In the work of salvation there are two New Testament doctrines which appear clearly essential in their experiential effect if the work of salvation is completed: first the regeneration of the soul and secondly the conversion of the will, mind and affections. Though these two things are distinct yet they cannot be separated. Some hold that there may be a time span between them; that is, a person may receive the impartation of life (regeneration – the new birth) at one time and then be converted sometime later. I believe this is an erroneous doctrine. I believe that a person may be enlightened (illumination) at a given time and yet not necessarily quickened by the power of the Spirit. As far as I can see from what is revealed in scripture, when the Holy Ghost quickens He also turns (converts) men to God and faith in Christ. I quote Mr. C.H. Spurgeon, “When a man is converted to God, it is done in a moment. Regeneration is an instantaneous work. Conversion to God, the fruit of regeneration, occupies all our life, but regeneration itself is affected in an instant. A man hates God; the Holy Spirit makes him love God. And all this is done, mark you, by the instantaneous supernatural influence of God the Holy Spirit working as He will among the sons of men.” I believe also that conversion is a very knowledgeable thing; what I mean by that is that a person is experimentally converted to Christ. By the power of God a person is “turned from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God” (Acts 26:18). One man’s conversion may not be as dramatic as another, yet the end result is a matter that each has a knowledge of. Christ healed two blind men, the one He merely spoke the words, “Go thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole”; to the other He made clay of His spittle and plastered the man’s eyes then told him “to go and wash”. The end result was the same; they both saw the light of day. Conversion is an experience that one must have knowledge of in that it is a coming from “death to life,” a “translation from darkness to light,” a change from “the old creation to a new creation in Christ.” Anything as climatic as that must be known. Being born again is a new beginning. When something is started we say that is generated. If something is started again we say that it is regenerated. Regeneration is a radical change into a new KIND of being. To be regenerated means we are changed from spiritually dead to God into spiritually alive in Christ. Jesus said, “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind (the Holy Spirit) blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from or where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.’”
Regeneration is a spiritual change; conversion is a spiritual motion. ~~Stephen Charnock
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