Conversion Begins with Conviction Leading to Belief or Faith:

John 16:8

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.

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, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

John 3:16

God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms his salvation.

What is Repentence?

Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Repentance is a gift of God. As the mind of an individual responds to the working of the Holy Spirit upon the heart.

Steps to Christ, p. 23

Repentance includes sorrow for sin and a turning away from it. We shall not renounce sin unless we see its sinfulness; until we turn away from it in heart, there will be no real change in the life.

Steps to Christ, p. 41

The examples in God's word of genuine repentance and humiliation reveal a spirit of confession in which there is no excuse for sin or attempt at self-justification.

Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 557

True repentance is more than sorrow for sin. It is a resolute turning away from evil.

SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1077

"Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance." That is, Show that you are converted, that your characters are transformed.…Neither words not profession, but fruits—the forsaking of sins, and the obedience to the commandments of God—show the reality of genuine repentance and true conversion.

Repentance is the result of the Holy Spirits work on human hearts, and our submission to that work which leads to:

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Titus 3:3–6

Continual Repentance:

SDA Bible Commentary, vol.7, 959

The life we live is to be one of continual repentance and humility. We need to repent constantly, that we maybe constantly victorious.

The nearer we come to Jesus, and the more clearly we discern the purity of His character, the more clearly shall we see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the less shall we feel like exalting ourselves. There will be a continual reaching out of the soul after God, a continual earnest, heartbreaking confession of sin and humbling of the heart before Him. At every advance step in our Christian experience our repentance will deepen. We shall know that our sufficiency is in Christ alone and shall make the apostles confession our own: "I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing."

Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings, p. 87

Repentance is turning from self to Christ; and when we receive Christ so that through faith He can live His life in us, good works will be manifest.

True and false confession:

Steps to Christ, p. 39

Confession will not be acceptable to God without sincere repentance and reformation. There must be decided changes in the life; everything offensive to God must be put away. This will be the result of true genuine sorrow for sin.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 637

Confession of sin, whether public or private, should be heartfelt and freely expressed. It is not to be urged from the sinner. It is not to be made in a flippant and careless way or forced from those who have no realizing sense of the abhorrent character of sin. The confession that is mingled with tears and sorrow, that is the outpouring of the inmost soul, finds its way to the God of infinite pity. Says the psalmist: "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as are of a contrite spirit."

True conversion:

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 17

True conversion is a radical change. The very drift of the mind and the bent of the heart should be turned and life become new again in Christ.

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Review and Herald, vol. 3, p. 291

The converted soul has a hatred of sin; he does not indulge in self-complacency, self-love, self-sufficiency, nor pass on day after day, claiming to be a Christian, and yet bringing dishonor upon Christ by misrepresenting Him in character. Those who make this mistake, and pass on filled with self-righteousness, have not in reality made the first step heavenward. The first step toward heaven is conviction of sin, the second is repentance and obedience. True piety never exalts self.

Christ Object Lessons, pp. 98, 99

The natural inclinations are softened and subdued. New thoughts, new feelings, new motives, are implanted. A new standard of character is set up—the life of Christ. The mind is changed; the faculties are roused to action in new lines. Man is not endowed with new faculties but the faculties he has are sanctified. The conscience is awakened. We are endowed with traits of character that enable us to do service for God.

Desire of Ages, p. 172

The Christians life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature. There is death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit.

Transformation—In theology, a change of heart in man, by which his disposition and temper are conformed to the divine image; a change from enmity to holiness and love. Webster's 1828 Dictionary

Great Controversy, p. 506

It is the grace that Christ implants in the soul which creates in man enmity against Satan. Without this converting grace and renewing power, man would continue the captive of Satan, a servant ever ready to do his bidding. But the new principle in the soul creates conflict where hitherto had been peace. The power which Christ imparts, enables man to resist the tyrant and usurper. Whoever is seen to abhor sin instead of loving it, whoever resists and conquers those passions that have held sway within, displays the operation of a principle wholly from above.

SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1101

God makes no compromise with sin. A genuine conversion changes hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong. See 1 Peter 1:18, 19.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 124

Ministers and people need a new conversion, a transformation of mind, without which we are not savors of life unto life, but of death unto death. See Romans 12:1, 2; Ephesians 4:23, 24.

The Great Controversy, p. 463

With every truly converted soul the relation to God and to eternal things will be the great topic of life. But where, in the popular churches of today, is the spirit of consecration to God? The converts do not renounce their pride and love of the world. They are no more willing to deny self, to take up the cross, and follow the meek and lowly Jesus, than before their conversion. (See Ephesians 2:5, 6; 1 John 2:15–17, Luke 14:33, Mark 8:34; Matthew 10:38.)

