Dead in Sin

[KenH]

"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins." - Ephesians 2:1

Death in sin is of course a figure, and must be interpreted as such; for moral death is its meaning, and by moral death we understand the utter absence of everything holy, heavenly, spiritual, and divine - the entire lack of participation in, and conformity to the life which God lives as essentially and eternally holy, pure, wise, and good, and forever dwelling in the glorious light of his own infinite perfections.

To be dead, then, is to have no present part or lot with God; no knowledge of him, no faith, no trust, no hope in him; no sense of his presence, no reverence of his awesome Majesty; no desire after him or inclination toward him; no trembling at his word, no reliance on his promise, no longing for his grace, no care or concern for his glory.

It is to be as a beast before him, intent like a brute on satisfying the cravings of lust, or the movements of mere animal passion, without any thought or concern what shall be the outcome, and to be bent upon carrying out into action every selfish purpose, as if we were self-creators, and were our own judge, our own lord, and our own God.

O what a terrible state is it to be thus dead in sin, and not to know it, not to feel it, to be in no way sensible of its present danger and certain end, unless delivered from it by a mighty act of sovereign power! It is this lack of all sense and feeling which makes the death of the soul to be but a representation of, as it is the prelude to, that second death which stretches through a boundless eternity.

J.C. Philpot, Daily Portions, January 27​

 

[Van]

Ephesians 2:1 NASB as footnoted.​

And you [Gentile believers] being dead by reason of your offenses and sins,​

By being spiritually dead means being separated from God due to our unholy depravity, like those physically dead are separated from those living. It does NOT mean having no knowledge of God, as His invisible attributes have been made known to him, so he is without excuse.​

Being spiritually dead does not mean an inability seek God, as many will seek the narrow door but not be able to find it.​

Being spiritually dead does mean we are unable to correct our problem of unholiness and reconcile our separation from God.​

Being spiritually dead does not mean God has not provided our means of reconciliation through faith in the name of Jesus. The lost have the ability to believe such that God will credit the belief as righteousness and transfer the person's "spiritually dead" spirit into Christ, resulting in the person being made alive together with Christ. Behold the washing of regeneration.​

 

[KenH]

who were dead in trespasses and sins; not only dead in Adam, in whom they sinned, being their federal head and representative; and in a legal sense, the sentence of condemnation and death having passed upon them; but in a moral sense, through original sin, and their own actual transgressions: which death lies in a separation from God, Father, Son, and Spirit, such are without God, and are alienated from the life of God, and they are without Christ, who is the author and giver of life, and they are sensual, not having the Spirit, who is the spirit of life; and in a deformation of the image of God, such are dead as to their understandings, wills, and affections, with respect to spiritual things, and as to their capacity to do any thing that is spiritually good; and in a loss of original righteousness; and in a privation of the sense of sin and misery; and in a servitude to sin, Satan, and the world: hence it appears, that man must be in himself unacceptable to God, infectious and hurtful to his fellow creatures, and incapable of helping himself.

- excerpt from John Gill's Bible Commentary on Ephesians 2:1

 

[Van]

who were dead in trespasses and sins; not only dead in Adam, in whom they sinned, being their federal head and representative; and in a legal sense, the sentence of condemnation and death having passed upon them; but in a moral sense, through original sin, and their own actual transgressions: which death lies in a separation from God, Father, Son, and Spirit, such are without God, and are alienated from the life of God, and they are without Christ, who is the author and giver of life, and they are sensual, not having the Spirit, who is the spirit of life; and in a deformation of the image of God, such are dead as to their understandings, wills, and affections, with respect to spiritual things, and as to their capacity to do any thing that is spiritually good; and in a loss of original righteousness; and in a privation of the sense of sin and misery; and in a servitude to sin, Satan, and the world: hence it appears, that man must be in himself unacceptable to God, infectious and hurtful to his fellow creatures, and incapable of helping himself.

- excerpt from John Gill's Bible Commentary on Ephesians 2:1

No verse says or suggests the lost "sinned in Adam!" Certainly when conceived we were "made sinners" and thus in Adam, in his sinful state of spiritual separation from God, spiritually "dead."

