Things New and Old: Regeneration, and Conversion

Things New and Old

Ancient truths revealed in the Scriptures are often forgotten, disbelieved or distorted, and therefore lost in the passage of time. Such ancient truths when rediscovered and relearned are 'new' additions to the treasury of ancient truths.

Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.

Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.

There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" 2Ti 2:7.

Monday, June 15, 2026

Regeneration, and Conversion - 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; 1Co 2:14; Eph 1:19-20. (9) Jn 6:44; 2Co. 4:4,6.

These truths are distilled out of the Holy Scriptures by the ancient Old School Baptists in their statement of faith:

1. The specific function of the gospel is to reveal Christ and saving grace.
- It plays no role in the regeneration of a man; it only reveals the regeneration that has already taken place in the man.

2. Regeneration by the direct work of the Spirit of God is clearly distinguished from conversion through the outward means of the gospel ministry.

3. Regeneration is BOTH independent and before the gospel as the outward means of revealing Christ and saving grace.

4. Regeneration - the insuperable work of the Holy Spirit - is absolutely necessary before conversion through the gospel is even made possible.

5. Regeneration - producing in the dead in trespasses new spiritual life - is the direct and insuperable work of the Holy Spirit; no instrumentality is involved.

6. Regeneration BESTOWS/APPLIES Christ and saving grace to a man dead in trespasses and sins; conversion REVEALS/MANIFESTS Christ and grace that have been bestowed.

7. Regeneration produces spiritual life in men dead in trespasses and sins; Conversion reveals the spiritual life that has been produced by the prior divine work of regeneration.

You may draw out more from the above statement.

What is your statement of beliefs on the same subject?

You don't like theirs? Give us yours.

Too many who claim to be children of those who made the above statement have rejected the truth expressed and summarised therein.

Such are illegitimate (KJ translators use "bastards"), for example, the new school reformed Baptists. They subscribe to the 1689 CoF, but repudiate the truths so plainly summarised in the single paragraph above. They are gospel regenerationists - i.e. the preaching of the gospel is the necessary means in the regeneration of those dead in trespasses and sins.