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 lit. to be born from above; a;nwqen
The
emphasis here as Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus is on the source of the new
birth "from above"
not on the repetition of a birth, again.
b. referred to as being "made alive." Eph
2:5
Context
views man as by nature alienated from God, and dead in sins, with the life of
Christ the sole remedy.
c. referred to as becoming "a new creation." 2 Cor
Here
regeneration is brought into view by the expression "new creature" lit. a new
creation;
- kainoj (new) kti,sij (creation); new in quality/character.
It
is the life of God imparted to the sinner that makes us a new creation.
d. referred to as becoming the "children of God."
1 Jn 3:1-2
Implication
of becoming God's children is that regeneration has occurred.
That
a father and child relationship exists involves birth and a family
relationship. [Jn
1:12-13; Gal 3:26]
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.
3. The only
remedy for death is to acquire life, the life that comes from God in
regeneration.
b. Our family
connection necessitates it. Rom
1 Cor
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 3 ways
that eternal life is not acquired and then positively the way we do acquire
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." [ek 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
b. Jas.
6. The object of
faith that secures regeneration is Jesus Christ.
Gal
Therefore
the basis of regeneration is the work of Christ on the cross believed. 1 Pet 1:17-19
7. Characteristics of
regeneration:
a. Instantaneous: aorist tense who were born Jn
b. Not of works:
Titus 3:5
c.
Permanent: perfect tense; Jn 3:8; 1 Jn 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1
8. The
fruit of the New Life: [what the Word
says we should expect in the life of one in which the new nature dominates.]
a. We are to walk in life worthy of our
calling in Christ. Eph. 4:1
[living within the parameters of the will of God; That is the experiential practice of
righteousness. 1 Jn
2:29]
b. Sinning is not to be
the dominant pattern of one with the new life.
In
fact the new life or new nature does not sin!
1 Jn 3:9;
[John
does recognize that we can and do choose to let the Old nature rule; 1 Jn
1:6-9]
Rem: God loves His children; His sons! As a
any good father He disciplines when they get out of line! Heb 12:5-13
If
that corrective instruction and discipline is not heeded over an extended
period of time it can lead to the maximum penalty, death. 1 Jn
c. They exhibit
love of God and other believers.
- of God 1 Jn 5:1;
- of others 1 Jn 4:7