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5. pp. 82, 83

Real conversion is a decided change of feelings and motives; it is a virtual taking leave of worldly connections, a hasting from their spiritual atmosphere, a withdrawing from the controlling power of their thoughts, opinions, and influences.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, pp. 294, 295

Conversion is a work that most do not appreciate. It is not a small matter to transform an earthly, sin-loving mind and bring it to understand the unspeakable love of Christ, the charms of His grace, and the excellency of God, so that the soul shall be imbued with divine love and captivated with the heavenly mysteries.

When he understands these things, his former life appears disgusting and hateful. He hates sin, and, breaking his heart before God, he embraces Christ as the life and joy of the soul. He renounces his former pleasures. He has a new mind, new affections, new interest, new will; his sorrows, and desires, and love are all new. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, which have heretofore been preferred before Christ, are now turned from, and Christ is the charm of his life, the crown of his rejoicing. Heaven, which once possessed no charms, is now viewed in its riches and glory; and he contemplates it as his future home, where he shall see, love, and praise the One who hath redeemed him by His precious blood.

The works of holiness, which appeared wearisome, are now his delight. The word of God, which was dull and uninteresting is now chosen as his study, the man of his counsel. It is a letter written to him from God, bearing the inscription of the Eternal. His thoughts, his words, and his deeds are brought to this rule and tested. He trembles at the commands and threatings which it contains, while he firmly grasps its promises and strengthens his soul by appropriating them to himself. The society of the most godly is now chosen by him, and the wicked, whose company he once loved, he no longer delights in. He weeps over those sins in them at which he once laughed. Self-lover and vanity are renounced, and he lives unto God, and is rich in good works. This is the sanctification which God requires. Nothing short of this will He accept. (See 5 T 569.)

Those who experience the work of true conversion in their hearts will reveal the fruits of the Spirit in their lives.

Christ Object Lessons, pp. 98, 99

The leaven hidden in the flour works invisibly to bring the whole mass its leaving process; so the leaven of truth works secretly, silently steadily, to transform the soul. The natural inclinations are softened and subdued. New thoughts, new feelings, new motives, are implanted. A new standard of character is set up—the life of Christ. The mind is change; the faculties are roused to action in new lines. Man is not endowed with new faculties, but the faculties he has are sanctified. The conscience is awakened. We are endowed with traits of character that enable us to do service for God.

Often the question arises, Why, then are there so many, claiming to believe God's word, in whom there is not seen a reformation in words, in spirit, and in character? Why are there so many who cannot bear opposition to their purposes and plan's who manifest an unholy temper, and whose words are harsh, overbearing, and passionate? There is seen in their lives the same temper and hasty speech, that is seen in the life of the worldling. There is the same sensitive pride, the same yielding to natural inclination, the same perversity of character, as if the truth were wholly unknown to them. The reason is that they are not converted. They have not hidden the leaven of truth in the heart. It has not had opportunity to do its work. Their natural and cultivated tendencies to evil have not been submitted to its transforming power. Their lives reveal the absence of the grace of Christ, an unbelief in His power to transform the character.

SDA Bible Commentary, vol.1, p. 1113

To follow Jesus requires wholehearted conversion at the start, and a repetition of this conversion every day.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 505

None are living Christians unless they have a daily experience in the things of God and daily practice self-denial, cheerfully bearing the cross and following Christ. Every living Christian will advance daily in the divine life. As he advances toward perfection, he experiences a conversion to God every day; and this conversion is not completed until he attains to perfection of character, a full preparation for the finishing touch of immortality.

SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1144

Until the heart is surrendered unconditionally to God, the human agent is not abiding in the True vine, and cannot flourish in the Vine, and bear rich clusters of fruit.… No conversion is genuine which does not change both the character and the conduct of those who accept the truth. The truth works by love, and purifieth the soul.

Review and Herald, vol. 4, 301

Only when the Church is composed of pure, unselfish members, can it fulfill God's purpose. Too much hasty work is done in adding names to the church roll. Serious defects are seen in the characters of some who join the church. Those who admit them say. We will first get them into the church, and then reform them. But this is a mistake. The very first work to be done is the work of reform. Pray with them, talk with them, but do not allow them to unite with God's people in church relationship until they give decided evidence that the Spirit of God is working on their hearts.

