The Doctrine of Regeneration (New Birth)

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Lesson #09

• The Doctrine of Regeneration (New Birth)
  • The New Testament clearly explains the importance of Regeneration or New Birth in the life of a believer in Jesus Christ.
  • However, because the world does not understand this phenomenon, the phrase “new birth” is often used incorrectly to refer to the Buddhist concept of reincarnation to the recycling of plastic bottles.
  • The definition:
    • New birth or being born again is best defined as = regeneration.
      • Regeneration is the act of making something old into something new.
      • This is the thought used by those who recycle plastic bottles.
    • However, regeneration in the New Testament is a new birth by the grace of God that changes a person’s will and natural hatred for God and His law by planting in his heart a supreme love for God and love for the things of God.
  • The experience of the new birth became possible through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
    • Read 1Pet 3:21
    • Read Eph 2:4-5
  • Read Joh 3: 2-21 (Key scripture)
    • In this passage Jesus explains the New Birth experience in terms of the natural birth of a baby.
      • Natural birth and New Birth are a beginning of life.
      • Natural birth and New Birth are miracles of God.
    • Important points regarding regeneration from this passage in Joh 3.
      • Jesus tells us that it is impossible to enter into and to share in the kingdom of God without the new birth experience.
        • Therefore, it is necessary to experience the New Birth if a person desires eternal life.
        • Read Eph 2:15 The new birth brings peace with God.

The non-believer is the enemy of God and needs to have peace with God.

Read Jam 4:4

• • • • • Read Col 2:13 The new birth brings forgiveness of sin.
      • The new birth experience consists of being born through water and the Spirit. What does that mean?
        • Water:

Some Christians think this refers to water baptism.

The Bible is clear that water baptism does not save you, nor does it wash away your sins. (Luk 3:3 tells us that it is the baptism of repentance for the remission of sin that saves us and not water baptism.)

Read Rev 1:5

Water baptism is a public testimony of the new birth that has already taken place in the heart when a person confesses his faith in Jesus Christ for the first time. Water baptism is the sign of an already existing regeneration.

Instead, being born of water refers to cleansing from sin. The confession of sin is the first step to regeneration.

When a person is born again at the moment when he receives Jesus Christ in his heart, his sins are forgiven through the blood of Christ shed on the cross.

There is no other way to obtain the forgiveness of sin except through the personal acknowledgement of belief in Jesus’ death on the cross for the forgiveness of sin.

Read Mat 9:6

• • • • • The Spirit:

It is by the action of the Holy Spirit that the new birth experience occurs.

The Holy Spirit reveals sin to man. (Joh 16:8)

The Holy Spirit reveals truth to man. (Joh 16:13)

The Holy Spirit lifts up Jesus Christ so that a person can see his need for a savior. (Joh 15:26)

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of life. (Joh 6:63)

• • • • • Read Jer 31:33-34
    • Some Christians believe that the New Birth is a process that occurs over time.
      • However, the Greek tense of the verb in Joh 3 indicates that this is an event that occurs at a specific point in time. It is not a process over time.
      • At one point in time a person is not regenerated. He receives Jesus Christ into his heart. The next moment he is regenerated (born again).
    • Regeneration occurs personally inside the new believer to change his life.
      • Read 1Jn 1:7
      • Read 1Jn 3:9
  • Regeneration in the Old Testament:
    • The Bible does not specifically state that any of the Old Testament saints were born again.
    • However, because Jesus says that it is impossible to enter into the Kingdom of God without the new birth experience, the saints of the Old Testament must have had some kind of regeneration to be saved. Only the Bible does not explain how and when this occurred in the Old Testament apart from the general concept of faith in the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.
      • The theological knowledge and development of the new birth experience waited for the New Testament.
      • The theological knowledge and development of the role of the Holy Spirit waited for the New Testament.
        • The role of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament was different than the role of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament.
        • In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit did not dwell inside of the believer continuously. The indwelling capacity of the Holy Spirit does not occur until the New Testament.
        • In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit anointed and empowered believers to perform specific works for God and then the Spirit left.

