I Think We Need to Study "Conversion"

[ReformedBaptist]

The first appearance of the work of the Spirit didn't mean regeneration in Acts 2 and it doesn't mean that to me either. As I cited, 2:4 was "filling" -- 2:37 was "gifting" or "indwelling" of the Spirit AFTER "what must we do" and repentance/conversion. The order in Acts 2 was filling -- preaching -- "what must we do" and repentance/conversion -- receiving the gift/indwelling of the Holy Spirit. That is the testimony you gace and though you now backtrack, I believe first reactions are the truest reactions, don't you?

You are confusing the convicting work of God's spirit with conversion. You are confounding conversion with regeneration. And I believe you sometimes confuse justification and sanctifcation.

I would suggest you knew that at the time. I would suggest you are saved based on your first profession. I think, if not bewitched, you are merely confused now.

Rather, I have grown in my knowledge of Christ and His Scripture.

Sorry, but Paul used it on his own congregation (at least, those he had led to Christ). I believe it is necessary sometimes to "pull from the fire hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."

How am I judaizing, even in an applicable sense? How am I turning the grace of God in justification to revert back to the Law? Is it not rather you that confounds the teaching of justification by faith alone and makes faith a work and/or the object of our justification?

However, your confusion of the meanings of "filling" and "indwelling" no doubt leads you into that other error of Calvinism --- saying that the OT saints were indwelt when they were merely filled from time to time. They say John the Baptist was indwelt in the womb when he was merely filled when pregnant Mary entered the house.

Somehow my meaning gets lost in the fray. I will reckon it to be my frailty in explaining myself well. The OT saints were justified in the same exact manner as we and it was the same exact faith. Yet, as the Hebrew author shows, not perfected apart from us.

The fact is that the OT saints never received the "gift of the Holy Ghost." Look at the JtB's disciples in Acts 19 --- they had never heard that there was a Holy Ghost! IOW, Ot saints in their conversion went right up to regeneration and then received NO gift. Their gifting awaits that "resurrection of the just" into Christ's MK.

What?

 

[skypair]

You are confusing the convicting work of God's spirit with conversion. You are confounding conversion with regeneration. And I believe you sometimes confuse justification and sanctifcation.

Well, someone on another board noted that unbelievers are never "filled" either so you are probably right.

I still find that "conversion" is "turning" and this repentance precedes regeneration. How could it be otherwise? Turning is the sign of belief, RB, whether unto salvation or "of sorrow ... not to be repented of," 2Cor 7:10. Then comes regeneration.

I can only hope that you weren't regenerated first because people like Simon Magus are "regenerated" to a difference god every day. But when it came time to receive the Spirit, he didn't and they don't. This is what gives me pause about PL not "seeing" or "entering" the kingdom yet -- saying it means heaven after we die. Anyone born again in the name of Christ sees and walks in the kingdom of heaven right now.

skypair