The Bible Teacher's Commentary
Paul J. Bucknell
Two Roadside Conversions
Acts 8:25-9:22
Perspectives on Conversion
Before discussing conversion, let me relate two incidents regarding children being saved. These stories differ from the two roadside conversions discussed above, but they are equally important and, in fact, share significant similarities.
These are two stories of little girls' conversions that I heard about just this week!
My Little Girl
I heard my little girl tell me that she had become a Christian. Was I delighted? Actually, I was more cautious than delighted. We had long been praying for her conversion—sometimes publicly and often privately.
I first asked what made her think she was a Christian. Having received an insufficient answer, I explained the Gospel to her in simple terms. Afterward, I warned her to be careful; if her conversion is not sound, she might live her whole life believing she is a Christian when she is not.
A few days later, I spoke with her at length. I could see that she truly understood gospel truths and wanted to serve God. She had indeed come to know the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
“Thanks for all of your prayers for our children, because Lydia has now also received Jesus into her heart. Last year, on September 7th, while our family was having dinner, Lydia said, 'Mommy, I want Jesus to live in my heart.' At that time, we didn’t probe further. Later that evening, we read the Bible with them.”
“The story that night was 'How to Go to Heaven.' Lydia prayed to accept Jesus as her shepherd, but before doing so, she first prayed, 'Jesus, I am sorry because I have a bad attitude.'”
It is amazing that a three-year-old would begin a prayer with a confession of sin. Becky and I believe that God listens to such sincere prayers from little girls. One servant of God answered, “The time a child is able to sin is the time he or she is able to receive God’s salvation.” Amen.
What happens at conversion?
Conversion describes a process called salvation. It is unfortunate that the word is not used more often, as it describes the heart change that so many people ignore, whether they be evangelists or those advising others on how to believe. We do well to follow Philip’s example in Acts 8:37. After being asked for permission to be baptized, he said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
How much intervention from God is involved?
God intervened in the salvation of these two men. The Lord appointed individuals to bring the gospel to them, but His work was not limited to this. Special words and visions were given, including to Saul. Even the special voice and light that brought Saul to the ground were part of God’s intervention.
Christians are only as strong as their awareness of the great grace given to them at salvation. If we overemphasize our own "decision," we miss the point. God intervened first so that we could respond. Like Saul, we need to be fully humbled by our sin and turn to the Savior with deep appreciation and dedication.