Conversion to Christianity
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Conversion to Christianity is the religious conversion of a previously non-Christian person to some form of Christianity. The exact understanding of what it means to attain salvation varies somewhat among denominations. It primarily involves belief (faith) in God, repentance of sin, and confession of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. While conversion to Christianity may simply involve a personal choice to identify with Christianity rather than another religion, many Christians understand it to mean that the individual attains eternal salvation by a genuine conversion experience or act.
The procedure for conversion itself depends on the sponsoring denomination, and hinges on meeting the ritual and substantive requirements for such conversion. A person converting to Christianity often chooses to experience baptism as a sign of their conversion. It is required by some Churches and denominations as a prerequisite to membership. Some Churches and denominations believe that baptism is essential for salvation, though most do not. Conversion is generally understood to be undertaken by a person who explicitly chooses to convert. In some denominations, this may include any person above the age of reason (typically between seven and 14 years of age, according to denomination). The official reception is usually preceded by a period of instruction in the faith.
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[edit] Biblical explanation
The New Testament, written before there were denominations or an organized church, does not require that one belong to any church or denomination for salvation. According to the New Testament, conversion to Christianity includes:
- faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God (Acts 2:36; Acts 8:36–37; Acts 10:34–43; Acts 13:32–41; Acts 16:30–34);
- repentance (sorrow for rebellion against God leading to a change of heart and life) (Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 5:31; Acts 11:18; Acts 17:30);
- a verbal confession of faith (Acts 8:36–37 and Romans 10:9–10);
- being baptized (completely submerged in water) for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38); (Mark 16:16)
[edit] Conversion through salvation
Conversion through salvation is predominantly a Protestant Christian position. It is variously called being "saved," "born again," and "converted." It holds that conversion to Christianity begins with salvation. A major tenet of the Protestant Reformation was that "Justification," i.e., salvation," is attained by faith alone (Sola Fide). The exact understanding of what it means to attain salvation varies somewhat among denominations. It primarily involves belief (faith) in God, repentance of sin, and confession of Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
The Protestant position further asserts that (1) all things necessary for salvation and concerning faith and life are taught in the Bible clearly enough for the ordinary believer to find it there and understand; and (2) Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) is their authority.[1]
Protestants typically view profession of faith in Christ as savior (salvation) as the only step of conversion to Christianity. To them, baptism has more to do with public confession of faith in Christ than with salvation. They consider being baptized as identifying the individual with Christ through his death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and being obedient to Christ's command in Matthew 28:19-20, but as having nothing to do with one's eternal salvation. Proponents find biblical support for this understanding in Luke 23:42-43. The thief also hanging on another cross had asked, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" Jesus' straightforward reply was "Today, you will be with me in paradise." They point out that Jesus offered him unconditional salvation, apparently without necessity for baptism or any other prerequisite, based solely on the man's belief and confession. Further evidence is taken from John 4:2 which implies that Jesus never personally baptized anyone: "In fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples." That interpretation, taken together with the New Testament's consistent representation of Jesus as "savior," leads them to their conclusion that baptism is not necessary for salvation.
Evangelical, Fundamentalist, and Pentecostal Christians emphasize the need for a conversion experience that involves a personal, and sometimes intense, encounter of the individual with the power of God. Generally, these denominations teach that those without such a conversion experience are not "saved" and therefore are not true Christians. These groups frequently refer to personal salvation as being "born again." This term comes from Jesus' conversation with a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council (John 3:1-21). Jesus told him, "no one can see the kingdom of God without being born again." (John 3:3-7)[2]
Most other Protestant denominations place less emphasis on a conversion experience and rely mostly on the individual's personal statement of belief in and commitment to Jesus Christ as "Lord" and "Savior." They would expect the "convert" to receive believer's baptism to join the church.
[edit] Conversion through baptism
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Catholics, Orthodox and a few Protestant denominations view baptism as a requirement for conversion. This is known theologically as baptismal regeneration. They find biblical support for their understanding in such verses as Acts 2:38, Acts 16:30–34, and Acts 18:8). Baptism was commanded by Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20), but not explicitly linked to salvation. Baptism's role in the biblical text was pivotal in that its purpose included:
- forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16)
- salvation (1 Peter 3:21)
- identification with Christ (Romans 6:3–6), and
- being born again (John 3:5).
This baptism was performed upon believers. There is considerable evidence that it was performed by immersion in water. The Greek word for baptism means immersion and is illustrated in Acts 8:38–39 and Romans 6:3–5). It was performed in the name of (by the authority of and into the service of) Jesus (Acts 2:38; Acts 19:5). The beliefs of various groups are as follows:
[edit] Protestant
(See Baptism comparative summary).
The majority of post-Reformation (Protestant) churches practice infant baptism. However, most do not deem baptism as absolutely essential for salvation. They view it to be a sacrament or ordinance that is an outward symbolic sign of one's identification with Christ and membership in the Christian community.
Protestants that do not practice infant baptism include Apostolics, Baptists, Disciples of Christ, Christadelphians, Churches of Christ, Pentecostals, and Seventh-day Adventists.
[edit] Roman Catholic
In Roman Catholic doctrine, baptism plays an essential role in salvation. It is considered a sacrament that cleanses the person of Original sin and of all sins committed before baptism. Those who have not been baptized in a Trinitarian denomination are also baptized at reception.
In English-speaking countries, catechumens (people preparing to be baptized) take part in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), where they are instructed in the Catholic faith and brought closer to the mystery of baptism through a series of rites.
[edit] Others
Other Churches have varying practices, with especially the Orthodox tending to be more strict in the acceptance of the validity of the sacraments from other denominations.
[edit] Conversions to another Christian denomination
Some Churches accept one's baptism performed by another denomination. Nearly always, the baptism must have been with water, and performed in the name of the Trinity. Such converts are usually received by a formal rite which normally also includes taking Communion in the denomination.
In earlier times, Protestant converts were generally conditionally baptized. Now it is generally assumed that a person who has been baptized with water, invoking the name of the Trinity, has received a valid baptism that may be accepted in transfer to the new denomination.
In the Catholic, Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches, converts also receive the sacrament of Confirmation/Chrismation at reception into the Church, except when they come from a Church about which it is accepted that the sacrament has been administered validly (as in the case of an Eastern Orthodox person converting to Catholicism).
In the Latin Church (the largest branch of the Roman Catholic Church), children who convert after having attained the age of reason, but before confirmation age, are generally not confirmed until they have attained that age. In the Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches, where infants are chrismated and receive First Communion at baptism, there is no such limitation.
In groups and denominations that practice believer's baptism, all people who declare themselves "being born again" and who have not previously been baptized as a believer are (re-)baptized, as baptism is not seen as a sacrament, but as a ritual expression of an interior conversion.
[edit] See also
- List of converts to Christianity
- Religious conversion
- Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
- The "New Christians" were inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula (Sephardic Jews or Mudéjar Muslims) during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Era who were baptized voluntarily or by coercion, becoming Conversos or Moriscos. In spite of their true faith, they were suspected by the "Old Christians" to be Crypto-Jews or Crypto-Muslims. They were finally expelled from the Peninsula and their descendants were persecuted under the rules of "purity of blood".
