Posted on 10/27/2004 8:25:49 AM PDT by ksen
Does regeneration necessarily precede conversion?
By Tom Schreiner
The answer to the question is “yes,” but before explaining why this is so, the terms “regeneration” and “conversion” should be explained briefly.
Regeneration means that one has been born again or born from above (John 3:3, 5, 7, 8). The new birth is the work of God, so that all those who are born again are “born of the Spirit” (John 3:8 ESV here and henceforth). Or, as 1 Pet 1:3 says, it is God who “caused us to be born again to a living hope” (1 Pet 1:3). The means God uses to grant such new life is the gospel, for believers “have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Pet 1:23; cf. Jas 1:18). Regeneration or being born again is a supernatural birth. Just as we cannot do anything to be born physically—it just happens to us!—so too we cannot do anything to cause our spiritual rebirth.
Conversion occurs when sinners turn to God in repentance and faith for salvation. Paul describes the conversion of the Thessalonians in 1 Thess 1:9, “For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” Sinners are converted when they repent of their sins and turn in faith to Jesus Christ, trusting in him for the forgiveness of their sins on the Day of Judgment.
Paul argues that unbelievers “are dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph 2:1; cf. 2:5). They are under the dominion of the world, the flesh, and the devil (Eph 2:2-3). Every one is born into the world as a son or daughter of Adam (Rom 5:12-19). Therefore, all people enter into this world as slaves of sin (Rom 6:6, 17, 20). Their wills are in bondage to evil, and hence they have no inclination or desire to do what is right or to turn to Jesus Christ. God, however, because of his amazing grace has “made us alive together with Christ” (Eph 2:5). This is Paul’s way of saying that God has regenerated his people (cf. Tit 3:5). He has breathed life into us where there was none previously, and the result of this new life is faith, for faith too is “the gift of God” (Eph 2:8).
Several texts from 1 John demonstrate that regeneration precedes faith. The texts are as follows: “If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him” (1 John 2:29). “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God” (1 John 3:9). “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7). “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whomever has been born of him” (1 John 5:1).
We can make two observations from these texts. First, in every instance the verb “born” (gennaô) is in the perfect tense, denoting an action that precedes the human actions of practicing righteousness, avoiding sin, loving, or believing.
Second, no evangelical would say that before we are born again we must practice righteousness, for such a view would teach works-righteousness. Nor would we say that first we avoid sinning, and then are born of God, for such a view would suggest that human works cause us to be born of God. Nor would we say that first we show great love for God, and then he causes us to be born again. No, it is clear that practicing righteousness, avoiding sin, and loving are all the consequences or results of the new birth. But if this is the case, then we must interpret 1 John 5:1 in the same way, for the structure of the verse is the same as we find in the texts about practicing righteousness (1 John 2:29), avoiding sin (1 John 3:9), and loving God (1 John 4:7). It follows, then, that 1 John 5:1 teaches that first God grants us new life and then we believe Jesus is the Christ.
We see the same truth in Acts 16:14. First God opens Lydia’s heart and the consequence is that she pays heed to and believes in the message proclaimed by Paul. Similarly, no one can come to Jesus in faith unless God has worked in his heart to draw him to faith in Christ (John 6:44). But all those whom the Father has drawn or given to the Son will most certainly put their faith in Jesus (John 6:37).
God regenerates us and then we believe, and hence regeneration precedes our conversion. Therefore, we give all the glory to God for our conversion, for our turning to him is entirely a work of his grace.
Dr. Schreiner is a Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Seminary. Before 1997, he served 11 years on the faculty at Bethel Theological Seminary. He also taught New Testament at Azusa Pacific University. Dr. Schreiner, a Pauline scholar, is the author or editor of the following books: Romans in the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament; Interpreting the Pauline Letters; The Law and Its Fulfillment: A Pauline Theology of Law; The Grace of God, The Bondage of the Will (a two-volume set which he co-edited with Bruce A. Ware); Women in the Church: A Fresh Analysis of 1 Timothy 2:9-15; The Race Set Before Us: A Biblical Theology of Perseverance and Assurance; and Paul Apostle of God's Glory in Christ: A Pauline Theology.
However, just because they are set down in the order of regenration and then conversion does not mean there is a significant amount of time between the two happening in the life of a person. One doesn't become regenerate and then 5 or 6 months later convert. They are nearly instantaneous happenings. the_doc described it to me as when a bullet makes a whole in a piece of wood that it is fired at. The bullet hits the wood before the hole is made, but to the human eye it is an instantaneous event.
That I definitely agree with!
The regeneration versus conversion was one of the bigger stumbling blocks I had to overcome before I embraced Calvinism.
I hope this article helps others to come and understand the difference between the two better.
That's a good analogy. One that helped me (I read it somewhere) is that it's like flicking the light-switch. That action necessarily precedes the flooding of the room with light -- but not by much. It appears to be instantaneous, but the one must preced and cause the other.
Likewise, the Biblical doctrine needn't create the idea of born-again people wandering around in unbelief and impenitence for years. It may be seconds, it may be nanoseconds. But regeneration necessarily *precedes* faith, AND regeneration necessarily *produces* faith.
