Which happens first, regeneration or justification?

[Mr GLee]

4. God eternally decreed not to punish sin in His people, but in His Son. His decree to punish sin in His Son, includes His will to impute it to Him; and His purpose not to punish it in His elect, takes in His will not to impute it to them, and must be their Justification from all sin in His sight.

The punishment for sin is death by the letter of the law . The daily sufferings of hell the appointment all make

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Christ the Just and Justifier demonstrated by the Son of man dying sufferings mankind ,Two laws working as one perfect.

The letter ("thou shall not) and the spirit of the letter the unseen eternal things of Christ

The father bruised the Sons heel . Crushing the head of the father of lies .By his wounds we are healed. . The Father cannot die .

 

[Red Baker]

Let us inquire what it is to be justified by faith


Over the past 500 years there has been great controversies concerning this one point in relation to Justification. Some affirm, that we are so, in a proper sense; or that faith is the matter and cause of our Justification, as the Arminians and Calvinists: this the old line Particular Baptist justly deny; and assert, that Christ's righteousness alone is the matter and cause of our Justification. I shall here endeavor to prove, that Justification by faith has no causality in this affair; it is not the impulsive, material, medium, nor instrumental cause thereof.

1. Faith is not the medium, impulsive or moving cause of our legal Justification. It is an act of pure and free grace, without any motive in the creature: therefore the Apostle Paul said, "being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption which is in Jesus Christ" (Eph. 1:7). But this benefit would not be of grace, but of works, was our faith the impulsive cause of it; because faith is a work or act of ours, as we learn from the words of Christ: "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent" (John 6:29). Salvation is not of works, in any branch of it; "for by grace are ye saved, through faith; that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8,9). It is evident that Justification, which is a considerable part of salvation, cannot be by works. The grace of God eminently appears in contriving the way of our Justification by Christ's righteousness, (his faith and obedience) and in sending Him into the world to work out a righteousness for us, in which we stand complete in His sight: therefore we are said to be, "justified by his grace, that we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Tit. 3:7). No other cause can be assigned why sinners are justified in the sight of God, than His free favor and sovereign pleasure, as the effect of which He determined to justify them in/by the righteousness of His Son.

2. Neither is faith the matter of our Justification; which appears by these arguments.

(A) Because that righteousness by which we are justified before God is not our own. All true believers, as the great Apostle did, esteem "their own righteousness and works but loss and dung, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus their Lord; and desire to be found in him, not having their own righteousness which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" (Phil. 3:9). It is manifest, that the Apostle excluded everything from the business of his Justification which might be accounted his own; and, consequently, faith itself, which though it is a fruit of special grace, may properly be reckoned our own, as we are the subjects of it. Therefor it is that the Holy Ghost speaks of faith as ours: "But the just shall live by his faith" (Hab. 2:4). All dependence on faith for Justification is laid aside by the saints, who are sensible that many deficiencies attend it, and that nothing which is imperfect can recommend them to God.

(B) A perfect righteousness is required, in order to our Justification in God's sight. His law insists upon a complete obedience to all its precepts, and condemns where it is wanting; for the language of it is, "Cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things written in the book of the law, to do them" (Gal. 3:10). Nor will God, in any instance, act contrary to His own law, which cannot be made void; for it is the eternal standard and rule of righteousness, according to which he will always proceed in judgment. Faith is not a righteousness free from imperfection, and therefore it is not such as is demanded by the Law; wherefore we cannot be justified by it.

(C) Faith receives that righteousness by which we are justified, and therefore cannot be that righteousness itself. That which is laid hold on, and embraced by faith, must needs be something different from it, as the act and the object are distinct. Christ's righteousness is that to which the faith of a believer looks, and on which it wholly depends for Justification before God: therefore faith is not the matter of his justifying righteousness.

