Featured Please explain this.

I simply do not see a biblical method of justifying the view that regeneration leads to salvation. Ezekiel 36 describes salvation as the regenerating work of God (as D.A. Carson noted in his “What is the Gospel?” series, the gospel itself is transformation). If we are speaking of conversion, then regeneration is a part (not leading to). If we are speaking of sanctification, then regeneration is that ongoing process of transformation. If we are speaking of that final state of being saved, then regeneration is also a part as we are made into the image of Christ. We simply are not re-made in order to be saved, but we are saved as we are made anew. It is the thing itself from one glorious angle.

 

Okay, I will try one more time.

Life progresses from birth to death.

New life progresses from the new birth to glory.

 

Nope…didn’t do it for me. Maybe if you put a bit more feeling into it. Laugh

I understand the progression. I disagree that regeneration is not a part of that progression but rather leads to it. Salvation (as a whole) is an event, a progression, and a final state. You don't get to leave "regeneration" behind until we are actually glorified (saved...regenerated). But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. Smile

 

<sigh> I tried. I really did.

 

And I appreciate the effort. If it helps turn that frown upside down.Biggrin...I do understand what you are saying. I just tend to think of regeneration as an aspect more synonymous with salvation itself than "leading to salvation" will allow. I believe that we are being transformed from "glory to glory". So maybe it's in part a matter of differing definitions (I believe regeneration is ongoing in the life of a believer).

 

I post my position, then you respond with a "I just can't see it that way" then take 10 times the words to say exactly the same thing I said in a lot fewer words. [Pulling hair out emoticon]

 

Yes, exactly. I wasn't arguing but fellowshiping around this many faceted gem of a doctrine. Biggrin

 

I agree that anyone in Christ is a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). I also believe, however, that this transformation is at the same time a process and that we are transformed from glory to glory (2 Cor. 3:18) and we are not yet what we will be (1 Jn. 3:2).

I was saved about 40 years ago as a young man attending a small Baptist church outside of Atlanta Georgia. I am also now being saved as a work of God in my life. I also look forward to my salvation, when I will have been made into the image of my Savior and Lord.

My salvation as a mere child was God's grace through faith. I am still being saved by God's grace through faith. On that day, I will be saved by God's grace through faith.

I was regenerated, made a new creature, given new life when God saved me (2 Cor. 5:17). I am being transformed into the image of my Lord with ever increasing glory (2 Cor. 3:18). Yet it does not yet appear what I will be, but I will be made into the image of Christ (1 John 3:2).

We cannot make regeneration as a one time deal leading to salvation. Regeneration, being born again (or from above, if that is your preference), being re-created, is not something that has happened and then we are saved. It is us having been saved (conversion) and living a live of being saved (sanctification) as we look to our final salvation in Jesus Christ (glorification).

Regeneration was not a "one stop shop" leading towards something else. I was not "born again" and then saved. Instead I was saved through this new birth...this work of God as He transformed me from a lost sinner into His child. And this work continues in my life.

 

I understand your position, brother. I am not calling you some kind of "false teacher" for our "disagreement" here (please don't think I am saying that you are purposing unsound doctrine, that is not what I am saying). I actually believe that we hold very similar views here but are merely looking at it from different angles. I also see benefit to such things.

I am saying, however, that I do not agree with using the phrase "regeneration leads to salvation" (just as I do not agree with using "OSAS") because I think it has a hint of potential error. The reason is that our eyes, having been opened, will continue to be opened wider. We can say that this is growth and maturing in Christ, but Paul also says that this is a "transformation from glory to glory." It is more than growing up. We are in the process of being made, re-created.

But yes, there is a sense whereby one aspect of salvation leads to another. Faith leads to regeneration because it is by faith that we have been saved (we are not made new creatures apart from faith). Regeneration leads to faith because we believe with a new spirit (we do not believe without having been made anew). I do not oppose exploring individual aspects of salvation, but I do prefer to keep then bundled together and interdependent. And, of course, maybe it's just a preference of mine. Again, I am not saying that you are espousing a false doctrine but that I would not word it as you have because it has the potential of unintended meaning. Think of it this way - God's drawing us to Himself is not God drawing us to be saved, but God effectually saving us. We can't look at regeneration as a logical step towards something else simply because it is descriptive of salvation itself (it is present in conversion and sanctification and will be completed only when we are glorified).