A Series of Studies on the foundational Doctrines of the Gospel

Part IV He made us Alive (Ephesians 2:4)

The work of regeneration:

In Him, we have redemption - historical fact
He made us alive - experiential reality

IV.1. Two Calls

Introduction: Some Definitions

a) External call / internal call

b) Common grace / effectual grace

c) Called / chosen

1. The General Call

A universal invitation given to all who hear the Gospel

a) God’s Love

b) God’s Grace

God’s grace that is common to all men would be sufficient to incline them to receive his salvation if it were not for the stubborn resistance of their wills

2. The Particular Call

a) Internal

• Revelation, not proclamation Job 42:5
• Regeneration, not reformation Ephesians 2:5

b) Irresistible

• none can withstand God Acts 11:17
• all given by the Father shall come John 6:37

This regenerating work of the Holy Spirit destroys the disposition to resist:

“My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.”

c) Initiated by God

We have no more to do with the initiation of our spiritual birth than we do with our natural birth.

The divine order is Grace > Regeneration > Faith. We believe and repent because we have been born again of grace and released from the bondage of a rebellious will. Faith is the consequence, not the cause of the new birth.