Regeneration

From William D @ http://reformingbaptist.blogspot.com

Assertion: Regeneration is the effect of faith not the cause of it.

John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

The order in which these verses describe the ordis salutis clearly reads that one must recieve Christ first, then He is given the power to become a child of God, even to those who have believed on His name. It does not say that all whom have become sons of God receive Him. Verse 13 simply equates those who have received Him with those who have been born of God. Regeneration is not something that happens first and then faith and repentence follow. If a person is given a new nature before salvation occurs, then why would he need to repent and believe? He's already a new creature! He would already have the spirit of God in Him and he would already have a principle of holiness dwelling in him. This belief of regeneration preceeding faith is something that is read into the scripture so that the system of Calvinism has all it's pieces fitting together nicely.