More Journey than Event: Unpacking Conversion's Gradual Progression
While conversion is sometimes portrayed as a sudden, drastic transformation, the accounts in Scripture reveal it is often a more gradual process of spiritual awakening. The book of Acts highlights five prominent conversions, each unfolding in progressive stages:
First, there is a period of preparation, where God begins softening the heart and soul before the actual conversion moment. "When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy" (Titus 3:4-5).
Then a messenger preaches the good news about Jesus, planting seeds of insight (Acts 8:35). This prompts the individuals to make inquiries, demonstrating an openness to explore these new spiritual truths (Acts 10:33).
As this exploration continues, evidence of God's activity manifests in their lives through circumstances, impressions, or encounters that stir deeper consideration of the claims of Christ (Acts 9:3-6). The progression culminates in baptism, the outward profession of an inward commitment to Jesus (Acts 8:36-38).
However, even after baptism, the conversions continue yielding specific, ongoing results and transformations in each person's life, albeit in diverse ways (John 3:8). Conversions are not lego-piece additions, but organic growths.
This multi-staged reality is echoed in the Gospel of John. The conversion narratives of Nicodemus (John 3), the Samaritan woman (John 4), and the man born blind (John 9) depict conversion not as a single critical moment, but as a gradual process of deepening personal encounter with Jesus. Initial intrigue gives way to curiosity, opportunities for spiritual dialogue, eye-opening experiences, and life-altering realizations about the identity of Christ.
The theological principles underlying conversion is often gradually unfolding journeys, not spontaneous events. Our spiritual awakenings are marked by progressive stages of God's prevenient grace drawing us (John 6:44), opportunities for humble seeking (Matthew 7:7-8), powerful divine interventions (Acts 16:14), public professions (Matthew 10:32), and continual transformations (2 Corinthians 3:18).
While rapid conversions certainly occur, like Paul's on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:3-9), more commonly an individual moves incrementally from spiritual slumber to new life in Christ through a series of formative experiences. Conversion is the start of a lifelong process of growth, not a one-and-done phenomenon (Philippians 1:6).
Understanding this gradual reality equips churches to compassionately guide those on the long, sometimes meandering path to faith.
Reference:
S. Smalley, “Conversion in the New Testament,” The Churchmen 78 (1964): 193–210.