New Birth…New Life

A Study of the Doctrine of Regeneration & Related Subjects
by David H. Leaf

15. How should we pray for the lost?
Since it is God alone who saves, it is to Him that we must petition for the salvation of the lost.
We should be as earnest in talking to God about men, as we are in talking to men about God.

Pray the New Covenant prayer:
"Lord, take out their heart of stone and put your fear in them so they will not depart from your way. Put your law in their minds and write them on their hearts. Forgive their sins and make them your child. Lord open their blind eyes and overcome their hard unbelieving heart. Amen"
(Jer.24:7; 31:31-34; 32:40: Ezek. 11:19: Heb. 8:7-12)

16. What are some examples of the radical change of the New Birth?
A Ugandan Killer is Given New Life.

Idi Amin, the brutal dictator of Uganda in the 1970's, murdered & terrorized Christians because they did not support his rule. On one occasion he gave orders to his henchmen to kill a pastor named Sempangi. Pastor Sempangi opened the door of his home and found himself staring down the barrel of a machine gun. Despite his fear he said to the killers, "I do not need to plead my own cause. I am a dead man already. My life is dead and hidden in Christ. It is your lives which are in danger, you are dead in your sins. I will pray to God that after you have killed me, He will spare you from eternal destruction."

After hearing this, the gunmen were surprised. They threatened him further and then left. A few day later one of the gunmen returned to talk to pastor Sempangi about his reaction when they were there to kill him. We wanted to accept Christ and receive God's forgiveness, but one thing bothered him. He had murdered over 200 people, most of them Christians. After some hesitation, the pastor asked himself whether Christ's blood was sufficient for such a man. After all he had killed many of the pastor's brothers and sisters in Christ. The pastor realized that Jesus broke the power of sin and death, and that Christ's death was sufficient for the worst of sinners. The gunman believed and was saved.

A Cannibal Chief is Born Again From John Paton's Missionary Outreach in the South Sea Islands. "Farewell, Missi, I am very near death now; we will meet again in Jesus and with Jesus!" . . . Abraham sustained him, tottering to the place of graves; there he lay down . . . and slept in Jesus; and there the faithful Abraham buried him beside his wife and children. Thus died a man who had been a cannibal chief, but by the grace of God and the love of Jesus changed, transfigured into a character of light and beauty. What think ye of this, ye skeptics as to the reality of conversion? . . . I knew that day, and I know now, that there is one soul at least from Tanna to sing the glories of Jesus in Heaven - and, oh, the rapture when I meet him there! (p. 160)

And then, of course, there was old Abraham himself. He was not one of Paton's converts, but he was a converted cannibal from Aneityum and Paton's absolutely trustworthy helper on Tanna during all his time there. So Paton writes again in witness to European skeptics:
When I have read or heard the shallow objections of irreligious scribblers and talkers, hinting that there was no reality in conversions, and that mission effort was but waste, oh, how my heart has yearned to plant them just one week on Tanna, with the "natural" man all around in the person of Cannibal and Heathen, and only the one "spiritual" man in the person of the converted Abraham, nursing them, feeding them, saving them 'for the love Jesus' - that I might just learn how many hours it took to convince them that Christ in man was a reality after all! All the skepticism of Europe would hide its head in foolish shame; and all its doubts would dissolve under one glance of the new light that Jesus, and Jesus alone, pours from the converted Cannibal's eye. (p. 107)

17. What is the Biblical teaching on "calling"?
The Scriptures distinguish between two callings:

Westminster Confession of Faith
CHAPTER 10 - OF EFFECTUAL CALLING

I. All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those only, He is pleased, in His appointed time, effectually to call, by His Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death, in which they are by nature to grace and salvation, by Jesus Christ; enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God, taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them an heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and, by His almighty power, determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ: yet so, as they come most freely, being made willing by His grace.

II. This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man, who is altogether passive therein, until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it.

III. Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated, and saved by Christ, through the Spirit, who works when, and where, and how He pleases: so also are all other elect persons who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.

IV. Others, not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the Word, and may have some common operations of the Spirit, yet they never truly come unto Christ, and therefore cannot be saved: much less can men, not professing the Christian religion, be saved in any other way whatsoever, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, and the laws of that religion they do profess. And to assert and maintain that they may, is very pernicious, and to be detested.

Scriptures showing the universal call: Isa. 45:22; 55:6; Ezek. 33:11; Mat. 11:28; John 7:37-38; Rom. 10:17-18; Rev. 22:17

Westminster Confession of Faith
CHAPTER 9 - OF FREE WILL

I. God has endued the will of man with that natural liberty, that is neither forced, nor, by any absolute necessity of nature, determined good, or evil.

II. Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom, and power to will and to do that which was good and well pleasing to God; but yet, mutably, so that he might fall from it.