Unborn babies, who have done nothing good or bad, such as sinning, are still conceived in sin, thus spiritually dead.

Yes, as conceived, humans do not have the indwelling of the Spirit. How could they as made sinners? Of course they don't!

They are NOT dead in understanding as God's invisible attributes have been made known to them by what God has made.

They are NOT dead in their will to be saved. Romans 9:16.

Yes, made sinners cannot do anything to reconcile themselves to God. But they can seek God by works or by faith. And God can credit the faith of those of His choosing, as worthless as it may be, as righteousness and on that basis transfer them into Christ.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

The lost have the ability to believe such that God will credit the belief as righteousness and transfer the person's "spiritually dead" spirit into Christ, resulting in the person being made alive together with Christ. Behold the washing of regeneration.

So being dead in trespasses and sins actually means being still alive in trespasses and sins; just a bit poorly.

No verse says or suggests the lost "sinned in Adam!"

Romans 5:12. 'Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned......' (Rom. 5:12. See the rest of the chapter).

 

[KenH]

They are NOT dead in their will to be saved. Romans 9:16.

Only those whom God makes willing(those He chose before the world began and gave to His Son to be their Surety and to meet ALL of the conditions for their salvation) will be given spiritual ears to hear the gospel of the finished work of Christ, and under the hearing of the gospel, the Holy Spirit will regenerate them and grant them the gifts of faith in the finished work of Christ as their Surety and repentance of their former dead works.

 

[Van]

So being dead in trespasses and sins actually means being still alive in trespasses and sins; just a bit poorly.

Romans 5:12. 'Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned......' (Rom. 5:12. See the rest of the chapter).

You have no idea what the meaning of "all have sinned!" And being separated from God due to being made sinners, means being "dead in sin."

Note the poster asks questions but does not explain how many seek the narrow door if being spiritually dead precludes it.

 

[KenH]

They are NOT dead in understanding as God's invisible attributes have been made known to them by what God has made.

For the invisible things of him,.... Not the angels, the invisible inhabitants of heaven: nor the unseen glories of another world; nor the decrees of God; nor the persons in the Godhead; but the perfections of God, or his "properties", and which are explained by "his eternal power and Godhead": these,

from the creation of the world are clearly seen,; this is no new discovery, but what men have had, and might, by the light of nature, have enjoyed ever since the world was created; these

being understood, in an intellectual way, by the discursive faculty of the understanding,

by the things that are made,; the various works of creation; all which proclaim the being, unity, and perfections of God their Creator,

so that they are without excuse:; the very Heathens, who have only the light of nature, and are destitute of a revelation, have no colour or pretext for their idolatrous practices, and vicious lives; nor have they, nor will they have anything to object to God's righteous judgment against them, or why they should not be condemned.

Because that when they knew God,.... Though they had such a knowledge of the being and perfections of God, yet

they glorified him not as God, They neither thought nor spoke honourably of him; nor did they ascribe those perfections to him, which belonged to him; they did not adhere to him as the one and only God, nor honour him as the Creator of all things out of nothing, and as the sole Governor of the universe; they did not glorify him by the internal exercise of fear of him, love to him, or trust in him, nor by any external worship suitable to his nature, and their own notions of him.

Neither were thankful; neither for the knowledge of things they had, which they ascribed to themselves; nor for their mercies, which they imputed to second causes:

but became vain in their imaginations,; the vanity or their minds was the spring and source of their evil conduct; which may design the wickedness of their hearts, and the imaginations thereof, which were evil, and that continually; the pride of their natures, the carnality and weakness of their reasonings, and the whole system of their vain philosophy; and hence they ran into polytheism, or the worshipping of many gods:

and their foolish heart was darkened.; where they thought their great wisdom lay: darkness is natural to the hearts and understandings of all men, which is increased by personal iniquity.

- excerpt from John Gill's Bible commentary on Romans 1:20-21

 

[Silverhair]

So being dead in trespasses and sins actually means being still alive in trespasses and sins; just a bit poorly.

For someone that claims to know the word of God you do seem to have a limited understanding of the word of God.

Being dead in sin does not mean dead. We are lost/dead until we trust in Christ Jesus.

