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Ryan N. de Torres Training for Victory 2011 Reaction Paper/ Theological Paper Chapter 2 : The Transformational Process

The Transformational Process is a process designed or modeled by “Training for Victory” teachers that aims to explain how a Christian progress in his/her life as Christian. It’s a “Sanctification process and Regeneration” or simply called “Conversion” in Christian Theology.

What the Bible says about Sanctification?
Sanctification may be defined as that gracious and continuous operation of the Holy Spirit by which, He purifies the sinner, renews his whole nature in the image of God, and enables him to perform good works. It differs from justification in that it takes place in the inner life of man, is not a legal but a recreative act, is usually a lengthy process, and never reaches perfection in this life. While it is very decidedly a supernatural work of God, the believer can and should co-operate in it by a diligent use of the means which God has placed at his disposal, 2Co 7:1; Col 3:5-14; 1Pe 1:22. Sanctification does not consist in a mere drawing out of what is already given in regeneration, but serves to strengthen, to increase, and to fortify the new life. It consists of two parts: the gradual removal of the pollution and corruption of human nature, Rom 6:6; Gal 5:24, and the gradual development of the new life in consecration to God, Rom 6:4, Rom 6:5; Col 2:12; Col 3:1, Col 3:2; Gal 2:19. While it takes place in the heart of man, it naturally affects the whole life, Rom 6:12; 1Co 6:1520; 1Th 6:23. The change in the inner man is bound to carry with it a change in the outer life. That man must co-operate in the work of sanctification follows from the repeated warnings against evils and temptations, Rom 12:9, Rom 12:16, Rom 12:17; 1Co 6:9, 1Co 6:10; Gal 5:16-23, and from the constant exhortations to holy living, Mic 6:8; Joh 15:4-7; Rom 8:12, Rom 8:13; Rom 12:1, Rom 12:2; Gal 6:7, Gal 6:8, Gal 6:15. (1. A Summary of Christian Doctrine by Louis Berkhof)

What the Bible says about Regeneration?
When the change wrought in regeneration begins to manifest itself in the conscious life, we speak of conversion. 1. Conversion in General. The Bible does not always speak of conversion in the same sense. The conversion we have in mind here may be defined as that act of God whereby He causes the regenerated, in their conscious life, to turn to Him in faith and repentance. From this definition it already appears that God is the author of conversion. This is clearly taught in Scripture, Act 11:18; 2Ti 2:25. The new life of regeneration does not of itself issue in a conscious change of life, but only through a special operation of the Holy Spirit, Joh 6:44; Phi 2:13. But while in regeneration God only works and man is

passive, in conversion man is called upon to co-operate, Isa 55:7; Jer 18:11; Act 2:38; Act 17:30. But even so man can only work with the power which God imparts to him. Like regeneration conversion too consists in a momentary change, and is not a process like sanctification; but in distinction from regeneration it is a change in the conscious rather than in the unconscious life of man. While conversion is necessary in the case of all adults, Eze 33:11; Mat 18:3, it need not appear in the life of each one of them as a sharply marked crisis. The Bible mentions instances of conversion, such as Naaman, 2Ki 5:15; Manasseh, 2Ch 33:12, 2Ch 33:13; Zacchmus, Luk 19:8, Luk 19:9; the eunuch, Act 8:80 ff.; Cornelius, Act 10:44 ff.; Paul, Act 9:5 ff.; Lydia, Act 16:14, and so on. Besides this it also speaks of a national conversion, as in Jon 3:10, a temporary conversion, which includes no change of heart, Mat 13:20, Mat 13:21; 1Ti 1:19.20; 2Ti 4:10; Heb 6:4-6, and a repeated conversion, Luk 22:32; Rev 2:5, Rev 2:16, Rev 2:21, Rev 2:22; Rev 3:8, Rev 3:19. This is not a repetition of conversion in the strict sense of the word, which does not admit of repetition, but a