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By God's grace, still presenting the same old message from the same old Book...

Here are a few words about the subject of regeneration. These are difficult things and caution is needed. I hope this is found to be helpful.

Life is needed and where there is repentance and faith there must be life. Where there is life there must be repentance and faith. Life results in repentance and faith, and repentance and faith does not result in life is what I understand. As I understand, the life is first, and then the manifestation of the life results in repentance and faith. The preaching of the word is used for repentance and faith but not for regeneration. Any time between regeneration and repentance and faith is no consequence to me. When one is regenerated they receive the Holy Spirit, and eternal life. That life is made manifest by hearing and believing the word preached.

Repentance and faith are to be boldly proclaimed, commanding all men everywhere to repent and believe, and conversion is to be expected. There is no salvation shown where these are absent. As these things are hard to understand, and various ones understand these things differently, we ought to strive to be concise and clear, and not so rigid, except where we would quote Scripture. As we quote Scripture we must recognize other believers might be of a different understanding, and might better understand. We ought to have our understanding and we ought to realize others might not have achieved what we have or perhaps one might have gone beyond what is intended to be understood. I don’t want to preach myself, I don’t want to simply accept what another man has said. I see in part and I understand in part. I understand these things for myself.

Acts 20:21 (KJV) Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Here are quotes by Pink, saying the life results in the faith.

Quoting the book, The Holy Spirit, by A. W. Pink.

Pink says in Chapter 10, The Holy Spirit Regenerating:

REGENERATION IS THE SOLE WORK OF THE SPIRIT

In regeneration one of God’s elect is the subject, and the Spirit of God is the sole agent. The subject of the new birth is wholly passive: he does not act, but is acted upon. The sovereign work of the Spirit in the soul precedes all holy exercises of heart—such as sorrow for sin, faith in Christ, love toward God. This great change is wrought in spite of all the opposition of the natural heart against God: “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy” (Romans 9:16). This great change is not a gradual and protracted process, but is instantaneous: in an instant of time the favored subject of it passes from death unto life.

In regeneration the Spirit imparts a real, new, and immortal life; a life not such as that which was inherited from the first Adam, who was “a living soul,” but such as is derived from the last Adam, who is “a quickening Spirit” (1 Corinthians 15:45). This new creation, though as real as the first, is widely different from it; that was an original or primary creation in the dust of the earth becoming man by the word of God’s power; this is the regeneration of an actual and existing man—fallen and depraved, yet Rational and accountable—into an heir of God and joint-heir with Christ. The outcome is “a new man,” yet it is the same person, only “renewed.” “Regeneration consists in a new, spiritual, supernatural, vital principle, or habit of grace infused into the soul, the mind, the will and affections, by the power of the Holy Spirit, disposing and enabling them in whom it is, unto spiritual, supernatural, vital actings and spiritual obedience” (John Owen). No new faculties are created, but instead, the powers of the soul are spiritualized and made alive unto God, fitted to enjoy God and hold communion with Him. regeneration consists in a radical change of heart, for there is implanted a new disposition as the foundation of all holy exercises; the mind being renovated, the affections elevated, and the will emancipated from the bondage of sin. The effect of this is that the one who is born again loves spiritual things as spiritual, and values spiritual blessings on account of their being purely spiritual.

End/

In the book, The Holy Spirit, Chapter 11, The Spirit Quickening, Pink says:

QUICKENING IS THE INITIAL OPERATION OF THE SPIRIT

In earlier years we did not ourselves perceive the distinction which is pointed by John 6:63 and 1 Peter 1:23: the former referring unto the initial act of the Spirit in “quickening” the spiritually-dead soul, the latter having in view the consequent “birth” of the same. While it is freely allowed that the origin of the “new creature” is shrouded in impenetrable mystery, yet of this we may be certain, that life precedes birth. There is a strict analogy between the natural birth and the spiritual: necessarily so, for God is the Author of them both, and He ordained that the former should adumbrate the latter. Birth is neither the cause nor the beginning of life itself: rather is it the manifestation of a life already existent: there had been a Divine “quickening” before the child could issue from the womb. In like manner, the Holy Spirit “quickens” the soul, or imparts spiritual life to it, before its possessor is “brought forth” (as James 1:18 is rightly rendered in the R.V.) and “born again” by the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23).

James 1:18, 1 Peter 1:23, and parallel passages, refer not to the original communication of spiritual life to the soul, but rather to our being enabled to act from that life and induced to love and obey God by means of the Word of Truth—which presupposes a principle of grace already planted in the heart. In His work of illumination, conviction, conversion, and sanctification, the Spirit uses the Word as the means thereto, but in His initial work of “quickening” He employs no means, operating immediately or directly upon the soul. First there is a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10), and then the “new creature” is stirred into exercise. Faith and all other graces are wrought in us by the Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word, but not so with the principle of life and grace from which these graces proceed.

