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Repentance from sin
Sometimes the word conversion is used when people
become christians. The question is asked 'Are you
converted?' However there is a difference between being
converted and being born again. Although it is possible to be
born again only once, it is possible to be converted many
times.
Before Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus warned him it
would happen. Luke 22 v34 'I tell you Peter, before the
cock crows today, you will deny three times that you
know me.'
But before that Jesus encouraged him. Luke 22 v32 'But I
have prayed for you Simon (Peter), that your faith may
not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your
brothers.' Turned back is translated from the same word
from which comes the word converted.
Converted literally means to be 'turned again.' Peter
already was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ but would be
converted again in the future.
This is because Regeneration causing us to be born again
is God's act in our soul, bringing our spirit to life.
Conversion is our expression of what God has done in us
and that we have turned.
What God has done in the new birth is perfect and can
only be done once. We are imperfect and may turn
again (be converted) as many times as is needed.
Also a person must be converted to be born again but it is
possible for someone to be converted and NOT born again.
There seems to be no change in their life after conversion.
This happens when there is no faith in the person, when
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