The answer depends on the definitions of the terms "regeneration" and "justification."
Justification~Is an immanent act
in God, it is an act of his grace towards his elect. Justification is
wholly without them, therefore, with their faith, justification
entirely resides in the divine mind, and lies in his
estimating, accounting, and constituting them righteous,
through the righteousness of his Son, their surety; and, as such, did not first commence in time, but
from eternity, all according to his purpose which he purposed in Himself.
(As a side not, I would like for
anyone to explain to me, how God was a friend of Abraham
before Christ actually paid for his sins, not only Abraham, but all of the children of God mentioned is the OT testament before Christ actually paid the sin debt they owed God's law. David knew that God justified
the ungodly based upon what God had purposed to do through his Son ~ being also the son of David ~ and David even described this blessing that he enjoyed
THEN while he lived.)
All the elect of God were justified
in Christ, their Head and Representative,
when he rose from the dead, and therefore in time would believe, unless they died as an infant, or were mentally unable to do so, which some have and some are. Christ engaged as a Surety for all his people from eternity, had their sins imputed to him
then, and for which he
made himself responsible; in the fulness of time he was made of a woman, made under the law, for the sole purpose to make full satisfaction for them by his life, sufferings and death, and
at his resurrection was acquitted and
discharged, as though they never sinned ~ now as he suffered and died, not as a private, but as a public person, so he rose again, and was justified as such,
even as the representative of his people; hence when he rose,
they rose with him; and when he was justified,
they were justified in him; for he was "delivered for their offences, and was raised again for their justification.
Romans 4:25
“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again
for our justification.”
Not one thing was left undone for us to do, to make this immanent act of God secured, final, safely imparted to the elect of God.
Ephesians 2:4-7
“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: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in
his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
