What is decisional regeneration?

Decisional regeneration, sometimes referred to as decision theology, is the belief that a person must make a decision for Christ, consciously accepting Him as Savior, in order to be saved. According to decision theology, the new birth occurs when someone 1) hears the gospel, 2) is convicted of the truth of the gospel, 3) understands the need for salvation, and 4) chooses to accept Christ rather than reject Him. Often, the decision to accept Christ is marked by an action such as walking an aisle, praying a "sinner’s prayer," signing a decision card, or similar activity.

Detractors of decision theology consider it a misleading and dangerous teaching because it gives man too much control over his salvation. Some see decisional regeneration (salvation depends on making a decision) akin to baptismal regeneration (salvation depends on being baptized) and other works-based systems. If salvation is by grace, then it is an internal work of the Holy Spirit, occurring at the time of His choosing. Decisional regeneration, on the other hand, posits that the moment of salvation occurs when someone makes a choice to “accept Christ.” This, say opponents, is tantamount to salvation by works, because exercising the will is a human work and therefore cannot be part of salvation.

Some are opposed to decision theology because it risks associating a spiritual event with a physical action. Telling someone to "make a decision for Christ" and to "express" that decision outwardly fosters the notion that salvation is synonymous with walking an aisle or reciting a prayer instead of being the work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:8). This false association, in turn, can lead to false conversions, because someone who walks an aisle after a sermon may think he is saved (on the basis of an emotional experience), when there has been no work of God in his heart. Also, the detractors of decision theology are quick to point out that nowhere in the Bible are "decisions for Christ" mentioned, nor is anyone commanded to "accept Christ" or to "ask Him into your heart."

Further, Scripture says that man in his natural state is incapable of choosing Christ. He is "dead" in sin (Ephesians 2:1), he cannot please God (Romans 8:8), and he is utterly helpless to come to God on his own (John 6:44-45). There is "no one who seeks God" (Romans 3:11); an unsaved person is unable to "accept the things that come from the Spirit of God" (1 Corinthians 2:14). This being the case, asking a non-Christian to make a decision for Christ is like asking a corpse to dance. Divine intervention is necessary.

Central to the debate over decision theology is the debate over monergism vs. synergism. Is salvation God’s work or man’s—or both? Monergism, closely allied with Calvinism and its tenet of irresistible grace, teaches that God is solely responsible for all aspects of our salvation. God sovereignly saves without any cooperation from us whatsoever, even giving us the faith to believe (Ephesians 2:8-9). Synergism teaches that we cooperate in our salvation to some degree. Decisional regeneration can be seen as synergistic in that we must decide to accept Christ—a very limited cooperation, but cooperation nonetheless.

The Bible is clear that salvation is totally the work of God. We can do nothing to secure salvation for ourselves (Romans 3:20). The Lord chooses us (John 15:16), draws us to Himself (John 6:44), gives us life (John 14:6), and preserves us (John 10:28). The new birth is not the result "of human decision" (John 1:13). Just as the Lord brought life to the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37), Jesus "gives life to whom he is pleased to give it" (John 5:21). At the same time, the Bible commands everyone to repent (Acts 3:19, 17:30) and to believe in Christ (Acts 16:31). While the words "make a decision for Christ" are not used in Scripture, the fact that we are commanded to repent seems to imply an exercise of the will.

How is one saved? By grace through faith—and even faith is a gift created through the hearing of God’s Word (Romans 10:17). Salvation does not come by walking an aisle or raising a hand. Saying a prayer does not save anyone. Reading and agreeing with the salvation pages on GotQuestions.org cannot save. Salvation is making a new spiritual creation, something only the Holy Spirit can accomplish.

Does this mean that it is wrong for an evangelist to hold an ”altar call” after his message? Not at all. However, we must be careful never to attribute our spiritual peace with God to a physical act of our own. Coming to the front of a church is not the same thing as coming to Christ. Also, we should remember that simply "making a decision" of some kind is not what saves us; it is the all-powerful, sovereign work of God in Christ that saves. Rather than calling on people to "invite Jesus to come in," it would perhaps be better to urge them to repent of their sin and cast themselves on the mercy of God in Christ.

Hear
Romans 10:17 – “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

John 6:44–45 – Jesus says people are taught of God and come to Him after hearing and learning from the Father.

Acts 2:37 – The crowd “heard this” preaching about Jesus and were cut to the heart, asking what to do.

Believe
Mark 16:16 – “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

John 3:16 – Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Acts 16:31 – “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Repent
Luke 13:3 – “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

Acts 17:30 – God now commands all men everywhere to repent.

Acts 2:38 – “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…”

Confess
Matthew 10:32 – “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.”

Romans 10:9–10 – Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart… for with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Acts 8:37 – The eunuch: “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” before being baptized (in translations that include this verse).

Be baptized
Mark 16:16 – “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…”

Acts 2:38 – “Repent, and be baptized every one of you… for the remission of sins…”

Acts 22:16 – “Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

Galatians 3:27 – “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

It is this reasoning that is faulty. While repeating a sinner's prayer or answering an altar call can be perfunctory, as can baptism, yet, presuming a soul is convicted of his/her dire need for salvation, and is seeking salvation, then means to express that is Biblical.Romans 10:9-13. In which baptism is to be the initial formal confession of the Lord Jesus, which act properly requires repentant faith, and expresses the same.

Scripture says that man in his natural state is incapable of choosing Christ. He is "dead" in sin (Ephesians 2:1), he cannot please God (Romans 8:8), and he is utterly helpless to come to God on his own (John 6:44-45). There is "no one who seeks God" (Romans 3:11); an unsaved person is unable to "accept the things that come from the Spirit of God" (1 Corinthians 2:14). This being the case, asking a non-Christian to make a decision for Christ is like asking a corpse to dance. Divine intervention is necessary.

A false dilemma. Calling souls to repentance and faith is commanded, and is not contrary to God granting repentance.

The Bible is clear that salvation is totally the work of God. We can do nothing to secure salvation for ourselves (Romans 3:20)... While the words "make a decision for Christ" are not used in Scripture, the fact that we are commanded to repent seems to imply an exercise of the will.

"Seems to imply?" No, it does apply, and it is in no way contrary to salvation being totally the work of God.

For God draws souls, opens hearts, grants repentance and gives faith (Jn. 6:44, 12:32, 16:8; Acts 11:18, 16:14; Eph. 2:8, 9) and moves us to obey, (Phil.2:13) thus both motivating and enabling us to do what we otherwise could not and would not do.

souls receive life in themselves and are saved by effectual penitent, heart-purifying ("purifying their hearts by faith"), regenerating, justifying faith in the Sin-bearing, Atoning, Crucified and Risen Divine Son of God, (Acts 10:43-47, 11:13-18, 15:7-9; Titus 3:5) who saves sinners on His merit, (2 Cor. 5:21) thereby being made "accepted in the Beloved." (Eph. 1:6)

For which faith is imputed for righteousness, (Romans 4:5) and is confessed/shown by baptism (Acts 2:38, 8:12, 36, 37) and following the Lord according to His word, by His Spirit, (Acts 2:38-47; Jn. 10:27, 28; Romans 8:13, 14) with repentance when convicted by conscience of not doing so. ((2 Samuel 12:7-13; Psalms 32:5, 6, 51:3; Hosea 5:15; 1 John 1:9) Glory and thanks be to God.

Which faith is in contrast to those who were never born of the Spiritor who terminally fall away, thereby forfeiting what faith obtained. (Gal. 5:1-4; Heb. 3:12, 10:25-39)

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