Tuesday, April 3, 2001
Tuesday, April 3, 2001
So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both
Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all
the believers.
I hope that we know more about conversion than that. Conversion, in a Biblical sense, means a
change of direction. In the Old Testament, it is SHUBH, meaning "to return" or "turn back." The
verb form of that word appears over 1,000 times in the Old Testament. In the New Testament we
have EPISTREPHO and METANOEO both of which also have to do with a change of direction.
Change is what conversion is about. There need be no blinding light or visitation by angels. Our
daily conversion to Christ involves change.
(Acts 15:3
NRSV)
Many of us are like the first-grader who was in a Sunday School class that was quizzed by the
pastor on the meaning of certain religious words like "baptized," "repentance," etc. The little boy
was asked, "What is conversion?" He thought for a moment and gave the only definition that he
knew. "It's the extra point that is kicked after a touchdown," he said.
God of peace, may your peace change my heart into your goodness today and always. Amen.
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