What is Regeneration LESSON 4 REGENERATION Lesson Plan Webster defines the word regenerate to make over completely. This is a fine definition when we consider what the Bible teaches about the change between our old and new nature when we become a Christian. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. In order for this new creature to emerge, God must completely make over a person s heart. The Old Testament provides a great picture in Ezekiel 36:26. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. We call this work of God regeneration or as it is commonly referred to in the Bible, being born again. The Puritan Thomas Watson said, The devil would have Christ prove Himself to be God, by turning stones into bread; but the Holy Ghost shows His Godhead by turning stones into flesh (The Trinity). Why Must We Be Regenerated Ephesians 2:1 teaches that before Christ all people are dead in [their] trespasses and sins (cf. Col. 2:13). We are not in need of moral reformation or further information. We are spiritually dead. Not only are we unable to respond to God, we also have no desire to do so (Rom. 3:11; 1 Cor. 2:14). A lion would have greater desire for a head or broccoli than an unregenerate person would desire to truly honor God. Therefore as God called Lazarus out of the grave from his physical death (Jn. 11:43), He must call us out of the grave from our spiritual death. He must impart to us a new heart that beats with new affections for Him.
The great preacher, C.H. Spurgeon, once said, I might preach to you forever. I might borrow the eloquence of Demosthenes or of Cicero, but you will not come unto Christ. I might beg of you on my knees, with tears in my eyes, and show you the horrors of hell and the joys of heaven, the sufficiency of Christ, and your own lost condition, but you would none of you come unto Christ of yourselves unless the Spirit that rested on Christ should draw you. It is true of all men in their natural condition that they will not come unto Christ (Free Will a Slave, Sword and Trowel). God must first change a heart before anyone can respond to Him in saving faith. Jesus clearly described this necessity to Nicodemus in John 3:3-8- Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he? Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, You must be born again. The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit. Who Regenerates the Heart Imagine a person taking credit for his birth. That s ridiculous! Just as we cannot cause ourselves to be born physically, we cannot cause ourselves to be born spiritually. Just as we need a mother and father for physical birth, we are dependent on a supernatural work from our heavenly Father
for spiritual birth. He must first perform a miracle within us and He does it without our initial cooperation and even before we choose to embrace Him. Some verses says this is a work of the Holy Spirit- John 3:8- The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit. Some verses say this is a work of the Father- Ephesians 2:4-5- But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (cf. Col. 2:13). John MacArthur- No child has ever been born into the world by its own will or plan. Its conception, gestation, and birth are completely out of its consciousness and control. It is merely the passive recipient of the will and action of it parents. Just as certainly, no person wills, much less creates, a new spiritual nature within himself (James, p. 59). This work is a sovereign act of God- John 3:8- The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him. 1 Peter 1:3- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. What central truth are all these verses teaching? This work of God always follows the Word of God- 1 Peter 1:23, 25- For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God And this is the word which was preached to you.
James 1:18- In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures. Acts 10:44- While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. What central truth are all these verses teaching? What Will Happen After a Heart is Regenerated Immediate change- Once a person s heart has been regenerated by God, the individual close to this point will respond with faith and repentance, both of which are also gifts of God (Eph. 2:8; Ac. 11:18). It is important to remember that it is regeneration that brings a spiritually dead person to saving faith in Christ. God must first do this work in a person s heart in order for that individual to respond. It is not, If you believe in Jesus you will be born again but rather, If you are born again you will believe in Jesus. Then once regenerated the person will respond favorably to God and that response will initially appear as a decision that is freely make in his or her own best interest. John Piper- Faith is the evidence of new birth, not the cause of it. William Shedd- The new life is not implanted because man perceives the truth, but he perceives the truth because the new life is implanted. A man is not regenerated because he has first believed in Christ, but he believes in Christ because he has been regenerated. He is not regenerated because he first repents, but he repents because he has been regenerated (Dogmatic Theology, 2b:509). Carefully notice the order. God s birthing us before we can express belief. 1 John 5:1- Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. In the case of Lydia, God did a work in her heart before she could respond in faith. Acts 16:14- A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul (also see Ac. 13:48). A person will be born of God before he or she will receive Him.
John 1:12-13- But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. How do you picture a person coming to Jesus Christ? Is it forced coercion or a willing response? Who or what gives a person that desire to love Jesus Christ? Change over time- Once a person becomes born again and is made a new creature in Christ, there will be clear evidence that God has regenerated a heart. With a new heart will come new affections as God plants a desire for Himself. Jesus compared it to the wind in John 3:8. Like the wind, when the Spirit of God blows upon us, we will not see His form, but we will know His presence by the effects that He leaves behind. To some degree, these are some common effects that will be experienced and continue throughout one s Christian life. Love for Jesus Christ Love for people Desire for and ability to understand the Bible Passion for holiness Interest in church and Christian gatherings Interest in evangelism Hatred of sin and ability to repent Spiritual fruit Delight in worship Assurance of salvation Bible Memorization 1 John 5:1- Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.