How Conversion Takes Place:

Desire of Ages, p. 172

Little by little, perhaps unconsciously to the receiver, impressions are made that tend to draw the soul to Christ. These may be received through meditating upon Him, through reading the Scriptures, or through hearing the word from the living preacher. Suddenly, as the Spirit comes with more direct appeal, the soul gladly surrenders itself to Jesus. By many this is called sudden conversion; but it is the result of long wooing by the Spirit of God,—a patient protracted process.

Christ Object Lessons, p. 163

As the sinner, drawn by the power of Christ, approaches the uplifted cross, and prostrates (surrenders) himself before it, there is a new creation. A new heart is given him. He becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus. Holiness finds it has nothing more to require.

Messages to Young People, p. 74

There are those who listen to the truth, and are convinced that they have been living in opposition to Christ. They are condemned, and they repent of their transgressions. Relying upon the merits of Christ, exercising true faith in Him, they receive pardon for sin. As they cease to do evil and learn to do well, they grow in grace and in the knowledge of God. They see that they must sacrifice in order to separate from the world; and, after counting the cost, they look upon all as loss if they may but win Christ. They have enlisted in Christ's army.

The warfare is before them, and they enter it bravely and cheerfully, fighting against their natural inclinations and selfish desires, bringing the will into subjection to the will of Christ. Daily they seek the Lord for grace to obey Him, and they are strengthened and helped. This is true conversion. In humble, grateful dependence he who has been given a new heart relies upon the help of Christ. He reveals in his life the fruit of righteousness. He once loved himself. Worldly pleasure was his delight. Now his idol is dethroned, and God reigns supreme. The sins he once loved he now hates. Firmly and resolutely he follows in the path of holiness.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 151

Christ is the sympathetic, compassionate Redeemer. In His sustaining power, men and woman become strong to resist evil. As the convicted sinner looks at sin, it becomes to him exceeding sinful. He wonders that he did not come to Christ before. He sees that his faults must be subjected to God's will, that he must be a partaker of the divine nature, having overcome the corruption that is in the world through lust. Having repented of his transgression of Gods law, he *strives earnestly to overcome sin. He seeks to reveal the power of Christ's grace, and he is brought into personnel touch with the Saviour. Constantly he keeps Christ before him. Praying, believing, receiving the blessings he needs, he comes nearer and nearer to God's standard for him. * See Great Controversy p. 470.

New virtues are revealed in his character he denies self and lifts the cross, following where Christ leads the way. He loves the Lord Jesus with his whole heart, and Christ becomes his wisdom, his righteousness, his sanctification, and his redemption.

False and Superficial Conversion:

The Great Controversy, p. 468

The hope of salvation is accepted without a radical change of heart or reformation of life. Thus superficial conversions abound, and multitudes are joined to the church who have never been united to Christ.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 634

Many who profess to believe the truth for these last days will be found wanting. They have neglected the weightier matters. Their conversion is superficial, not deep and earnest, and thorough. They do not know why they believe the truth, only because others have believed it, and they take it for granted that it is the truth. They can give no intelligent reason for why they believe. Many have allowed their minds to be filled with things of minor importance, and their eternal interest is made secondary. Their own souls are dwarfed and crippled in spiritual growth. Others are not enlightened or edified by their experience or by the knowledge which it was their privilege and duty to obtain. Strength and stability are with truehearted believers.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6 p. 92

Satan does not want anyone to see the necessity of an entire surrender to God. When the soul fails to make this surrender, sin is not forsaken; the appetites and passions are striving for the mastery; temptations confuse the conscience, so that true conversion does not take place.

Review and Herald, vol. 5, p. 55

In the lives of many of those whose names are on the church books there has been no genuine change. The truth has been kept in the outer court. There has been no genuine conversion, no positive work of grace done in the heart. Their desire to do God's will is based upon their own inclination, not upon the deep conviction of the Holy Spirit. Their conduct is not brought into harmony with the law of God. They profess to accept Christ as their Saviour, but they do not believe that He will give them power to overcome their sins. They have not a personnel acquaintance with a living Saviour, and their character reveal many blemishes.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 218

The sins that destroyed the antediluvians and the cities of the plain exist today‚ not merely in heathen lands, not only among popular professors of Christianity, but with some who profess to be looking for the coming of the son of man. If God should present these sins before you as they appear in His sight, you would be filled with shame and terror.