Dan
I heard the gospel and knew it to be the truth and made a conscious determined decision to run from it as Jonah ran from God when told to preach to Ninevah. Two years later I surrendered to God and at that point a dramatic change occurred.
Now if no man can hear the gospel and understand it and accept it as true unless they are first regenerated, or born again, would you say that I was born again two years before I finally surrendered my life to Christ? Would you say that I was born again while I was in active rebellion against what I knew to be the truth?
When was I born again? When I converted? When I repented and fell on my knees? Or when I realized the absolute truth of the gospel and ran from it two years earlier.
My story is not unique. There is often a large span of time betweeen when we realize the truth of the gospel and when we respond in repentance.
Exactly.
Thought question: Had you died inbetween (A) and (B), do you think you would have been saved, or damned for not having made it all the way to (B)?
FWIW, I'm not convinced that the period between regeneration/conversion has to be near-instantaneous.
Now if no man can hear the gospel and understand it and accept it as true unless they are first regenerated, or born again, would you say that I was born again two years before I finally surrendered my life to Christ? Would you say that I was born again while I was in active rebellion against what I knew to be the truth?
With the caveat that I am not God and don't actually know, all I can do is guess based on what you've said, I would say that regeneration took place two years after your hearing of the Gospel.
When was I born again? When I converted? When I repented and fell on my knees? Or when I realized the absolute truth of the gospel and ran from it two years earlier.
Again, from what you've described I would say two years later just before you converted.
My story is not unique. There is often a large span of time betweeen when we realize the truth of the gospel and when we respond in repentance.
Even the devils believe, but they are not saved or born again. When you are born again from above you respond with repentance.
The Reformational fathers did not understand "Conversion" as an instantaneous event. Rather, they understood "Conversion" as encompassing the entire life of the believer.
Regeneration and Conversion are not the same thing. Regeneration is the creating of a new heart in the depraved sinner. Conversion, whether understood as a long process or not, is the result of Regeneration.
Jean
Now if no man can hear the gospel and understand it and accept it as true unless they are first regenerated, or born again, would you say that I was born again two years before I finally surrendered my life to Christ? Would you say that I was born again while I was in active rebellion against what I knew to be the truth?"
Those who hate Christ do not do so because they think he's a "phony". They hate him, as Satan does, because they know Christ is the truth.
Your admission that you knew the Gospel was true does not mean you were regenerated. Satan also knows the Gospel is true. You did not believe because it was not in your heart to submit to Christ as Lord.
Your heart had been changed two years later.
Jean
You might have heard the gospel but until God's Holy Spirit illuminated the truth and gave you your faith, you remained in darkness. It is God's Spirit that illuminated to you the truth and drew you in. You only think you've made a decision but the fact is no one can resist the illumination of the Spirit.
It doesn't matter at what point this illumination occurred. The fact is as you testify, like Jonah there was no way to run from it. You were chosen before the foundations of the world for a purpose like Paul who said God set him "apart even in his mother's womb" (Gal 1:13). He didn't come to know the Lord for many years later. You cannot escape God's choosing nor the illumination of the Holy Spirit.
One can have an intellectual understanding without having been born again. The churches are full of them ( read the parable of the wheat and the tares.)
Scripture says Repentance precedes salvation.
So no you were not regenerate until those words lived in your heart and the Holy Spirt caused you to repent .
Thanks, Ksen. Great article.
I miss the_doc. I remember his analogy of a bullet hitting wood. Wonderfully clear illustration of God's penetrating will.
Many men "realize the truth of the gospel" and run from it, and keep running.
The point where God took you by the neck and threw you to the ground and showed you that you could not live another second without Christ as your Lord and Savior, that was the moment of your regeneration.
Satan realizes the truth of the gospel.
Big deal.
Bump for an excellent article.
I don't think this is the case, or that God is like that.
Originally we were "dead in trespasses and sin". God had to do a work of spiritual resurrection to even get us thinking in terms of God. The Scriptures indicate that God uses His Word to do this. The Father, is 'drawing us' ("no one comes to Me unless the Father draws him"). 'Drawing' a person takes time.
Somewhere in the process. God applies his irresistible grace, gives us the very words to speak, and we are converted.
As for the business of dying between point A (in regeneration process) to point B (conversion). Misunderstands what Christ said "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.". The Elect are in the Father's hand "Before the foundation of the world". Thus they are not destined for eternal death, but "Eternal Life".
God is sovereign and he brings His plans to fulfillment.
Conversion occurs when sinners turn to God in repentance and faith for salvation.
Based on the authors own words, it appears to me that regeneration occurs at the same time as conversion.
Are we talking about the same God who had a fish swallow Jonah?
Are we talking about the same God who had Israel carried off into captivity until they groveled for mercy?
And that moment can be years after you have been illuminated to the truth of the Gospel and called to repentance. It can be years after it has been revealed to your cold dead heart that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God.
So if regeneration occurs at the moment of conversion, what do you call it when God begins his work to draw you to Christ and you are enlightened to the truth yet still resistant to the call?
Can a dead man resist? Can a dead man hear the call? Can a dead man understand the truth of the gospel message?
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