QUICKENING IMPARTS LIFE

In His work of “quickening,” by which we mean the impartation of spiritual life to the soul, the Spirit acts immediately from within, and not by applying something from without. Quickening is a direct operation of the Spirit without the use of any instrument: the Word is used by Him afterwards to call into exercise the life then communicated.

“Regeneration is a direct operation of the Holy Spirit upon the human spirit. It is the action of Spirit upon spirit, of a Divine Person upon a human person, whereby spiritual life is imparted. Nothing, therefore, of the nature of means or instruments can come between the Holy Spirit and the soul that is made alive. God did not employ an instrument or means when He infused physical life into the body of Adam. There were only two factors: the dust of the ground and the creative power of God which vivified that dust. The Divine omnipotence and dead matter were brought into direct contact, with nothing interposing. The dust was not a means or instrument by which God originated life. So in regeneration there are only two factors: the human soul destitute of spiritual life, and the Holy Spirit who quickens it.

“The Word and Truth of God, the most important of all the means of grace, is not a means of regeneration, as distinct from conviction, conversion and sanctification. This is evident when we remember that it is the office of a means or instrument to excite or stimulate an already existing principle of life. Physical food is a means of physical growth, but it supposes physical vitality. If the body is dead, bread cannot be a means or instrument. Intellectual truth is a means of intellectual growth, but it supposes intellectual vitality. If the mind be idiotic, secular knowledge cannot be a means or instrument. Spiritual truth is a means of spiritual growth, in case there be spiritual vitality. But if the mind be dead to righteousness, spiritual truth cannot be a means or instrument.

“The unenlightened understanding is unable to apprehend, and the unregenerate will is unable to believe. Vital force is lacking in these two principal factors. What is needed at this point is life and force itself. Consequently, the Author of spiritual life Himself must operate directly, without the use of means or instruments; and outright give spiritual life and power from the dead: that is, ex nihilo. The new life is not imparted because man perceives the truth, but he perceives the truth because the new life is imparted. A man is not regenerated because he has first believed in Christ, but he believes in Christ because he has been regenerated” (W. T. Shedd, Presbyterian, 1889).

End/

Where Pink differentiates between regeneration and new birth, I think it more clear to say there is regeneration and that life resulting from regeneration is manifest by repentance and faith, that conversion (repentance and faith) resulting from the regenerate one hearing the preached word. This that Pink refers to by the term New Birth, I refer to as conversion. [Easton’s Bible dictionary: men are converted when, by the influence of divine grace in their souls, their whole life is changed, old things pass away, and all things become new (Ac 26:18). Thus we speak of the conversion of the Philippian jailer (Ac 16:19-34), of Paul (Ac 9:1-22), of the Ethiopian treasurer (Ac 8:26-40), of Cornelius (10), of Lydia (Ac 16:13-15), and others.] Regeneration and conversion are separate and distinct one from the other. I think it is normal for the elect to hear and believe, and I think the hearing and believing is evidence of regeneration. I don’t think hearing and believing results in regeneration. There is no evidence of salvation, there is no reason to conclude any are saved apart from the evidence of their showing forth repentance and faith. We are to preach the word, that the sheep might hear and believe. 

Here is what Oscar B. Mink has to say:

THE INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE GOSPEL IN REGENERATION

I Cor. 4:15 ". .. For in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel." "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever."

There is no intrinsic power in the letter of the gospel. The gospel has no inherent sovereignty in it, it is by itself ineffectual in revealing the Lordship and Saviourhood of Jesus Christ. It is as the sword yet in its sheath, powerless, but when unsheathed by the skillful hand of the Master swordsman it is means of subduing some, and putting others to flight. So it is with the gospel sword, when empowered and directed by the Holy Spirit, the enmity in the hearts of God's elect is slain thereby, and they are given a peace that passes all understanding. The Holy Spirit is the regenerative agent, or the life giving power. Therefore, it is no demeaning of the Spirit, to attribute to Him the use of the gospel in His quickening ministry. It is through the means of gospel preaching, the elect see Christ lifted upon the pole of calvary to bear the soul damning judgement due them, and hence He becomes the object of their world defeating faith (I John 5:4, 5).

