Extract

Seven Certain Signs of True Conversion

Are there recognisable signs that true conversion has occurred? How can seekers tell if God has worked in their hearts? Or how can Christian workers discern the spiritual standing of a seeker or inquirer, or ‘test’ the standing of an ­applicant for baptism and church membership?

   Several passages in the Bible spell out a number of definite signs of conversion which our forebears used to call – ‘marks of grace’. 1 John, for example, lists these marks so clearly that Bible commentators have described the main points of this epistle as ‘the tests of life’. John says emphatically that we may know that we truly know Him by certain evidences (1 John 2.3). Romans 8 also describes several clear signs and indications of conversion. However, for memorising the signs, and using them in a practical, pastoral context, Acts 2 provides the most succinct and easy-to-follow list.

    Before we consider these signs we should remind ourselves of the pressing need to bring them back into focus in our day. We know only too well that much modern ‘evangelism’ tends to play down sin and repentance, and to speak only of the benefits of the Gospel. We hear of people being brought to a ‘Christian commitment’, when all too often it is obvious they have not truly faced or repented of their sin. We see people being persuaded to make an instant ‘decision’ for Christ, and then being instantly assured that they are saved. But are they really converted?

    What if the person who makes a ‘decision’ for Christ has not really understood what is involved in conversion? What if that person is holding back secret sin, and so falling short of true repentance? What if there is no total abandonment of self-righteousness, or genuine and enlightened dependence upon the atoning death and righteousness of Christ? What if God has not yet worked in that heart so as to bring the person to real conviction of sin and wholehearted yieldedness to the Lord?

   All these possibilities are overlooked by many superficial evangelists in our day. As far as they are concerned these essential elements in conversion must take second place to their superficial kind of evangelism. It is surely our duty to learn our evangelism from the Word of God, so that we respect the manner in which the Holy Spirit works in the hearts of lost sinners. Further comments on the importance of these signs of conversion to Christian workers are given at the end of this booklet. We now proceed directly to a review of the signs of conversion presented in Acts 2.

    Luke’s magnificent record in Acts 2.37-38 and 41-46 provides a ­detailed view of the great change in the attitudes and lives of several thousand people converted on the Day of Pentecost. ‘Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins . . . Then they that gladly received his word were baptized  . . . And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers  . . . with gladness and singleness of heart’ (Acts 2.37-38, 41-42, 46).

   Six of the chief signs or marks of grace are found in this passage. There was no doubt about the deep, personal experience of these men and women. They were totally changed in mind and heart, and it was none of their own doing, for the Lord had transformed them. The description in Acts 2 assures us that a work of grace can be discerned. If we are concerned about our own salvation, then we must ask – Have we experienced these marks or evidences of the Lord’s work in our lives? These signs may be the very encouragement we need. If we need to discern the Lord’s work in the life of another, we ought to know these signs so well that we can call them to mind without hesitation.