The Gospel Is Not Involved In Regeneration

The Gospel Is Not Involved In Regeneration I. This study treats of regeneration as an integral part of the eternal salvation of sinners which is the work of God alone and does not depend upon the gospel. A. regeneration: The action of regenerating; the process or fact of being regenerated; re-creation, re-formation, etc. B. regenerate: In religious use; to cause to be born again in a spiritual sense; to invest with a new and higher spiritual nature. II. The condition of man precludes it. A. The gospel cannot help those who are dead. GEN 2:17; EPH 2:1-3; COL 2:13; 1CO 2:14. B. The gospel cannot help those who think it is foolishness. 1CO 1:18. C. The gospel cannot help those who cannot see it. JOH 3:3. D. The gospel cannot help those who cannot hear it. JOH 8:43. E. The gospel cannot help those who cannot or will not understand it. JOH 8:43; ROM 3:11. F. The gospel cannot help those who will not seek God. ROM 3:11; PSA 14:2-3. G. The gospel cannot help those without any fear of God. ROM 3:18; PSA 36:1. H. The gospel cannot help those who cannot be subject to it. ROM 8:7. I. The gospel cannot help those who cannot please God. ROM 8:8. J. The gospel cannot help those at war with the Spirit. GAL 5:17. K. The gospel cannot help those whose minds are blinded by Satan. 2CO 4:3-4. L. The gospel cannot help those that do not have any faith. PSA 10:4; HEB 11:6. M. The gospel cannot help those who are beyond any reformation. ISA 26:10. N. The gospel cannot help even if one risen from the dead preached it. LUK 16:31. III. The denial of man’s involvement precludes it. A. Scripture denies man’s will in regeneration. JOH 1:13; 3:8; 5:21. B. Scripture denies man’s ability to please God. ROM 8:8. C. Scripture denies any works by man. ROM 9:11, 16; EPH 2:9; 2TI 1:9; TIT 3:5. D. Scripture denies any activity contrary to grace. ROM 4:4; 11:6; EPH 2:5. IV. The results of regeneration preclude it. A. Faith results from regeneration. ACT 18:27; GAL 5:22; JOH 1:12-13. B. Any activity toward God is the result of regeneration. PHIL 2:13; 1JO 2:29. C. We were regenerated for good works, not because of them. EPH 2:10; 4:24. D. Ability to hear God’s words with understanding is by regeneration. JOH 8:43-47. E. Faith and works are evidence. 1JO 2:29; 4:7; 5:1; HEB 11:1. V. The means of regeneration preclude it. A. Regeneration is ascribed to God. JOH 1:13; 2CO 4:6; 1PE 1:3. B. Regeneration is ascribed to the Son. JOH 5:21; 17:2; 1PE 1:23. C. Regeneration is ascribed to the Spirit of God. JOH 3:8; 6:63. VI. The purpose of the gospel precludes it. A. The gospel reveals the power of God to those already saved. 1CO 1:18, 24. B. The gospel brings life and immortality to light. 2TI 1:10. C. The gospel is to give men assurance of eternal life. 1JO 5:13. D. The gospel is to convert men from error to the truth. JAM 5:19-20 c/w LUK 15:32. E. The gospel is to give saints fellowship with God and His Son. 1JO 1:1-5; 2:12. VII. The examples of regeneration preclude it. A. John the Baptist was regenerated before birth. LUK 1:15, 44; ROM 8:14. B. Cornelius was regenerated before hearing the gospel. ACT 10:2-4, 34-35; 1PE 3:12. C. Lydia’s heart was opened before rather than by the gospel. ACT 16:14. D. God had much people in Corinth who needed the gospel. ACT 18:10. E. The elect, unbelieving portion of Israel. ROM 11:28. VIII. The glory of God precludes it. A. Regeneration, an integral part of salvation, is all of God. 1CO 1:26-31. B. God will not allow men to boast or to obligate Him. ROM 3:27; 4:4; EPH 2:9. IX. Logic precludes it. A. The gospel cannot be necessary for regeneration since regeneration is needed to believe it. B. The gospel cannot be the means of regeneration since regeneration must occur before belief. C. The gospel cannot be invariably involved in regeneration since God regenerates without it. X. The gospel is a declaration of God’s power in saving sinners. A. It declares Christ as having the power and having done the saving. JOH 17:2; ROM 5:19; HEB 1:3; 9:12, 26; 10:14. B. It declares regeneration as God’s work alone. JOH 3:8; 6:63; ROM 8:29-30. C. It declares that believers of the gospel may conclude they are the regenerated objects of God’s saving power. JOH 5:24; 8:47; 1JO 5:1. D. The gospel gives God all the glory in saving sinners and charges men to do likewise. 1 CO 1:26-31.