Hence, conversion, a change of heart, emission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, are often spoken of as so many expressions of the same thing. They are not. Conversion is one thing, remission is another, and the gift of the Holy Spirit is yet something else. These are different items in the great process of salvation. In this, he represents conversion and pardon as two distinct components in the wonderful system of human salvation.
Conversion goes before pardon.
Christ did not say, they might be healed, and I then should convert them, but that they might be converted , and I should heal them, placing conversion before being healed, or pardoned. Since these things are true, it is most important that we understand what it is to be converted. If I do not understand what conversion is, I do not know whether or not I am converted. And if I do not know if I am converted, I do not know whether or not I am pardoned. We therefore want to examine the Scriptures to determine just what is meant by conversion .