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When it comes to Bible interpretation, Regeneration is an issue that heads the list of what I see as important in understanding from Scripture. Christ makes it clear that men must be born again.
But here is the problem...there are many "interpretations" of Regeneration given by various groups. So this is an attempt to stir up conversation about the New Birth, and I will say at the beginning that I firmly hold to the belief that men were not regenerated until Pentecost, when the Age of Grace, or, Church Age began.
I do not post this on the Calvinism/Arminian board because I am not interested in debating what those Systems teach, I am interested in discussing and debating what the Bible teaches, and why we interpret these issues as we do. Solely looking at examining what the Word of God has to say, not Systems.
The simple premise is that the New Birth was promised in the Old Testament (Ezekiel 36:24-27) and is combined, and absolutely cannot be divorced from Eternal Indwelling of God ( I actually had someone recently tell me on one forum that they believed that men could be born again and not eternally indwelt, which, if you argue men were born again prior to Pentecost is one thing, but to hold that view in this Age is another).
I would suggest that regeneration is a result of the Eternal Indwelling of God, which explains our being a new creature, having a new heart and a new spirit (two terms also open to debate as to whether one "receives a new spirit" as in relation to the spirit he has when born, whereas a new heart I think most would agree deals primarily with the mindset or attitude of the believer).
So I open up the discussion to those here who can look at this seriously. The common reaction is negative and hostile, because for many the thought that Abraham, Moses, and David were not "Christians" is absurd. But, to be clear, I do not question whether Abraham, Moses, or David were "saved" by grace through faith...from the eternal perspective of God. What I do affirm is that these men, and all Old Testament Saints died not having received the Atonement of the Cross, without which no man can be considered as Eternally Redeemed.
There is much Scripture to consider, and numerous issues that have to be dealt with, so, I ask that only those here who are serious about Biblical Interpretation should join in. This is not a subject that can be threshed out in short responses, but entails covering quite a bit of ground.
Give this some thought before responding, and if you don't mind, please point out if this is a subject you have considered before.
God bless.
But here is the problem...there are many "interpretations" of Regeneration given by various groups. So this is an attempt to stir up conversation about the New Birth, and I will say at the beginning that I firmly hold to the belief that men were not regenerated until Pentecost, when the Age of Grace, or, Church Age began.
I do not post this on the Calvinism/Arminian board because I am not interested in debating what those Systems teach, I am interested in discussing and debating what the Bible teaches, and why we interpret these issues as we do. Solely looking at examining what the Word of God has to say, not Systems.
The simple premise is that the New Birth was promised in the Old Testament (Ezekiel 36:24-27) and is combined, and absolutely cannot be divorced from Eternal Indwelling of God ( I actually had someone recently tell me on one forum that they believed that men could be born again and not eternally indwelt, which, if you argue men were born again prior to Pentecost is one thing, but to hold that view in this Age is another).
I would suggest that regeneration is a result of the Eternal Indwelling of God, which explains our being a new creature, having a new heart and a new spirit (two terms also open to debate as to whether one "receives a new spirit" as in relation to the spirit he has when born, whereas a new heart I think most would agree deals primarily with the mindset or attitude of the believer).
So I open up the discussion to those here who can look at this seriously. The common reaction is negative and hostile, because for many the thought that Abraham, Moses, and David were not "Christians" is absurd. But, to be clear, I do not question whether Abraham, Moses, or David were "saved" by grace through faith...from the eternal perspective of God. What I do affirm is that these men, and all Old Testament Saints died not having received the Atonement of the Cross, without which no man can be considered as Eternally Redeemed.
There is much Scripture to consider, and numerous issues that have to be dealt with, so, I ask that only those here who are serious about Biblical Interpretation should join in. This is not a subject that can be threshed out in short responses, but entails covering quite a bit of ground.
Give this some thought before responding, and if you don't mind, please point out if this is a subject you have considered before.
God bless.