Regeneration Before Faith Proof Texts (XIII)

Proof Text #6 - Acts 16: 14 

"Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul." (nkjv)

Some Calvinists use this verse to uphold the idea that sinners are given spiritual life prior to, and in order to, believe the gospel. But, this is far from the truth. First of all, this woman was already a worshipper of God, and therefore, likely already regenerated. In fact, she was a participant in prayer with other women. By this fact alone the text cannot be interpreted as teaching an ordo salutis as respects faith and spiritual life. Further, the opening of the heart cannot allude to being regenerated or born again. At most it means that God was influencing Lydia to give attention to what Paul preached. This influence of the Spirit occurs not only with those who are lost and being led to hear the gospel but also with those already saved. God continues to open the heart of the believer to hear preaching.

Said Spurgeon:

"We do not well if we forget the prevenient providences which work before our conversion, to bring us unto that spot where God was pleased to manifest himself unto us." 

Not all Calvinists reject the idea of "prevenient grace." Spurgeon, a five pointer, did not. Nor do I. Not that I believe in prevenient grace in the same way some Arminians do, however. Still, there is grace that precedes regeneration and conversion and in the case of Lydia we have an example of it. 

Spurgeon said:

"Observe next, that in Lydia's case there was not only preventing providence, but there was also grace in a certain manner preparing the soul. The woman did not know the Saviour; she did not understand the things which make for her peace, yet she knew many truths which were excellent stepping-stones to a knowledge of Jesus." 

That is the way I understand it. To think that the opening of her heart was regeneration, rather than a preparation for it or for conversion, has no clear cut proof. It is a very weak argument for the born again before faith view and if this is the best that advocates of that view have, then it is very weak indeed.

Spurgeon also said: 

"She worshipped God; worshipped him in sincerity; worshipped him looking for the coming of the Messiah, Israel's consolation; and so her mind was prepared for the reception of the gospel. Doubtless, dear friends, in many of us there was a preparation for Christ before Christ came to us in quickening grace."

 

This is where many Hyper Calvinists err. They do not believe that there are any preparatory acts of God before regeneration. This is because they have defined regeneration narrowly and equated it with the first act of God on a sinner in bringing him to it. 

Spurgeon said:

"Still, dear friends, we ought to ascribe all this preparatory work to sovereign grace, for grace—free favour does much in which no grace of effectual salvation is perceptible. I mean that before grace renews the heart there is grace preparing us for grace; grace may be setting the mind in activity, clearing us from prejudice, ridding us of a thousand infidel and sceptical thoughts, and so raising a platform from which divine grace conducts us into the region of the new life. Such was the case of Lydia, such is the case of many; providence and grace co-work before the effectual time is come." 

That is my view exactly.

Spurgeon said:

"Note, concerning her conversion, in the third place, that it took place in the use of the means. On the Sabbath she went to her gathering of her people. Although God works great wonders and calls men when they are not hearing the Word, yet usually we must expect that being in the way, God will meet with them." 

But, means is the thing the Hyper Calvinist wants to eliminate from the work of regeneration. Spurgeon said: "that address it was which was the means in God's hand of opening her heart." Some Hypers believe that the opening of the heart preceded hearing Paul preach, so that his preaching was not the instrument. But, Spurgeon did not. In fact, several translations translate the text in such a way that it is obvious that the opening of the heart occurred while Paul was preaching. Of course, the influence of the Spirit, during preaching, is distinct from preaching, as our forefathers taught (especially in their debates with Alexander Campbell). Still, the influence occurred in conjunction with the word preached. 

Spurgeon said:

"Note again, for we will only hint at these things rather than dwell upon them, that it was assuredly a work of grace, for we are expressly told, “whose heart the Lord opened.” She did not open her own heart. Her prayers did not do it; Paul did not do it; the Lord himself must open the heart, to receive the things which make for our peace. To operate savingly upon human hearts belongs to God alone." 

Again, I agree. The success of the gospel depends upon God opening the heart. He must "give the increase" (I Cor. 3: 7). He must prepare the heart.

Spurgeon said:

"We think it meet, according to Scriptural warrant and example, to speak to you, and exhort you to arise from the dead that Christ may give you life; but we remind you, and trust you never may forget it, that all the work must always be of the Holy Spirit, and of him alone. I am told, in preaching the gospel, to command you to “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” But well I am aware, and may you be aware of it too, that faith is the gift of God. Though the Scripture bids us say, “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil”—though it cries, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him,”—though our Saviour himself puts it, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that which endureth unto eternal life;” yet we know that salvation is neither by your striving, nor by your labouring, nor by your reformings and amendings, but that all these are the fruit of an inward and mysterious work which the Holy Ghost alone can perform. Give unto God the glory if you have been converted, praise him alone—"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.” He alone can cut the bands which fasten the heart; he alone can put the key into the hole of the door and open it, and get admittance for himself. He is the heart’s master as he is the heart’s maker, and conversion in every case is the Lord’s work alone."

Spurgeon also said:

"...although the Lord opened the heart, Paul’s words were the instrument of her conversion. The heart may be opened, and willing to receive, but then if truth enter not, what would be the use of an open door? But God always takes care to open the heart at a time when the messenger of mercy shall be going by, that the heart may give him admittance." ("Lessons from Lydia’s Conversion" - here)

In conclusion I say that there is no proof from Acts 16: 14 for the born again before faith view.