Conversion — Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

Total change in one’s direction in life or moral orientation. For Christians this means a change from an orientation that does not take God into account to one in which the person is submitted to Christ. Conversion is the result of repentance.

In the OT conversion is basically a turning or returning from one’s former course of life toward the Lord, the God of Israel. Israel often had to return to their God (Dt 4:30), either as individuals (Ps 51) or as a nation (Jer 4:1); foreign nations needed to turn to God for the first time (Ps 22:27). The characteristic feature is that one turns from wickedness (Jer 26:3; 36:3; Ez 18:21, 27 OET EZE 18:21 · OET EZE 18:27; 33:9, 11 OET EZE 33:9 · OET EZE 33:11), from a life of disloyalty to God to a life of obedience to God (Is 10:20-21; 14:2; Jer 34:15; Hos 14:4). Conversion means a change in inward orientation that finds expression in a changed lifestyle.

Show passage in OET: DEU 4:30

OET-RV DEU 4:30

30 It’s in the future when you end up in distress there that you’ll return to your god Yahweh and listen to what he tells you,

OET-LV DEU 4:30

30 In_distress to/for_yourself(m) and_they_will _come _upon _you all _of the_things the_these in_end/latter the_days and_you _will _return to YHWH god _of_your and_you _will _listen to_voice _of_his.

Show passage in OET: JER 4:1

OET-RV JER 4:1

4 Yahweh says:
⇔ If you’ll return, Yisrael (Israel),
⇔ yes, if you’ll return to me
⇔ and remove those detestable idols away from me without wavering,

OET-LV JER 4:1

4 If you _will _return Oh _Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) the _utterance _of YHWH to_me you _will _return and_if you _will _remove things _of_your _detestable from_presence _of_my and_not you _will _waver.

Show passage in OET: PSA 22:27

OET-RV PSA 22:27

⇔  27 Peoples from each end of the earth will remember and turn to Yahweh.
⇔ ≈ All the families of the nations will bow down before you,

OET-LV PSA 22:28

28  They _will _remember and_they _will _turn to YHWH all _of the_ends _of the_earth and_they _will _bow _down to_your_face all _of the_clans _of the_nations.

Show passage in OET: JER 26:3

OET-RV JER 26:3

3 Maybe they’ll listen and everyone will turn from their wicked ways, and then I would turn back the disaster that I’m planning to send to them because of their wicked behaviour,

OET-LV JER 26:3

3 Perhaps they _will _listen and_they _will _turn _back everyone from_way _of_his (the)_evil and_I _will _repent concerning the_calamity which I am_planning for_doing to/for_them from_face/in _front _of the _wickedness _of their _deeds _of_their.

Show passage in OET: JER 36:3

OET-RV JER 36:3

3 Perhaps Yehudah’s people will hear about all the disasters that I intend to bring on them and then turn away from their wicked ways, so I can forgive them for their wickedness and their disobedience.

OET-LV JER 36:3

3 Perhaps the _house _of Yəhūdāh/(Judah) they _will _hear DOM all _of the_harm which I am_planning for_doing to/for_them so _that they _may _turn _back everyone from_way _of_his (the)_evil and_I _will _forgive (to)_iniquity _of_their and_(to)_sin _of_their.

Show passage in OET: EZE 18:21; EZE 18:27

OET-RV EZE 18:21

21 But if the wicked person turns away from all their disobedience, and follows all my instructions and does what’s right and fair, then that person will certainly live and not die.

OET-RV EZE 18:27

27 But when a wicked person turns away from the wicked things they’ve done and does what’s fair and what’s right, then that person will preserve their life—

OET-LV EZE 18:21

21 And_the _wicked_person if/because he _will _turn _away from_all his which he _has _done and_he _will _keep DOM all _of regulations _of_my and_he _will _do justice and_righteousness certainly _(live) he _will _live not he _will _die.

OET-LV EZE 18:27

27 And_when_ the_wicked _turns _away from_wickedness _of_his which he _has _done and_he/it _made justice and_righteousness he DOM life _of_his he _will _preserve _alive.

Show passage in OET: EZE 33:9; EZE 33:11

OET-RV EZE 33:9

9 But if you warn the wicked person about their behaviour, so that they might turn back from it, and if that person doesn’t turn back from their behaviour, then they’ll die in their sin, but you yourself will have saved your own life.

