Regeneration & Conversion Compared

RegenerationConversion
A creative act of GodA revealed duty of man
An instantaneous actA gradual process, repeated event
God is sovereignMan is responsible
Without human meansBy many human means
Apart from the gospel By means of the gospel
Gives life to sinnersBrings activity from life
Necessary for eternal life Needed for fellowship with God
Man is entirely passiveMan is considerably active
Can reach even an infant Cannot influence an infant
Can exist without conversionCannot exist without regeneration
Compared to conception & birthCompared to walking & growing
The condition for conversionThe evidence of regeneration
Origination of lifeManifestation of life
Irresistible by manResistible by man
Complete in each child of GodVariously partial in each man
No flesh can gloryThe flesh gets some credit
Guaranteed by grace Made possible by grace
Makes one a child of GodManifests one as a child of God
Involves creationInvolves conviction
Unconditional on man’s partConditional on man’s part
Apart from human consciousnessBased in human consciousness
Man cannot influence or directMan can labor to bring about
Cornelius before meeting PeterCornelius after meeting Peter
PerfectImperfect

 

 

The Gospel Is Not Involved In Regeneration

The Condition of Man precludes it.

  1. The gospel cannot help those who are dead (Gen 2:17; Eph 2:1-3; Col 2:13).
  2. The gospel cannot help those who cannot see it (John 3:3; II Cor 4:3-4).
  3. The gospel cannot help those who cannot hear it (John 8:43,47; Acts 7:57).
  4. The gospel cannot help those who cannot understand it (John 8:43; II Tim 2:25).
  5. The gospel cannot help those who will not understand it (Rom 3:11; II Pet 3:5).
  6. The gospel cannot help those who will not seek God (Ps 14:2-3; Rom 3:11).
  7. The gospel cannot help those who cannot please God (Rom 8:8; 3:12; Is 64:6).
  8. The gospel cannot help those who cannot be subject to it (Rom 8:7; Jer 13:23).
  9. The gospel cannot help even if one preached from the dead (Luke 16:31).
  10. The gospel cannot help those who are beyond any reformation (Isa 26:10).
  11. The gospel cannot help those beyond the Spirit’s influence (1 Cor 2:14).
  12. The gospel cannot help those at war with the Spirit (Gal 5:17; Acts 7:51).
  13. The gospel cannot help those at war with God (Rom 5:8; 8:7; Luke 19:14).
  14. The gospel cannot help those without any fear of God (Rom 3:18; Ps 36:1).
  15. The gospel cannot help those that do not have any faith (Heb 11:6; Ps 10:4).
  16. The gospel cannot help those who think it is foolishness (1 Cor 1:18,23; 2:14).
  17. The gospel cannot help those whose minds are blinded by Satan (2 Cor 4:3-4).
  18. The gospel cannot help those without any strength (Rom 5:6; 7:8-9; 8:3).

The Denial of Man’s Involvement precludes it.

  1. Scripture denies man’s will in regeneration (John 1:13; Rom 9:16).
  2. Scripture denies man’s ability to please God (Rom 8:8; Phil 2:13).
  3. Scripture denies any works by man (Rom 9:16; Eph 2:9; Titus 3:5).
  4. Scripture denies any activity contrary to grace (Rom 4:4; 11:6; Eph 2:5).
  5. Scripture affirms only God’s will involved in it (John 3:8; 5:21; Rom 9:15).

The Results of Regeneration preclude it.

  1. Faith results from regeneration (Acts 18:27; Gal 5:22; Eph 1:19; 2 Pet 1:1).
  2. Any activity toward God is the result of regeneration (Phil 2:13; Ps 110:3).
  3. We were regenerated for good works, not because of them (Eph 2:10; 4:24).
  4. Ability to see, hear, or know God is by regeneration (Pro 20:12; John 8:47).
  5. Faith and works are evidence (Acts 10:34-35; 1 John 2:29; 3:7, 14; 4:7; 5:1, 4).

The Means of Regeneration preclude it.

  1. Regeneration is ascribed to God (John 1:13; 2 Cor 4:6; 1 Pet 1:3).
  2. Regeneration is ascribed to the Son (John 5:21, 25-29; 17:2; 1 Pet 1:23).
  3. Regeneration is ascribed to the Spirit of God (John 3:8; Ecc 11:5).

The Description of Regeneration precludes it.

  1. It is called a birth (John 1:13; 3:3-8; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18).
  2. It is called a quickening (Eph 2:1, 5; Col 2:13).
  3. It is called a regeneration (Titus 3:5; Matt 19:28).
  4. It is called a creation (Eph 2:10; 4:24; James 1:18).
  5. It is called a begetting (Jam 1:18; 1 Pet 1:3; 1 John 5:1, 18).
  6. It is called a resurrection (John 5:25; Rev 20:6; Matt 19:28).
  7. It is called a renewing (Titus 3:5).

The Purpose of the Gospel precludes it.

  1. The gospel reveals the power of God to those already saved (1 Cor 1:18, 24).
  2. The gospel brings life and immortality to light (1 Tim 1:10).
  3. Paul sought to preach the gospel to saints already with faith (Rom 1:15-17).
  4. The gospel is to give men assurance of eternal life (1 John 5:13).
  5. The gospel is to convert men from error to the truth (Jam 5:19-20).
  6. The gospel is to give men fellowship with God and His Son (1 John 1:1-5).
  7. The gospel would leave salvation shaky rather than sure (Rom 4:16; 8:29-34).
  8. The gospel is a savour of death and life, but never death unto life (II Cor 2:14-17).

The Examples of Regeneration preclude it.

  1. John the Baptist was regenerated before birth (Luke 1:15; Rom 8:14; Gal 5:22).
  2. Cornelius was regenerated before hearing the gospel (Acts 10:2-4, 34-35).
  3. Lydia’s heart was opened before rather than by the gospel (Acts 16:14).
  4. Ministers are to feed sheep (John 21:15-17) and perfect saints (Eph 4:12).

The Glory of God precludes it.

  1. Regeneration, an integral part of salvation, is all for God’s glory (1 Cor 1:26-31).
  2. God will not allow men to boast or to obligate Him at all (Rom 4:4; Eph 2:9).
  3. The future purpose of salvation is God showing His kindness, not ours (Eph 2:7).