(D) Justification is not by works; for if so, boasting will not be excluded, as it must eternally be in the whole of our salvation: for "it is not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:9), as was observed before. Faith is an act and work of ours, and therefore cannot be the matter of our Justification.

(E) We are justified by the obedience and sufferings of Christ, and consequently not by faith. The Apostle expressly asserts that we are justified by His blood; "Much more then being justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him" (Rom. 5:9): and also, that we are made righteous by His obedience; "As by the offense of one many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous" (Rom. 5:19): therefore not by faith.

More later....

 

[JIM]

Let us inquire what it is to be justified by faith


Over the past 500 years there has been great controversies concerning this one point in relation to Justification. Some affirm, that we are so, in a proper sense; or that faith is the matter and cause of our Justification, as the Arminians and Calvinists: this the old line Particular Baptist justly deny; and assert, that Christ's righteousness alone is the matter and cause of our Justification. I shall here endeavor to prove, that Justification by faith has no causality in this affair; it is not the impulsive, material, medium, nor instrumental cause thereof.

1. Faith is not the medium, impulsive or moving cause of our legal Justification.

I agree. Faith is not the medium, impulsive or moving cause of our justification. God is the cause of our justification. God is the only cause of our justification. But faith is a condition by which God, the cause of our justification, chooses who He justifies. It is not the only condition, but it certainly is the major condition, the one primacy of conditions.

Just as an aside, I would note that there is no other justification than legal. Justification is a legal term. It is a declaration. In the case of God's justification of the repentant believer, it is God imputing His own righteousness to the believer.

 

[Red Baker]

I agree. Faith is not the medium, impulsive or moving cause of our justification. God is the cause of our justification. God is the only cause of our justification. But faith is a condition by which God, the cause of our justification, chooses who He justifies. It is not the only condition, but it certainly is the major condition, the one primacy of conditions.

Jim, if by faith we are actually brought into, or fixed in a justified state, it will follow that this grace has a causal influence on our Justification; which it is evident it has not, because Justification is no other than the imputation of Christ's righteousness to us, which is an act proper to God, without works. If our actual Justification is by faith, it is either by the habit, or the act of faith: now, as I apprehend, there is no ground to assert that Justification is by the habit of faith, because no action can be ascribed to faith as a habit; and should any assert that it is by the act of faith, I would inquire of them, as I asked above: Is it an act of faith that justifies? A life of faith? Or only while you have faith? Or what? If it is only by the first act of faith, it then evidently follows, that faith has not the same concern or use in our Justification, in its renewed acts, as in the first act of it. Besides, if our actual Justification depends upon, or is by repeated acts of faith; this, as a necessary consequence, will arise from thence, that when faith is not in exercise, believers are not justified; because, according to this teaching, faith gives actual being to Justification.

Just as an aside, I would note that there is no other justification than legal. Justification is a legal term. It is a declaration. In the case of God's justification of the repentant believer, it is God imputing His own righteousness to the believer.

Jim, I'll come back in the morning to address this point. I may come back later today after a project I need to do.

 

[Carbon]

Which happens first, regeneration of justification?​

Yes, that's the question.

It should be clear, that Justification is first,

really? You mean in your opinion it is clear.

since it is an immanent, and consequently an eternal act of God. This argument must be allowed conclusive, unless it can be proved that Justification is a transient act~and I do not think anyone wants to even attempt to go there. Consider:

all of salvation is of God.

1. The elect were by God considered and viewed in Christ from everlasting; which is excellently expressed by Dr. [Thomas] Goodwin in these words: "Look, as God did not, in his decrees about creation, consider the body of Adam singly and apart from his soul, nor yet the soul without the body (I speak of his creation and state thereby) neither should either so much as exist, but as the one in the other: so nor Christ and his church in election, which gave the first existence to Christ as a head, and to the church as his body, which each had in God's decrees." Exposition of the First Chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians, London, 1681, Pt. 1, p. 72. Now as God considers His elect in Christ, they are either objects of condemnation, or Justification. The former must be denied, and therefore the latter evidently follows; except, as God beholds the elect in Christ, they are neither objects of condemnation, nor Justification; which is an absurdity that none will admit.

