INTRODUCTION
The words "born again" have today come into common use in religious circles. Knowing that Satan is a master of the redefining of Bible terms it therefore behooves us to continually assert the Scriptural meaning of these words. I. THE NECESSITY OF THE NEW BIRTH.
A. In John 3:3 and 5, our Lord makes it clear that regeneration is necessary to salvation. Man not only needs forgiveness before he can fellowship with God, but his whole nature must be renewed. Fallen man is natural (I Corinthians 2:14), sensual (Jude 19), and carnal (Romans 8:5-7), as opposed to spiritual (I Corinthians 2:15). Christ reveals that there is an unchangeable distinction between that which is born of flesh and that which is born of the Spirit. The flesh may be religious, refined, educated and outwardly moral, but it is still flesh (John 3:6).B. Every part of the natural man is defiled by sin. His mind is darkened to the things of God (I Corinthians 1:18, 2:14, Ephesians 4:18). His heart is in a state of enmity toward God (Romans 8:7, Jeremiah 17:9). His will is only free to carry out the desires of his depraved nature (John 1:13, Romans 9:16, Philippians 2:13). The flesh has become totally unprofitable in the things of God (John 6:63).
II. THE NATURE OF THE NEW BIRTH.
A. Regeneration defined.
The change required in man's soul to enable him to enter God's kingdom is called "regeneration" (Titus 3:5), being "born again" (John 3:3), or being "born of the Spirit" (John 3:6). Regeneration is an instantaneous work of God's Spirit whereby a holy disposition is given to the soul. The affections are renewed in love to God, and the mind is enlightened and made capable of understanding in the spiritual realm. Just as the change that takes place in the millennial earth is called regeneration (Matthew 19:28), so the new birth is a renewal of man's soul. B. Regeneration illustrated.
The wonderful change that takes place in regeneration is illustrated in many ways. Let us examine some of the terminology applied to the New Birth to better illustrate its nature.
1. "Regeneration" or "Born Again" -- Are not these words merely human comparisons to what takes place in the miracle of grace upon the soul of man? In physical generation new life is imparted and family likeness produced. Are not these truths that which make birth a wonderful picture of the work of God's grace in man?
2. A resurrection -- Ephesians 2: 1, 5.
3. A renewal -- Colossians 3: 10.
4. A translation -- Colossians 1:13.
5. A new heart -- Ezekiel 36:26.
6. The writing of the Law in One's Heart -- Hebrews 8:10.
7. A new creature -- II Corinthians 5: 17.
8. The giving of light -- II Corinthians 4:6.
9. A good tree -- Matthew 7: 17.
10. A creation -- Ephesians 2:10. C. Regeneration experienced.
Regeneration is not experimental (something which may be experienced), but takes place on a level above the human consciousness. This is not to say that the new birth in never accompanied by strong emotions, but rather that the work of regeneration itself is not something felt, but is recognized by its fruit in one's life. Conversion is a result of the new birth and this we do experience. Regeneration is an act of God, but conversion is an act of man produced by the new birth. III. THE AGENT IN REGENERATION.
A. Regeneration is not produced by baptism, the human will (John 1:13), or any work of man, but is a direct work of God upon the soul. Like the wind (powerful, uncontrollable and invisible) this work is in no way brought about, controlled or understood by man (John 3:8). This work which is often attributed to the Holy Spirit is an instantaneous and complete act of God upon the soul. While God uses means is the salvation of the elect, yet it must be understood that regeneration itself is not a co-operative effort. The Bible presents the new birth as an imperative and not as a command (John 3:3).B. This brings us to the important question of the place of the gospel in regeneration. God's 'Word is often mentioned in connection with the new birth (I Corinthians 4:15, James 1:18, I Peter 1:23, Psalms 119:93). Just what part does the gospel play in this work? Some go so far as to teach that many are regenerated who have never heard the gospel. Let us consider this matter. (5)
C. We should first understand that while regeneration is a direct work of God upon man's soul, yet by its nature it is wrought in conjunction with the gospel. Regeneration produces faith, and faith is impossible without the gospel (Romans 10: 17). How can one believe upon a Saviour of whom he has never heard (Romans 10:14)? Regeneration also gives us a heart to know and love God (Jeremiah 24:7). This also implies a knowledge from the Scriptures of whom God is. If regeneration does not take place in conjunction with the Word of God then it can produce neither faith, love, holiness nor spiritual understanding.
D. In I Thessalonians 1:4-5, we find Paul telling the Thessalonian Christians that he knew of their election by the fact that the gospel had corne to them in power. In regeneration God empowers the gospel by opening the heart to receive it (Acts 16:14). Many who have spent their lives in church have testified that when God saved them they felt as though they were hearing the gospel for the first time.
E. Those who teach that regeneration can occur apart from the gospel seem to fear that those who differ from them will give the gospel preacher part of the credit for God's work. They speak of our view as "gospel regeneration" and seem to believe that we have reduced regeneration to a mere work of moral persuasion. These fears, however, are groundless. We view regeneration as a sovereign and direct work of God on the soul, but do not twist the Scriptures by teaching that people may experience it apart from the gospel. This would be like God giving man the power of sight yet failing to create light so that man might have something to see. It is an insult to the wisdom of God.
IV. THE FRUIT OF REGENERATION.
As regeneration is only to be ascertained by its fruit, it then becomes us to know what effects regeneration will produce in a man. How else are we to know if we are born again or merely deceived. Let us list some of the graces produced in the soul by regeneration. A. Faith -- I John 5:4-5, Hebrews 12:2, I Peter 1:3, Acts. 18:27 (The reader must not understand us to say that regeneration is prior to faith in the realm of time. Regeneration precedes faith only as to cause. Faith is instantly produced by the regenerating power of God and is thus simultaneous to regeneration as concerns time. This may be illustrated in the following way. A bullet fired through a wall instantly produces a hole. In the realm of time the action of the bullet striking the wall cannot be separated from the effect produced yet the bullet is the cause of the hole. Regenerating grace instantly produces faith yet precedes it as the cause.)
B. Repentance -- II Timothy 2:25.
C. Love to God -- John 4:19 .
D. Love to other saints -- I John 4:7, 3:14.
E. Perseverance -- Philippians 1:6, I John 5:4-5.
CONCLUSION
We trust that the reader's understanding of the new birth has been helped. How many mistake every religious experience for this marvelous work of grace. A knowledge of the new birth is not only necessary for us to make our own calling and election sure, but is needed if we would be true witnesses to others. ______________ 5. The case of children dying in infancy is not under consideration.Notes
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