1. Important Facts: Unless one is converted he can not go to heaven! Matthew 18:3; Acts 3:19; James 5:19,20. But most people do not understand what conversion is, or what is involved in the conversion process! There can be no conversion without conviction, and there can be no conviction apart from the work of the Holy Spirit!

2. What Do We Mean by “Conversion?” Matthew 18:3. “Except ye be converted…” from Verb, Strepho,” meaning “to turn.” James 5:19-20. “And one convert him..” From verb, Epistropho, “to turn about, to turn toward.” Acts 15:3. “the conversion of the Gentiles.” From noun, Epistrophe, implies “a turning from, and a turning to.” cf. I Thessalonians 1:9.

3. Fact: Every case of “Conversion” involves the work of the Holy Spirit! Romans 8:16: “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God.” But How Does the Holy Spirit Convert Sinners?

4. Two Possible Ways Whereby the Holy Spirit can Convict and Convert: Directly. – Many claim that man, by nature, is so dead in trespasses and sins that he cannot be saved apart from the miraculous, direct operation of the Holy Spirit. Position of those who talk about “hereditary total depravity.” But note Matthew 18:3; 19:13,14. Sin is committed, I John 3:4; not inherited, Ezek. 18:20. Indirectly, through Medium (the word of God).

5. Direct Versus Indirect Holy Spirit Sinner

6. Problems with the Direct Approach: Makes God a respecter of persons, Acts 10:34,35. Eliminates personal accountability, man’s freedom to choose, Joshua 24:15. Contradicts Romans 1:16; I Corinthians 1:21. Denies the all-sufficiency of the Scriptures, 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3. Contradicts the Scriptures regarding who can be saved, Hebrews 5:8-9; 2 Peter 3:9

7. The Indirect Approach – Through the Medium of the Scriptures: God speaks to us, Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12. God speaks to us through His Son, Hebrews 1:1-2. Jesus delivered the word through His apostles, John 17:8,20-21. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles, John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13. What the apostles spoke and wrote was the word of God, I Thess. 2:13; 2 Thess. 2:15.

8. Necessary Conclusions to be Drawn from John 16:8; Hebrews 11:1; Rom. 10:17 The Holy Spirit would “convict the world of sin,” John 16:8. Faith is the “conviction of things not seen,” Hebrews 11:1, ASV. – “Convict” is the verb form of the noun “conviction” in Hebrews 11:1. Faith comes from hearing “the word of God,” Romans 10:17!

9. This may be illustrated by Acts 2:36-41 “When they heard this, they were pricked in their heart…,” Acts 2:36. But what convicted them “of sin?” cf. John 16:8. It was the message they had “heard.” But from Whom did the apostles receive the message they preached? Acts 2:4; John 16:13 The Holy Spirit is the One Who pricked their hearts, but He did it through the medium of the word of God which He inspired them to proclaim. Note John 6:44-45.

10. Examples of Conversion Which Confirm the Indirect (through Medium) Method: The Jews on Pentecost, Acts 2:36-41. The Eunuch from Ethiopia, Acts 8:26-39. – The Eunuch obeyed after he heard the word, but Who revealed the word? John 16:13; Eph. 3:3-5. Lydia and Her Household, Acts 16:13-16. – “The Lord opened” Lydia’s heart, but at what point in time did He open her heart? It was after she had heard the word of God! – But from Whom did Paul receive the word He preached? Ephesians 3:3-5; I Corinthians 2:12-13.

11. Conclusion: Many today, like the Jews of old, are looking “for a sign,” while rejecting the Savior! Matt. 12:38. Many are waiting for a “better felt than told” inner feeling, which they believe will be the signal from the Holy Spirit to give their hearts and lives to God. But the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, Romans 1:16. Don’t wait for a sign; turn from sin, turn to God (be converted) by believing and obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ!