Understanding Regeneration by the Spirit

by | Posted April 25th at 10:15pm

“If you are not born again you cannot enter the kingdom of God” Jesus (John 3:3–8).

Regeneration enables being born again

The doctrine of Regeneration is a Calvinistic term used by the reformers inspired by John Calvin, early Puritans, and today among many Baptists, Presbyterians, and Reformed churches. It refers to a secret act of God in which he imparts new spiritual life to us. This is more often known by the biblical term used by Jesus: “being born again” of the Spirit’s motivating influence (John 3:3–8).

Regeneration Is the entire work of God

Though we play an active part in sanctification and perseverance; in the work of regeneration, we have no active role at all. Rather it is in entirety the work of God. John teaches that Christ calls people into His church at a specific time in their life to reconcile with God. He enables them with the power of the Spirit to become children of God (John 1:13). Those who are “born … of God” are not operating by “the will of man” to bring about this kind of birth.

Our passivity in regeneration is indicated in Scripture by referring to the occurrence as being “born” or being “born again” (James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3; John 3:3–8). We did not choose to be made physically alive, and we did not choose to be born—it is something that happened to us; similarly, “these analogies in Scripture suggest that we are entirely passive in regeneration”. ¹

The necessity of regeneration by the Spirit

Jesus noted that the entrance to the kingdom, is opened by the Spirit’s power causing this effective experience (John 3:3, 5); there is an equipping of a new heart and new motive to serve God which circumvents death (Ezek. 18:31). Those who do not receive a new heart will die spiritually.

The Bible never reveals one saved person without being born again. Civility, knowledge, tact, living by the golden rule or being externally religious will not achieve it. Nicodemus who was taught about being born again by Jesus was a teacher in Israel without objection (John 3:3–8). Paul, blameless according to the law, experienced conversion pivoting his viewpoint from the hateful murdering of Christians to preaching Jesus with persuasive power. He wasn’t motivated to preach the gospel until he met the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9:4) He was on the way to arrest and persecute Christians.

No one can have true heartfelt communion with God without regeneration by the Spirit. Initially, before being born again we are at enmity with God (Romans 8:7). God, resides in unapproachable light and holiness (1 Timothy 6:16; 1 John 1:5) while the ungodly cannot be in His presence (Psa. 5:5–7). Therefore, in order for a person to have fellowship with God, he or she must be born again and led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14).

¹ Wayne Grudem, Bible Doctrine – The Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith

Article posted by Glen R. Jackman, founder of GraceProclaimed.org

Glen has optimized his eldership role to teach the full scope of the New Covenant of Jesus Christ without boundaries.
You can read his testimony.