OET-RV EZE 33:11

11 Tell them that this is the master Yahweh’s declaration: ‘As I live, I don’t delight in the death of wicked people. If they turn away from their wicked behaviour, then they’ll live! So turn back, yes turn away from your wicked behaviour. Why should you Israeli people die?’

OET-LV EZE 33:9

9 And_you(ms) if/because you _have _warned the_wicked_person from_way _of_his to_turn _back from_her/it and_not he _has _turned _back from_way _of_his he in_iniquity _of_his he _will _die and_you(ms) life _of_your you _have _delivered.

OET-LV EZE 33:11

11 Say to_them by_the _life of _me the _utterance _of my_master YHWH if I _take _pleasure in_the _death _of the _wicked_person if/because (if) when_ a _wicked_person _turns _back from_way _of_his and_he _will _live turn _back turn _back from_ways _of_your(pl) (the)_evil and_for_what will _you(pl)_die Oh _house _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel).

Show passage in OET: ISA 10:20–21

OET-RV ISA 10:20

20 At that time, the remnant of Yisrael (Israel), i.e., the survivors of Ya’akov’s (Jacob’s) descendants, will no longer rely on that king who makes them suffer, but instead will rely on Yahweh, Yisrael’s holy one.

OET-RV ISA 10:21

21 A remnant of Yisrael will return to their powerful god.

OET-LV ISA 10:20

20 And_it _was in _the_day (the)_that not it _will _repeat again the _remnant _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) and_the _escaped _remnant _of the _house _of Yaˊₐqoⱱ/(Jacob) to_depend on the_one _of_who_struck _it and_it _will _depend on YHWH the _holy_one_of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) in_truth.

OET-LV ISA 10:21

21 A _remnant it _will _return the _remnant _of Yaˊₐqoⱱ to the_god _of mighty.

Show passage in OET: ISA 14:2

OET-RV ISA 14:2

2 The nations will take them back to their own place,
⇔ and in Yahweh’s land, the Israelis will take them as male and female servants.
⇔ They’ll take their captors captive,
⇔ ≈ and they’ll rule over their oppressors.

OET-LV ISA 14:2

2 And_they_will _take _them peoples and_they_will _bring _them to place _of_their and_they_will _receive _them _as _an _inheritance the _house _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) on the _land _of YHWH to_male_servants and_to_female _servants and_they _will _be taking _captive (to)_captors _of_their and_they _will _rule over_oppressors _of_their.

Show passage in OET: JER 34:15

OET-RV JER 34:15

15 Now recently, you yourselves repented and began to do what I’ve said is right. You all made a solemn agreement at my temple that carries my name, that you’d monitor each other to free your slaves.

OET-LV JER 34:15

15 And_ you(pl) _you(pl)_turned _back the_day and_you(pl)_did DOM the_right in_eyes _of_my to_call liberty everyone to_neighbour _of_his and_you(pl)_made a _covenant to/for_my_face/front in_house which name _of_my it _is _called on/upon/above_him/it.

Show passage in OET: HOS 14:4

OET-RV HOS 14:4

4 “I will heal their waywardness.
⇔ I’ll love them freely
⇔ because my anger has turned away from them.

OET-LV HOS 14:5

5  I _will _heal apostasy _of_their I_will _love _them voluntariness if/because anger _of_my it _has _turned _back from_him.

Jump to OET DEU 4:30 section.

Jump to OET JER 4:1 section.

Jump to OET PSA 22:27 section.

Jump to OET JER 26:3 section.

Jump to OET JER 36:3 section.

Jump to OET EZE 18:21 section. · OET EZE 18:27 section.

Jump to OET EZE 33:9 section. · OET EZE 33:11 section.

Jump to OET ISA 10:20–21 section.

Jump to OET ISA 14:2 section.

Jump to OET JER 34:15 section.

Jump to OET HOS 14:4 section.

In the NT John the Baptist begins the call to conversion (Mt 3:2; Mk 1:4; Lk 3:3), giving a prophetic call for people to change their minds (which is the root meaning of the Greek term) in the light of the nearness of God’s kingdom. This change of life must include a change in actions to prove its reality (Mt 3:8; Lk 3:8). Jesus preached the same message (Mt 4:17; Mk 1:15), adding that since the kingdom had arrived in his person, obedience to him was part of the good news of conversion. Yet it could also be bad news, for one would be damned if he failed to make this radical change (Mt 11:20; Lk 13:3-5). Conversion is radical but also simple, for it requires the simplicity of a child who commits his whole self, not the calculating self-protectiveness of the adult (Mt 18:3).

