Gal 3:26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
Are you made alive (spiritually) before salvation?
Are you made alive (spiritually) before salvation?
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Spiritually living prior to salvation and faith
- Thread starter Revmitchell
- Start date
Think of "salvation" as a whole package, not just one small part of it. This package labeled "salvation" involves many facets - some eternal, some instantaneous, some contingent on others (an "order" to events), etc.
Being "made alive" (born again, regenerated by the inward invisible work of the holy Spirit of God) is part of the "salvation" package. It is obviously a primary step, before others in "order", but to our temporal thinking may happen in harmony with other parts.
IOW, we cannot repent if we are not alive. We cannot believe if we are not alive. We cannot seek God or call on God or even WANT to do any of these things (Rom 3:10-12) if we are not alive/regenerated/born again.
So to your question, the answer is a firm "yes and no".
It is all part of the "package"
Should we have some fun and list the "order" of events (as best from our perspective) of all facets of this "package" we call salvation? I'd be happy to throw in my 3 cents (inflation).
Being "made alive" (born again, regenerated by the inward invisible work of the holy Spirit of God) is part of the "salvation" package. It is obviously a primary step, before others in "order", but to our temporal thinking may happen in harmony with other parts.
IOW, we cannot repent if we are not alive. We cannot believe if we are not alive. We cannot seek God or call on God or even WANT to do any of these things (Rom 3:10-12) if we are not alive/regenerated/born again.
So to your question, the answer is a firm "yes and no".
It is all part of the "package"Should we have some fun and list the "order" of events (as best from our perspective) of all facets of this "package" we call salvation? I'd be happy to throw in my 3 cents (inflation).
Well then my honest question is do you see "being made alive" as different than being saved, regenerated, a son of God?
I see it as part of the same thing. As Dr. Bob said - part of the same package.
Problem I've always have with the teaching that God regenerates a sinner at His will and then after that they will eventually believe. IF so why doesn't God regenerate ALL sinners? Doesn't fit scripture in my opinion.
Darren
If you believe that regeneration precedes faith, then you must believe that for some amount of time, no matter how small, that you are a born again, spiritually alive unbeliever! And being an unbeliever you cannot be justified, so you are also a born again, spiritually alive sinner with everlasting life!
And it is not enough to have the ability to believe, you must also have something to believe in. That is knowledge and takes time. You must hear the gospel and understand it before you can believe it. There is no such thing as faith without an object of faith.
So, if a person has to regenerated so that he has the ability to understand and believe the gospel, for that amount of time it takes that person to hear and understand the gospel they are a born again, spiritually alive unbeliever in all their sins.
Many Calvinists teach that a person can be regenerated for years before they actually hear the gospel and trust Christ. This would mean you have a born again, having everlasting life, spiritually alive unbeliever and sinner walking around for years!!
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Where is there a clear distinction made in scripture between regeneration and salvation?
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