because regeneration is the impartation of life
Acts 11:18 (KJV 1900) — 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
and repentance precedes life
then repentance precedes regeneration
I don't see anything in Acts 11:18 that establishes the process you're referencing.
It clearly states that "God grants" repentance. Which means that repentance is the result of God's approval.
We also know that Godly Sorrow precedes repentance. Many people can be "sorry" for something. What makes the difference is the "Godly sort" of repentance.
2Co 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
The Gospel only begins the journey of discovery. There is a process where belief and the exercise of belief.... in the expression of faith...... brings the gift of enlightenment. Enlightenment is where man begins to understand more of God through, the personal and divine impartation of knowledge, this works Godly sorrow. A conversation takes place between God and the individual. It is where man begins to agree with God in his own condition...... which culminates in true repentance. Where guilt and freedom are forever written in the very essence of a Divinity transferred in the new birth..... CHRIST in US....
My concern is with those who think they can just "change their own mind" and receive from God. Not saying that there isn't somewhat of a "change of direction" in the expression of faith. However, that is NOT all of it. Not even close. It is even the smallest of faith that brings the impartation of Divine understanding. Yet, it is MORE than words. More than a "hand wave" toward God. It is understanding that forces a choice to be made. A personal imitate choice. I remember when I came to that point in my life. I KNEW beyond words that if I asked God to save me.... I knew that He would and it scared me. It genuinely scared me. I felt it in my very soul.
There are some that come to the very "threshold" of salvation. Even to the point of the expression of faith that brings Godly sorrow...... YET, they "draw back" from that knowledge imparted by God to a individual. I could have walked away. Thank God I didn't. It have nothing to brag about in doing so. I couldn't save myself but I could ask for help...... I'm so glad God did.
God grants repentance but he does so through the word. Acts 11:18 concerns Cornelius
Acts 10:1–8 (KJV 1900) — 1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. 7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; 8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
He was to hear words
Acts 11:13–14 (KJV 1900) — 13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
by which he would be saved
As Peter began to speak
Acts 11:15–18 (KJV 1900) — 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
The Spirit of God fell on Cornelius and the gentiles
This was sufficient evidence to the jews that
God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Now it is regeneration which supplies life according to definition
Although the word regeneration is used only twice in the Bible (Titus 3:5, where it refers to the new birth, and Mt 19:28 where it refers to the millennial kingdom), the concept of being born again is found in other passages, notably John 3. Technically, it is God’s act of begetting eternal life in the one who believes in Christ.
A survey of bible doctrine
(6) spiritual or eternal life, a state of regeneration or renewal in holiness and fellowship with God (John 3:15–16, 36; 5:24; 6:47); (7) the life that is in Christ and God—divine life itself (John 1:4; 1 John 1:1–2; 5:11).[2]
Evangelical dictionary of theology
c) Eternal life, which begins not after death, but immediately upon the regeneration of the sinner, as all life has its beginning in birth. John 3:14, 15, 1 John 4:9.[3]
An aid to the Heidelberg Cathecism
Regeneration
It is the act of God whereby He renews the spiritual condition of a sinner. It is a spiritual change brought about by the work of the Holy Spirit so that the person then possesses new life–eternal life
CARM
Regeneration is the divine action by which God renews the fallen creation so that it reflects his character.
For human beings, regeneration is the answer to the corruption of moral character caused by sin. It is essential for participation in the kingdom of God (John 3:3). At conversion, God grants the believer new life and a new identity in Christ. This event is so powerful that John refers to it as a new birth, a birth “from above” (John 3:3), while Paul refers to it as a “new creation” (2 Cor 5:17). In either case, the change is brought about by the Holy Spirit, who comes to indwell the believer. Those born of the Spirit receive not an extension of mortal life but eternal life, a life which has the quality of God’s own. Lexham survey of theology
REGENERATION
The term regeneration comes from a Greek word meaning “rebirth” or “new genesis.” The term signifies the renewal of the fallen creation through the redemptive work of Christ. The actual term “regeneration” is found only twice in Scripture, once for the renewal of all things (Mt 19:28; cf. Ac 3:21, “restoration of all things”) and once for the present inner spiritual renewal of believers. The same concept of renewal is expressed in the language of a new heart (e.g., Eze 36:26f), of a new birth (e.g., Jn 3:3, 7), of new persons through union with Christ in death and resurrection (e.g., Ro 6:4–8), and a new creation including persons (e.g., 2 Co 5:17) and the heavens and earth (e.g., Re 21:1). All of these concepts of renewal belong to the one great action of God in bringing eternal life and incorruptibility to fallen creation.
NASB Topical index
[1] Charles Caldwell Ryrie, A Survey of Bible Doctrine (Chicago: Moody Press, 1972).
[2] Walter A. Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology: Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2001), 394.
[3] Otto Thelemann, An Aid to the Heidelberg Catechism, trans. M. Peters (Reading, PA: James I. Good, D. D, Publisher, 1896), 154.
And it is regeneration which saves
Titus 3:5 (KJV 1900) — 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;
Ephesians 2:5 (KJV 1900) — 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
thus faith precedes regeneration
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