And what has caused this alarming condition? Many have accepted the theory of the truth who have had no true conversion. I know whereof I speak. There are few who feel true sorrow for sin, who have deep, pungent convictions of the depravity of the unregenerate nature. The heart of stone is not exchanged for a heart of flesh. Few are willing to fall upon the Rock and be broken.

Evangelism, pp. 290, 291 or Review and Herald, vol. 4, p. 19

All, high or low, if they are unconverted, are on one common platform. Men may turn from one doctrine to another. This is being done and will be done. Papists may change from Catholicism to Protestantism; yet they may know nothing of the meaning of the words, "A new heart also will I give you." Accepting new theories, and uniting with a church, do not bring new life to anyone, even though the church with which he unites may be established on the true foundation. Connection with a church does not take the place of conversion. To subscribe the name to a church creed is not of the least value to anyone if the heart is not truly changed.

This question is a serious one, and its meaning should be fully realized. Men may be church-members, and may apparently work earnestly, performing a round of duties from year to year, and yet be unconverted. A man may preach pleasing, entertaining sermons, yet be far from Christ as regards religious experience. He may be exalted to the pinnacle of human greatness, yet never have experienced the inward work of grace that transforms the character. Such a one is deceived by his connection and familiarity with the sacred truths of the gospel, which have reached the intellect, but have not been brought into the inner sanctuary of the soul.

We must have more than an intellectual belief in the truth. Many of the Jews were convinced that Jesus was the Son of God, but they were too proud and ambitious to surrender. They decided to resist the truth, and they maintained their opposition. They did not receive into the heart the truth as it is in Jesus. When truth is held as truth only by the conscience, when the heart is not stimulated and made receptive, only the mind is affected. But when the truth is received as truth by the heart, it has passed through the conscience, and has captivated the soul with it pure principles. It is placed in the heart by the Holy Spirit, who reveals its beauty to the mind, that its transforming power may be seen in the character.

Satan leads people to think that because they have felt a rapture of feeling they are converted. But their experience does not change. Their actions are the same as before. Their lives show no good fruit. They pray often and long, and are constantly referring to the feelings they had as such and such a time. But they do not live the new life. The are deceived. Their experience goes no deeper than feeling. They build upon the sand, and when adverse winds come their house is swept away.

A Form of Godliness:

Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 258

The course taken by the hardhearted and impenitent inhabitants of the doomed cities is similar to the attitude of churches and individuals toward Christ at the present time. They neglect His requirements and despise His forbearance. There is a form of godliness, there is ceremonial worship, there are complimentary prayers; but the real power is wanting. The heart is not softened by grace, but is cold and unimpressible. Many, like the Jews, are blinded by unbelief and know not the time of their visitation. So far as the truth is concerned, they have had every advantage; God has been appealing to them for years in warnings, reproofs, corrections, and instruction in righteousness; but special directions have been given only to be disregarded and placed on a level with common things.

Steps to Christ, p. 35

Many accept an intellectual religion, a form of godliness,when the heart is not cleansed. Let it be your prayer, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew aright spirit within me." Psalm 51:10. Deal truly with your own soul. Be as earnest, as persistent, as you would be if your mortal life were at stake. This is a matter to be settled between God and your own soul, settled for eternity. A supposed hope, and nothing more, will prove your ruin.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 404

The Saviour's curse pronounced upon the fruitless fig tree is a sermon to all formalists and boasting hypocrites who stand forth to the world in pretentious leaves, but are devoid of fruit. What a rebuke to those who have a form of godliness, while in the their unchristian lives they deny the power thereof.

Review and Herald, vol. 1, p. 337

Many have a form of godliness, but in their daily life deny the power thereof. They have ceased to be convicted of their sins or alarmed at their state. They say in their hearts, "The church is flourishing. Peace and spiritual prosperity are within her borders."

True Godliness:

Desire of Ages, p. 310

The righteousness which Christ taught is conformity of heart and life to the revealed will of God. Sinful men can become righteous only as they have faith in God and maintain a vital connection with Him. Then true godliness will elevate the thoughts and ennoble the life. Then the external forms of religion accord with the Christian's internal purity.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 405

Right actions are unmistakable fruits of true godliness.

Christ's Object Lessons, p. 384

Love is the basis of godliness. Whatever the profession, no man has pure love to God unless he has unselfish love for his brother. But we can never come into possession of this spirit by trying to love others. What is needed is the love of Christ in the heart. When self is merged in Christ, love springs forth spontaneously. The completeness of Christian character s attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs constantly from within, when the sunshine of heaven fills the heart and is revealed in the countenance.

Closing thought:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.