Maybe read more of Goodwin. Goodwin does not agree with you.

 

[Carbon]

Bold letter are mine for discussion ~ This is incorrect, no pun intended, but bringing this up for discussion, for all to better understand the great truths of the scriptures.

Our faith is the result of "first" being quicken to life, or, when we are born again by the Spirit of God. Our faith has no part in the legal phase of our salvation from sin and condemnation, none whatsoever. Jesus Christ's faith and obedience is the only ground of sinners who were at enmity against God, being made the righteousness of God...... acceptable in His sight.

Jesus Christ was not a private person acting only for himself before the law of God while living in this world~he was the head of an elect body that was given to him to redeemed by his Father~he acted as their surety from conception until the death of his body, and resurrection to God's right hand of power.

Ephesians 2:4-6​

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

All this before any of us were born again, and had the power to believe! Our legal justification is all of God, without us contributing any works whatsoever!

Justification a major part of our salvation, and like the words save/saved/salvation, is used in different senses in the scriptures, and our job is to study to rightly divide its senses, or else, we will end up corrupting God's word.

Example:

Let us look at one of these scriptures:

Acts 13:39 “And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses.”​

This text has to do with justification, not regeneration; but is it conditional at all? All that “believe” (plural, present tense) “are justified” (plural, perfect tense). Not will be, but are, already justified and that by the faith and obedience of Christ alone. Romans 5:19; Galatians 2:16, etc.

Paul further confirmed the fact by ascribing justification “by him,” that is, by Christ! Paul argued that legal justification precedes faith all through his epistles.

Since it takes place in the subconscious part of man, where God is the only active person working, it is without question irresistible. No man knows when he was quicken to life, he may get close, but the exact timing of this birth is hidden from us~we were dead in trespasses and sins~even though loved by God from eternity past, proven that we were by being given life freely for Jesus' sake.

Not legally~legally our justification is freely given to us based on Christ's redemption work.

Romans 3:24​

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”

There is a "practical" justification that takes place once we believe and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ, this justification takes place in our hearts/conscience that brings peace to our hearts.

Romans 5:1​

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

This has not one thing to do with our legal forgiveness of our sins through Christ's faith and obedience. This justification takes place in our spirit of knowing the truth of the gospel of Jesús Christ, that may take time for one to fully comprehend.

There are just so many things wrong with this IMO.
but lets back up a moment.

You said justification comes before regeneration. is this correct?

 

[Carbon]

Let us inquire what it is to be justified by faith


Over the past 500 years there has been great controversies concerning this one point in relation to Justification. Some affirm, that we are so, in a proper sense; or that faith is the matter and cause of our Justification, as the Arminians and Calvinists: this the old line Particular Baptist justly deny; and assert, that Christ's righteousness alone is the matter and cause of our Justification. I shall here endeavor to prove, that Justification by faith has no causality in this affair; it is not the impulsive, material, medium, nor instrumental cause thereof.

1. Faith is not the medium, impulsive or moving cause of our legal Justification. It is an act of pure and free grace, without any motive in the creature: therefore the Apostle Paul said, "being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption which is in Jesus Christ" (Eph. 1:7). But this benefit would not be of grace, but of works, was our faith the impulsive cause of it; because faith is a work or act of ours, as we learn from the words of Christ: "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent" (John 6:29). Salvation is not of works, in any branch of it; "for by grace are ye saved, through faith; that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8,9). It is evident that Justification, which is a considerable part of salvation, cannot be by works. The grace of God eminently appears in contriving the way of our Justification by Christ's righteousness, (his faith and obedience) and in sending Him into the world to work out a righteousness for us, in which we stand complete in His sight: therefore we are said to be, "justified by his grace, that we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Tit. 3:7). No other cause can be assigned why sinners are justified in the sight of God, than His free favor and sovereign pleasure, as the effect of which He determined to justify them in/by the righteousness of His Son.

