18 Bible Verses about Converts To Christianity

Now whilst he was in Jerusalem at the feast of the passover, many believed in him when they saw the miracles which he did.

so that many people there believed on him.

nevertheless there were many even among the chief rulers, who believed on him; but they did not own it publickly for fear the Pharisees should excommunicate them. for they preferr'd their own reputation to the glory of God.

nay, Simon himself became a proselyte: and after he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and was transported at the sight of the miracles and prodigies which he perform'd. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem, heard that the Samaritans had embraced the word of God, they sent Peter and John, who upon their arrival, prayed for them that they might receive the holy spirit.read more.
(for as yet he had not descended on any of them: they having only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus) the apostles therefore gave them imposition of hands, and they received the holy spirit. when Simon saw that the holy spirit was given by imposition of the hands of the apostles, he offered them money, saying, give me too this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands he may receive the holy spirit. but Peter said unto him, thy money perish with thee, for thinking that the gift of God may be purchased with money. thou hast no manner of share in this gift: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray to God, to forgive, if it be possible, this suggestion you have entertain'd. for I perceive you are upon the brink of misery, led captive by your sin. Simon answered, do you pray to the Lord for me, that nothing like what you mention may befall me.

In Cesarea there was a centurion of a cohort in the Italic legion, whose name was Cornelius, a religious man, and was a proselyte, together with all his family: he gave much alms to the people, and was assiduous in his prayers to God. one day about the ninth hour, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God, who addrest himself to him, and said, Cornelius!read more.
and when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, what is it, Lord? and he said to him, thy prayers and thine alms have been observ'd and approv'd by God. send messengers immediately to Joppa, for one Simon, whose sirname is Peter: he lodges with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea-side. As soon as the angel that spoke to Cornelius was departed, he called two of his domesticks, and a devout soldier, one of those that were in waiting: and after he had related to them the whole affair, he sent them to Joppa. On the morrow as they were on their journey, and drew nigh the city, Peter went upon the leads to pray, about the sixth hour. and being seiz'd with hunger, he would have had something to eat: but while they were making it ready, he fell into a trance, when he saw the heaven open, and something descending in the form of a great sheet, ty'd at the four corners, and let down to the earth: in it were all sorts of quadrupeds, reptiles, and birds. and a voice said to him, rise, Peter; kill and eat. but Peter said, not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. and the voice spake to him again the second time, don't call that common, which God calls clean. this was done thrice: and then the sheet was taken up into heaven. While Peter was perplexed about the signification of this vision, the messengers from Cornelius having enquir'd out Simon's house, arriv'd at the gate, and calling somebody, ask'd, whether Simon Peter lodg'd there. As Peter was still pondering upon the vision, the spirit said to him, there are people below, who enquire for you. rise therefore, get thee down, and go with them, without hesitating: for I have sent them. then Peter went down to the messengers; and said, I am the person you look for: what occasion brought you hither? they answered, Cornelius the centurion, a man of probity and piety, one that has an universal good character among the Jews, was divinely admonish'd by an holy angel to send for you to his house, to hear what you had to say to him. then he invited them in, and they lodged there. On the morrow, Peter departed with them, and some of his brethren from Joppa accompanied him. the next day they arriv'd at Cesarea: where Cornelius expected them, having invited his kinsmen and intimate friends, to his house. as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and prostrated himself at his feet, but Peter rais'd him, saying, stand up; I am but a man, as well as you. and as he discours'd with him, he went in, where finding many persons assembled; you know, said he, how unlawful it is for a Jew, to frequent a stranger, or even to go to his house: but God hath shewed me, that I should not look upon any man as common and unclean. for which reason I came without demur, as soon as I knew your message: I ask therefore upon what account you sent for me? then Cornelius said, it is now four days ago that I was fasting, and while I was at prayers in my house, about the ninth hour, a man in bright attire presented himself before me, and said, "Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and God has approved thine alms. send therefore to Joppa, for one Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner, by the sea-side, who, when he is arriv'd, will give you information." immediately I sent to you; and you have done well to come. now here we are all in the presence of God, to hear whatever he has given you in charge.

wherefore my opinion is not to disquiet the Gentile converts: but only to write to them,

Some time after, Paul said to Barnabas, let us return to visit all those cities, where we have preach'd the word of the Lord, to see what condition the brethren are in.

Some of them believed, and join'd themselves to Paul and Silas, besides a great number of Greek proselytes, and several women of distinction.

however, there were some who adher'd to him, as Denis the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

salute the church that is in their house. salute my dear Epenetus, who is the first christian convert of Asia.

I continually give thanks to God on your behalf, for the favour he has bestowed on you thro' Jesus Christ; in your being enriched by him in every gift, with all that light and knowledge, whereby the testimony we gave concerning Christ was confirmed among you.

for consider, brethren, that not many worldly wise, not many men of power, not many men of birth are among you that are called. but God hath chosen those who are foolish in the opinion of the world, to confound the wise; and the weak men of the world to confound the mighty: those who were looked upon by the world as vile, as despicable, as nothing, these has God chosen to reduce their sufficiency to nothing.read more.
that no man might glory before God; for from him it is that ye believe in Christ Jesus, whom God has made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, "he that glorieth, should glory in the Lord."

Do I begin again to commend my self? or need I, as some others, commendatory letters to you, or from you? you are my epistle, your conversion being writ in. my heart, known and read by all men: which shows you to be the epistle of Christ, written by my ministration, not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God; not on tables of stone, but on living tables of the heart.

for though I should more than ever magnify my authority, which the Lord hath given us for your improvement, and not for your ruin, I should have no reason to be ashamed;

Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; bring yourselves to the proof; are you so little acquainted with yourselves, as not to know whether Jesus Christ be in you? but if you are destitute of proofs, I trust you shall know that we are not so destitute, now I pray God that I may not punish you; not that I may show you my proofs to your cost, but that by your acting honestly, I may be as if I had no proofs:read more.
for I can employ no power against the truth, but for the truth. I am therefore glad when I am disarm'd by the strength of your integrity: and this is what I pray for, even your perfection. these things therefore I write to you being absent, that when I come I may not use severity, according to the power which the Lord hath given me for edification, and not for destruction.

For I wish you knew how great my concern is for you, and for those of Laodicea, and for such as have never seen me in person:

exert yourself in the glorious cause of faith, and secure the prize of eternal life, to which you were called, when you made that excellent profession of faith before so many witnesses.

Call to remembrance the former times, in which after ye were illuminated, you were forc'd to struggle with sufferings, some of you being expos'd to publick obloquy and persecution: whilst others had their share of affliction in seeing such treatment.