There are a great number of people today who think they have been converted to the Lord, who have, in fact, not been. Jesus said to Peter: "When thou are converted, strengthen thy brethren" Lk 22:32. Peter thought he was converted , but Jesus recognized the fact that he was not truly converted at this time. Peter had said he was ready to follow Jesus even to death, but later denied even knowing him. Think with me now as we examine some things which happen when one is converted to Jesus Christ, and then we can determine if we have been truly converted or not.

When an individual is converted there are at least three changes that take place in that person's heart and life. (1) In conversion, the person's mind or heart is changed by faith. Paul said in Rom 10:17 that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. You will notice that when Peter preached to those people on Pentecost in Acts 2 that their minds were changed as a result of their believing what Peter said about Jesus. Their hostility turned to humility; their anger changed to anxiety and their wrath changed to a willingness to do God's will. (2) In conversion the person's practice is changed by repentance. Repentance is a change of mind brought about by godly sorrow, which leads to a change in one's conduct 2Cor 7:10. This is illustrated very vividly in the account of the two sons in Matt 21:28,29; one son repented and went to do his father's will. This shows that repentance involves changing from doing one's own will to doing the Father's will. (3) In conversion a person's "state" is changed by baptism. A person may change their mind and practice and still be in the "state" of sin Rom 3:23. It takes the act of baptism based on this change of mind and practice in order to have remission of sins; thereby changing from the "state" of sin to the "state" of salvation Acts 2:38. Paul said a person is "baptized into Christ," hence has "obeyed from the heart that form (system) of doctrine..." and is then made free from sin Rom 6:3,17,18. When these changes have taken place a person has been converted to the Lord.

However, the conversion process does not stop with these changes. The converted individual must continue to show his conversion by being constant or dedicated in his service to the Lord and do as Jesus told Peter, "strengthen thy brethren." Have you been converted?