Romans chapter 6, Paul writes: For sin should no longer have dominion over you, because you are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Should we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? GOD FORBID!
Did you not know, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, you are that person's servants and you must obey? It does not matter if you obey sin unto death or if you are obedient to God in righteousness.
But God be thanked, that you were once the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine (the gospel) that was delivered to you. Being then made free from sin, you have become servants of God unto rightness.
Paul points out two key spirtual victories in this passage. Conversion and Regeneration.
What is the difference between conversion and regeneration as pointed out?
Yes, I know the difference and the definitions of the two words, but the question is not if I know, but do YOU understand how these two words work in your spiritual life and what role do they play in your life as a born again belivers.
Surely, if you really understand the definitions of these words, and based on the passage I posted from Romans chpater 6, you would be able to explain what conversion and regeneration means, as verses 17- 18 give us a clear spiritual picture of conversion and regenration in a believers life.
I don't for one see anything in this passage about conversion, I understand men speak of conversion, but I find it wise to stay with the word of God and not add any opinions, that is why I ask you, what you meant by conversion in application to theses scriptures.
I also ask for the same reason, concerning the term regeneration, many use that term in disagreement with what God's word teaches.
PJ, here are the definitions for your edification. Maybe this will help you to better understand the meaning of these words, and that they are scriptural, and that they do have meaning as related to the believer. Hope this will help you to know conversion and regeneration are not just mere words of man...PLEASE try to spiritual connect the dots of these definitions to the scriptures, and receive this information for your spiritual growth. And God through the pwoer of His Holy Spirit ILLUMINATE your mind to understand these principles of how and what conversion and regeneration are all about
DEFINITIONS:
CONVERSION (a turning to, or a turning from, frequently in regards to faith or religion) Conversion means a turning which may be literal or figurative, ethical, or religious, either from God or to God. It implies a turning from and turning to something by faith. It is turning from sin, and havng faith in Christ. Conversion is a total act of man, it is done( or cause) by the pwoer of God working in a person's life, (conviction), in the process of salvation, it is the first step in the transition FROM SIN TO GOD BY FAITH>
Now, this is what Paul is pointing out in Romans chapter 6: verses 17: But god be thanked that though you were slaves (servants) of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart THAT FORM OF DOCTRINE (THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST) to which you were delivered( the gospel brought salvation and a conversion, or turning away from sin).
REGENERATION:( To be born again, or restored, or renewed, or to be quickened) Regeneration is te spiritual change worked in the heart of man by an act totally of God through the pwoer of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is to rid him/her of their inheritantly sinful nature and bring about a spirutal change, which enable the beleivers to do God's will and respond to God by faith.
Regeneration involves an ILLUMINATION of the mind, a change in the behavior, and conduct, and a renewed nature in the person who receives Jesus Christ as Savior by faith. It extends to the total nature of man, irrevocably, and altering his/her governing disposition, and restoring him/her to a true experiential knowledge in Christ. It is a partaking of the divine nature of Christ, it is a principle cleansing a person's old nature from sin, and the the giving of a new spiritual life implanted in the heart only by the Holy Spirit when a person surrenders total to Christ.
Romans chpater 6, Verse 17: And having been set from sin (conversion, or converted), you became slaves (servants to righteousness (regenerated or regeneration took place).
If you should need scriptures I will give them to you...
Ella that is why I ask you your definitions, because those terms are not found in scripture. Regenaration as defined does not fit in scripture, the soul of man is not changed, when one is born again
PJ, its obvious you didn't read what I just posted with diligence... because your reply was too fast. Sorry, but I don't have a clue as to what in the world you're taking about...
It behooves me that you try to speak as if you know God's word as a teacher in the word. And that you know what you're talking about, when your comments prove that you are not comprehending, nor can you affrim a word you're speaking because you don't have a clear understanding of scripture, principles, concepts, or precepts in what's in the Bible.
Regeneration IS in the Bible and it means the work of the Holy Spirit in a person life to bring about a change: Titus chapter 3: For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. BUT after the knindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH WE HAVE DONE, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY GOD DAVED US, BY THE WASHING OF REGENERATION AND RENEWING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHICH HE SHED ON US ABUNDANTLY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR SAVIOR.
