We Believe - Regeneration
Notes
Transcript
Ephesians 2:1–6 (ESV)
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Introduction
We continue studies under the general heading of The Doctrine of the Grace of God. Having considered the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit we turn our attention to the particular work of Regeneration. Just as birth is absolutely essential for life so regeneration, new birth, is absolutely essential for spiritual life.
1. Regeneration
1. Regeneration
Baptist Affirmation of Faith 1966 (5. Regeneration)
Regeneration is the implanting of spiritual life of which the Holy Spirit is the source and agent. By this new birth all the elect are made, in God’s appointed way and time, a new creation in Christ Jesus. There is conveyed in the new birth, in which man is entirely passive, that grace by which the sinner is enabled to receive and respond to the saving revelation of God in Christ, and without which no man can receive the things of God.
a. Definition
a. Definition
Baptist Affirmation of Faith 1966
Regeneration is the implanting of spiritual life of which the Holy Spirit is the source and agent.
Titus 3:5 (ESV)
5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
b. A New Creation
b. A New Creation
Baptist Affirmation of Faith 1966
By this new birth all the elect are made, in God’s appointed way and time, a new creation in Christ Jesus.
5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
c. Saving Grace
c. Saving Grace
Baptist Affirmation of Faith 1966
There is conveyed in the new birth, in which man is entirely passive, that grace by which the sinner is enabled to receive and respond to the saving revelation of God in Christ, and without which no man can receive the things of God.
30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
2. Graces of the Spirit
2. Graces of the Spirit
Baptist Affirmation of Faith 1966 (5. Regeneration)
At the new birth the various graces of the Spirit such as repentance and faith are conferred, and by means of these the recipients are brought to an experience of salvation in Christ Jesus.
a. Repentance and Faith
a. Repentance and Faith
Baptist Affirmation of Faith 1966
At the new birth the various graces of the Spirit such as repentance and faith are conferred,
Lexham Survey of Theology Repentance
In the Reformed “order of salvation” (ordo salutis), both faith and repentance are regarded as consequent upon the new birth, or regeneration, as that event which enables the will to incline toward God (thus maintaining the principle of sola gratia, or salvation by grace alone).
14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Healing of the lame man
19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.
b. Salvation
b. Salvation
Baptist Affirmation of Faith 1966
by means of these the recipients are brought to an experience of salvation in Christ Jesus.
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
3. United With Christ
3. United With Christ
Baptist Affirmation of Faith 1966 5. Regeneration
The new birth, effectually uniting the sinner to Christ gives possession of eternal life.
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Conclusion
22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;