By: Obed Pineda
A curious trait that every language shares is certain words’ ability to hold multiple meanings. Sometimes this is possible because the words sharing the different meanings contain in its composition a root word deriving from an archaic language where the principal concept applies to every meaning. The title of this treatise is an illustration of what is being said. Conviction can either refer to the legal process where a judge or jury concludes that a defendant is indeed guilty of the crime or crimes they are being accused of in light of all the evidence presented against them or it could be speaking about a person’s firm belief or state of being fully persuaded. When dissecting the origin of this word its etymology reveals that it stems from the late Latin noun convincere which translates in English to “to overcome decisively” (Etymonline). Considering that our English word convince is integral to the configuration of conviction, it becomes evident how both definitions fit the word perfectly. Amazingly, this double meaning also unveils why conviction is fundamental to a man’s salvation, in both ways. Jesus taught His disciples that when the Holy Spirit (i.e. the Helper) “has come, He will convictthe world of sin, and righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:7-8). Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon states that the Greek word elegchō is used in this pericope and it is defined as “to convict, refute, confute, generally with a suggestion of the shame of the person convicted” (Thayer G1651). The Master’s words came to fruition on Pentecost when the Jews gathered in Jerusalem heard Peter say, “let all the house of Israel know assuredlythat God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). Remember that prior to this, the power of the Holy Spirit had descended upon the twelve apostles, granting them the miraculous gift of speaking in different tongues (cf. Acts 2:1-4). It was this extraordinary occurrence that drew the thousands of Jews to the apostles, wondering what the meaning of what their eyes beheld was. Peter, filled with the power of the Spirit, used this opportunity to convince them of Jesus’ identity as their long-awaited Messiah (i.e. Christ) and of their guilt of crucifying Him. Luke, by inspiration, records “now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart,and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do’” (Acts 2:37)? The expression “they were cut” is the Greek Koine term katanyssomai and it means “to prick, pierce; metaphorically, to pain the mind sharply, agitate it vehemently: used especially of the emotion of sorrow” (Thayer G2660, emphasis OP). Upon listening to Peter’s discourse about Jesus of Nazareth being the Christ and that they had wrongfully hung Him on the cross, the Bible discloses that they had been convinced (i.e. persuaded) that what he espoused was certainly true. The Jews who inquired as to what should they do to correct this dreadful wrong had been overcome decisively by the undeniable evidence Peter and the apostles had presented to them from Scriptures (cf. Acts 2:14-37). Therefore, this conviction was a product of their conscience being stirred by the Holy Spirit’s revelation, by the mouth of the Lord’s chosen witnesses. God’s words had convinced them that they were liable for killing Jesus and that they were in great need of forgiveness, in order to reconcile with God. Paul establishes that what unfolded at Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost is that the penitent three thousand had possessed “godly sorrow [which] produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted” (2ndCorinthians 7:10a, addition OP). Herein lies the vital application of the second meaning of the word conviction. Not only was their conscience pricked by the guilt of their sinful ways, but they had to be fully persuaded that Peter’s solution for their predicament was given by God and not man (cf. Acts 2:38-39). They had to firmly believe that by obeying Christ’s Gospel in the waters of baptism, their sins would be washed away and their fellowship with God would be reinstated (cf. Colossians 1:13-14, Titus 3:3-7). The Hebrew writer aids our understanding of why conviction is paramount for a man’s salvation by establishing that “without faith itisimpossibleto please Him, for he who comes to God must believe (i.e. “be convinced”)that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6, addition OP). An example from the Old Testament of this reality is demonstrated in the hesitancy of King Joash of Israel (cf. 2ndKings 13:14-21). Although he had gone to consult the dying prophet of the LORD about how to destroy Syria. His desire fell short because his conviction wavered when he did not follow Elisha’s instructions exactly as he had received them. Someone may say that the prophet never gave a specific number of times the king was to strike the ground, but it is this very detail that exposed Joash’s doubt in what the prophet was doing. From the text it can be inferred that King Joash had no understanding of why the prophet was ordering him to execute the actions he was instructed with the bow and arrows, thus he was blindly following them without ever asking for an explanation or clarity. He trusted Elisha enough to consult and obey him to a certain point, but regrettably he was not convicted that the ill prophet’s method would secure Israel victory in battle. The same is true when a person accepts culpability of their wickedness, but does not obey the Gospel because they are apprehensive of baptism’s ability to clear their guilt. Like Israel’s king, they will accept the Bible as God’s Word, they will take full responsibility for their sins, their conscience will convict them of sin, but when the time comes to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins, they stop striking the ground because they are unsure. There is also the other threat of those who are converted, but lack conviction. Holy Writ tells that during Jesus’ day, “even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue” (John 12:42). It is true that the rulers mentioned by John believed that Jesus was who He claimed to be, but they fell short of justification because “you see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only…for as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:24, 26). Thus, it is evident in Scripture a man needs conviction in his life if he is to be obedient to the whole counsel of God. His conscience must be convicted of sin and his mind must be fully persuaded of the promises that God makes to those who are faithful. When a person has conviction in Christ, then he will not be afraid to suffer for the Gospel’s sake because he will always say to himself or herself, “I know whom I have believed and am persuadedthat He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2ndTimothy 1:12b).