Conversion
Human side of the salvation experience.
Lesson 2 · Course 57
What We Believe About Salvation
Conversion and regeneration meet — human turning and divine new birth, with repentance, justification, adoption, and union with Christ.
At a glance
Summary
The plan of salvation does not begin with knowledge of God’s provision. Conversion is the human side; regeneration is the divine side. You must know both Bible content and the Person of the gospel. Emotional intensity does not make anyone “more saved.” Repentance is a change of mind; justification changes standing; regeneration uses the Spirit as agent and the Bible as instrument; adoption legally introduces sons; Paul’s “together” teaches union with Christ. Noah was not the first justified by faith.
Quiz 2: 10/10 (100%), 13m 18s, cmid 947 / attempt 101766. Essays Complete/Not graded.
Big ideas
What to teach and remember
- First step in the plan of salvation is NOT knowledge of God’s provision.
- Conversion = human side; regeneration = divine side.
- Must know Bible content (doctrine) and the Person (Jesus Christ) of the gospel to be converted.
- Emotional experience does not make some people more saved than others.
- Repentance is essentially a change of mind.
- Justification changes position/standing before God.
- Noah was not the first person described as justified by faith.
- In regeneration: Holy Spirit = agent; Bible = instrument.
- Adoption is God’s legal introduction of sons into His family.
- Pauline “together” teaches union with Christ.
Key terms
People, places, and words that matter
Regeneration
Divine side; Spirit is the agent, Bible the instrument.
Repentance
Essentially a change of mind.
Justification
Act changing standing/position before God.
Adoption
God’s method of legally introducing sons into His family.
“Together” (Pauline)
Expression teaching union with Christ.
Structure
Outline / timeline
- Plan of salvation — what is not the first step
- Conversion (human) and regeneration (divine)
- Doctrine + Person of the gospel; emotions and “more saved”
- Repentance, justification, regeneration’s agent/instrument
- Adoption and union with Christ (“together”)
Must remember
Facts to keep straight
| Quiz 2 | 100% (10/10), cmid 947, attempt 101766 |
|---|---|
| First step? | Not knowledge of God’s provision |
| Conversion / regeneration | Human side / divine side |
| Gospel knowledge | Bible content + Person (Christ) |
| Repentance | Change of mind |
| Regeneration means | Spirit agent; Bible instrument |
| Adoption | Legal introduction of sons |
| “Together” | Union with Christ |
Compare
Side-by-side contrasts
Conversion vs regeneration
- Conversion: human side
- Regeneration: divine side
Emotional experience vs salvation status
- Emotions vary
- Nobody is “more saved” by emotional intensity
For the pulpit
Sermon hooks
- Preach both the content and the Christ of the gospel — doctrine without a Person won’t convert.
- Repentance is a mind turned — not a mood managed.
- Hold justification and adoption together: new standing and a legal place in the family.
- Paul’s “together” words: salvation is union with Christ, not a private self-help project.
Quiz drill
Quiz drill / review · open to practice · 10 items
Quiz score: 100% · 1 attempt
1. The first step in the plan of salvation is the knowledge of God's provision.
FalseThat is not the first step.
2. Conversion is the human side of that experience in which regeneration is the Divine side.
TrueHuman conversion; divine regeneration.
3. It is imperative to know both the Bible content (doctrine) and the Person (Jesus Christ) of the gospel to be converted.
TrueDoctrine and Person both required.
4. Some people are more saved than others based upon their emotional experience.
FalseEmotions do not create degrees of being saved.
5. Repentance is essentially a change of mind.
TrueChange of mind.
6. Justification is an act whereby our position in a Heaven is changed and a man is given a new standing before God.
TrueNew standing before God (Moodle stem as given).
7. Noah was the first person in the Bible described as having been justified by faith.
FalseNoah was not the first so described.
8. In regeneration, the Holy Spirit is the agent, and the Bible is the instrument.
TrueSpirit agent; Bible instrument.
9. Adoption is the method of God for legally introducing sons into His family.
TrueLegal introduction of sons.
10. A Pauline expression teaching the doctrine of union with Christ is the word "together."
True“Together” teaches union with Christ.
Essay themes
If you preach or review
Explain the concept of repentance.
Repentance is a genuine change of mind about sin that results in a change of heart and will. It means turning away from sin and turning toward God in faith and obedience. It is necessary for salvation, but repentance itself does not save; it prepares the sinner to receive Christ, and its reality is shown by a changed life.
List and explain the seven "together" statements in Paul's writings concerning our union with Christ.
Paul describes seven aspects of our union with Christ: (1) crucified together with Christ (Galatians 2:20)—my old life is judged and Christ lives in me; (2) died together with Christ (Colossians 2:20)—I have died to the world’s controlling principles; (3) buried together with Christ (Romans 6:4)—the old life is put away; (4) made alive together with Christ (Ephesians 2:5)—God gives spiritual life by grace; (5) raised together with Christ (Colossians 3:1)—I share His resurrection life and seek the things above; (6) suffer together with Christ (Romans 8:17)—I share His sufferings as an heir; and (7) glorified together with Christ (Romans 8:17)—I will share His future glory.
Outline the four-fold plan of salvation.
The four-fold plan of salvation is: (1) knowledge of the need for salvation—we recognize that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory; (2) knowledge of the penalty of sin—sin deserves death; (3) knowledge of God’s provision—Christ took the sinner's punishment and died in our place; and (4) a personal response to the good news—we confess Jesus as Lord and believe in Him, receiving salvation by faith.