WHEN YOU CROSS CULTURES - World Evangelical Alliance

52 WHEN YOU CROSS CULTURES
a turning to God and seeking after Him, resulting in a deeper knowledge of
Him and His ways. 3
In the New Testament, two Greek words convey the meaning of
conversion – “epistrepho” (regularly used in the Septuagint for “shub”) which
means “to return, turn about, turn again” and “metanoeo” which means “to change
one’s mind”. “Epistrepho” is often used of unbelievers turning to God for the
first time (Acts 3:19). This turning brings about salvation. J. I. Packer explains,
“It is a once-for-all, unrepeatable event, as the habitual use of the aorist in the
oblique moods of the verbs indicates. It is described as a turning from the
darkness of idolatry, sin and the rule of Satan, to worship and serve the true
God (Acts 14:15; 26:18; 1 Thessalonians 1:9) and His Son Jesus Christ (1 Peter
2:25).” 4
Conversion is the result of both repentance and faith – repentance
meaning a change of mind and heart toward God, and faith meaning trusting
in Christ and His Word. Thus, Paul testified both to Jews and Greeks “that they
must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus” (Acts 20:21).
In Paul’s epistles, justification by faith is prominent.
The emphasis thus far has been on the manward side of conversion. The
Scriptures are clear that there is also a Godward aspect. Conversion is a work
of God. 5 God enlightens the mind, opens the heart, and quickens the total
person. 6 The triune God is the author of conversion. He also is at work in
believers to change and sanctify them. 7
The process of God’s grace is continuous. This process should not be
under-emphasized as it helps us link conversion with sanctification, and in a
practical way, enables us to be patient with people in a new culture who may
seem slow to change.
As mentioned earlier, conversion in the Old Testament is related to God’s
covenant. In the New Testament, especially in the Gospels, its context is related
to the Kingdom. In Christ’s proclamation, the coming of the Kingdom is the
main reason for the urgency of repentance. 8 A person can only participate in
the Kingdom through conversion. As Jesus told Nicodemus: “ No one can see
the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3).
RELEVANCE TO CULTURE AND RELIGIOUS
BACKGROUND
The Covenant concept is relevant in cultural and religious backgrounds
that include a multiplicity of gods. The Old Testament covenant emphasizes
that there is only the one true God. Worship of other gods is idolatry. To the
3 2 Chronicles 7:14; Jeremiah 24:7; Hosea 6:1,6; Hosea 12:6
4 J.I. Packer (1962), in The New Bible Dictionary, London: IVP, page 251
5 John 3:1-8; Ephesians 2:1,8,9
6 2 Corinthians 4:4-6; Acts 16:14; Ephesians 2:1
7 Philippians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 3:18
8 Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15