13 Bible Verses About Conversion
Conversion, from the Greek metanoia, signifies a new posture leading to a change of thought and action—a repentance that brings radical transformation to one’s entire existence. Another Greek term, epistrophé, describes conversion as a change of direction, a turning back to God.
Explore these 13 Bible verses on conversion with Hozana.
13 Biblical Teachings on Conversion
"Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon." (Isaiah 55:7)
"Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem: ‘This is what the Lord says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each of you, and reform your ways and your actions.’" (Jeremiah 18:11)
"Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel?" (Ezekiel 18:30–31)
"Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’" (Ezekiel 33:11)
"In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’" (Matthew 3:1–2)
"As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way’—‘a voice of one calling in the wilderness, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”’ And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." (Mark 1:2–4)
"Someone asked him, ‘Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?’ He said to them, ‘Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.’" (Luke 13:23–24)
"Then Jesus told them, ‘You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.’ When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them." (John 12:35–36)
"First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds." (Acts 26:20)
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:22–24)
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8)
"It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God." (Hebrews 6:4–7)
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)
With Hozana, Let Us Grow in Conversion Daily
Continue your journey of Christian conversion by:
Exercising your threefold calling as priest, prophet, and king: Root yourself in prayer with this
.Seeking holiness, the universal vocation of every baptized Christian: Join this
.Frequently Asked Questions About Conversion in the Bible
What Is a Biblical Example of Conversion?
One of the most striking examples of conversion in Scripture is the transformation of Saul (later Paul) on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–19). A fierce persecutor of Christians, Saul was blinded by a divine light, heard Christ’s voice, and underwent a radical conversion—becoming one of Christianity’s greatest apostles.
What Does Metanoia Mean?
The Greek term metanoia appears frequently in the Bible, signifying repentance and inner transformation. It describes a profound turning away from sin and a reorientation of the heart toward God.
Which Psalm Is a Prayer of Conversion?
Psalm 51 (50) is the quintessential prayer of repentance. It models honest confession, heartfelt contrition, and trust in God’s mercy:
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me... My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise." (Psalm 51:10, 17, NIV).
This psalm accompanies the journey of conversion, inviting us to surrender to God’s grace.
