Real Conversion

“And being brought on their way by the church, they (Paul and Barnabas) passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.” - Acts 15:3
This passage is the only place in the Bible that the term “conversion” appears. In its context, Paul and Barnabas are returning to Jerusalem to report to the elders the powerful work of God among the Gentiles and to argue that circumcision is not necessary for salvation. On their way they stopped various churches in Phenice and Samaria declaring the conversion of the Gentiles.
The term, “conversion” refers to the heathen being “converted” when they abandoned heathenism and embraced the Christian faith.
Acts 26:18 captures this thought when it says Jesus sent the apostle Paul to the Gentiles in order . . .
“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
More specifically men are converted when, by the influence of divine grace in their souls, their whole life is changed, old things pass away, and all things become new.
The Scriptures are filled with such testimonies. This message examines one of those testimonies.