Peter's Conversion

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When does conversion
take place?

And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."

And he said unto Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison and death."

And He said, "I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me." Luke 22:31-34.

There are two things that you must know; FIRST, that Peter was a very strong believer in Christ. He had followed him for over three years. He witnessed so many miracles that he could not help but believe in Christ.

Greatest Proof of faith

When Jesus asked at Caesarea Philippi, "Whom do men say that I am?," Peter answered, "Thou are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Peter's confession of faith so pleased the Lord that he gave him the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

SECONDLY, I wish to make it clear that Peter, like many Christians today, though strong believers, have a false sense of security. Peter, confident that his faith was sufficient, said, "Lord, I will go with Thee even unto death." Because he had not yet been converted, when confronted at the trial of Jesus, he cursed and denied that he had ever known the Lord. Matthew 26:69-75. The purpose of this article is to render sufficient evidence that you are not saved or converted by merely believing on the Lord Jesus. The devil believes and trembles. James 2:19.

Modern DD's -- Doctors of Deception

The world's foremost evangelist had a question and answer column in many newspapers; most Christians accept his word as law. A woman wrote in and asked, "Doctor, when are we born again? This great evangelist's answer was very far from the truth. He replied, "The moment you believe in Christ, that very instant you are born again." A Gallup poll said that 96% of Americans believe in God. I dare say that very few of these are saved and living for God. A spiritual conversion involves a complete change of heart. Jesus told Nicodemus he must be born again of the water and the Spirit or he could not enter into the Kingdom of God. John 3:3-5.

Not once!

Not once does the Bible say that you are saved the moment you believe on Jesus. It does say that you shall be saved if you believe on the Lord Jesus. Any educated person knows that shall is a future tense verb. Believing is definitely the first step in obtaining salvation. This must be followed by repenting and obeying the commands of the Lord. Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Mark 16:16. Believing alone doesn't remit sins. Peter, using the keys that Jesus gave him, said, "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." Acts 2:38. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. Heb 9:22. The blood is closely associated with the name of Jesus. Acts 5:28. That's why Peter commanded us to be baptized in Jesus name for the remission of our sins.

Believing didn't convert peter

Peter was not converted when he confessed that Jesus was the Son of God. His declaration of faith took place before Jesus told him to be converted. Luke 22:32. After confession Christ as Savior, Peter cursed and lied and denied that he ever knew the Lord. Matt. 26:69-75. Just believing sure didn't save or convert Peter!

commands of Jesus

In Acts 1:4 Jesus commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. Luke 24:49. Jesus commanded them to tarry in Jerusalem until they be endued with power from on high. Whence this power? Acts 1:8 Jesus said, "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost comes upon you." Yes, you are still weak and unconverted without the power of the Holy Ghost, even though you are a believer.

obedience

Acts 5:32, God only gives the Holy Ghost to them that obey Him. The disciples obeyed Him and returned to Jerusalem to await the converting power of the Holy Ghost. With them was the strongest believer of them all: Mary, the mother of Jesus. Because of the virgin birth, there was no question in the heart of Mary that Jesus was the Son of God.

promise fulfilled

That which the 120 were prayerfully awaiting, fell upon all of them (including Mary). They all received the Holy Ghost and spake in tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4. It was then that Peter came into full being as a converted, born again Christian.

the glorious results

The tide had changed; Peter no longer hid behind the crowd and denied Jesus. Having received the keys to the kingdom and endued with power, he stood before the multitudes, many who had helped crucify Jesus. Using the keys, he preached a dynamic and convincing message. He told them that He who they crucified was both Lord and Christ. Acts 2:26.

God's plan of salvation

Great conviction fell upon the multitude, and they cried out, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter's answer has been the New Testament plan of salvation until this day., "Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. The promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. "Acts 2:37-39. Friend, are you called? If so, then this promise is for you also.

If the Apostles and Mary, the mother of Jesus, had to have this wonderful experience, can we afford to neglect it? Paul asked, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" In closing, may I ask you the question that Paul asked the Ephesian believers: Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? Acts 19:2-6. Please don't accept the teaching that you are saved the moment you believe. Paul re-baptized the Ephesian believers in the name of Jesus and prayed with them until they received the Holy Ghost and spake in tongues. Can you afford to settle for anything less than a Bible experience?

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