#1689CoF_Repudiates_Gospel_Regeneration
#The_gospel_effects_conversion_to_God
The Westminster
Confession of Faith and the London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) have a
similar chapter division from chapters 1 to 19. They are NOT exactly the same.
There are some very significant differences between the two in the first 19
chapters.
For chapter 20,
WCF has "Of
Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience", whereas 1689 has
"Of the Gospel
and the Extent of Grace Thereof."
That probably
explains a great deal why nearly all Calvinists are gospel regenerationists;
even the Reformed Baptists, a.k.a. baptized Presbyterians, who hold to the 1689
CoF as their doctrinal standard, also embrace the same doctrine of the gospel
regeneration.
Chapter 20 of the
London Baptist Confession of Faith is a plain and clear repudiation of the fiction of gospel regeneration, i.e. that the preaching, and hearing of the
gospel is the necessary means for the Holy Spirit to execute His work of
regeneration; i.e. no preaching, and hearing of the gospel, there can be no
regeneration by the Holy Spirit. A fable has just neutered the sovereignty of
the Spirit of God in His work of regeneration.
The gospel is stated
as the abundantly sufficient means of...
- "calling the
elect", (obviously those that are ALREADY regenerated, see paragraph 4)
- "begetting
faith and repentance," (obviously in those that have been quickened!)
- "conversion
and salvation of sinners," (only those regenerated can be converted to God
in Christ; this conversion to the gospel of God brings salvation in this life.
- "conversion
unto God," not regeneration unto eternal life.
The role of the
gospel in regeneration is not even remotely hinted.
Have you perused the
chapter yet? Please, take off your colored glasses first.
Feel free to ask any
questions, but please stick to the subject.
Thank you.
===============
Chapter 20
Of the Gospel and
the Extent of Grace Thereof
PARAGRAPH 1
The covenant of
works being broken by sin, and made unprofitable unto life, God was pleased to
give forth the promise of Christ, the seed of the woman, as the means of
calling the elect, and begetting in them faith and repentance;1 in this promise
the gospel, as to the substance of it, was revealed, and [is] therein effectual
for the conversion and salvation of sinners.2 1 Gen. 3:15 2 Rev. 13:8
PARAGRAPH 2
This promise of
Christ, and salvation by him, is revealed only by the Word of God;3 neither do
the works of creation or providence, with the light of nature, make discovery
of Christ, or of grace by him, so much as in a general or obscure way;4 much
less that men destitute of the revelation of Him by the promise or gospel,
should be enabled thereby to attain saving faith or repentance.5 3 Rom. 1;17 4
Rom. 10:14–15,17 5 Prov. 29:18; Isa. 25:7; 60:2–3
PARAGRAPH 3
The revelation of
the gospel to sinners, made in divers times and by sundry parts, with the
addition of promises and precepts for the obedience required therein, as to the
nations and persons to whom it is granted, is merely of the sovereign will and
good pleasure of God;6 not being annexed by virtue of any promise to the due
improvement of men's natural abilities, by virtue of common light received
without it, which none ever made, or can do so;7 and therefore in all ages, the
preaching of the gospel has been granted unto persons and nations, as to the
extent or straitening of it, in great variety, according to the counsel of the
will of God.
6 Ps. 147:20; Acts
16:7 7 Rom. 1:18–32
PARAGRAPH 4
Although the gospel
be the only outward means of revealing Christ and saving grace, and is, as
such, abundantly sufficient thereunto; yet that men who are dead in trespasses
may be born again, quickened or regenerated, there is moreover necessary an
effectual insuperable work of the Holy Spirit upon the whole soul, for the
producing in them a new spiritual life;8 without which no other means will
effect their conversion unto God.9
8 Ps. 110:3; 1 Cor.
2:14; Eph. 1:19–20 9 John 6:44; 2 Cor. 4:4,6
