@Protestant
In the following quote, which follows a rather lengthy quote from a teacher that, I guess, is held in high esteem by the poster, we see one of the major reasons why many embrace Pre-Pentecost Regeneration:
There it is. One of the few issues I have with Reformed Theology, but this is a pretty massive error on their part.
The reason they believe men were regenerated in the Old Testament is not because they have a Biblical basis for this view...but because their church fathers told them this is what they must believe.
We are "gravely misguided" yet there is no attempt on the part of the Pre-Pentecost Regenerationist to actually address the issues that show their doctrine to be false.
And here is an irony: they unwillingly negate another position they hold to...Eternal security. How do they do that? Very simple, if men are regenerated in order to have faith, which depends on belief, which depends on revelation (the revealing of the will of God to man), then they must also conclude that those who fall away are born again believers.
No man has responded to the will of God before God first revealed His will to them. The natural man simply cannot understand the spiritual things of God. That is not open to debate. The natural man does not seek God. That too is not open to debate.
And for those who have embraced the equally erroneous doctrine of "Free Will," understand that no man has "free will" to make a decision about something...
...he has never heard about.
That also is not open to debate, it is simply a basic fact taught in Scripture.
So let's get the order right:
1. Revelation is provided to men by God, and regardless of the Age it is given, it presents that which God wants men to come under obedience to. In this Age the Mystery of the Gospel has been revealed to men by the direct and personal ministry of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.
2. Belief. One believes the truth presented, or...they don't. Now this is what makes it tricky: all men believe the truth to a certain extent, because God has placed an internal witness in men and they know there is a God. The Gentiles of Romans 2:13-16 did not have the direct revelation of the Word of God as did the Jews, but, they performed the works of the Law written on their hearts. But this is revelation from God, not men deciding for themselves that it is wrong to murder, steal, lie, etc. In Romans 1 we see...
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
And the conclusion is they are...without excuse.
How about the false teachers Peter speaks about:
2 Peter 2:20-21 King James Version (KJV)
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
They did not turn from it at first, but, after they have again become entangled.
It's pretty simple: They knew the truth and since unbelievers cannot understand the spiritual things of God and those spiritual things of God are revealed by the Spirit (in this Age through the Ministry of the Comforter) then we must conclude that these received that Ministry of God, associated with the Church, fell away, and in fact remained in a position that suggested they were still of the Church, the Body of Christ.
Here is another example of folks associating with the Body of Christ and falling away:
Hebrews 10:26-29 King James Version (KJV)
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Many teach this as a born again believer losing their salvation, and those who do obviously have never read the beginning of the Chapter. In view are those in danger of forsaking the assembling of the brethren which shows their association with...the Church. Again we see...they have received the truth. From Who? You guessed it...the Comforter, Who seeks to convict of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Of sin because they believe no on Jesus Christ (John 16:7-9). These are not Christians, which is made evident in the fact that they are not contrasted with Christians, but with those of the Age of Law who rejected the Covenant of Law (vv.28-29). In v.27 they are called, not sons of God, but adversaries. Their end is fiery judgment, which speaks of...Hell.
The reason? Despite playing church they ultimately reject Christ the Son of God, His Sacrifice, His Covenant, and the ministry of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of grace, the Comforter (v.29). You simply cannot be a Christian if you reject these.
So again the idea that anyone can be regenerated before they actually receive revelation is absurd. Men receive the revelation of God, they respond, and the decision is not always a clear cut yes or no. Some will associate with the Church and engage in Churchianity but there is no conversion...
2 Peter 2:22 King James Version (KJV)
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
And that men were regenerated prior to the coming of the Comforter through Whom they receive Eternal Life is not something derived from Scripture, but simply a position created to set their theology apart from that of others. The primary position at odds with this view is of course...Free Will.
So let's go back to our order of arrangement:
1. Revelation is provided to men by God, and regardless of the Age it is given, it presents that which God wants men to come under obedience to. In this Age the Mystery of the Gospel has been revealed to men by the direct and personal ministry of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.
2. Belief. One believes the truth presented, or...they don't. Now this is what makes it tricky: all men believe the truth to a certain extent, because God has placed an internal witness in men and they know there is a God. The Gentiles of Romans 2:13-16 did not have the direct revelation of the Word of God as did the Jews, but, they performed the works of the Law written on their hearts. But this is revelation from God, not men deciding for themselves that it is wrong to murder, steal, lie, etc.
And now we can add...
3. Faith.
That someone believes something doesn't mean they have faith in that which they believe in. For example, how many believe we have a President, and how many of them have faith in that President? How many believe there are demons, and how many of them have faith in demons? So when we look at the revelation provided, which is always seen as effected by God, we can see that it brings about a response in the natural man. Abraham is a good example. God said He would give him a son. He believed it, Sarah laughed. He believed it to the point where he knew if he offered him up in sacrifice God would have to resurrect him...because the son held promise Abraham had faith God would fulfill.
So the challenge at this time is for those who embrace Pre-Faith Regeneration...to simply show in Scripture where we see this as a valid doctrinal position.
God bless.