Show passage in OET: MAT 3:2

OET-RV MAT 3:2

2 telling everyone, “Turn from your sins, because the heavenly kingdom is close.”

OET-LV MAT 3:2

2 saying:
Be _repenting, because/for the kingdom of _the heavens has _neared.

Show passage in OET: MRK 1:4

OET-RV MRK 1:4

4 Yohan (John; Grk. Yoannes) turned up in the wilderness announcing that people should get immersed in water in order to show that their sins have been forgiven,

OET-LV MRK 1:4

4 Yōannaʸs became the one immersing in the wilderness, and proclaiming an_immersion of _repentance for forgiveness of _sins.

Show passage in OET: LUK 3:3

OET-RV LUK 3:3

3 He went around all the areas surrounding the Yarden (Jordan) River, telling the people that they could get immersed in water as a sign they were turning away from disobeying God and requesting forgiveness

OET-LV LUK 3:3

3 And he _came into all the_surrounding _region of _the Yordanaʸs/(Yardēn), proclaiming an_immersion of _repentance for forgiveness of _sins,

Show passage in OET: MAT 3:8

OET-RV MAT 3:8

8 Turning from your sins should be accompanied by evidence that you’ve changed.

OET-LV MAT 3:8

8 Therefore produce fruit worthy of_ the _repentance.

Show passage in OET: LUK 3:8

OET-RV LUK 3:8

8 So then start demonstrating the qualities that show you have actually turned from your disobedience. And don’t start by telling me that you’re descendants of Avraham, because I can tell you all that God could make descendants out of these stones here.

OET-LV LUK 3:8

8 Therefore produce fruits worthy of_ the _repentance, and you _all _may_ not _begin to _be _saying in yourselves, we _are _having the Abraʼam/(ʼAⱱrāhām) As _father, because/for I _am _saying to _you _all that the god is _able to _raise children to_ the _Abraʼam from the these stones.

Show passage in OET: MAT 4:17

OET-RV MAT 4:17

17 From then onwards, Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) started preaching and telling people to turn from their sins because the heavenly kingdom is close.

OET-LV MAT 4:17

17 From then the Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa) began to _be _proclaiming and to _be _saying:
Be _repenting, because/for the kingdom of _the heavens has _neared.

Show passage in OET: MRK 1:15

OET-RV MRK 1:15

15 saying, “The promised time is here, and God’s kingdom is now near. Turn from your sins and believe this good news.”

OET-LV MRK 1:15

15 and saying, that The time has _been _fulfilled and the kingdom of_ the _god has _neared, be _repenting and be _believing in the good _message.

Show passage in OET: MAT 11:20

OET-RV MAT 11:20

20 Then Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) began deriding the cities he’d done most of his miracles in, because they hadn’t turned away from their sins.

OET-LV MAT 11:20

20 Then he _began to _be _deriding the cities in which the most miracles of _him became, because they_ not _repented.

Show passage in OET: LUK 13:3–5

OET-RV LUK 13:3

3 No, I’m telling you all, but on the other hand if you don’t turn from your own disobedience and request forgiveness, you all will perish likewise.

OET-RV LUK 13:4

4 What about those eighteen who were killed when the Siloam tower collapsed on them? Do you think they had bigger debts than all the people living in Yerushalem (Jerusalem)?

OET-RV LUK 13:5

5 No, I’m telling you all that if you don’t turn from your own disobedience and request forgiveness, you all will perish likewise.”

OET-LV LUK 13:3

3 No, I _am _saying to _you _all, but if you _all _may_ not _be _repenting, all will _be _perishing likewise.

OET-LV LUK 13:4

4 Or those the eighteen on whom the tower in the Silōam fell and killed_ them _off, are _you _all _supposing that they became debtors beyond all the people which dwelling _in Hierousalaʸm/(Yərūshālayim)?

