“Regeneration” is
the act/experience of being spiritually
restored to God. The most common terms used are “saved” and “born again.” Regeneration is a gift of God. It is an
extremely personal occurrence between an individual and the living God of Creation.
Other terminology:
New birth, restoration, renewed, reborn
The act of
“regeneration” cannot be obtained through that of bloodlines, union of parents,
or of a wealthy or powerful ancestry, nor does ascribing to any religion. It is
not an entitlement. Man does not have
the power through his own fleshly will to bring salvation (regeneration) to
himself or give it to another. Man must
of his own free will desire to be born of God (“born again”). Man’s heart is and “enemy
of the spirit” and throughout the Holy Scriptures is shamefully and naturally
corrupt. There is absolutely nothing man can do of his own accord that can merit
the gift of salvation or “new birth.” All men are of one blood (descendants of
Adam) being tainted with sin, having no influence on regeneration. Man’s blood
is of no value for salvation. It is only through the blood of Christ, which
cleanses of all sin that regeneration happens. God, through prescribing
salvation by Christ Jesus alone, gifts this new birth “through His will,
His own unlimited power, and boundless mercy!”
All that believe in
the name of Christ are regenerated [born again/saved] and quickened [given life] by the Spirit [Holy Spirit] and grace of God [favor/blessing] partaking of
divine nature and are made “new creatures.” This is the evidence of being a son
of God [adopted by
God through restoration/regeneration].
Therefore, those
who have believed on the name of Jesus Christ have not become sons of God
(born again) by the blood of their ancestry, nor by the will of a man and woman
in sexual relations, nor by the desire to adopt a child; Nor, is it just
knowing Him in their mind, but that of knowing Him in their heart – the most
inner part of a person’s soul – and, that of God knowing that man or woman
personally through adoption into the family of God through the redeeming blood
of Jesus Christ who paid for their adoption on Calvary.
Scripture Passages:
John 3:1 “There was a man
of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:”
John 3:2 “The same came to
Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come
from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with
him.”
John 3:3 “Jesus answered
and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see
the kingdom of God.” (my
emphasis)
John 3:4 “Nicodemus saith
unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time
into his mother's womb, and be born?”
John 3:5 “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter
into the kingdom of God.” (my
emphasis)
John 3:6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which
is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
John 3:7 “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (my
emphasis)
We are spiritual
beings. One of the great mysteries is that of having a physical body with a
spirit living in it. Your body is not your soul or spirit – they are separate.
The body will die, the spirit lives for eternity.
The result of sin
has every person estranged from God from the moment of conception. We are not
born innocent, but guilty. Adam and Eve were created in God’s image and
likeness (Genesis 1:26a “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our
likeness…”) and enjoyed a free and sinless life, actually walking with God in
their presence in the Garden. But, because of Adam’s sin of disobedience (he
also took of the fruit to eat) in the Garden of Eden (Adam sinned, Eve was
beguiled), all descendants (everyone soul who has or will be born) are tainted
with Adam’s likeness (Genesis 5:3 “And Adam…begat a son in his own likeness, after his image,” – a sinful nature, also
referred to as the “Adamic” nature). We are all guilty of sin and having our
backs naturally turned to the living God and remain that way (*“lost” and
dying) until we choose of our own free will to be restored to God. We must do this on His terms - His way. All
roads may lead to Rome – but there is only ONE Way to have the privilege of
seeing or entering the kingdom of God. “Regeneration” is of utmost necessity if
one desires to enter and see the kingdom of God.
*“Lost” is a term to
be understood in order to understand why “regeneration” is required.
~ Other
terminology: Misplaced, disoriented, confused, missing, gone astray, wasted
Prior to spiritual
regeneration man is misplaced from God, disoriented and confused regarding
salvation, are missing and will remain absent from His presence, are gone
astray regarding the need of their eternal soul for salvation, and will be
wasted for all eternity if they do not exercise their free will and accept
God’s gift of salvation purchased through the blood of His Son, at the urging
(feeling that heart tug) of the Holy Spirit.
Christ Jesus was
born into this world for one reason – to die – for you. He came to seek you out
and to save you from an eternity in the Lake of Fire.
~ Luke 19:10 “For
the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