Read Psa 51:10-11

• • • • • In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit dwells inside of the believer the minute he is born again. Then the Holy Spirit never leaves the believer.

Read Joh 14:16

• • • The role of the Holy Spirit in regeneration:
      • Read Joh 6:63 He gives us life.
      • Read Joh 1:12-13 The new birth cannot be accomplished, neither controlled by man.
  • Read Tit 3:5
    • What is the washing of regeneration?
      • This is the cleansing from sin that occurs when a person repents and receives Jesus Christ as his personal savior.
      • Tit 3:5 corresponds to Joh 3:5.
    • What is the renewing of the Holy Ghost (Spirit)
      • This is action of the Holy Spirit that plants an eternal seed of life into the heart of the new believer.
      • This eternal seed of life gives the believer a new life that extends into eternity.
  • Read 1Pet 1:22-25
    • The means by which a person is born again:
      • It is by the preaching of the truth of the Word of Jesus Christ that on hearing this message, the prospective believer comes to realize his spiritual need of rebirth.
      • The Word is an eternal seed that when planted in the heart, gives eternal life.
        • Read 1Pet 1:23
        • Read Jam 1:18

“will begat he us”

The Holy Spirit will give us new birth through Jesus Christ.

• • The nature of the new birth experience:
    • New birth is a sovereign act of God that gives birth to the believer into the household of God.
      • Physical birth brings the human into this physical world as a baby. He is born into this physical world but spiritually he belongs to Satan’s kingdom because of the concept of original sin. (Lesson #08)
      • Spiritual birth brings the believer in Jesus Christ into the spiritual family of God as a baby Christian. He can now share in the blessings as part of God’s family.
        • Therefore, the new birth experience spiritually moves the believer from the kingdom of Satan to the kingdom of God.
        • This supernatural transfer from one kingdom to the other, gives the believer the following blessings:

Acceptance in the presence of God.

Forgiveness of sin.

Supernatural ability to receive guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Supernatural ability to understand the Word of God.

Supernatural strength of the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life that is pleasing to God.

Supernatural ability to live in a close spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ; God, the Father; and the Holy Spirit.

Immediate reception into heaven at the moment of physical death.

• • • The new birth experience marks the believer for eternity in heaven because of the Holy Spirit that lives inside of him. (Eph 1:12-14)
      • It is the indwelling Holy Spirit that changes a person’s character to make him more like Christ. (the process of Sanctification)
      • It is the indwelling Holy Spirit that ensures eternal life in a new body. (the act of glorification)
  • The significance of regeneration in the life of the believer:
    • Read 2Cor 5:17
      • For the born again believer, there is the promise that old things are passed away.
      • Old sins are forgiven. Therefore, the believer can begin his life over again by making new decisions that correspond to God’s truth.
    • Read Rom 6:4
      • The born again believer has the ability to live a daily victory over sin in this new life.
      • When the believer renews his mind through the Word of God, he learns to live a victorious regenerated life. (Rom 12:1-2)
      • Victorious living in a regenerated life occurs when the believer permits and obeys the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
      • Read Gal 6:14-15
        • Living a regenerated life cannot be accomplished by man using his natural abilities.
        • Living a regenerated life can only occur miraculously by the interactions of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
      • Read Rom 8:2, 10
        • Because the born-again believer is now a part of God’s kingdom, he can make new choices in his life.

He is delivered from the power of sin in his life.

Read Gal 1:3-4

Read Rom 6:14

Read Rom 8:2-4

• • • • • Because the born-again believer is now free from sin, he can walk victoriously in his new life.
  • The results of regeneration:
    • The life of the believer becomes more like Christ through the process of sanctification.
    • The believer experiences the following characteristics in his life:
      • Holiness
      • Love
      • Victory
    • Read 1Joh 4:7
    • Read 1Joh 5:2, 4