III. Man, by his fall into a state of sin, has wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation: so as, a natural man, being altogether averse from that good, and dead in sin, is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto.

IV. When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace, He frees him from his natural bondage under sin; and, by His grace alone, enables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good; yet so, as that by reason of his remaining corruption, he does not perfectly, or only, will that which is good, but does also will that which is evil.

V. The will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to do good alone in the state of glory only.

18. What is "faith" & "repentance"?

1. Faith and repentance are together like two sides of a coin. They both refer to a turning. Repentance is turning from sins (separate acts) and sin (self-centered egotism). Faith is turning to Christ as the only hope and the greatest treasure.
2. THERE IS NO FAITH WITHOUT REPENTANCE. THERE IS NO REPENTANCE WITHOUT FAITH.
3. Faith is NOT a feeling, Faith is NOT a mystical or religious experience.
   Faith is NOT an optimistic decision. Faith is NOT a passive orthodoxy.

4. We are saved by faith alone; it is the instrument by which a person is saved. Faith connects us savingly to Christ and all his benefits. But a fruitless faith is no real faith. James 2:14-26.
5. Faith and repentance are NOT a human work; they are a gift of God.
   Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
   2 Timothy 2:24-25 "And the Lord's servant  must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,"
6. True saving faith has 3 aspects or steps:

All these go together. If one is missing there is no saving faith.

Westminster Confession of Faith
CHAPTER 14 - OF SAVING FAITH

I. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word, by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.

II. By this faith, a Christian believes to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God Himself speaking therein; and acts differently upon that which each particular passage thereof contains; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come. But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.

III. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong; may often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory: growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance, through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith.

Westminster Confession of Faith
CHAPTER 15 - Of Repentance unto Life

I. Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace, the doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the Gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ.

II. By it, a sinner, out of the sight and sense not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature, and righteous law of God; and upon the apprehension of His mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for, and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God, purposing and endeavouring to walk with Him in all the ways of His commandments.

III. Although repentance is not to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof, which is the act of God's free grace in Christ, yet it is of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it.
IV. As there is no sin so small, but it deserves damnation; so there is no sin so great, that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent.
V. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man's duty to endeavor to repent of his particular sins, particularly.

VI. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof; upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy; so he that scandalizes his brother, or the Church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended; who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.

19. What is the difference between, and relationship of: "justification", "sanctification" & "glorification?"

"Regeneration is birth; sanctification is growth. In regeneration, God implants desires that were not there before: desire for God, for holiness, and for glorifying God's name in the world; desire to pray and worship; desire to love and bring benefit to others. In sanctification, the Holy Spirit "works in you both to will and to do" according to God's purpose, enabling His people to fulfill their new, godly desires (Phil. 2:12, 13) Christians become increasingly Christlike, as the moral profile of Jesus (the "fruit of the Spirit") is progressively formed in them (2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 4:19; 5:22-25)

"Regeneration is a momentary act, bringing a person from spiritual death to life. It is exclusively God's work. Sanctification is an ongoing process dependent on God's continuing action in the believer, and consisting of the believer's continuous struggle against sin. God's method of sanctification is neither activism (self-reliant activity) nor apathy (God-reliant passivity), but human effort dependent on God (2 Cor. 7:1; Phil. 3:10-14; Heb. 12:14). Knowing that without Christ's enabling we cannot do good works, but also that He is ready to strengthen us for all we have to do (Phil. 4:13); we "abide" in Christ, asking for His help constantly?and we receive it (Col. 1:11; 1 Tim. 1:12; 2 Tim. 1:7; 2:1)"
~J.I. Packer (The New Geneva Study Bible Theological note page 1806)

20. Once a person is born again, can they lose their salvation? How can I have assurance that I am a child of God?
No child of God ever becomes an orphan. 2 quotes by Charles Spurgeon:
‘…nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires of damnation after having once believed in Jesus. Such a gospel I abhor. If one dear saint of God had perished, so might all; and then there is no gospel promise true, but the Bible is a lie, and there is nothing in it worth my acceptance… If I did not believe the doctrine of the final perseverance of the saints, I think I should be of all men the most miserable, because I should lack any ground of comfort.'

"But suppose the believer sins after coming? "If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." But suppose that believers backslide? "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him." But believers may fall under temptation! "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." But the believer may fall into sin as David did! Yes, but he will "Purge them with hyssop, and they shall be clean; he will wash them and they shall be whiter than snow"; "From all their iniquities will I cleanse them."

ETERNAL SECURITY
The Preservation and Perseverance of the Saints

2 Corinthians 13:5 "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"
2 Peter 1:10 "Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall."