Were we not told to preach the gospel, if the dead in sin could not respond to that preaching then why the command?

 

[KenH]

Note the poster asks questions but does not explain how many seek the narrow door if being spiritually dead precludes it.

Matthew 13:10-11 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Few find the narrow gate, as God chose His elect before the world began, and gave them(and them only) to His Son to be their Surety and to meet ALL of the conditions for their salvation. Only God's elect will be given spiritual ears to hear the gospel of the finished work of Christ, and under the hearing of the gospel, the Holy Spirit will regenerate them and grant them the gifts of faith in the finished work of Christ as their Surety and the LORD THEIR RIGHTEOUSNESS, and repentance of their former dead works.

 

[KenH]

Were we not told to preach the gospel, if the dead in sin could not respond to that preaching then why the command?

Those God chose before the world began, and gave to His Son to be their Surety and to meet ALL of the conditions for their salvation, do not walk around on this earth with a giant letter "E"(for elect) on their foreheads so that those who share the gospel of the finished work of Christ know exactly who the Holy Spirit will regenerate under the hearing of the gospel and grant them the gifts of faith in the finished work of Christ as their Surety and repentance of their former dead works.

 

[Silverhair]

Those God chose before the world began, and gave to His Son to be their Surety and to meet ALL of the conditions for their salvation, do not walk around on this earth with a giant letter "E"(for elect) on their foreheads so that those who share the gospel of the finished work of Christ know exactly who the Holy Spirit will regenerate under the hearing of the gospel and grant them the gifts of faith in the finished work of Christ as their Surety and repentance of their former dead works.

Then you make God a liar. The bible says He desires all to come to repentance but according to your philosophy He actually does not.

Besides that why preach the gospel since all your so called "elect" are saved anyway. Their do not even have to believe in Him. Calvinist's do have a strange understanding of the word of God.

It must me terrible for Calvinist's to walk around thinking you are saved but actually not really knowing if you are saved. Even the faith you claim to have had to be given to you or at least you hope it was real faith and not the fleeting faith Calvin spoke of.

 

[KenH]

The bible says He desires all to come to repentance but according to your philosophy He actually does not.

The "all" refers to the word "us-ward" earlier in that verse (2 Peter 3:9). The us-ward is Peter and the Christians he is writing to, as well as all of those whom God will place under the hearing of the gospel of the finished work of Christ, and whom the Holy Spirit will regenerate under the hearing of that gospel and grant them the gifts of faith in the finished work of Christ as their Surety and repentance of their former dead works.

Besides that why preach the gospel since all your so called "elect" are saved anyway.

1. God commanded it.

2. God purposed to bring His elect under the hearing of the gospel, and to have the Holy Spirit regenerate them under the hearing of the gospel,
and grant them the gifts of faith in the finished work of Christ as their Surety and repentance of their former dead works.

Their do not even have to believe in Him.

Yes, they do.

Romans 1:15-17 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

It must me terrible for Calvinist's to walk around thinking you are saved but actually not really knowing if you are saved.

I am not a Calvinist(I only know what Calvin said by what others have said or quoted), as I am a Sovereign Grace Baptist.

I know I am saved.

1 John 5:10-13
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Even the faith you claim to have had to be given to you

The only way to have Biblical saving faith is a faith that is given to God's elect. Faith is the gift of God. Repentance is also a gift of God.

Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

God's elect are His workmanship. They are created by God in Christ Jesus; they are not self-made. Everything needed for salvation is a gift of God - Christ's finished work, the regeneration of His elect, the faith of His elect, the repentance of His elect, the good works of His elect, the preservation of His elect - all of it.

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

(emphasis mine)

 

[canadyjd]

..

Note the poster asks questions but does not explain how many seek the narrow door if being spiritually dead precludes it.

Note the poster misquoted scripture to fit his doctrine, which is common in all his arguments. Readers beware those that must change the words of scripture to fit their bias.

Matthew 7:13 says “many” attempt to enter broad gate that leads to destruction and “few” find the narrow gate that leads to life.

This poster changes the words of our Lord Jesus to say the opposite of the meaning, that MANY are seeking the narrow gate.