2. Neither is faith the matter of our Justification; which appears by these arguments.

(A) Because that righteousness by which we are justified before God is not our own. All true believers, as the great Apostle did, esteem "their own righteousness and works but loss and dung, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus their Lord; and desire to be found in him, not having their own righteousness which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" (Phil. 3:9). It is manifest, that the Apostle excluded everything from the business of his Justification which might be accounted his own; and, consequently, faith itself, which though it is a fruit of special grace, may properly be reckoned our own, as we are the subjects of it. Therefor it is that the Holy Ghost speaks of faith as ours: "But the just shall live by his faith" (Hab. 2:4). All dependence on faith for Justification is laid aside by the saints, who are sensible that many deficiencies attend it, and that nothing which is imperfect can recommend them to God.

(B) A perfect righteousness is required, in order to our Justification in God's sight. His law insists upon a complete obedience to all its precepts, and condemns where it is wanting; for the language of it is, "Cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things written in the book of the law, to do them" (Gal. 3:10). Nor will God, in any instance, act contrary to His own law, which cannot be made void; for it is the eternal standard and rule of righteousness, according to which he will always proceed in judgment. Faith is not a righteousness free from imperfection, and therefore it is not such as is demanded by the Law; wherefore we cannot be justified by it.

(C) Faith receives that righteousness by which we are justified, and therefore cannot be that righteousness itself. That which is laid hold on, and embraced by faith, must needs be something different from it, as the act and the object are distinct. Christ's righteousness is that to which the faith of a believer looks, and on which it wholly depends for Justification before God: therefore faith is not the matter of his justifying righteousness.

(D) Justification is not by works; for if so, boasting will not be excluded, as it must eternally be in the whole of our salvation: for "it is not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:9), as was observed before. Faith is an act and work of ours, and therefore cannot be the matter of our Justification.

(E) We are justified by the obedience and sufferings of Christ, and consequently not by faith. The Apostle expressly asserts that we are justified by His blood; "Much more then being justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him" (Rom. 5:9): and also, that we are made righteous by His obedience; "As by the offense of one many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous" (Rom. 5:19): therefore not by faith.

More later....

We are justified by faith alone.

what comes first, regeneration or justification is regeneration. but before we are regenerated, we are mystically united to Christ.

Before you state what Goodwin believed anymore, please, read what he actually said on this.

first, Christ takes, apprehends, and comprehends the sinner. Christ takes hold of us before we believe, and works a thousand and a thousand operations in our souls to which our faith concurs nothing. . . . Christ dwells in us and works in us when we act not and know not our (mystical) union, nor that it is he that works. Before the new believer is aware, our Lord unites us to Himself (takes hold of us) and works in us. The Spirit then regenerates the sinner, who in turn exorcises faith towards Christ and completes the union. From that union flow all other blessings.

 

[Carbon]

Considering the Puritans, here is what John Owen has to say.

Owen claims that union with Christ is the cause of all other blessings a believer receives.
Hence: is our adoption, our justification, our sanctification,. . . . our perseverance, our resurrection, our glory. Therefore, union with Christ is the ground of the imputation of Christ's righteousness to believers.

 

[Carbon]

Considering the Puritans, here is what John Owen has to say.

Owen claims that union with Christ is the cause of all other blessings a believer receives.
Hence: is our adoption, our justification, our sanctification,. . . . our perseverance, our resurrection, our glory. Therefore, union with Christ is the ground of the imputation of Christ's righteousness to believers.

And Witsius said,
The elect are united to Christ when Christ's Spirit "takes possession of them" and regenerates them. And he likewise affirms that union precedes actual faith.

