SPURGEON ON
THE DOCTRINE OF GRACE
THE DOCTRINE OF GRACE
“What effect does the doctrine of election have upon any man until the Spirit of God enters into him; election is a dead letter in my consciousness until the Spirit of God calls me out of darkness into marvelous light. Then through my calling, I see my election, and knowing myself to be called of God, I know myself to have been chosen in the eternal purpose.”
Without the regenerating work of the Spirit of God no one can come, profess a true faith, believe or become a citizen of the Heavenly Kingdom. Faith does not precede regeneration, rather regeneration precedes faith which flows to us because we are His elect. As a Southern Baptist it intrigues me that so many miss or do not comprehend the Doctrines of Grace especially since it is rather clear to me that the Doctrines of Grace are clear in Scripture and in our own Articles of Faith. The following explains clearly that regeneration is of the first order------
SALVATION
Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace.
Notice the order:
1) Regeneration is the new birth, a work of God’s grace.
2) Believers become new creatures.
3) A change of heart through conviction of sin.
4) To which the sinner responds in repentance and faith.
Personally I was very fortunate to be challenged from the Scripture early on in my Christian experience concerning the Doctrines of Grace or I believe better said, Sovereign Grace. What a humbling experience to realize that God chose me before the foundation of the world, not because He saw beforehand that I would believe or produce good works but because He ordained and appointed me to be saved for HIS OWN PURPOSE, because He does all things according to His own pleasure and purpose.
Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
Ephesians 1:11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.