The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Point of Salvation?

sbc_and_reformed,<br><br>Bypassing the fact that some of the Reformers and Puritans used the word "regeneration" in a broader sense rather than how it is used theologically today, it is now used in a narrow sense to mean that sovereign work of God the Spirit whereby He "makes alive" that which was dead. By nature, everyone is born "dead" (in sins; depravity of nature inherited from Adam; aka: Original Sin) and thus before there is any spiritual life whatsoever, God needs to recreate the soul, imparting life; giving eyes to see, ears to hear and a mind and heart that are able to comprehend the things of God. This being "born again" is a one-time and instantaneous act of the Spirit, which generally occurs in conjunction with the hearing/reading of the Word. It is at this time that faith is implanted into the heart which also immediately recognizes Christ and embraces Him unto justification; aka: conversion. Thus there is no intermediate time that passes between the impartation of the new birth and the consequential faith which is expressed by the individual.<br><br>The "leading", "prompts", etc., which a sinner may experience prior to regeneration is often referred to as "prevenient grace" or "preparatory grace". During this time, the individual is still "dead" and cannot be saved.<br><br>For a thorough explanation of regeneration, I would highly recommend Arthur Pink's series found here: REGENERATION.<br><br>In His Grace,