Etan wrote:
> I do not believe that a man must first be saved in order to believe.
> I've said this many times. Salvation is a product of belief. Belief is
a
> product of regeneration. Regeneration is not salvation; it is never
> called salvation in the Scriptures. It's called the new birth.
Thus Ethan's order is: First: regeneration; Second: Belief; Third:
Salvation.
I maintain that this order is contradicted by Scripture and therefore is
impossible.
Before I begin, we need to all agree on the definition of "regeneration."
3824 paliggenesia (pal-ing-ghen-es-ee'-ah) from 3825 and 1078;
TDNT-1:686,117; n f AV-regeneration 2; 2
1) new birth, reproduction, renewal, recreation, regeneration
Most agree that regeneration IS the new birth. A person is regenerated
when
he is born again. This means that he is born of God. He is born of
"incorruptible" seed through the word of God. Also, that he is a child of
God. Thus he is given new life. This life is the life of God, and is thus
eternal. Scripture says he has been given life, Eternal Life, Everlasting
Life.
I maintain that a person is regenerated, given Eternal Life, Everlasting
Life, life from God, WHEN he believes, and NEVER before.
So, to the Scriptures:
John 5:39 "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have
eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 "But you are not
willing to come to Me that you may have life." (NKJV)
The last phrase is decisive as to the order of attaining life and coming
to
Jesus. He says that they were "NOT WILLING" to come to Him THAT THEY MAY
HAVE LIFE!"
He says "not WILLING" and He does NOT SAY, "not able," or "cannot."
Further, the fact is that one has to COME to Him that they MAY HAVE life!
Thus the order is: First Come, THEN have life. NOT "given life to enable
to
come."
A little further in the chapter we read: John 5:46 "For if you believed
Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47 "But if you do not
believe his writings, how will you believe My words?" (NKJV)
The Jews claimed (and claim) that they believe Moses. But here Christ
states
clearly that if a person believes what Moses says, then he WILL believe
Christ.
Gary http://www.faithalone.org/
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