SEMESTER 4
362 – The Articles of Faith Concerning Grace in the New Creation
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: ECCLESIOLOGY IV LESSON # 62
CHURCH COVENANT AND ARTICLES OF FAITH – CONCERNING GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION
Read: Titus 3:3-5
INTRODUCTION:
1. This doctrine is too often misunderstood and miss-taught.
2. It is most frequently equated to some religious act.
3. Most men suppose that it results from some such act.
4. Classic ones are obey the Gospel ray, decide, invite Him…
5. This is neither what Baptists nor the Bible teach.
I. THE NEW BIRTH, AN INSTANTANEOUS NEW CREATION
1. All kinds of progressive effects flow out of this.
2. But none of them is, or assists, the cause. (Eph 2:1)
3. The new creation is the infusion of life. (Joh 12:43-44)
II. BY THIS NEW CREATION WE RECEIVE A NEW NATURE
1. In it we actually receive new affections, a new WILL.
2. We do not will the change, God changes the will. (Phi 2:13) and Joh 1:13)
3. We are instantaneously converted by God's grace.
III: By the conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus.
4. The effects are progressive, but conversion is instantaneous
III. THIS IS ALTOGETHER THE WORK OF GOD
1. The essence of error is to claim cooperative effort here.
2. The new birth is of God (excluding human will) (Joh 1:13)
3. The heart is pricked or broken by the Spirit. (Act 2:37)
4. Faith unto salvation is a free gift. (Phi 1 :29)
IV. NEW BIRTH SECURES OBEDIENCE AND IT IS THE CAUSE NOT THE EFFECT
1. Inversion of cause and effect is the essence of error.
2. The new birth causes faith and repentance.
III: All Baptist confessions insist on this.
3. The new birth causes conversion, progress in grace.
4. It causes obedience and good works. (1Th 1:4-9)
III: By Paul on the road to Damascus. (Act 9:15-16)
5. Paul repented of both past actions and persuasions.
6. He trusted Christ as his only and all-sufficient hope.
7. Was this Paul’s doing or God’s doing? (Act 9:3-6)
8. Has God done this work in you, or have you been trying to do it?