Lesson 19

Intro Review:

2. What we now are; God's grace manifested to the believer.

2:4-6 Made Alive in Christ; [shift from what we were to what we are now]

"But God"

- God has provided a solution; one that takes us from death to life in Christ; all by Grace!

- The contrast that the "but" draws for us here is between the wrath of God directed towards the dead sinner and His mercy, love and grace available to all by faith!

"But the God being rich in mercy"

- This characteristic of God is seen throughout Scripture; Ps 103:8; Ex 34:6; Jonah 4:2;

- Word rich: plou,sioj is used 2 ways;

Lit.: of one who does not have to work;

Fig.: often used to refer to a characteristic of God in the sense that that characteristic is overabundant or beyond measure. Use here!

- The word mercy (eleos) is never applied to someone who has a "feeling," an emotion directed toward someone; not empathy or sympathy;

It always means, I realize the reality of your situation and I'm going to do something about it!

- God loved us Paul says in vs:5 "even when we were dead in the sphere of our trespasses."

- In this context God's love has motivated Him to do 3 things for everyone who believes!

#1. made us alive with Christ.

#2. raised us up with Christ!

#3. seated us together with Him in heavenly places in Christ.

These three things bring us from a state of death to life in Christ; from a condition of wrath/condemnation to one of being the object of God's grace and mercy!

#1. made us alive with Christ sunezwopoi, tw/| Cristw/|( sun - zw|opoie,w

Spiritual death is canceled; those spiritually dead are now made spiritually alive and that totally by the work of God. [H/S]

Doctrine of Regeneration!

1. Definition: Regeneration is the act of God whereby He imparts a new life, eternal life to an individual on the single condition of faith in Jesus Christ.

2. Concept of Regeneration: [presented in several ways]

a. referred to as being "born again" Jn 3:7

b. referred to as being "made alive." Eph 2:5

c. referred to as becoming "a new creation." 2 Cor 5:17

d. referred to as becoming the "children of God." 1 Jn 3:1-2

3. The Need for regeneration: Spiritual death.

a. Our natural condition dictates the need for the new birth.

1. Eph 2:1 states this explicitly; "And you being dead in the sphere of your trespasses and sins."

2. Conclusion: All are born into the world physically alive but spiritually dead, separated from God.

The only remedy for death is to acquire life, the life that comes from God in regeneration.

b. Our family connection necessitates it. Rom 5:12; 1 Cor 15:22

1. We are dead spiritually because of our connection with Adam in our first birth.

2. In light of this relationship with Adam we need a new birth, a new family and a new father; Regeneration provides all three.

4. The Author of Regeneration is God.

a. Jn 1:12-13 describes the children of God first negatively;

gives us 3 ways that eternal life is not acquired and then positively the source of this eternal life, it is of God!

1. Eternal life cannot be inherited for it is "not of blood."

2. Eternal life is not the fruit man's ability or of human character for it is not "of the will of the flesh."

3. Eternal life is not something that man can generate, because it is not "of the will of man."

4. The positive description of a child of God tells us that he is one who is born "of God." evk qeou/ indicates source or origin;

The source of the new birth then is God Himself.

b. Specifically it is God the Holy Spirit who is the agent of regeneration. Jn 3:5-6; Titus 3:5

5. The Word of God is an instrument in regeneration. [alive and powerful]

a. 1 Pet 1:23 ties the Word of God to the new birth.

b. Jas 1:18 relates it to the Plan of God; ie. purpose is to use the word of truth.

6. The object of faith that secures regeneration is Jesus Christ.

1 Jn 5:4-5; Gal 3:26; [faith is an instrument of reg.]; 1 Jn 5:1

Therefore the basis of regeneration is the work of Christ on the cross believed.