https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10214809124237159
October
17, 2019
#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, as claimed by many. There are some very significant
differences between the two in the first 19 chapters.
For chapter 20, the 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 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. This popular
fable has 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
temporal salvation in this life.
-
"conversion unto God," not regeneration unto eternal life.
The
role of the gospel in the regeneration of the spiritually dead is not even remotely hinted at.
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
https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10214799584198664
October
17, 2019
#LBCoF1689.20.4
#Gospel_Regeneration_Repudiated
1689.20.4 "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
4.
The Abundant Sufficiency of the Gospel Revelation
a.
The statement on the specific function of the special revelation of the gospel:
-
"Although the gospel be the only outward means of revealing Christ and
saving grace...”
(As
the only outward means, every other outward means are excluded.)
b.
The assertion of its sufficiency unto its specific purpose
-
“…and is, as such, abundantly sufficient thereunto;”
c.
The extent/scope of its sufficiency:
-
“yet that men who are dead in trespasses may be born again, quickened or
regenerated,”
-
The gospel is sufficient to reveal Christ and saving grace extends *only* to
those born again, quickened, or regenerated.
d. The context of this sufficiency:
-
The absolute necessity of the prior work of grace
“…
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;
-
“without which no other means will effect their conversion unto God.”
-
The sufficiency of the gospel in effecting conversion unto God, NOT
regeneration unto eternal life.
Q.
What is the gospel? (a)
Q.
What is an “outward means?” (a)
Q.
How does the statement on the specific function of the gospel repudiate and
deny the popular idea of gospel regeneration? (a)
Q.
Unto WHAT is the gospel abundantly sufficient? (b)Q.
Unto WHOM is the gospel abundantly sufficient? (b)
Q.
Does the gospel have any effect upon those not yet born again, those still dead
in trespasses and sins?
Q.
The gospel is abundantly sufficient to effect WHOSE conversion unto God? (d)
Q.
How does the statement “without which no other means will effect their
conversion unto God” repudiate gospel regeneration? (d)
Q.
Why is the work of the Holy Spirit upon the whole soul necessary for the gospel
to effect conversion unto God? (d)
Q.
What's the difference between conversion unto God and regeneration unto life?
(d)
You
have questions too, ask them.a
