Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason B
I don't have any real problems with this. I do believe 6-9 are all distinct acts, but happen essentially simultaneously and instantaneously from our perspective. I would see it as error to separate 7 & 8 to such a degree they can be see as different events that can take place weeks, months, or even years apart from each other, as the water/spirit doctrine does. I do believe you cant have any of 6-9 without having them all. IOW its impossible to be justified but not regenerate (again, water/spirit doctrine).
As for 1&2, I really dont have strong opinions on election and predestination yet. Those are still things I'm wrestling with various passages and possible interpretations. I'm not convinced that the calvinistic view is correct, in fact it has major holes IMO.
But overall I'd find a lot of agreement with this post.
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When it comes to Conversion, we see it as faith/repentance as turning from sin to God. The first step being water baptism. Water baptism serves to bring us unto Identification with Christ (hence being in His name). This is Conversion. Being converted, one is Justified.
Therefore, Conversion is unto Justification. This allows one to stand before God as though they never sinned. However, while many Christians stop here, we believe Justification has a purpose and is what allows us to be deemed worthy enough to receiving the Holy Spirit, which brings Regeneration.
- Justification is more of a legal declaration, not an ontological reality.
- Regeneration is actually taking part in the divine nature as the Holy Spirit comes to abide in our inner man, thus it is an ontological reality.
Experiencing Regeneration, through the abiding presence of the Spirit in one's spirit man, one partakes in the divine nature. This makes one a son of God, which is the doctrinal reality of Adoption.
So it's kinda like this.... in our perspective....
Conversion is unto Justification. Justification is unto Regeneration. Regeneration is unto Adoption. They are link overlapping links in a chain.
The entire
Acts 2:38 experience.