Growth Baptism and Regeneration of the Spirit

[netchaplain]

Regeneration and the baptism of the Holy Spirit are inseparable and always simultaneous. Everyone who is regenerated is at the same time baptized by the Spirit into the Body of Christ, the Church—yet the two operations are distinct.

A careful consideration will show that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is not regeneration. The Spirit’s baptizing work places the believer “in Christ” (Rom 6:3, 4; Gal 3:27; 1Cor 12:13; Col 2:12), whereas regeneration results in Christ in the believer (John 17:23; Col 1:27; Rev 3:20). Regeneration imparts life. The baptism with the Spirit unites the life-possessing one to Christ and to those who possess life in Him. Did not the Lord Jesus refer to a distinction between these two operations of the Spirit as “Ye in Me” (baptism with the Spirit) and “I in you” (regeneration—John 14:20)?

The baptism with the Holy Spirit and regeneration are thus two complementary and yet distinct works of God, simultaneously and eternally wrought in the believer the moment he exercises saving faith in the Savoir. By regeneration the soul is quickened from death unto life (Eph 2:1-4). By the Spirit’s baptizing work the quickened soul is organically united to Christ as Head (Eph 1:22, 23) and to all other believers as members of one Body (God’s ecumenical Church—1Cor 12:12-27).

By regeneration the one exercising saving faith becomes a child of God (John 1:12, 13), is made a son in the Father’s house (Gal 3:26), becomes a partaker of the “divine nature” (2Pet 1:4), and becomes an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ (Rom 8:16, 17). By the Spirit’s baptizing work the believing one is taken out of the old creation Adam, and placed eternally in the new creation in Christ (2Cor 5:17), the new federal Head, and all that Christ is and has done is imputed to the believer.

Like regeneration, the indwelling with the Spirit occurs simultaneously with the baptism with the Spirit, and yet is a distinct ministry of the Spirit.

The sealing with the Spirit, likewise, is a distinct operation, and occurs simultaneously with regeneration, the baptism and indwelling. Every child of God has been sealed with the Spirit into the time of full redemption and glorification of the body (Eph 1:13; 4:30; 2Cor 1:22), and is also anointed with the Spirit (2Cor 1:21; 1John 2:20, 27). The Spirit, as the Indweller, is the seal. The figure of the seal speaks of the stamp of the divine ownership as a result of the new creation in Christ Jesus, and it is the badge of eternal security. Those whom God stamps as His own, He pledges to keep as His own (John 10:28, 29 -NC).

By regeneration He gives us His own very life (Col 3:4 -NC). By the Spirit’s baptism He unites us indissoluble and vitally to Himself. By the indwelling He grants us His continual presence (Heb 13:5 -NC). By sealing He stamps us as His very own for all eternity (Rom 11:29 -NC).

- M F Unger


Devotional by Miles J Stanford
http://www.abideabove.com/hungry-heart/

 

[for_his_glory]

What more could anyone add. Great post

 

[Eugene]

By regeneration the one exercising saving faith becomes a child of God (John 1:12, 13), is made a son in the Father’s house (Gal 3:26), becomes a partaker of the “divine nature” (2Pet 1:4), and becomes an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ (Rom 8:16, 17).

Dear Brother netchaplain, My understanding is that although all in Christ are heirs of God, there is a qualification to becoming a joint heir with Christ, and that is that we suffer, or as it were endure with Him according to Rom 8:17. A followup scripture supporting this would be 2 Ti 2:12a If we suffer, we shall also reign with him . .

Like regeneration, the indwelling with the Spirit occurs simultaneously with the baptism with the Spirit, and yet is a distinct ministry of the Spirit.

Are you speaking here of Act 19:2, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? If so, do you have scripture confirming all believers are what I know of as being filled the moment they believe? Thanks.

 

[Malachi]

Dear Brother netchaplain, My understanding is that although all in Christ are heirs of God, there is a qualification to becoming a joint heir with Christ, and that is that we suffer, or as it were endure with Him according to Rom 8:17. A followup scripture supporting this would be 2 Ti 2:12a If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.

Eugene,

I'm sure you will receive a response from netchaplain. However, I will respond by saying that all believers are unconditionally a "royal priesthood" or "kings and priests" (1 Pet 2:9,10; Rev 1:6; 5:10; 22:5).
Would this not consitute being joint-heirs with Christ, who will firstly receive the eternal Kingdom from God the Father, and will ultimately hand it back to the Father, so that "God will be all in all" (1 Cor. 15:20-28)?.

In any event, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim 3:12) which would mean that every believer will suffer with Christ on earth just by living as a Christian. Suffering is guaranteed, therefore joint-heirship is guaranteed.

 

[Eugene]

Hi Brother Malachi, I believe I understand what you are putting forth, but there remains to me the fact that "IF so be" qualification of joint heir-ship in Rom 8:17, and it more with physical suffering, but then to reign as we read in 2 Tim 2:12, If we suffer (This is to endure), we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us. What will Jesus deny us if we don't endure? It surely isn't our standing in Christ, because the previous verse of 2 Tim 2:11 says: It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him (This is assured), and so I ask what will Jesus deny us? The right of reigning with Him as that joint heir. My thoughts. Thanks.

2Ti 2:12 If we suffer (5278), we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

5278 upomenw hupomeno hoop-om-en'-o
from 5259 and 3306; TDNT-4:581,581; v
AV-endure 11, take patiently 2, tarry behind 1, abide 1, patient 1, suffer 1; 17
1) to remain
1a) to tarry behind
2) to remain i.e. abide, not recede or flee
2a) to preserve: under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one's faith in Christ
2b) to endure, bear bravely and calmly: ill treatments

 

[netchaplain]

Hi Eugene and Malachi - I believe Eugene has a significant issue concerning "if so be," but it is commonly rendered "if indeed," and is the sense synonymous with "since it is so." Therefore, what Malachi replied with agrees with numerous Bible translations and commentators.

Since God works the same thing in all who are His (Phil 2:13), they will all have to "endure harness," in varying degrees, who "live godly in Christ," which is inclusive of every believer, per Phil 2:13; which will involve "persecution," (2Ti 3:12).

The "persecution" which is common among all believers are era-commensurate, e.g. depends on the present level of Christian opposition, i.e. at the time of Christ, the Apostles and all the disciples and believers, Christian persecution was at its pinnacle, but has never ceased to continue in one degree or another, which as we know will eventually return to the degree at which it began--and even surpass it in the number of believers involved (Rev 13:15-17).

There are varying degrees and types of persecution which accompany all believers, i.e. even enduring exposure to the workings and temptations from within (old nature) and without (Satan and society) are common persecutions in contemporary Christendom, which is also always on the increase, according to how God prepares us in our often "escapes" (1Cor 10:13).

 

[Eugene]

Brother Eugene,
This then is the crux of the issue. Because of the intense persecution of Christians at that time (as well as of many today) denial of Christ by professing Christians would be hazard in the churches. Whether or not genuine Christians would deny Christ is something which only God would know.

I believe netchaplain has provided a very satisfactory response to your concerns.

Thanks Brother Malachi. Though every bit truth, I also believe there is a far deeper clue as to the meaning of our continued endeavor to have God's best, and to me that includes seeking to be in the bride of Christ versus being a part of the great multitude for instance. Paul wrote of such an achievement below.

2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
2Ti 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Thanks again in Christ Jesus.