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How do we know regeneration precedes faith?

Answered in 3 sources

Regeneration precedes faith according to the classic Reformed perspective, supported by Scripture that emphasizes God's initiative in saving grace.

The historical Reformed understanding posits that regeneration, or the new birth, occurs before faith as a divine act of God's grace. This is rooted in the belief that fallen humanity, due to total depravity, cannot respond positively to the gospel without first being regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Scriptures such as John 3:3 reinforce this view, wherein Jesus teaches that one must be born again to see the kingdom of God, highlighting the necessity of divine intervention for anyone to respond in faith. Additionally, Ephesians 2:1-5 indicates that believers are made alive in Christ while they were dead in trespasses and sins, pointing to regeneration as the divine act that enables faith and response to the gospel. Therefore, the Reformed tradition strongly affirms that God must first change the heart of the sinner to enable a genuine response of faith.
Scripture References: John 3:3, Ephesians 2:1-5, 1 John 5:1, John 1:12-13, Ephesians 2:8-9, Ephesians 2:1, Isaiah 65:24

Sermons (3)

Faith & Love
Wayne Boyd · Aug 28, 2019
Joshua

Joshua

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