Does Regeneration Precede Repentance and Faith? By Gene Filio

Theologians and lay bible readers have been for centuries oriented in logically arranging doctrinal statements. In so doing doctrinal terms become interpose in time element. The most classical example of such is the doctrine of regeneration and the doctrine of conversion. Systematic Theology, many theologians and systems of theology have presupposed that regeneration and conversion are separate and distinct redemptive experience. Some would declare with certainty, Regeneration precedes repentance and faith and not the other way around. I find this understanding unsound. For simplicity, I will call Regeneration, Repentance and Faith as Initial Redemptive Package. I believed that Regeneration, Repentance and Faith are gifts of God and are instantaneous redemptive experience. Since the Initial Redemptive package are acts of God and instantaneous, such are not determinate by any human time element or sequence of event because the initial redemptive package did not take place in the physical realm. It is a gift of God.

1. The Initial Redemptive Package is a work of God

It is commonly understood and believed that: Regeneration is a gift of God. Repentance is a gift of God. Faith is a gift of God. Thus, Regeneration, Repentance and Faith are sovereign acts of God thru the Holy Spirit for the conversion of man. Therefore, Regeneration, Repentance and Faith should be treated as one complete redemptive act of God.

2. The Redemptive Experience is instantaneous

Regeneration, Repentance and Faith which I call Initial Redemptive Package is an instantaneous redemptive experience. God acted instantaneously bringing about regeneration, repentance and faith. The initial redemptive package happens outside the sphere of human time. Therefore, the initial redemptive package should not be given any time element or sequenced. For any theologian to place any time element or sequencing of the redemptive experience is wrong because such redemptive experience refer to the entire work of regeneration. Repentance and Faith should not be treated as by product of regeneration but as part and parcel of regeneration.

I find it too presumptuous for any system of theologies and theologians to state with certainty sequence of time element to the initial redemptive package which clearly happens in an instant in the spiritual realm-an act of God. Let the glory belongs to God.

Soli Deo Gloria  

 

The Gospel with Conviction by Gene Filio

The Lordship of Jesus Christ

The gospel is good news because it brings a message of redemption and reconciliation coming from God. In His goodness, God intervenes in a point of time in human history to bring about salvation for men. “And you shall call his name, Immanuel, meaning God is with us.”

The Lordship of Jesus Christ is the message of the gospel. All his teachings, all his parables, all of his acts of mercy and all of his healings and miracles were intended for us to see the redeeming works of God and God’s desire that all may come to know Him through His Son Jesus Christ. Repent and believe; it is the will of God that we may have life eternal in Jesus Christ.

Let us humble ourselves in the presence of God for that is exactly what He did for us. Jesus humbled himself even to the point of suffering and ultimately death on the cross. However, Jesus did not remain on the grave because on the third day, He rose up from the dead. His triumphed over sin and death is victory to those who have placed their hope in Him. For just as He lives the faithful will live with Him.

Jesus went up to God in glory, “so that every knee should bow and every tongue confess Jesus is Lord for the glory of God the Father.” The redeemed of God are living in hope and power in the Spirit of God.

One day, Jesus will be back.

Maranatha!

 

A Pew Words on the Church by Gene Filio

What is the Church?

The word translated “church” in the English Bible is ekklesia. This word is the Greek words kaleo (to call), with the prefix ek (out). Thus, the word means “the called out ones.” However, the English word “church” does not come from ekklesia but from the word kuriakon, which means “dedicated to the Lord.” This word was commonly used to refer to a holy place or temple. By the time of Jerome’s translation of the New Testament from Greek to Latin, it was customary to use a derivative of kuriakon to translate ekklesia. Therefore, the word church is a poor translation of the word ekklesia since it implies a sacred building, or temple. A more accurate translation would be “assembly” because the term ekklesia was used to refer to a group of people who had been called out to a meeting. It was also used as a synonym for the word synagogue, which also means to “come together,” i.e. a gathering. “Body of Christ” Since believers have been united with Christ through spiritual baptism, they are sometimes corporately referred to as the body of Christ. (Rom. l2:4-5; 1 Cor. l2:11,13,l8,27; Col. l:l8; Eph. 5:30) The church therefore means an assembly of believers gathered together as a worshipping community dedicated in worship and service to God and as a witnessing community to preach the gospel and to make disciples of all nations.

The Reinvented Church

The church has a crisis of identity. It has become a Reactive Church. The emphasis of churches today can be summed up in the following concepts:

First, the church is saying to itself, “God in me. God in you”. The church is reacting to the stimulus of human experiences in shaping its agenda and purpose.

Second, the church is looked at in, “God in socio-political-cultural perspective”. The church is being determined by sincere socio-political-cultural experiences in developing its agenda and purpose.

Third, the church is molded in, “God in tradition and heritage”. The church is being caged by Regulative Principles from a very commendable ecclesiastical era.

Reclaiming the Church

The church was built upon the foundation of the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said to his disciples, who do you say I am? Peter answered saying, “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God”. And Jesus said, “…upon this rock. I will build my church.”

The church is a worshipping community dedicated in worship and service to God. The duty, ministry and mission/missions of the church were committed and intended for the glorification of God and in the proclamation of the Gospel.

In the prayer of Jesus in John 17:13 he said, “Now this is eternal life, that they may know you the only true God and Jesus whom you have sent.”

The church is a witnessing community empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8 states, “And you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The Great Commission is the impetus that moves the church to action.

Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I will be with you until the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)

The Bible is the Word of God it is the only source and basis of the church faith and practices.

Tole, Lege