 

[Carbon]

https://christcentered.community.forum/threads/justification-by-faith-alone.822/

 

[Mr GLee]

We are justified by the "let there be" faith of Christ alone. His faith (personnel understanding )

Christ is the storeroom of faith the power by which his children can believe God not seen

We have that power working in us but would never say it is of us

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Matthew 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

He was informing them of the little power he gives. He was not scolding them . They caught on. . Increase that powerful faith

Satan the faithless one.

No faith is the opposite of faith .Not doubt. Doubt is needed in making a choice between two

Satan the accuser of the brethren day an night cast doubt upon our new faith .We are strengthened by the faith of Christ's labor of love

Satan would have mankind believe God has no need for faith (power)

Matthew 8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

Luke 17:4-6King James Version And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

Matthew 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Matthew 16:8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

Luke 12:28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Faith the "let there be" power to move.

Its not some mysterious word that is only used in the Bible

I trust my wife she increases my trust or faith that I have coming from her As her apostle upon completing the adventure to the supermarket I received the apostles reward .Two home made peanut butter cookies and a glass of milk

 

[makesends]

And Witsius said,
The elect are united to Christ when Christ's Spirit "takes possession of them" and regenerates them. And he likewise affirms that union precedes actual faith.

Still, seems rather an overlapping of temporal and causal sequences, which I guess is alright.

To me, the fact that regeneration necessarily is accompanied by all the graces of the Spirit of God, is what matters. What bugs me is when one is admitted to and not the others, or when one or more of them are ascribed to the will of man —particularly when the hinge upon which the creature's eternity swings is their own decision, and when becoming 'born from above' is a result of that decision! In my upbringing, I was taught that 'salvation' and being 'born again' can be spoken of synonymously, but really are entirely separate events —the Holy Spirit's work, (born again), dependent on man's 'decision for Christ' (salvation).

I know I'm taking this out of context, but really! —"Who are you, oh man!"

But I love that, "...Christ's Spirit takes possession of them".

 

[JIM]

And here we see one of the real problems with the doctrine of monergism. For the monergist, one is left with no real evidence of being regenerated. It is completely left to a "gut feeling"; it is strictly "I have the feeling that I was born again". The monergist is stuck with the inability to actually answer, with scripture, "Which happens first, regeneration or justification?" The monergist has nothing but that "sixth sense", that "intuitive sensation", that "gut feeling", that "bright light of awareness" that he was regenerated.

 

[Red Baker]

https://christcentered.community.forum/threads/justification-by-faith-alone.822/

I'll go there sometime today, the Lord willing, since that thread is closely connected with this one.

 

[Red Baker]

And here we see one of the real problems with the doctrine of monergism. For the monergist, one is left with no real evidence of being regenerated. It is completely left to a "gut feeling"; it is strictly "I have the feeling that I was born again". The monergist is stuck with the inability to actually answer, with scripture, "Which happens first, regeneration or justification?" The monergist has nothing but that "sixth sense", that "intuitive sensation", that "gut feeling", that "bright light of awareness" that he was regenerated.

Jim, the bottom line is this~it is by faith, in the scriptures that any of us have any knowledge of any doctrine. God has chosen the foolishness of preaching to reveal his eternal purposes that he purposed in and through Jesus Christ, the surety of His elect.

That being said, the just lives by his faith in the scriptures that reveals to them many precious truths, one of them, how we are born by the Spirit of God and why we believe what we do believe.

The word of God said:

1st John 5:1​

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.”

Faith is the greatest evidence that one is born of God, closely connected is love for others born of God.

Jim, here's another proof~God's elect seek to give all glory to God, knowing that man cannot and will not come to God except he is first given life, and that life consist in a new man within them that enables them to believe and please God, without which, it would be impossible....for this is God's testimony concerning these truths.

 

[Red Baker]

really? You mean in your opinion it is clear.

Yes, which I have labored to prove with the scriptures and testimonies of others before me.

all of salvation is of God.

