This is a question I recently heard a Hardshell ask. The answer that was given was "yes, but there is not generally a gap in time between regeneration (coming to life) and conversion (coming to faith)."
My answer to the question would have been far different. How so?
My Answer
There can be no life apart from Christ because he is "the life." John said "whoever has the Son has life." How does one obtain life from Christ? He gets life by coming to Christ as Christ said "you will not come to me that you might have life." As Christ is the vine, one must be in the vine to receive life from the vine. One must become one with Christ to partake of him as "the life." When Christ is received life is received. Life results from faith union, from receiving Christ.
Our Baptist forefathers, such as those who endorsed the London and Philadelphia confessions, taught that the believer had no power to believe at the moment prior to faith. They said that often. But, if regeneration and spiritual life precede faith, then power to believe does exist prior to faith. Those who say faith is not possible till life is first granted take an unbiblical position. Life is not received till Christ is received, and receiving Christ is all the same as believing in Christ.
What think ye?
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