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(4) Conversion ... 

Conversion means 'turning' in response to the effective call of God and is related to Faith and Repentance...we can define conversion as follows:

"Conversion is our willing response to the gospel call, in which we sincerely repent of our sins and place our faith in Jesus Christ, for our salvation"

True saving faith, under the new covenant, in Jesus, means more than a mere intellectual assent to facts presented in the gospel, it must include a heartfelt coming to Christ in personal dependence on Him for salvation, combined with a heartfelt repentance from sin. This is not a new doctrine nor is it 'Lordship Salvation', it is however, orthodox Christian teaching and belief, drawn specifically from the full weight of Scripture.

This faith is not of ourselves, but is a gift of God, that comes through the hearing of the Word of God (the gospel), it brings with it a heartfelt personal conviction of our sinfulness and when embraced, promotes genuine heartfelt repentance, that leads to forgiveness and trust in God.

The Apostle Peter on preaching the gospel found that it brought forward the following response from its hearers: "Now when they heard this they were pierced (or cut) to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Brethren, what shall we do?'"...

Peter said to them: "Repent, and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."..."For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." (Acts. 2:14-41)

It's this inner circumcision of the heart, makes one a true believer in God, and imparts the new spiritual life, that is found in Christ alone. All who have put their faith in Jesus for salvation, either in the past or present, will have been circumcised in this way, for they are trusting in the Word, and promises of God, and in the God of promises.

Effective calling brings about Regeneration, which brings about saving Faith and Repentance...