In reading through this thread I believe the OP, as stated, has an agenda. IT has twice referred to it.
In post #58 he said:
It is where I stand and make a stance. I believe you would too, especially if you agree with John MacArthurs stance.
Implied here is all that disagree with MacArthur are wrong, and should be called out.
Then in post #15, right on the first page he very clearly said:
Well, his errors are a take off of the false notions of innate faith and free will.
This takes straight aim at others posting on this board.
However, if such doctrine is stated in the SBC's "The Baptist Faith And Message," how could he consider it as "errors leading to false notions."?
Regeneration is the experience of being born again from above (John 3:3; Titus 3:5). It is an instantaneous work of God’s grace wrought by the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ. Thus the believer becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus (2Cor.5:16). Note that to create is a work of God, not of man (Eph.2:10). The second one is born again, he is a child of God, a finished relationship which cannot be broken.
Regeneration is the result of conviction of sin, repentance from sin, faith in Jesus Christ, and the confession of that faith. Conviction is the state of mind and heart whereby lost persons recognize and admit their sinful states and practices. It is a work wrought by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8). Under conviction one will either reject Christ and plunge deeper into sin, or else receive Christ as Savior. But conviction itself is not regeneration.
True repentance will be followed by faith. Indeed, repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace. Truly repentant persons will turn to Jesus Christ in faith as Savior. Faith means to believe. But in its truest sense it is more than intellectual. It involves an act of the will whereby one trusts in Christ and commits one’s self to him, to his will and way. It means to accept or receive Christ as both Lord and Savior. Thus one will be brought to confess him as such (Rom.10:9-10).
(Pages 51,52)
Under the topic of Election the book says:
Election is one of the greatest doctrines of the Bible. Yet the word itself does not appear in the Old Testament; it is found only in six verses in the New Testament (Rom.9:11; 11:5,7,28; 1Thes.1:4; 2Pet.1:10). But the word elect appears in the Old Testament and elect and chosen both appear in the New Testament.
There are certain pitfalls to be avoided in considering the doctrine of election. One should not magnify certain aspects of God’s nature (sovereignty, will, power, pleasure) to the neglect of others (righteousness, love). Neither should one forget the free will of man and his power of choice. Also, election should not be regarded as God’s purpose to save as few as possible rather than as many as possible. The tenor of the Bible is that God loves all men and wishes to save as many as possible. Again, it should not be viewed as relating to the saving of certain individuals to the neglect of all others. Such a position negates the abundant teachings of the Bible to the contrary. The pitfall resulting from these others is fatalism. If some are saved and others lost regardless of what they do r do not do, what incentive is there to seek the Lord or to preach the gospel? But the facts of the Scripture are that man is not a puppet on a string. Election never appears in the Bible as mechanical or as blind destiny. It has to do with a God of love and with man who is morally responsible. Election never appears as a violation of the human will (Mat.23:37-38). Note John 6:44. “No man can come to me, except the Father…draw him.” “Draw” is God’s initiative. “Come” is man’s response.
Two truths, therefore, must be recognized in regard to election: God’s sovereignty and man’s free will. Both are abundantly taught in the Bible. (pages 55,56)
From "The Baptist Faith and Message," Herschel H. Hobbs, Sunday School Board of SBC Convention, Convention Press, 1996)
I believe IT's agenda is clear.