Who is the Carrier, and the Carried? Dear Pastor...
Need your counsel on these two subjects.
Last night Bible Study you mentioned that we are begotten of the Spirit, meaning born of the Spirit. Does it mean that the only way we are regenerated or born again is through the Spirit? Can it also be through the Word of God as mentioned in 1 Pet1:23: "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. "
Is it right to conclude that the Word of God is the means for both regeneration and conversion?
Matt. 22: 14: " For many are called, but few are chosen". Does the "called" refers to the general calling and the "chosen" refers to the effectual calling?
Thanks for your help.
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Dear Brother,
Thank you for your excellent questions.
For the first question, there are several things you must bear in mind.
1. Spiritual birth or begetting always requires a PERSON, a life giving PERSON as the active agent. A thing cannot begets in the sense of bringing about a new life.
2. The Scriptures attribute the new birth to all the three Persons of the Godhead.
- To God the Father: "John 1: 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
- To God the Son: John 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
- To God the Spirit: John 3: 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
3. In many places in the Scriptures, the second PERSON of the Godhead is often designated as the word of God.
- John 1:1 ¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.
- Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in HIS sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of HIM with whom we have to do."
[It is beyond any shadow of doubt that in this passage the Word of God refers to a PERSON... Look at the personal pronouns that follow in verse 13.]
- 2Pe 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water.
[compare this with John 1:2 'All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." The pronoun him refers to the Word of God.]
- 1 Jn. 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
[The Word is the Second Person of the eternal Godhead.]
- Re 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
It is obvious that the Word of God - logos theos - found in 1Pet 1:23 refers to a PERSON, and not the written word or the preached word of God. Because in the whole of the Scriptures begetting is never attributed to a thing, e.g. the preached word, or the written Scriptures.
Look at the passage carefully now:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
24 ¶ For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
The "word of God" under consideration is said to be incorruptible, which lives and abides forever. It is living and abiding forever. Please note also the subjects being compared. The comparison is between personal beings, between persons: all flesh and men on the one hand, and the person known as "the word of God."
Please note verse 25: three separate entities are spoken of: "the word", "the gospel" and the "preaching." The gospel is about the person designated as the "word of God" - the preaching of the gospel is about a PERSON, who is the eternal "Word of God" made flesh. " John 1:14 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
In addition, the Scriptures itself testifies that the written Scriptures have been corrupted by many.
2Co 2:17 "For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ." The incorruptible word of God (1Pet 1:23) must refer to the Second Person of the Trinity - He is pure, impeccable, and incorruptible One.
The written and preached word of God is the means appointed by God for the conversion of His children that were born or begotten directly and immediately by the word of God.
In the election (chosen of God), and the effectual calling unto eternal life, both are equal and exact in number, the number elected and the number eventually called are co-extensive, exactly the same. AS MANY AS - i.e. not one more, and not one less - are chosen unto eternal life, are ALSO effectually called unto eternal life. So, the calling and chosen CANNOT possibly relate to effectual calling.
Mt 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen" is the conclusion of a parable that began in verse 1. The parable is about the kingdom of heaven - it instructs us about an aspect of the kingdom of heaven. It is not about doing something in order to get into heaven. Please remember also that the parables relate especially to God's children among the Jews in the time prior to 70AD. Therefore the calling is the gospel call, not the effectual call. The gospel call came to MANY of God's children among the Jews. BUT few are chosen to enjoy the gospel blessings. Many of them, even though they were God's children, remained unbelieving, and deprived themselves of the blessings of the kingdom of heaven. They were stuck in the outward form of the geriatric earthly kingdom of Israel instead of the new kingdom of heaven that Christ has ushered in. This parable applied specifically to the first century Jews and church kingdom, but also has a secondary application to us today. If we don't embrace the truth appointed for us, we too will deprive ourselves of the blessings, but suffer chastisement and scourging.
The parable of the kingdom of heaven is dealing SPECIFICALLY with God's children among the Jews. The kingdom of heaven [used ONLY in Matthew] is a term used specifically to contrast with the earthly theocratic kingdom that God's children among the Jews are so familiar with. They are called to leave it, and to enter the kingdom of heaven... leave to old covenant kingdom into the new covenant kingdom... why? The old was going to be abolished soon!
That's the context of the 'many are called but few are chosen.' Many of them are called by the gospel, but only a few of them were chosen to enjoy the blessings of the gospel.
