The Examples of Regeneration preclude faith:.
a) John the Baptist was regenerated before birth, thereforth before faith! (Luke 1:15; Rom 8:14; Gal 5:22).
Luke 1:15
“For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.”
John must have been one of those Zombie babies you talk about.
b) Cornelius was regenerated before hearing the gospel (Acts 10:2-4, 34-35).
Acts 10:2
“A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.”
c) Lydia’s heart was opened before rather than by the gospel (Acts 16:14).
All these scriptures present a major blow to your corrupt gospel.
d) Ministers are to feed sheep (John 21:15-17) and perfect saints (Eph 4:12).
Couple of problems here---and let's leave out the ad hominems please--not Christlike and not showing fruit.
John the Baptist – Luke 1:15
Text:
“For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.”
The phrase πλησθήσεται πνεύματος ἁγίου ἔτι ἐκ κοιλίας μητρὸς αὐτοῦ
indicates a future passive verb (πλησθήσεται = “he will be filled”), with the temporal phrase ἔτι ἐκ κοιλίας (“even from the womb”).
This is not the technical word for regeneration (e.g., παλινγενεσία), but refers to the prophetic Spirit's empowerment.
This language is more akin to Old Testament prophetic endowment (cf. Jeremiah 1:5; Judges 13:5).
It demonstrates the Holy Spirit’s presence and activity before conscious belief—but not necessarily regeneration in the salvific New Covenant sense.
Spirit-filling does occur before conscious faith in John’s case, but this is a unique prophetic calling,
not a normative soteriological order.
b) Cornelius – Acts 10:2–4, 34–35
Text:
“A devout man, and one that feared God… gave much alms… and prayed to God always.”
Cornelius is described as εὐσεβὴς (devout) and φοβούμενος τὸν θεόν (God-fearing),
terms used of Gentile proselytes or God-fearers.
His prayers and alms “ascend as a memorial” before God—language of divine acceptance (Acts 10:4).
Yet Peter is sent so he may “hear words whereby he shall be saved” (Acts 11:14).
The Spirit falls upon him only after Peter preaches Christ and Cornelius hears and believes (Acts 10:44; cf. 15:7–9).
Cornelius feared God and was devout, but regeneration--
if equated with receiving the Spirit--
came after hearing the gospel, not before.
c) Lydia – Acts 16:14
Text:
“whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.”
The verb διήνοιξεν (“opened”) is aorist indicative active--God actively opened her heart.
The result: προσέχειν τοῖς λαλουμένοις
(“to pay attention to the things spoken”).
This denotes divine enablement prior to reception of Paul’s message—
not clearly regeneration, but pre-faith preparation---forgive me for coining words here--
The text does not specify regeneration, only that God granted attentiveness.
This is a case o
f prevenient grace---God enabled her to respond---
but it does not explicitly say she was regenerated before faith.
d) John 21:15–17 & Ephesians 4:12
John 21:15–17 – Jesus commands Peter to “feed my lambs/sheep,” which implies
discipleship, not initial regeneration.
Ephesians 4:12 – Saints are equipped for ministry; this relates to spiritual growth post-conversion, not the order of salvation.
Soo---
Your examples highlight that the Spirit can operate before conscious faith--
but they do not conclusively prove regeneration precedes faith in the New Testament salvific sense.
In John the Baptist’s case, the Spirit’s filling was prophetic and prenatal—more analogous to Old Covenant empowerment than salvation.
Cornelius had pre-gospel fear of God, but
regeneration came after gospel proclamation.
Lydia’s heart-opening shows divine initiative but not full regeneration before hearing the word.
Person Claim Actual Text Indicates Regeneration Before Faith?
John Baptist Filled with Spirit in womb Prophetic filling, not salvific regeneration
No
Cornelius Feared God pre-gospel Saved after hearing gospel (Acts 11:14)
No
Lydia Heart opened Enabled to hear Paul—faith followed (Acts 16:15)
No
Disciples Fed sheep/perfect saints Post-faith shepherding (Jn 21; Eph 4)
Not Applicable
Final Note-- Not
one of these cases provides a clear lexical or theological statement that regeneration (new birth, παλινγενεσία or ζωοποιέω) occurred prior to faith. Instead, they demonstrate God's sovereign role in drawing people to faith--but the new birth itself is consistently tied to believing the gospel (John 1:12–13; Eph 1:13; Rom 10:17).
Cannot get away from this @Red Baker/brother.
J. 
