Repentance and Remission of sins is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38) Believe on the Lord to be saved – included hearing Word, Repentance, baptism, joy (Acts 16:30-34)

THE PATTERN HAS BEEN BLURRED… Jesus: believe – baptized – Saved (Mk. 16:16) Catholics: baptized -saved - believe Denominations: believe –saved- baptized Jesus’ pattern is the pattern I must follow – hear gospel – believe – baptized – salvation (Mk. 16:15-16)

THE PATTERN HAS BEEN BLURRED… Jesus: believe – baptized – Saved (Mk. 16:16) Catholics: baptized -saved - believe Denominations: believe –saved- baptized Jesus’ pattern is the pattern I must follow – hear gospel – believe – baptized – salvation (Mk. 16:15-16) BUT YOU CAN SEE WITH OPENED EYES!

Jesus speaking to Paul… “…delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles unto whom I send thee; to open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in Me” (Acts 26: 17-18) Preaching Believe – Confess - Repent Repent - Be Baptized Inclusive of all steps