Tell me PJ, what does this passage mean? You so bodly state that regeneration is not in the scripture, so explain this passage? maybe you can also explain what you think happens when a person is born again, and the work that takes place in a person By the Holy Spirit, and what word it is called. What is Paul speaking about to Titus?
And what is it called when a person is converted? Please spend time READIN these chapters, and may God Himself open your understanding:
Matthew chpater 13
Mark chapter 4
Luke chapter 22
Acts chpater3
James chapter 5
I was taught that you can always tell if a person understands or how much knowledge as person has, and /or if the person knows what they are speaking about in a conversation or a debate, by the questions they ask and the comments they make. Your comments have proven this to be true... But I think Isaiah says it best: You hear indeed, but you do not understand. You see indeed, but you do not perceive....
This is going no where so I'm outa here....:peace:
In otherwords again you said I do not know the bible because I do not agree with you,
I did not not say regenerate was not in the bible, I said it does not fit in the new birth.
When a person is born again, the bible clearly states the old sinful man is dead, he passed away, no longer exists.
The new man in Christ, is made a new, his spirit is brand new not a regenerated one. 2nd Cor5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Did man get a new body? no!!
Did man get a new mind, will, and emotions, nor was the mind any different after he was saved
The new man has a responsibility to his mind, will and emotions.
The new man is to put his body under
The new man is to crucify the flesh.
When a man is born again his Spirit is made new by the Holy Spirit:
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Ro 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Who is the understood you in this verse, the new man, and the new man is to renew his mind to the word of God
You see this again:Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls, the soul of man is his mind, will and emotions, notice it is not saved, it needs to receive the word.
Another word for regeneration is rebirth, from which we get the phrase �born again.� To be born again is opposed to, and distinguished from, our first birth, when we were conceived in sin. The new birth is a spiritual, holy, and heavenly birth signified by a being made alive in a spiritual sense. Our first birth, on the other hand, was one of spiritual death because of inherited sin.
Man in his natural state is �dead in trespasses and sins� until we are �made alive� (regenerated) by Christ when we place our faith in Him (Ephesians 2:1). After regeneration, we begin to see, and hear, and seek after divine things, and to live a life of faith and holiness.
Now Christ is formed in the hearts; we are now partakers of the divine nature, having been made new creatures. God, not man, is the source of this (Ephesians 2:1, 8). It is not by men's works, but by God�s own good will and pleasure. His great love and free gift, His rich grace and abundant mercy, are the cause of it and these attributes of God are displayed in the regeneration and conversion of sinners.
Regeneration is part of the "salvation package," if you will, along with sealing (Ephesians 1:14), adoption (Galatians 4:5), reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20), and many other salvation concepts.
Being born again or born from above is parallel to regeneration (John 3:6-7; Ephesians 2:1; 1 Peter 1:23; John 1:13; 1 John 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18). Simply put, regeneration is God making a person spiritually alive, a new creation, as a result of faith in Jesus Christ.
The reason regeneration is necessary is that prior to salvation we are not God's children (John 1:12-13); rather, we are children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3; Romans 5:18-20). Before salvation, we are degenerate. After salvation we are regenerated.
The result of regeneration is peace with God (Romans 5:1), new life (Titus 3:5; 2 Corinthians 5:17), and eternal sonship (John 1:12-13; Galatians 3:26). This regeneration is eternal and begins the process of sanctification wherein we become the people God intended for us to be (Romans 8:28-30).
The Bible is clear that the only means of regeneration is by faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. No amount of good works or keeping of the law can regenerate the heart which from birth is �deceitful and wicked above all things� (Jeremiah 17:9).
This concept of the new birth is unique to Christianity. No other religion offers a cure for the total depravity of the human heart, preferring instead to outline an often massive body of works and deeds that must be done to gain favor with God.
God has told us, though, that �by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight� (Romans 3:20). Total regeneration of the heart is necessary for salvation. Paul explains this concept perfectly in Galatians 2:20: �I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.� This is true regeneration.
Recommended Resource: Jesus: The Greatest Life of All by Charles Swindoll.