In the following quote, which follows a rather lengthy quote from a teacher that, I guess, is held in high esteem by the poster, we see one of the major reasons why many embrace Pre-Pentecost Regeneration:
Protestant said:CONCLUSION: Steaver and Darryl, though sincere and well-intentioned they may be, are gravely misguided, as are innumerable other professing Christians, by discounting the need for regeneration by the sovereign grace of God through His Spirit, whether Old Testament or New, before men can attain to saving faith in the promises of Christ to come or in Christ who has come.
There it is. One of the few issues I have with Reformed Theology, but this is a pretty massive error on their part.
The reason they believe men were regenerated in the Old Testament is not because they have a Biblical basis for this view...but because their church fathers told them this is what they must believe.
We are "gravely misguided" yet there is no attempt on the part of the Pre-Pentecost Regenerationist to actually address the issues that show their doctrine to be false.
And here is an irony: they unwillingly negate another position they hold to...Eternal security. How do they do that? Very simple, if men are regenerated in order to have faith, which depends on belief, which depends on revelation (the revealing of the will of God to man), then they must also conclude that those who fall away are born again believers.
No man has responded to the will of God before God first revealed His will to them. The natural man simply cannot understand the spiritual things of God. That is not open to debate. The natural man does not seek God. That too is not open to debate.
And for those who have embraced the equally erroneous doctrine of "Free Will," understand that no man has "free will" to make a decision about something...
...he has never heard about.
That also is not open to debate, it is simply a basic fact taught in Scripture.
So let's get the order right:
1. Revelation is provided to men by God, and regardless of the Age it is given, it presents that which God wants men to come under obedience to. In this Age the Mystery of the Gospel has been revealed to men by the direct and personal ministry of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.
2. Belief. One believes the truth presented, or...they don't. Now this is what makes it tricky: all men believe the truth to a certain extent, because God has placed an internal witness in men and they know there is a God. The Gentiles of Romans 2:13-16 did not have the direct revelation of the Word of God as did the Jews, but, they performed the works of the Law written on their hearts. But this is revelation from God, not men deciding for themselves that it is wrong to murder, steal, lie, etc. In Romans 1 we see...
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
And the conclusion is they are...without excuse.
How about the false teachers Peter speaks about:
2 Peter 2:20-21 King James Version (KJV)
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
They did not turn from it at first, but, after they have again become entangled.
It's pretty simple: They knew the truth and since unbelievers cannot understand the spiritual things of God and those spiritual things of God are revealed by the Spirit (in this Age through the Ministry of the Comforter) then we must conclude that these received that Ministry of God, associated with the Church, fell away, and in fact remained in a position that suggested they were still of the Church, the Body of Christ.
Here is another example of folks associating with the Body of Christ and falling away:
Hebrews 10:26-29 King James Version (KJV)
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Many teach this as a born again believer losing their salvation, and those who do obviously have never read the beginning of the Chapter. In view are those in danger of forsaking the assembling of the brethren which shows their association with...the Church. Again we see...they have received the truth. From Who? You guessed it...the Comforter, Who seeks to convict of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Of sin because they believe no on Jesus Christ (John 16:7-9). These are not Christians, which is made evident in the fact that they are not contrasted with Christians, but with those of the Age of Law who rejected the Covenant of Law (vv.28-29). In v.27 they are called, not sons of God, but adversaries. Their end is fiery judgment, which speaks of...Hell.
The reason? Despite playing church they ultimately reject Christ the Son of God, His Sacrifice, His Covenant, and the ministry of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of grace, the Comforter (v.29). You simply cannot be a Christian if you reject these.
So again the idea that anyone can be regenerated before they actually receive revelation is absurd. Men receive the revelation of God, they respond, and the decision is not always a clear cut yes or no. Some will associate with the Church and engage in Churchianity but there is no conversion...
2 Peter 2:22 King James Version (KJV)
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
And that men were regenerated prior to the coming of the Comforter through Whom they receive Eternal Life is not something derived from Scripture, but simply a position created to set their theology apart from that of others. The primary position at odds with this view is of course...Free Will.
So let's go back to our order of arrangement:
1. Revelation is provided to men by God, and regardless of the Age it is given, it presents that which God wants men to come under obedience to. In this Age the Mystery of the Gospel has been revealed to men by the direct and personal ministry of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.
2. Belief. One believes the truth presented, or...they don't. Now this is what makes it tricky: all men believe the truth to a certain extent, because God has placed an internal witness in men and they know there is a God. The Gentiles of Romans 2:13-16 did not have the direct revelation of the Word of God as did the Jews, but, they performed the works of the Law written on their hearts. But this is revelation from God, not men deciding for themselves that it is wrong to murder, steal, lie, etc.
And now we can add...
3. Faith.
That someone believes something doesn't mean they have faith in that which they believe in. For example, how many believe we have a President, and how many of them have faith in that President? How many believe there are demons, and how many of them have faith in demons? So when we look at the revelation provided, which is always seen as effected by God, we can see that it brings about a response in the natural man. Abraham is a good example. God said He would give him a son. He believed it, Sarah laughed. He believed it to the point where he knew if he offered him up in sacrifice God would have to resurrect him...because the son held promise Abraham had faith God would fulfill.
So the challenge at this time is for those who embrace Pre-Faith Regeneration...to simply show in Scripture where we see this as a valid doctrinal position.
God bless.