Many of God's children among the Jews were called by the gospel. (NOT ALL of them were called by the gospel call.) Though many of them are called by the gospel call, yet only a few were chosen to believe and experienced the blessings of the gospel.
Many of God's children among the Jews were blinded... only a remnant of God's children among the Jews were chosen to believe the gospel.
Read Romans 11...
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
I hope these help. Please feel free to ask further.
your brother and servant in Christ,
sing
=========
You have asked a very important question. When one can distinguish between regeneration and conversion, he will be spared much confusion.
"A biblical distinction is the essence of sound theology." That's a central principle in rightly dividing the word of truth.
There is a helpful one-page article here: http://letgodbetrue.com/
Scroll down to the bottom, and you will find the article there.
This web site is a gold mine! Bring your truck, gloves, and shovel...
Here is the short article:
REGENERATION AND CONVERSION
Regeneration and conversion are Bible words. Both words identify a spiritual work in the child of God. However, they do not refer to the same thing.
REGENERATION
Regeneration is wholly of God. It is the Holy Spirit’s quickening work whereby spiritual life is given to the sinner “by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Tit 3:5). The word comes from “re” meaning “again” and “generate” meaning “to beget.” Jesus identified this work of God as being “born again” (John 3:3). The Bible is emphatic that God “of his own will begat” us (Jam 1:18), even as Jesus claimed He “quickeneth whom He will” (John 5:21).
Eternal life, i.e., spiritual life, is God’s sovereign gift bestowed in regeneration. While invisible to men, this life is demonstrated by man’s response in conversion. Note especially the absence in Scripture of even one command for a sinner to seek regeneration.
CONVERSION
Conversion is the response of the regenerated child of God to his Heavenly Father’s will and commandments. The word means to “turn” or “turn about.” Thus it was foretold of John the Baptist’s ministry, “and many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God” (Lu 1:16). Those John turned are declared to be already related to “the Lord their God” but needed to turn about and obey Him.
Jesus describes the Apostle Peter’s denial and recovery by saying, “when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Lu 22:32). James explains the departure of a Christian brother from the truth can be corrected if another “converteth the sinner from the error of his way” (Jam 5:20).
Numerous exhortations and commandments are addressed to the saved, i.e., regenerated children of God, calling them from sin, error and ignorance to righteousness, truth and joyful assurance in fellowship with God (1 John 1:3, 7-9). A person’s conversion is usually in proportion to his understanding of and obedience to Bible truth.
REGENERATION CONTRASTED WITH CONVERSION
While regeneration is a once-for-all event, conversion will occur in steps depending upon one learning to follow God’s revealed will.
REGENERATION................. CONVERSION
God’s work Man’s response
Sovereignly given Conditional
Eternal life Fellowship
One time Repeated
Inward Work Outward evidence
Complete at once Partial in steps
- 1 Jn. 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
[The Word is the Second Person of the eternal Godhead.]
- Re 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
It is obvious that the Word of God - logos theos - found in 1Pet 1:23 refers to a PERSON, and not the written word or the preached word of God. Because in the whole of the Scriptures begetting is never attributed to a thing, e.g. the preached word, or the written Scriptures.
Look at the passage carefully now:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
24 ¶ For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
The "word of God" under consideration is said to be incorruptible, which lives and abides forever. It is living and abiding forever. Please note also the subjects being compared. The comparison is between personal beings, between persons: all flesh and men on the one hand, and the person known as "the word of God."
Please note verse 25: three separate entities are spoken of: "the word", "the gospel" and the "preaching." The gospel is about the person designated as the "word of God" - the preaching of the gospel is about a PERSON, who is the eternal "Word of God" made flesh. " John 1:14 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
In addition, the Scriptures itself testifies that the written Scriptures have been corrupted by many.
2Co 2:17 "For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ." The incorruptible word of God (1Pet 1:23) must refer to the Second Person of the Trinity - He is pure, impeccable, and incorruptible One.
The written and preached word of God is the means appointed by God for the conversion of His children that were born or begotten directly and immediately by the word of God.
For the second question, consider the context.
It has been said before, and aptly, that the first three rules of interpretation are: 1 Context, 2 Context, and 3 Context. The context alone will tell us the exact nature of the calling and chosen.In the election (chosen of God), and the effectual calling unto eternal life, both are equal and exact in number, the number elected and the number eventually called are co-extensive, exactly the same. AS MANY AS - i.e. not one more, and not one less - are chosen unto eternal life, are ALSO effectually called unto eternal life. So, the calling and chosen CANNOT possibly relate to effectual calling.
