September 3, 2012
https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/3674767583274
VERY many equate effectual call
as regeneration. That's a BIG mistake.
And it is so hard for them to
see the difference. The exchanges below is an example.
"The most difficult
subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any
idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most
intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a
shadow of doubt, what is laid before him." ~~ Leo Tolstoy ~~
The old school baptists
summarized the Scriptures teaching on the effectual call in this manner:
"Those whom God hath
predestined unto life, He is pleased in His appointed and accepted time,
effectually to call, by His Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death
in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ;
enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of
God; taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them a heart of flesh:
renewing their wills, and by His almighty power determining them to that which
is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ; yet so as they come most
freely, being made willing by His grace." 1689.10.1 CoF
To call a man out of his native state of SIN and DEATH to that state of GRACE and SALVATION requires FAR more than regeneration. If you don't get this point, then there is a big problem indeed!
A biblical distinction is the essence of sound theology. Think about it.
Edmund Lau Kok Ming
So true, Bro Sing. So true. 🙂
Ce'Phas Lee
Agree!
Cheri Thomas
you know, it makes me think of
prickly pears. is this a cactus? does it have thorns? surely it is at the very
least a succulent....
Sing F Lau
The effectual call needs very
succulent grace SISTAH!!!
Cheri Thomas
(I was all distracted and
absorbed by the picture... LOL!!)
Sing F Lau
"The dragon fruit the
scientific name is Hylocereus from the family cactaceae."
It is a cactus.
Cheri Thomas
I KNEW IT! heehee! Thank you
Sing!
Jorge Quierrez Jr.
Far more than? so what is that?
Sing F Lau
Jorge Quierrez Jr.,
What divine activities are
required to bring an elect OUT OF his native state of sin and death INTO that
state of grace and salvation?
If you answer that adequately, you will answer your own question. I learn by asking questions. Once in a while I also teach by asking questions. Interested students will learn better that way.
Jorge Quierrez Jr.
So what is the difference
between effectual call and regeneration?
Or the distinction of the term?
Sing F Lau
The effectual call is the
divine activity that brings an elect out of his native state of sin and death
to that of grace and salvation.
What divine activities are
needed to accomplish that?
Regeneration is the divine
activity of quickening an elect out of his spiritual death to that of spiritual
life.
Jorge Quierrez Jr.
In your explanation that two
terms are different?
Effectual call first then
regeneration?
Sing F Lau
No, it is not effectual call
first and then regeneration.
Regeneration is subsumed in the
effectual calling.
The effectual call BRINGS an
elect OUT OF his native state of sin and death INTO the state of grace and
salvation. To bring an elect OUT OF his native state of sins and death INTO the
state of grace and salvation REQUIRES these distinct divine activities:
- justification: the
righteousness of Christ is applied to an elect personally; this deals with the
native state of condemnation.
- regeneration, this deals with
the state of spiritual death.
- adoption: that which is
regenerated is adopted and sealed with the Spirit of adoption.
Without these distinct divine activities - which happen simultaneously but in that logical order - an elect is NOT brought out of his native state of sin and death to that state of grace and salvation.
Jorge Quierrez Jr.
Ummm let me think and study.
Let me ask again a question.
Effectual call and regeneration
are the work of the Spirit alone?
Jorge Quierrez Jr.
In your explanation, is the
same, for me in my understanding.
Sing F Lau
Variously attributed to ALL the
three Persons of the Triune God.
Born of God... John 1:13.
The Spirit regenerates... John
3
Jesus gives life... John 10
Jorge Quierrez Jr.
Where is the effectual call?
Jorge Quierrez Jr.
Here is ur point? God calls
(effectual call) to regenerates (born from above, giving life?)
Sing F Lau
Jorge, you asked, “where is the
effectual call?”
In the Scriptures!
My point - the effectual call
to grace and salvation REQUIRES more than regeneration. Do you get that simple
point?
It seems you are too fixated at
the popular idea that effectual call EQUALS regeneration, that called of God
equals born of God.
So, it is hard for you to see
beyond that.
Jorge Quierrez Jr.
I ask u a legit question, there
is a question mark.
U always said "effectual
call is FAR MORE THAN REGENERATION, so what is that? Where in the Scriptures?
Jorge Quierrez Jr.
If it is not equal, who said
that? Old Baptist? Where? PB?
Sing F Lau
Q. Where is the effectual call?
A. In the Scriptures.
Q. Here is ur point?
A. My point - the effectual
call to grace and salvation REQUIRES more than regeneration.
Ask further if I have missed your questions. I did sincerely answer them.
Sing F Lau
Does regeneration alone bring
an elect out of his native state of sin and death to that of grace and
salvation in Jesus Christ?
Jorge Quierrez Jr.
How a man or elect be born
again?
Jorge Quierrez Jr.
In Regeneration, needs A Divine
life and divine Voice to call the dead elect sinners
Jorge Quierrez Jr.
If Regeneration is not enough
to bring an elect out of his native state of sin and death to that of grace and
salvation, what is that? Effectual call and Regeneration?
Jorge Quierrez Jr.
That's only a term problem, i
think
Sing F Lau
A man in his native state of
sin and death is a man under condemnation, death, and alienation. To bring him
out of that state, those issues must be dealt with. Get the point?
Jorge Quierrez Jr.
Yea i got ur point. thanks for
ur time
Jorge Quierrez Jr.
… them He also called Rom.8:30
Sing F Lau
A term problem? Then you
haven't understood the vast difference!
Like many dismiss the vast
difference between justification by the faith of Christ Jesus and justification
by the faith in Christ Jesus as a term problem too?
"Mere semantic" is
always a convenient way to dismiss an issue.
Jorge Quierrez Jr.
In Regeneration, God calls the
elect sinners, what Far more than that?
Sing F Lau
Do you know why in Rom 8:30
nothing is said about regeneration and adoption?
Jorge Quierrez Jr.
I think u split the hair, have
a nice convo
Sing F Lau
🙂.
That's a great way to dismiss a matter.
Have a good day.
Jorge Quierrez Jr.
Thanks, brother Sing F Lau for
ur time
Jorge Quierrez Jr.
U are not Far in the kingdom.
Lol
Aaron Milyard
Lazarus comes forth. Effectual
call, then regeneration. Both were necessary. Lazarus could not regenerate
himself nor could he tell himself to be made alive.
Sing F Lau
U are not Far in the kingdom.
Lol
-----------
Not far from your Primitive
Baptist Kingdom; BUT already in the kingdom of Christ.
Sing F Lau
The Old School Baptists
declared the distinction between the effectual call and regeneration in their
Confession of Faith...
"They who are united to
Christ, effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart and a new
spirit created in them through the virtue of Christ's death and
resurrection..." 1689.13.1
"... effectually called,
AND regenerated..."
Jorge Quierrez Jr.
Where in the scriptures?
Sing F Lau
You have made up your mind, so
waste not your time. Go your way. May the Lord bless you. You are a great PB
convert.
Sing F Lau
Here is ur point? God calls
(effectual call) to regenerates (born from above, giving life?)
----------
God calls to EFFECTUALLY BRING
an elect out of his native state of condemnation, death, and alienation into
that state of grace and salvation in Jesus Christ. Get the point?
p/s Your regeneration deals with the native state of death ONLY. Regeneration quickens the dead, dealing with the native state of death.
The biblical effectual call deals with the native state of condemnation, death, and alienation; NOT ONLY the native state of death BUT ALSO the state of condemnation and alienation. Condemnation is dealt with in vital justification by God’s free grace, and alienation is dealt with by the adoption into the family of God.
