The answer to this question is “yes”, but before explaining why this is so, the terms “regeneration”?And
Regeneration means that someone was born again or born from above (John 3. 3, 5, 7, 8). The new birth is god’s work, so everyone who is born again is?Born of the Spirit? (John 3. 8). Or, as 1 Peter 1. 3 says, it is God who, according to his great mercy, has regenerated us in a living hope. The means that God uses to grant this new life is the gospel, for believers have been “regenerated not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, who lives and is permanent?(1 Peter 1:23; cf. James 1:18). Regeneration or birth again is a supernatural birth. So how can we do nothing to be physically born?So we can’t do anything to provoke our spiritual rebirth either.
- Conversion occurs when sinners turn to God in repentance and faith for salvation.
- Paul describes the conversion of the Thessalonians into 1 Thessalonians 1.
- 9: “For they themselves.
- As far as we are concerned.
- Proclaim the impact our entry had on each other.
- And how.
- By leaving idols.
- Did you convert to God to serve the living and true God?Sinners become when they repent of their sins and turn in faith to Jesus Christ.
- Trusting him for forgiveness of their sins on the day of judgment.
Paul maintains that the disbelievers died in “crimes and sins” (Ephesians 2. 1; see 2. 5). They are under the rule of the world, the flesh, and the devil (Ephesians 2. 2-3). Everyone was born in this world as sons or daughters of Adam (Romans 5:12-19). Therefore, all men enter this world as slaves. sin (Romans 6. 6, 17, 20). Their will is a slave to sin, and therefore they have no inclination or desire to do the right thing or to convert to Jesus Christ. However, because of his wonderful grace, God gave us life with Christ (Ephesians 2. 5). This is how Paul says that God has regenerated his people (see Titus 3. 5). He breathed life in us where there was not before, and the result of this new life is faith, because faith is also a gift from God (Ephesians 2. 8).
Many texts of 1 John show that regeneration precedes faith. The texts are: “If you know it is right, also recognize that everyone who practices justice was born of it” (1 John 2. 29). He who was born of God does not live in the practice of sin; for what remains in him is the divine seed; Why can’t he live in sin, because he was born of God?(1 John 3. 9). Beloved, let us love one another, for love comes from God; And the one who loves is born of God and knows God?(1 John 4. 7). Anyone who believes that Jesus is Christ is born of God; And the one who loves his father also loves his father?(1 John 5. 1).
We can make two observations of these texts. First, every occurrence of the verb?Born? He is in perfect time, denoting an action that precedes human actions to practice justice, avoid sin, love God, or believe in Him.
Secondly, no evangelical would say that before we were born again, we should have practiced justice, because such a vision would teach justification for works, nor would we say that we first avoid sin and then we were born of God, for such a vision. I would suggest that human works make us born of God. Nor would we say that we first show a great love for God and then he gives us birth again. Certainly not. It is clear that practicing justice, avoiding sin, and loving God are consequences or results of the new birth, but if this is the case, then we must interpret 1 John 5. 1 in the same way, because the structure of the verse is the same. like the one found in the texts on the practice of justice (1 John 2:29), avoid sin (1 John 3. 9) and love God (1 John 4:7). It follows, then, that 1 John 5,1 teaches that God first gives us a new life and then we believe that Jesus is Christ.
We see this same truth in Acts 16:14. First, God opens Lydia’s heart and the consequence is that she begins to pay attention and believe in the message proclaimed by Paul. Similarly, no one can come unto Jesus in faith unless God acts in his heart and draws him to faith in Christ (John 6:44). But all those whom the Father has attracted and given to the Son will certainly put their faith in Jesus (John 6:37).
God regenerates us and then we believe. Therefore, regeneration precedes our conversion. Therefore, we give all the glory to God for our conversion, because turning to Him is completely the work of His grace.
By: Thomas Schreiner. © 9Marks. Website: 9marks. org. Translated with permission. Source: Does regeneration necessarily precede conversion?
Original: Does regeneration necessarily precede conversion?© faithful department. Website: MinisterioFiel. com. br. All rights reserved. Translation: Felipe Prestes. Review: André Alosio Oliveira da Silva.