OET-LV LUK 13:5

5 No, I _am _saying to _you _all, but if you _all _may_ not _be _repenting, all will _be _perishing likewise.

Show passage in OET: MAT 18:3

OET-RV MAT 18:3

3 and said, “I can assure you all that if you don’t change to become like a small child, you certainly won’t enter the heavenly kingdom,

OET-LV MAT 18:3

3 and said:
Truly, I _am _saying to _you _all, if you _all _may_ not _be _turned and may _become as the little _children, by _no _means you _all _may_ not _come _in into the kingdom of _the heavens.

Jump to OET MAT 3:2 section.

Jump to OET MRK 1:4 section.

Jump to OET LUK 3:3 section.

Jump to OET MAT 3:8 section.

Jump to OET LUK 3:8 section.

Jump to OET MAT 4:17 section.

Jump to OET MRK 1:15 section.

Jump to OET MAT 11:20 section.

Jump to OET LUK 13:3–5 section.

Jump to OET MAT 18:3 section.

Outside the Gospels, “conversion” is not a frequently used term except in the book of Acts, where it forms the call to commitment climaxing evangelistic sermons (2:38; 3:19; 8:22), describes the commitment of new Christians to the Lord (9:35; 11:21), and pictures the change of life as a turning from darkness to light (26:18-20). Later writers look back upon conversion (2 Cor 3:16), worry about Christians converting to paganism or Judaism (Gal 4:9), and call for the reconversion of Christians who have left the faith and are in danger of judgment (Jas 5:19-20; Rv 2:5, 16, 22 OET REV 2:5 · OET REV 2:16 · OET REV 2:22; 3:19).

Show passage in OET: ACT 2:38

OET-RV ACT 2:38

38 Kefa responded, “Turn away from your sins and each one of you needs to be immersed by the authority of Yeshua the messiah. Then your sins will be forgiven and you all will receive the gift of the holy spirit,

OET-LV ACT 2:38

38 And Petros is _saying to them:
Repent:
and let_ each of _you _all _be _immersed in the name of_Yaʸsous chosen _one /messiah, because/for forgiveness of _the sins of _you _all, and you _all _will _be _receiving the gift of _the holy spirit.

Show passage in OET: ACT 3:19

OET-RV ACT 3:19

19 Because of that, you all need to repent and turn back to God so that your sins can be erased,

OET-LV ACT 3:19

19 Therefore repent and turn _back, because/for the time of _you _all the sins to _be _wiped _out,

Show passage in OET: ACT 8:22

OET-RV ACT 8:22

22 You need to turn away from this evil desire and beg the master that maybe he’ll forgive you for your wrong intentions

OET-LV ACT 8:22

22 Therefore repent of the this evil of _you, and be _besought of _the master if perhaps the intention of _the heart of _you will _be _being _forgiven to _you.

Show passage in OET: ACT 9:35

OET-RV ACT 9:35

35 and all the people living in Lod and Sharon who saw him became followers of the master.

OET-LV ACT 9:35

35 And all the ones dwelling _in Ludda and the Assarōn/(Shārōn), saw him, who turned _back to the master.

Show passage in OET: ACT 11:21

OET-RV ACT 11:21

21 Yahweh caused their efforts to prosper, so a large number of Hellains believed and decided to follow the master.

OET-LV ACT 11:21

21 And the_hand of_the_master was with them, and a_great number which having _believed, turned _back to the master.

Show passage in OET: ACT 26:18–20

OET-RV ACT 26:18

18 to open their minds and for them to turn back from darkness to light and from Satan’s power to God, so that they can be forgiven for their sins and receive an inheritance among the ones who’ve been made guiltless by their faith in me.’

OET-RV ACT 26:19

19 “So then, King Agrippas, I couldn’t disobey that vision

OET-RV ACT 26:20

20 so I preached first to those in Damesek (Damascus) and then in Yerushalem (Jerusalem) and all of Yehudah (Judea), and then in the towns of the non-Jews. I preached about turning from their sins and turning back to God, and then actually living like people who had repented.

OET-LV ACT 26:18

18 to _open _up eyes of _them, for _that to _turn _back from darkness to light, and from _the power of_ the _Satan/(Sāţān) to the god, for _that them to _receive forgiveness of _sins and allotment among the ones having _been _sanctified by _faith which in me.