Yes, salvation from sin and condemnation was secured alone by our surety, Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son. It is by his faith and obedience that allows God the remain Just and the justifier of men/women who are at enmity against his good, just, and spiritual law.

Maybe read more of Goodwin. Goodwin does not agree with you.

Any quote was backup with reference given~now, that does not necessarily mean we would agree with all of what those godly men taught, but would with what we quoted. I'm going back today and read his work on Justification

 

[JIM]

Jim, the bottom line is this~it is by faith, in the scriptures that any of us have any knowledge of any doctrine. God has chosen the foolishness of preaching to reveal his eternal purposes that he purposed in and through Jesus Christ, the surety of His elect.

That being said, the just lives by his faith in the scriptures that reveals to them many precious truths, one of them, how we are born by the Spirit of God and why we believe what we do believe.

But again, that all boils down to nothing but that "gut feeling" that I spoke of.

The word of God said:

1st John 5:1​

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.”

Faith is the greatest evidence that one is born of God, closely connected is love for others born of God.

Jim, here's another proof~God's elect seek to give all glory to God, knowing that man cannot and will not come to God except he is first given life, and that life consist in a new man within them that enables them to believe and please God, without which, it would be impossible....for this is God's testimony concerning these truths.

And, as I noted earlier, how can anyone say, "I believe in God", and not do what He says?

 

[Red Baker]

There are just so many things wrong with this IMO.
but lets back up a moment.

Brother, please show me whenever and wherever you disagree, and let us consider the points of disagreement.

You said justification comes before regeneration. is this correct?

Carbon, have you ever consider eternal justification? Is there a thread addressing this doctrine? I'll check.

But, for now consider what I said above:

Jesus Christ was not a private person acting only for himself before the law of God while living in this world~he was the head of an elect body that was given to him to redeemed by his Father~he acted as their surety from conception until the death of his body, and resurrection to God's right hand of power.

Ephesians 2:4-6​

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

All this before any of us were born again, and had the power to believe! Our legal justification is all of God, without us contributing any works whatsoever!

Along with this consider:

Ephesians 1:4​

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”

The elect have never been consider outside of Christ, never! We were chosen IN HIM, and placed in him before the foundation of the earth. Christ is the head of an elect body, we are members of Christ's body and have been from eternity and will be world without end. Consider:

Psalms 139:15​

“My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”

Christ and his elect members of his body! We have never been viewed outside of Christ, God loved us even when we were dead in sins and trespasses. It is true, that some are in Christ as far as being visible member's of the body of Christ in this world. But not so in the election of grace.

 

[Red Baker]

Considering the Puritans, here is what John Owen has to say.

Owen claims that union with Christ is the cause of all other blessings a believer receives.
Hence: is our adoption, our justification, our sanctification,. . . . our perseverance, our resurrection, our glory. Therefore, union with Christ is the ground of the imputation of Christ's righteousness to believers.

Without knowing the source and the overall context, I would not even consider disagreeing with Owen, I appreciate much that he wrote, but not all.

I will only comment that I agree: "Owen claims that union with Christ is the cause of all other blessings a believer receives." That's why I start with election of grace by being chosen in Christ, and then, all of the other spiritual blessings flow from that starting fountain head. That's where Paul started often:

Romans 8:29​

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

 

[Binyawmene]

This text has to do with justification, not regeneration; but is it conditional at all? All that “believe” (plural, present tense) “are justified” (plural, perfect tense). Not will be, but are, already justified and that by the faith and obedience of Christ alone. Romans 5:19; Galatians 2:16, etc.

Paul further confirmed the fact by ascribing justification “by him,” that is, by Christ! Paul argued that legal justification precedes faith all through his epistles.

In our conversion we have faith and repentance, but faith continues through each subsequence, while repentance doesn't. You are asking me if faith is conditional for justification. Depends on what you mean by conditional. Like, "If I have Christ's faith, then I am justified." Yes, it's logical.