GOSPEL, The, S. A. Paine I will now prove that the salvation, which is by the faith of the creature, is not regeneration, but a salvation of those already born of God. We refer you first to Rom. 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Who, then, is a believer? As we have before proven, they are born of God, justified, etc.
Then the gospel saves those who are [already] born of God. It does not born them. The question is often asked; if they are already born, how and in what way does the gospel save them? The gospel is to God’s children what your father’s teachings, corrections, and reproofs are to you. There is a practical or gospel faith that no one can have without the gospel. See Rom. 10. “How can they believe on him of whom they have not heard, and how can they hear without a preacher?”
This is the message Cornelius needed after God had cleansed and justified him. It was by Peter’s mouth that the Gentiles were to hear the gospel and believe. Acts 15:7 It was not by the message of Peter’s mouth that the Gentiles were to be cleansed or justified, but to believe.
Men believe only as they have been given ability. God gives ability in regeneration to believe the gospel. See 1 Cor. 3:5 This shows that God gives the ability before the gospel will make a believer. The sinner being saved by grace is enabled to then believe in Christ and rejoice in the salvation so graciously bestowed. (S. A. Paine: CAMPBELLISM: A Religious Deformity)