It is not the first time, nor will it be the last time. No amount of biblical truth can change a pre conceived secular bias on the issue of the doctrines of grace.

Peace to you

 

[Martin Marprelate]

Note the poster asks questions but does not explain how many seek the narrow door if being spiritually dead precludes it.

Note that the poster asks questions but does not answer the ones that I put to him.
All sorts of people seek the narrow door and don't find it. The Pharisee in Luke 18 is one (see Matthew 5:20); Paul, according to Phil. 3:4-6 is another. And don't we all know people who are New Age freaks, promoters of the green agenda, big givers to charity, haters of homosexuals, immigrants or whomever. And these people, even if they are avowed atheists, know deep in their hearts that there is a God and they think to themselves, "If there is a God, He's sure to be pleased with me for my zeal, ethical righteousnes or whatever." These are the people that the Lord Jesus is talking about.

 

[Silverhair]

The "all" refers to the word "us-ward" earlier in that verse (2 Peter 3:9). The us-ward is Peter and the Christians he is writing to, as well as all of those whom God will place under the hearing of the gospel of the finished work of Christ, and whom the Holy Spirit will regenerate under the hearing of that gospel and grant them the gifts of faith in the finished work of Christ as their Surety and repentance of their former dead works.

So your saying that what He said about desiring that all come to repentance was actually a lie?

You seem to think God grants faith to someone but the bible does not support your contention. Faith is the condition that God requires from us before He will save us.

1. God commanded it.

2. God purposed to bring His elect under the hearing of the gospel, and to have the Holy Spirit regenerate them under the hearing of the gospel,
and grant them the gifts of faith in the finished work of Christ as their Surety and repentance of their former dead works.

Yes I know God commands it but that was not the question. Why preach the gospel when according to your philosophy those that are "elect" do not need it and those that are not of your elect cannot use it.

And again you error with your God granting you faith. The bible does not say God gives you faith to believe.

Yes, they do.

Romans 1:15-17 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

If your so called "elect" have already been chosen as you claim then can they be lost? So what effect does faith have on their destination, none.

The verses you quote actually have relevance to those of us that do not hold to your view. We see the gospel as the power of God to salvation but for your "elect" they actually can have no meaning as faith is not required from you.

I am not a Calvinist(I only know what Calvin said by what others have said or quoted), as I am a Sovereign Grace Baptist.

I know I am saved.

1 John 5:10-13
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

But sovereign grace baptists do hold to the DoG/TULIP so you may saty you are not but your theology says you are.

The best you can do is hope you are. The faith you claim to have is not even your own as you have already said God grants/gives you faith. You have to hope that the faith you think you have is real and not fleeting.

The only way to have Biblical saving faith is a faith that is given to God's elect. Faith is the gift of God. Repentance is also a gift of God.

Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

God's elect are His workmanship. They are created by God in Christ Jesus; they are not self-made. Everything needed for salvation is a gift of God - Christ's finished work, the regeneration of His elect, the faith of His elect, the repentance of His elect, the good works of His elect, the preservation of His elect - all of it.

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Here you present the calvinist error of faith being given to your "elect"

Salvation is the gift of God as we see in:
Rom_6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Eph_2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

 

[Charlie24]

The "all" refers to the word "us-ward" earlier in that verse (2 Peter 3:9). The us-ward is Peter and the Christians he is writing to, as well as all of those whom God will place under the hearing of the gospel of the finished work of Christ, and whom the Holy Spirit will regenerate under the hearing of that gospel and grant them the gifts of faith in the finished work of Christ as their Surety and repentance of their former dead works.



1. God commanded it.

2. God purposed to bring His elect under the hearing of the gospel, and to have the Holy Spirit regenerate them under the hearing of the gospel,
and grant them the gifts of faith in the finished work of Christ as their Surety and repentance of their former dead works.



Yes, they do.

Romans 1:15-17 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.



I am not a Calvinist(I only know what Calvin said by what others have said or quoted), as I am a Sovereign Grace Baptist.

I know I am saved.

1 John 5:10-13
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.



The only way to have Biblical saving faith is a faith that is given to God's elect. Faith is the gift of God. Repentance is also a gift of God.

Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

God's elect are His workmanship. They are created by God in Christ Jesus; they are not self-made. Everything needed for salvation is a gift of God - Christ's finished work, the regeneration of His elect, the faith of His elect, the repentance of His elect, the good works of His elect, the preservation of His elect - all of it.

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

(emphasis mine)

We won't agree on this, Ken, I'm not a Calvinist, but I do believe you are half right, if there is such a thing.

Paul made it clear in Rom. 10:17 that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. The faith to believe is in the hearing of the Word of God. It's from no other source but by the power of the Holy Spirit in hearing the Word of God.

When the sinner hears the Word of God they on their own will accept or decline what they have heard. If they accept, the faith generated in the Word of God by the Holy Spirit begins to flow and the hearer is increased with the faith and confidence to salvation.

Of course you being a Calvinist can't accept this, it's based on the free will of man to accept or reject. The condition of salvation is the initial response of man to the hearing of the Word of God.

This is the way I understand it, and I expect some will disagree, and I'm speaking of the non-Calvinists.

 

[KenH]

So your saying that what He said about desiring that all come to repentance was actually a lie?

Not at all. God is referring to the us-ward - His elect whom He chose before the world began and gave to His Son to be their Surety and to meet ALL of the conditions for their salvation, whom the Holy Spirit will regenerate under the hearing of the gospel and grant them the gifts of faith in the finished work of Christ as their Surety and repentance of their former dead works.

You seem to think God grants faith to someone

Correct. That is what God says in the Scriptures.

Faith is the condition that God requires from us before He will save us.

Christ met ALL of the conditions for those He was given to be their Surety by His Father before the world began.

Why preach the gospel when according to your philosophy those that are "elect" do not need it

God's elect do need to hear the gospel. The gospel is God's power unto salvation.

The bible does not say God gives you faith to believe.

Your statement is incorrect and goes against the teaching of the Scriptures. Saving faith and repentance of dead works are gifts of God, given after the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.

If your so called "elect" have already been chosen as you claim then can they be lost?

God's elect come into this world in a state of lostness.

Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Their state changes to one of salvation when the Holy Spirit regenerates them under the hearing of the gospel of the finished work of Christ.

Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).

So what effect does faith have on their destination

The standing of God's elect from eternity never changes. When God elected them their standing with was fixed for all eternity, as well as those whom God reprobated.

It is God's purpose and for God's glory that He brings them under the hearing of the gospel of the finished work of Christ and the Holy Spirit regenerates them and grants them the gift of faith in Christ and His finished work on their behalf as their Surety and the gift of repentance of the dead works they formerly trusted in.

The best you can do is hope you are.

I know that I am saved. (1 John 5:10-13).

The faith you claim to have is not even your own as you have already said God grants/gives you faith.

No fallen human being can generate their own faith or their own repentance - not me, not you, not anyone.

You have to hope that the faith you think you have is real and not fleeting.

Incorrect. God's elect have the witness in themselves.

hath the witness in himself; of the need he stands in of Christ, and of the suitableness, fulness, and excellency of him; the Spirit of God enlightening him into the impurity of his nature, his impotence to do anything spiritually good, his incapacity to atone for sin, and the insufficiency of his righteousness to justify him before God; and convincing him that nothing but the blood of the Son of God can cleanse him from sin, and only his sacrifice can expiate it, and his righteousness justify him from it, and that without him he can do nothing; testifying also to the efficacy of his blood, the completeness of his sacrifice and satisfaction, the excellency of his righteousness, and the energy of his grace and strength: so he comes to have such a witness in himself, that if ten thousand arguments were ever so artfully formed, in favour of the purity of human nature, the power of man's free will, and the sufficiency of his righteousness, and against the sacrifice and righteousness of Christ, the dignity of his person, as the Son of God, which gives virtue to his blood, sacrifice, and righteousness, they would all signify nothing to him, he would be proof against them. And such an one very readily receives into him the testimony God gives of his Son, of the glory and excellency of his person, and retains it in him.

- excerpt from John Gill's Bible commentary on 1 John 5:10

Salvation is the gift of God

Absolutely. And the gifts of saving faith in the finished work of Christ and repentance of dead works are part of that salvation.

Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

 

[Silverhair]

Not at all. God is referring to the us-ward - His elect whom He chose before the world began and gave to His Son to be their Surety and to meet ALL of the conditions for their salvation, whom the Holy Spirit will regenerate under the hearing of the gospel and grant them the gifts of faith in the finished work of Christ as their Surety and repentance of their former dead works.



Correct. That is what God says in the Scriptures.



Christ met ALL of the conditions for those He was given to be their Surety by His Father before the world began.



God's elect do need to hear the gospel. The gospel is God's power unto salvation.



Your statement is incorrect and goes against the teaching of the Scriptures. Saving faith and repentance of dead works are gifts of God, given after the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.



God's elect come into this world in a state of lostness.

Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Their state changes to one of salvation when the Holy Spirit regenerates them under the hearing of the gospel of the finished work of Christ.

Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).



The standing of God's elect from eternity never changes. When God elected them their standing with was fixed for all eternity, as well as those whom God reprobated.

It is God's purpose and for God's glory that He brings them under the hearing of the gospel of the finished work of Christ and the Holy Spirit regenerates them and grants them the gift of faith in Christ and His finished work on their behalf as their Surety and the gift of repentance of the dead works they formerly trusted in.



I know that I am saved. (1 John 5:10-13).



No fallen human being can generate their own faith or their own repentance - not me, not you, not anyone.



Incorrect. God's elect have the witness in themselves.

hath the witness in himself; of the need he stands in of Christ, and of the suitableness, fulness, and excellency of him; the Spirit of God enlightening him into the impurity of his nature, his impotence to do anything spiritually good, his incapacity to atone for sin, and the insufficiency of his righteousness to justify him before God; and convincing him that nothing but the blood of the Son of God can cleanse him from sin, and only his sacrifice can expiate it, and his righteousness justify him from it, and that without him he can do nothing; testifying also to the efficacy of his blood, the completeness of his sacrifice and satisfaction, the excellency of his righteousness, and the energy of his grace and strength: so he comes to have such a witness in himself, that if ten thousand arguments were ever so artfully formed, in favour of the purity of human nature, the power of man's free will, and the sufficiency of his righteousness, and against the sacrifice and righteousness of Christ, the dignity of his person, as the Son of God, which gives virtue to his blood, sacrifice, and righteousness, they would all signify nothing to him, he would be proof against them. And such an one very readily receives into him the testimony God gives of his Son, of the glory and excellency of his person, and retains it in him.

- excerpt from John Gill's Bible commentary on 1 John 5:10



Absolutely. And the gifts of saving faith in the finished work of Christ and repentance of dead works are part of that salvation.

Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

@KenH having read through your post all I see is calvinism thought not biblical reality.

But be that as it may. I have pointed out the logical errors to you and BF more than once and you still reject the truth of His word.

It has always amazed me how people will hold to a man-made philosophy when the truth of God's word shows that error.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

For someone that claims to know the word of God you do seem to have a limited understanding of the word of God.

Maybe so, but you certainly haven't proved it.

Being dead in sin does not mean dead.

Really? It's not me you're disagreeing with; actually it's God.

We are lost/dead until we trust in Christ Jesus.

Yes. Both those things.

Were we not told to preach the gospel, if the dead in sin could not respond to that preaching then why the command?

1 Cor. 1:21. For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God, through the message of the message preached, to save those who believe.' God will have His word preached, and everyone who believes and trusts in Christ will be saved (Acts 16:31 etc.). The gates of heaven are wide open (John 6:37; Rev. 22:17 etc.). The problem is not with God keeping people out, but with people who will not repent and believe (John 3:29; 5:40). If God did not drag some people in, no one would be saved (Romans 3:11ff).
But the greatest and most active preachers of the Gospel have mostly been Calvinists. I am preaching tomorrow, and if I thought people's eternal salvation depended on me, I would be paralysed with fear. But because I know that it is God who gives life to sinners who are dead in trespasses and sins, I can preach with confidence, knowing that God can use my poor words to open the hearts of sinners and save them, and that His word will not return to Him void.