Mt 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen" is the conclusion of a parable that began in verse 1. The parable is about the kingdom of heaven - it instructs us about an aspect of the kingdom of heaven. It is not about doing something in order to get into heaven. Please remember also that the parables relate especially to God's children among the Jews in the time prior to 70AD. Therefore the calling is the gospel call, not the effectual call. The gospel call came to MANY of God's children among the Jews. BUT few are chosen to enjoy the gospel blessings. Many of them, even though they were God's children, remained unbelieving, and deprived themselves of the blessings of the kingdom of heaven. They were stuck in the outward form of the geriatric earthly kingdom of Israel instead of the new kingdom of heaven that Christ has ushered in. This parable applied specifically to the first century Jews and church kingdom, but also has a secondary application to us today. If we don't embrace the truth appointed for us, we too will deprive ourselves of the blessings, but suffer chastisement and scourging.
The parable of the kingdom of heaven is dealing SPECIFICALLY with God's children among the Jews. The kingdom of heaven [used ONLY in Matthew] is a term used specifically to contrast with the earthly theocratic kingdom that God's children among the Jews are so familiar with. They are called to leave it, and to enter the kingdom of heaven... leave to old covenant kingdom into the new covenant kingdom... why? The old was going to be abolished soon!
That's the context of the 'many are called but few are chosen.' Many of them are called by the gospel, but only a few of them were chosen to enjoy the blessings of the gospel.
Many of God's children among the Jews were called by the gospel. (NOT ALL of them were called by the gospel call.) Though many of them are called by the gospel call, yet only a few were chosen to believe and experienced the blessings of the gospel.
Many of God's children among the Jews were blinded... only a remnant of God's children among the Jews were chosen to believe the gospel.
Read Romans 11...
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
I hope these help. Please feel free to ask further.
your brother and servant in Christ,
sing
=========
You have asked a very important question. When one can distinguish between regeneration and conversion, he will be spared much confusion.
"A biblical distinction is the essence of sound theology." That's a central principle in rightly dividing the word of truth.
There is a helpful one-page article here: http://letgodbetrue.com/
Scroll down to the bottom, and you will find the article there.
This web site is a gold mine! Bring your truck, gloves, and shovel...
Here is the short article:
REGENERATION AND CONVERSION
Regeneration and conversion are Bible words. Both words identify a spiritual work in the child of God. However, they do not refer to the same thing.
REGENERATION
Regeneration is wholly of God. It is the Holy Spirit’s quickening work whereby spiritual life is given to the sinner “by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Tit 3:5). The word comes from “re” meaning “again” and “generate” meaning “to beget.” Jesus identified this work of God as being “born again” (John 3:3). The Bible is emphatic that God “of his own will begat” us (Jam 1:18), even as Jesus claimed He “quickeneth whom He will” (John 5:21).
Eternal life, i.e., spiritual life, is God’s sovereign gift bestowed in regeneration. While invisible to men, this life is demonstrated by man’s response in conversion. Note especially the absence in Scripture of even one command for a sinner to seek regeneration.
CONVERSION
Conversion is the response of the regenerated child of God to his Heavenly Father’s will and commandments. The word means to “turn” or “turn about.” Thus it was foretold of John the Baptist’s ministry, “and many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God” (Lu 1:16). Those John turned are declared to be already related to “the Lord their God” but needed to turn about and obey Him.
Jesus describes the Apostle Peter’s denial and recovery by saying, “when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Lu 22:32). James explains the departure of a Christian brother from the truth can be corrected if another “converteth the sinner from the error of his way” (Jam 5:20).
Numerous exhortations and commandments are addressed to the saved, i.e., regenerated children of God, calling them from sin, error and ignorance to righteousness, truth and joyful assurance in fellowship with God (1 John 1:3, 7-9). A person’s conversion is usually in proportion to his understanding of and obedience to Bible truth.
REGENERATION CONTRASTED WITH CONVERSION
While regeneration is a once-for-all event, conversion will occur in steps depending upon one learning to follow God’s revealed will.
REGENERATION................. CONVERSION
God’s work Man’s response
Sovereignly given Conditional
Eternal life Fellowship
One time Repeated
Inward Work Outward evidence
Complete at once Partial in steps