PRESERVATION

Eph. 4:30 "... you were sealed for the day of redemption."
Rom. 8:1 "...no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
Rom. 8:37-39 [Nothing] "...will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Rom. 8:29-30 "For those whom he foreknew... he also glorified."
John 5:24 "...has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life."
John 6:37-40 "I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day."
John 10:28-30 "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish... no one will snatch them out of my hand..."
Phil. 1:6 "... he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion..."
1 Peter 1:3-5 "... by God's power are being guarded..."

PERSEVERANCE

1 John 2:19 "... if they had been of us, they would have continued with us..."
John 8:31 "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples."
James 1:22-27 " But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Col. 1:21-23 "...if indeed you continue in the faith..."
Heb. 3:6, 14 "...if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope..."
John 15:6 "If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers.."

BOTH PRESERVATION & PERSEVERANCE= Eternal Security

Westminster Confession of Faith
CHAPTER 17 - OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS

17.1 They, whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.

17.2 This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the intercession of Jesus Christ, the abiding of the Spirit, and of the seed of God within them, and the nature of the covenant of grace: from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.

17.3 Nevertheless, they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalence of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins; and, for a therein: whereby they incur God's displeasure, and grieve His Holy Spirit, come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts, have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded; hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves.

2 Peter 2:1 and Eternal Security
"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep." 2 Peter 2:1-3

Some take verse 1 "...denying the Master [Lord] who bought them..." to mean that though Jesus died for their sins and were saved, they later lost their salvation. But it is clear from the context that Peter is talking about false teachers who were false Christians. They professed to be Christians who were bought by Jesus' death on the cross. Though they had a PROFESSION, they had no POSSESSION. Their false doctrine and immoral lives demonstrated that their profession was false.

The Greek word translated "bought" is "agorazo." This word was used of the redemption of Israel out of Egypt (2 Sam. 7:23). In the Exodus as well as on the cross Jesus intervened for his people to deliver them from death and bondage. That redemption provided liberty and a changed life. The false prophets loved the liberty part, but they were in bondage to sin.
2 Peter 2:19 sums up their state: "They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved."

"And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us." 1 John 2:3, 4, 19

"They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work." Titus 1:16

The Scriptures are clear that ONCE SAVED...ALWAYS SAVED.

In John 3:16 salvation is called "eternal (everlasting) life" Something eternal has no end. If a person who really has, as a present possession, eternal life and loses it, it would not be eternal.

Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:5 emphasizes the fact that salvation is a gift of grace, not based on works. If good works cannot get us saved, then bad works cannot undo our salvation. The Bible clearly teaches us that salvation cannot be lost because we are held secure by the mighty power of God.

John 10:28-29 "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."

Romans 8:28-30 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified"

Jude 24 "Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,"

IF YOU HAVE IT, YOU CAN NEVER LOSE IT. IF YOU CAN LOSE IT, YOU NEVER HAD IT

The Character of Genuine Saving Faith

• Visible Morality: Matthew 19:16-21; 23:27.
• Intellectual Knowledge: Romans 1:21; 2:17ff.
• Religious Involvement: Matthew 25:1-10
• Active Ministry: Matthew 7:21-24
• Conviction of Sin: Acts 24:25
• Assurance: Matthew 23
• Time of Decision: Luke 8:13, 14

II. The Fruit/Proofs of Authentic/True Christianity:

• Love for God: Psalm 42:1ff; 73:25; Luke 10:27; Romans 8:7
• Repentance from Sin: Psalm 32:5; Proverbs 28:13; Romans 7:14ff; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 1 John 1:8-10
• Genuine Humility: Psalm 51:17; Matthew 5:1-12; James 4:6, 9ff.
• Devotion to God's Glory: Psalm 105:3; 115:1; Isaiah 43:7, 48:10ff.; Jeremiah 9:23, 24; 1 Corinthians 10:31
• Continual Prayer: Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18ff.; Philippians 4:6ff.; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; James 5:16-18
• Selfless Love: 1 John 2:9ff, 3:14; 4:7ff.
• Separation from the World: 1 Corinthians 2:12; James 4:4ff.; 1 John 2:15-17, 5:5
• Spiritual Growth: Luke 8:15; John 15:1-6; Ephesians 4:12-16
• Obedient Living: Matthew 7:21; John 15:14ff.; Romans 16:26; 1 Peter 1:2, 22; 1 John 2:3-5

If List I is true of a person and List II is false, there is cause to question the validity of one's profession of faith. Yet if List II is true, then the top list will be also.
III. The Conduct of the Gospel:

• Proclaim it: Matthew 4:23
• Defend it: Jude 3
• Demonstrate it: Philippians 1:27
• Share it: Philippians 1:5
• Suffer for it: 2 Timothy 1:8
• Don't hinder it: 1 Corinthians 9:16
• Be not ashamed: Romans 1:16
• Preach it: 1 Corinthians 9:16
• Be empowered: 1 Thessalonians 1:5
• Guard it: Galatians 1:6-8