Regeneration belongs wholly to the sphere of Divine activity, it is a product of sovereign grace, and there can never be regeneration that is according to the will of the flesh. It is "... Not of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:13). Man has no volition, option, or action in regeneration, there is no contribution given or made on his part, and none is needed, for man is the clay and God is the potter (Rom. 9:21-23). While man is utterly passive in the regenerative experience, he is not irresponsible, for God ". . Commandeth all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30), As with repentance, so it is with faith, for "Without faith it is impossible to please God . . ." (Heb. 11:6). "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourself; it is the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8). Paul says: ". .. For all men have not faith," and in the same breath, he says: they who have not faith are "unreasonable and wicked men" (II Thes. 3:2). Men who are destitute of God given faith, are utterly depraved, and are in their entity an abomination to God.

However, there is hope, for Jesus shall "save His people from their sins," and He has in infinite mercy revealed in His unimpeachable word, how He saves all the Father gave Him in the covenant of redemption, and that is by the preaching of the gospel of the grace of God. Our Lord preached the doctrine of regeneration to Nicodemus, saying unto him: "Ye must be born again" (John 3:7), and then He connected this absolute requisite with the gospel, saying: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:14, 15). It is this very gospel that permeates the New Testament, and is the instrument God invariably uses in the regeneration of His people.

"For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed . . . For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:11-17). Paul irrefutably declares that a hearing of the gospel of Christ is essential to regeneration, for he asks: "How shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard?"

End/

Oscar B. Mink says “Paul irrefutably declares that a hearing of the gospel of Christ is essential to regeneration...” I have much regard for what Oscar B. Mink has accomplished and I believe his works do follow him. On this matter regarding the instrumentality of the gospel regarding regeneration I must disagree. The reason one hears and believes and another does not, is one is elect and the other is not, one is regenerate and the other is not. I think there is first life, then the manifestation of that life is discovered by the preaching of the word. There is no evidence of life apart from there being repentance and faith, and there is no repentance and faith where there is not life. The life is shown forth by the light. I conclude John Baptist in the womb jumped for joy at the presence of Christ because he was regenerate. I believe regeneration is first the experience and then comes the hearing and believing. The unregenerate do not hear and they do not understand. There is no reason to speak of any that have not demonstrated repentance and faith as being saved. We see as men see. Paul suffered all he did for the sake of the elect, and he preached the word and he told others to preach the word, that they might be saved. We experience salvation in this life, and our salvation is a result of what God has done for us. We ought not make excuses for leaving any in the dark, so we ought to indiscriminately preach the word where we have the opportunity. The gospel gives light but not life. The dead in trespasses and sins does not become effectually attracted through hearing and understanding, but rather the dead must be made alive. Being made alive we have life and immortality and that is discovered by the hearing of the word. The sheep hear and understand, and the natural man does not (1Cor 2:14; John 10:27). Oscar mink quotes: ". .. For in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel." "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." By the phrase, I have begotten you” I understand conversion is meant and not regeneration. By the phrase, “not of corruptible seed” I understand that it is not the written Scriptures that are referred to, as they are corruptible as Paul tells us (2Cor 2:17). By the phrase, “the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever” I understand the meaning to be Christ Himself, through the Holy Spirit, whereby one is born of God (John 1:13).

Psalms 119:130 (KJV) The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

2 Timothy 1:10 (KJV) But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

For all we see we are not allowed to see God regenerating, and it might seem normal that regeneration occurs with the preaching of the word. Nevertheless it must be admitted the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God. I conclude God regenerates apart from the instrumentality of the preached word and apart from hearing the preached word. Apart from repentance and faith resulting from the preached word, there is no evidence of salvation, and the word is to be preached indiscriminately that the sheep might hear and believe. By regeneration alone salvation is not understood, but when the regenerate hear and believe they know.

Our knowing these things, our understanding these things about our experience of salvation is what matters to us. Some would take that away from us, by our having a walk down the aisle and being told it is over now, and others would take it away by not indiscriminately preaching to every creature. Salvation experience is just starting when we come to the knowledge of salvation, and while we are every bit sav3d when we first believe, there is bringing forth of fruit in his season. It is horrible what is being pawned off as Bible truth. It is disgusting that people are being robbed of the knowledge of God. Our faith is a present experience, and of our salvation, it is a new and living way. We have a walk in newness of life, and it is Christ in us that is the hope of glory. Thinking to force various events is not of grace and is not salvation. These things about regeneration are difficult, but finding evidence of regeneration is profitable. Conversion is an evidence of regeneration. Preaching the word, hearing the word, understanding, those are profitable. Knowing just what God does when we are regenerated, those things in large part belong to God and are hidden, secret things, in large part. Finding the word effectually working in us, those are open and plain for the believer (Eph 4:16; 1Thes 2:13).

By grace,
Bob Krajcik
Mansfield, Ohio

Bible Study Letters

A message of comfort from the Scriptures,
that we through patience and comfort
of the scriptures might have hope.

Come and hear, all ye that fear God,
and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Psalms 66:16

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