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I was baptized as a baby but grew up Apostolic...

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I grew up in two different thought processes and denominations. I was baptized as a baby in the Lutheran Church, but brought up in a strict Apostolic Church. One one hand, the Lutheran faith told me I was saved as a baby. On the other hand, the Apostolic faith told me I must repent and believe and then God would save me.

After listening to quite a few sermons by Pastor Colin Smith, I see both viewpoints are false. I understand now why it was so confusing to know where I was at spiritually. The Lutheran thinking can't be right, because Ephesians 2:1-3 say I was dead in sin and following Satan at a time in my life. But the other isn't true either, as Colin Smith explains... He says repentance, faith and obedience are fruit of having been regenerated or born again. God causes the regeneration (like the wind, the Spirit of God does this - not dependent on anything we do). As a result, we bear fruit of faith, repentance and obedience. So it was all backwards.

I think this is a huge milestone for me in my walk with God. I hope if anyone is confused like I have been for years, that this would clear things up.

https://unlockingthebible.org/broadcast/what-doesnt-change-in-regeneration-1/
 
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But the other isn't true either, as Colin Smith explains... He says repentance, faith and obedience are fruit of having been regenerated or born again.
Since when has Colin Smith (or any other man) become more authoritative than Christ?

Repentance and faith must PRECEDE the New Birth according to Scripture. And regeneration happens only after the gift of the Holy Spirit is given).

TITUS 3
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.


Only then can there be obedience to God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the first step of obedience is Christian baptism.
 
A person who is dead, dead in sin, cannot repent and believe. God must do a miracle in the person's heart first.
He did - He gave to every man THE measure of faith - so we can each use it to believe God or not - Romans 12:3 - Ephesians 2:8-9
 
I grew up in two different thought processes and denominations. I was baptized as a baby in the Lutheran Church, but brought up in a strict Apostolic Church. One one hand, the Lutheran faith told me I was saved as a baby. On the other hand, the Apostolic faith told me I must repent and believe and then God would save me.

After listening to quite a few sermons by Pastor Colin Smith, I see both viewpoints are false. I understand now why it was so confusing to know where I was at spiritually. The Lutheran thinking can't be right, because Ephesians 2:1-3 say I was dead in sin and following Satan at a time in my life. But the other isn't true either, as Colin Smith explains... He says repentance, faith and obedience are fruit of having been regenerated or born again. God causes the regeneration (like the wind, the Spirit of God does this - not dependent on anything we do). As a result, we bear fruit of faith, repentance and obedience. So it was all backwards.

I think this is a huge milestone for me in my walk with God. I hope if anyone is confused like I have been for years, that this would clear things up.

https://unlockingthebible.org/broadcast/what-doesnt-change-in-regeneration-1/
Isn't it amazing how something that was designed to unite us now divides us?

If you read the Early Church Fathers, they speak of baptism much differently than we do today. Have you ever wondered why?

My studies have led me to the understanding that baptism is a natural response to the gospel. Furthermore, God is more in the business of transforming a life than 'saving' a life because simply put, a transformed life is a life saved.
 
A person who is dead, dead in sin, cannot repent and believe. God must do a miracle in the person's heart first.
Sinners can (and do) respond to the Gospel, therefore they can repent and believe (even though dead in trespasses and sins). The Bible is full of instances of this being the case. And if this were not true, then God would not command all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30) or command all men to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 3:23).

THE MIRACLE OF THE NEW BIRTH COMES AFTER RECEIVING THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST (Acts 2:38) (FOLLOWING REPENTANCE AND FAITH).
 
Sinners can (and do) respond to the Gospel, therefore they can repent and believe (even though dead in trespasses and sins). The Bible is full of instances of this being the case. And if this were not true, then God would not command all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30) or command all men to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 3:23).

THE MIRACLE OF THE NEW BIRTH COMES AFTER RECEIVING THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST (Acts 2:38) (FOLLOWING REPENTANCE AND FAITH).
I always understood that the Holy Spirit convicted us of our sin and brought us to repentance prior to rebirth.

John 16:7-8 King James Version (KJV)
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
 
I always understood that the Holy Spirit convicted us of our sin and brought us to repentance prior to rebirth.
That is absolutely correct. But the Calvinistic distortion is that sinners are FIRST regenerated, and then repent and believe. That would be putting the cart before the horse.
 
Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel.

It's not the flavors of a mans religion that calls us to repentance, but that of God who calls us to repent as the Gospel of God's grace is preached to those who will receive it. Faith, which is Christ Jesus, brings us to repentance and then regeneration is made by the washing of the blood of Christ as at that time we are then indwelled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit teaches us all that God wants us to learn and also is quick to convict us of any sin we might have.
 
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