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NASB | Ephesians 1:5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 1:5 He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will-- |
Subject: Theological Term: Predestination |
Bible Note: Dear Val, Good question! Regeneration literally means "rebirth." We do not know how it is done, but we know that it is a work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:5-8). It is an instantaneous act, done objectively; that is, it is done to a man, without his participation. It is one of the blessings of salvation. A great picture of regeneration is the story of Lazarus (see John 11). Lazarus was dead. Lazarus couldn't pray. Lazarus couldn't speak or act. (Dead people can't do much of anything.) Therefore, when Christ called, Lazarus would not be able to respond. So, *before* the call of Christ, the Spirit of God entered into the tomb and did two things: (1) healed Lazarus from that which killed him and (2) brought him back to life. Thus, Lazarus could hear the command and willingly respond to it. The hardest part of the job was something God did. Here are some quotes that define regeneration much better than I might do: "Regeneration is a secret act of God in which He imparts new spiritual life to us. This is sometimes called 'being born again' (using language from John 3:3-8)." --Wayne Grudem "Regeneration is the spiritual change wrought in the heart of man by the Holy Spirit in which his/her inherently sinful nature is changed so that he/she can respond to God in Faith, and live in accordance with His Will (Matt. 19:28; John 3:3,5,7; Titus 3:5). It is an inner re-creating of fallen human nature by the gracious sovereign action of the Holy Spirit (John 3:5-8). This change is ascribed to the Holy Spirit. It originates not with man but with God (John 1:12, 13; 1 John 2:29; 5:1, 4). It extends to the whole nature of man, altering his governing disposition, illuminating his mind, freeing his will, and renewing his nature. "Infants do not induce, or cooperate in, their own procreation and birth; no more can those who are 'dead in trespasses and sins' prompt the quickening operation of God's Spirit within them." --J. I. Packer "When a man is converted to God, it is done in a moment. Regeneration is an instantaneous work. Conversion to God, the fruit of regeneration, occupies all our life, but regeneration itself is effected in an instant. A man hates God -- the Holy Spirit makes him love God. A man is opposed to Christ, he hates his gospel, does not understand it and will not receive it -- the Holy Spirit comes, puts light into his darkened understanding, takes the chain from his bondaged will, gives liberty to his conscience, gives life to his dead soul, so that the voice of conscience is heard, and the man becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus.And all this is done, mark you, by the instantaneous supernatural influence of God the Holy Spirit working as He wills among the sons of men." --Charles H. Spurgeon "But the moment of regeneration is never visible to us. Lack of regeneration, however, is visible over time because the works of the flesh, Paul tells us, are manifest. And the fruit of the Spirit manifest themselves publicly as well, and Jesus tells us to make our judgments on the basis of fruit. But it must be noted that biblical judgments of this sort are mature, and are based on the mature outcome of a person's way of life. All this to say that genuine discernment is based on the video, not on the snapshot." --Douglas Wilson In Him, Doc |