The God Who Saves: Regeneration & Conversion [session 4]

Regeneration

In it’s simplistic form regeneration is “the work of God which gives new life to the one who believes.” Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology. p. 56.

“Regeneration consists in the implanting of the principle of the new spiritual life in man, in a radical change of the governing disposition of the soul, which, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, gives birth to a life that moves in a Godward direction.” Louis Berkhoff, Systematic Theology. p. 468.

he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, Titus 3.5,6.

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants[c] for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 4.3-6.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— Eph. 2.4,5.

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3.5-8.

In the reformed view, effectual calling and regeneration are closely connected and related to one another. So much so, some see them as virtually identical.

“Since effectual calling is the sovereign work of God whereby he enables the hearer of the gospel call to respond in repentance and faith, it is not different from regeneration. These two expressions describe the change from spiritual death to spiritual life by means of different figures: the bestowal of new life (regeneration) or the bestowal of the ability to respond to the gospel call in faith (effectual calling).” Anthony Hoekema, Saved by Grace. p. 106.

In my train of thought, regeneration is the natural outflow, of God’s calling a person to salvation.

“The order in which calling and regeneration stand to each other may be best indicated as follows: The external call in the preaching of the Word, except in the case of children, precedes or coincides with the operation of the Holy Spirit in the production of the new life.” Louis Berkhof, Manual of Christian Doctrine. p. 237.

Characteristics of:

  • instantaneous
  • affects the whole man: intellect, emotion, morally
  • occurs in the sub-conscious, not initially perceived by man (see John 3.8)

Possible Causes of:

  • The human will – Pelagian. self-reformation. To adopt this view one must deny total depravity.
  • The truth – presented by the Holy Spirit and a proclaimer, the hearer is persuaded to respond.
  • The Holy Spirit – the sole work of the Spirit. The Spirit works on the heart of man and changes its spiritual condition.

Conversion: Faith & Repentance

Whereas regeneration works within the subconscious, conversion is a conscious, cooperative response to the call of God. It stems from conviction and brings about a life devoted to God.

10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 2 Cor. 7.10.

Understanding conversion cooperatively:

  • act of God whereby He causes the regenerated sinner, in His conscious life, to turn to Him in repentance and faith
  • the conscious act of the regenerated sinner whereby he, through the grace of God, turns to God in repentance and faith.

14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. Acts 16.14.

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Rom. 10.9-13.

Elements of Saving Faith:*

  1. Knowledge – knowledge alone is not enough. knowing facts about Jesus isn’t enough. James 2.19.
  2. Approval – knowledge and agreeing that they are true are not enough.
  3. Personal Trust – Trusting in Jesus Christ as a living person for forgiveness of sins and for eternal life with God
  4. Faith should increase as knowledge increases.

Repentance – “a heartfelt sorrow for sin, a renouncing of it, and a sincere commitment to forsake it and walk in obedience to Christ.” Wayne Grudem. Systematic Theology, p. 713.

Key Thoughts on Conversion:**

  • conscious, not subconscious
  • marks the conscious beginning
  • takes place once and cannot be repeated
  • may take place quickly (crisis) or be gradual change
  • a supernatural work of God, resulting in spiritual change

Which Comes First?

The main question we have to answer in deciding this dilemma: Is regeneration monergistic (God only) or synergistic (God and me)?

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 1 Cor. 2.14.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Rom. 1.18.

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3.5-8.

Also: Romans 3; Ephesians 2

4 Reasons I Place Regeneration Before Conversion:

  1. Scripture
  2. Understanding of Election
  3. Affirmation of Total Depravity
  4. Understanding of God’s Calling

*Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology. p. 709-10.

**Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology. p. 484-5.