epistrephō

Semantic range

1. 1to turn back or return physically
2. 2to turn toward someone
3. 3to be converted — to turn to God

The verb behind "be converted" in Matthew 18:3 and Acts 3:19, and the closest Greek equivalent to Hebrew šûb. Conversion in the New Testament is a turn, and it is something one does as well as something done to one.

Jesus's charge to Peter — "when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren" (Luke 22:32) — is directed at an already-called Apostle, which is why Latter-day Saint teaching distinguishes testimony from conversion and treats conversion as a process rather than an event (see Alma 5:14; Elder Dallin H. Oaks's 2000 address "The Challenge to Become").

See also

• μετάνοιαmetanoia
• שׁוּבšûb