Wondering: What is the religious conversion process?
We are beings created with a purpose. In the heart of every man is a longing to be connected to a higher power. We all want to think that there is someone more significant or more powerful that can save us. Life can be troublesome, and there are times that you don’t know which way to turn. You may be facing death and need healing in your body or mind.
We all want someone or something to save us from a horrible situation. Even in things are going well, you may desire peace and joy that you lack. Looking to the heavens for answers has been commonplace for thousands of years. When you realize that you need an anchor for your soul, and a savior in your life, then you can turn your mind and heart towards God. Understanding the need to be saved as part of the religious conversion experience.
What Is Religious Conversion?
How do I convert to a new religion or start to follow Jesus? If you polled 100 people and asked them to define religious conversion, you will get many different answers. However, the very word conversion means to change or transform.
When you convert you adapt your lifestyle with that denomination or belief system. As the Bible states in II Corinthians 5:12: “You put away former conversation, and all things become new.” It says that anyone who turns from their ways and starts to follow Christ is a new creature. All the old things, and sins that have been committed have been washed away by the power of this converting.
Step 1: Making A Choice
How do I convert? The first part of converting the soul is to make a choice.
You must choose a new life and choose to change from your old ways. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus spoke to his disciples and told them that if they believed in Him, they must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him. What does this statement really mean? Well, you’re not going to pick up a “cross” as Jesus did.
The “cross” is symbolic for a journey. You are going to lay your cares of life at his feet. The cross lets you know that the trip will not always be easy, but you are following Him. Jesus gave his life for the freedom of others, and He only asks that you give yours. So before you can go any further in a religious conversion experience, you must choose to go without hesitation.
Step 2: Apply the Blood to Your Life
The blood that was shed on Calvary was for the cleansing and purification from sin.
The precious blood of Jesus covers any sin and indiscretion you have been through. Through baptism, the healing blood is applied to your life. Some religions and doctrines teach that baptism are applied before salvation, and others teach that it’s after salvation has occurred. However, all agree that it’s essential.
Since Jesus was the example to follow, then we must also do as He did. He was immersed in the water in Matthew 3:14-15. John the Baptist was the one who put him under. Why did Jesus need to be submerged? He stated that it was for the fulfillment of righteousness. If He thought it was so important that He should go through this step, then we must also follow. Once you ask for forgiveness, the blood washes away your sins through baptism. Baptism is an essential step for converting the soul.
Step 3: Affirmation of Faith Through Salvation
The Bible says to seek, and you will find. Once you have found that path that is right, you must knock, and the door will be opened. What door are they referring too? The door of salvation will be shown to you. The third part of the journey means that you have already done those things. Now, it’s time to get intimate with God. Through repentance, you ask God to forgive you for all your sins.
You want him to come into your heart and make it His home. You are willing to put off the former conversation and dedicate your life. In Romans 10:9 Jesus says to confess and believe to be saved. During this intimate time with your savior, you tell Him that you want to follow Him. You ask forgiveness for all the bad things you have done and say to Him that you are now His disciple.
Religious Conversion Experiences
Many people come and give their hearts to the Savior. Some have awesome experiences while others have beautiful, peaceful ones. Each salvation story is sacred and helps to move our faith.
Denying All Other Gods
One of my favorite religious stories came from a lady name Vannie Lopez. She was born into a Hindu family, and her father was a high priest. She never knew about Jesus or any religion other than Hindu.
When she was so sick in her body, she thought she would surely die. She had been to every doctor, and they gave her no hope. She laid in her bed one night and said she could feel death near. She had heard of this man called Jesus from a friend a few days before. She didn’t have time to ask herself “How do I convert?” On the edge of the bed, she cried out: “Jesus if you are real, come to me!”
She stated that she could feel the atmosphere in the room change. She felt someone come to minister to her. Her fever broke, her strength began to build. She was mightily healed. Vannie picked up her cross to follow. She lost her whole family. She denied the priesthood and was considered an outcast. She was all alone just her and Jesus.
Today, Vannie preaches the gospel all over the world, and she has a compelling testimony that cannot be denied. Not only did she regain a relationship with her family, but every one of them dedicated their lives to God and had left the Hindu faith.
God Send’s His Messengers
There are many religious conversion experiences, but another one that is enthralling is Barbara White’s story. Her husband was sick with Stage III colorectal cancer. As they sit in the hospital waiting for test results that day, she bowed her head and began to sob. She cried out “God if you real, show me that you are here with us.” Barbara lifted her head, and through her tears, she saw a giant angel standing in the corner.
The angel frightened her because it was larger than man, but it gave her peace too. That day, she committed her life to God and told her religious stories all over. She saw a messenger from the throne, and she knew that a heavenly host was in that hospital room that day.
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
Those who’ve had an experience don’t have to ask themselves what is religious conversion, because they already know. Sometimes we go looking for God, and sometimes He comes looking for us. When asked to define religious conversion, it’s not always something that is easy to put into words. It’s just something that happens when you make a conscious choice to stop living the way you are and make a change for the better. It’s denying your own desires and plans, picking up your cross, and following.