OET-LV ACT 26:19

19 Whence, king Agrippas, I _became not unpersuadable to _the heavenly vision,

OET-LV ACT 26:20

20 but to _the ones in Damaskos/(Dammeseq) first and both, in _Hierousalaʸm/(Yərūshālayim), and all the region of_ the _Youdaia, and to _the pagans, I _was _reporting to _be _repenting and to _be _turning _back to the god, the worthy of_ works _repentance doing.

Show passage in OET: CO2 3:16

OET-RV CO2 3:16

16 but whenever that heart might turn towards Yahweh, the veil will be removed.

OET-LV CO2 3:16

16 But whenever if it _may _turn _back to the_master, is _being _taken _away the veil.

Show passage in OET: GAL 4:9

OET-RV GAL 4:9

9 But now that you do know God, or rather now that God knows you, why would you turn back again to useless and inferior beliefs, to serve them all over again?

OET-LV GAL 4:9

9 on _the _other _hand now having _known god, and rather having _been _known by god, how are _you _all _turning _back back to the weak and poor principles, for _which again you _all _are _wanting to _be _serving again?
?

Show passage in OET: JAM 5:19–20

OET-RV JAM 5:19

19 My fellow believers, if any of you have wandered from the truth and someone helps them back,

OET-RV JAM 5:20

20 then you should know that someone who helps a sinner to come back from their deceitful ways will be saving their soul from death, and their many sins can be forgiven.

OET-LV JAM 5:19

19 Brothers of _me, if anyone among you _all may _be _strayed from the truth, and may _turn _back someone him,

OET-LV JAM 5:20

20 be _knowing that the one having _turned _back a_sinner from the_deception of_the_way of _him, will _be _saving the_soul of _him from death, and will _be _covering a_multitude of _sins.

Show passage in OET: REV 2:5; REV 2:16; REV 2:22

OET-RV REV 2:5

5 So now, you need to remember where you’ve fallen from, and repent and repeat how you behaved at the beginning, but if you don’t, I’ll come to you and if you don’t repent, I’ll remove your lampstand from its place.

OET-RV REV 2:16

16 So turn away from all that, otherwise I’ll come soon and battle against them with the word of my mouth.

OET-RV REV 2:22

22 Listen, I’m going to punish her with a terrible sickness, and to punish those who are committing adultery with her with terrible suffering if they don’t turn away from what she’s doing.

OET-LV REV 2:5

5 Therefore be _remembering from _where you _have _fallen and repent, and the first works do.
And if not, I _am _coming to _you and will _be _removing the lampstand of _you out _of the place of _it, if not you _may _repent.

OET-LV REV 2:16

16 Therefore repent.
And if not, I _am _coming to _you quickly, and I _will _be _warring with them with the sword of _the mouth of _me.

OET-LV REV 2:22

22 see, I _am _casting her into a_bed, and the ones committing _adultery with her into tribulation great, if not they _will _be _repenting of the works of _her.

Show passage in OET: REV 3:19

OET-RV REV 3:19

19 I tell off and discipline those that I love, so be earnest and turn away from your disobedience.

OET-LV REV 3:19

19 I as _many _as if may _be _loving, I _am _rebuking and I _am _disciplining, therefore be _being _zealous and repent.

Jump to OET ACT 2:38 section.

Jump to OET ACT 3:19 section.

Jump to OET ACT 8:22 section.

Jump to OET ACT 9:35 section.

Jump to OET ACT 11:21 section.

Jump to OET ACT 26:18–20 section.

Jump to OET CO2 3:16 section.

Jump to OET GAL 4:9 section.

Jump to OET JAM 5:19–20 section.

Jump to OET REV 2:5 section. · OET REV 2:16 section. · OET REV 2:22 section.

Jump to OET REV 3:19 section.

As in the OT and in the preaching of John and Jesus, conversion has three factors. First, it is a turning from something, which includes specific sins, false gods, or simply a life lived for oneself (1 Thes 1:9; Rv 9:20-21; 16:11). Second, conversion is a product of the will of God and his gracious working in the world (Acts 11:18; Rom 2:4; 2 Cor 7:10; 2 Tm 2:25; 2 Pt 3:9). Third, conversion is a turning to someone, a commitment of one’s whole life to God in Jesus Christ (Acts 14:15; 1 Thes 1:9; 1 Pt 2:25). It is thus a total reorientation, whether spectacular or undramatic, sudden or gradual, emotional or calm, in which a person transfers his or her total allegiance to God.