William Perkins' 10 Steps of Conversion
Insights from the past.
William Perkins (1558–1602) was an influential English cleric and Cambridge theologian.
He was a firm proponent of Reformed theology and a lecturer at St Andrew's Church in Cambridge, UK.
So much of the Christian life can seem a mystery. The Lord tells us to try and understand all about our life with great fear because of the seriousness of the consequences. (Phil 2:12)
William Perkins, writing in the 16th century, was also concerned about these issues. He had a very different society than our society, but much was the same too.
4 constant themes throughout history seem to fight against us:
1) Individualism. The desire to do things our own way and a failure to take advice.
2) Consumerism. Basically, a love of money, pleasure or leisure etc.
3) Secularism. The idea that we can live and understand this world without a reference to God.
4) Statism. Rampant today. The idea that governments can and should provide solutions to all our problems.
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Perkins first appointment after ordination was to preach to prisoners at Cambridge jail. This included ministering to prisoners awaiting execution
Are we converted and born again, or have we deceived ourselves and missed the mark?
These are basic guidelines that remove unnecessary mystery and set us on a straight path.
#1 Do you hear the Word, and often with affliction? Here Perkins is asking you to examine yourself and ask does the Word of God uncover your sin to you? This is not to be an occasional experience , but rather a regular reading of the Word is needed for true discipleship.
#2 Learning to discern good and evil. As you are reading the Word of God are you growing in wisdom? The closer we draw near to God the quicker we are in discerning Christ's voice in our heart. The sheep learn to discern the Good Shepherd's voice and know this as the good will of God.
#3 Convicted of personal sin. This is your acknowledgement that you have sin abiding in your heart that makes you a personal enemy of God. Naturally, this leads to personal confession of sin in prayer.
#4 Fears God's wrath. Contrary to popular views concerning God's infinite love, the repentant sinner will always retain a fear of the wrath of God. It acts at times as a bit or bridle to keep us faithfully obedient.
#5 Seriously considers the gospel. Now here, I am going to interpret "considers" as meaning a desire to fully understand the width, the depth and height of the gospel. Why should we do this? Because in the Gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed.
#6 Begins to trust Christ. In conversion, we begin to see Christ as being all we need. We see Christ as taking our sin and yet rising from the grave. As we trust in Christ, knowledge of his resurrection begins give us an assurance of Christ's death on my behalf.
#7 Overcomes doubt/ despair/ unbelief. This is not a matter of blind faith or vain wishful thinking. As the believer grows in grace the evidence of the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence is revealed as the true believer increasingly overcomes the habits formed when they were an enemy of God. We have a living hope and it shows to the world that Christ is alive.
#8 Rests on promises. Do you take the "I wills" of the Scriptures as personal promises made by God to you? Do the promises in God's Word influence the decisions you make?
#9 Evangelical sorrow for sin. As we progress in our walk with Christ there should be an increasing awareness and mourning of sin in the world around you. Do you pray for society, seeking God's mercy and for the witness of the Church?
#10 Seeks to obey God. This will involve reading God's Word, seeking an understanding of what He regards as sin. You will also become increasingly jealous for His name and want to seem Him honoured.
This is list is not exhaustive. Perkin's was wanting to give some practical tips to help people examine their faith. You need to know if there has been the conversion of your heart