BIBLE REGENERATION -- No. 1

     It is alarming to see how little is made of this wonderful work of grace, even by noted holiness teachers and writers. In many instances their standard of regeneration does not measure up to Bible repentance, consequently their holiness is nothing more than regeneration, and seldom that.

     A case that is held up as a proper candidate for holiness is the rich young man. Matt. 19:16-23. The twenty-first verse is what is considered evidence that the young man was regenerated, and all he needed was Christian perfection. Adam Clarke, in commenting on this verse, "If thou wilt be perfect," says, "To be complete, to have the business finished and all hindrances to thy salvation removed, go and sell that thou hast." This certainly is the true meaning. Neither Clarke, Scott nor Henry consider this case anything more than a convicted sinner. Any one can see that he loved the world and had voluntary rebellion in his heart toward relinquishing his hold upon it. "If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him." He "went away sorrowful." This was willful rebellion, and no soul can be "justified" who refuses or neglects known duty.

     Another and yet more groundless case is that of Saul of Tarsus when he fell to the earth. Acts 9:1-32. This is taught as conversion and his receiving sight three days after, as holiness. Oh, no! Paul was too thorough to be rushed through like that. He was fasting and praying three days and nights on the street called "Straight." No doubt he was straightening up the past, just as every one must do to meet the divine approval. He was simply regenerated when he received his sight. After this he "was certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus" (verse 19). During this time he could have received the crucifixion of self that he afterward preached and testified to, and wrote about in each of his epistles. Be that as it may, it is enough to know that he experienced what he taught.

     Another passage and chapter that is almost universally held up as a type of regeneration, is the seventh chapter of Romans. For any one to try to make this chapter a type of religious experience previous to entire sanctification is simply to prove, either that he has been taught wrong, or that his own experience is sadly defective. Wesley in commenting upon this chapter says, "The character here assumed is that of a man, first ignorant of the law, then under it, and sincerely but ineffectually striving to serve God." This is a wretched man's experience, and we know that a freely forgiven man is not wretched. Reader, if this chapter was your experience previous to your obtaining holiness, you can safely set it down that what you consider holiness was in reality nothing more than Justification.