Regeneration. What is it, what does it do? Who does it?

[Carbon]

Stephen Charnock wrote:
The new birth is necessary in every part of the soul. . . . Because there was an universal depravation by the fall, regeneration must answer it in its extensiveness in every faculty. Otherwise, it is not the birth of the man, but of one part only.

Charnock's quote above is IMO a very profound truth.


It seems to me according to what Scripture teaches and what Charnock said the whole man must be regenerated before there is any benefit.

And since sin is man's substance, we are fallen and dead spiritually, the process of regeneration must be a miraculous physical change in man.



Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. John 3:5.

 

[Fred]

When I look at many Scriptures and see how hideous and vile man is, after being a Christian a number of years it is only then can I see more clearly the wonderful depths of His mercy and love.

In wrath, remember mercy (Habakkuk 3:2)....which God will do because....He delighteth in mercy (Micah 7:18).

 

[prism]

It seems to me according to what Scripture teaches and what Charnock said the whole man must be regenerated before there is any benefit.

Is there any such thing as a 'partial regeneration' e.g. a regenerated body without a regenerated soul?

 

[Carbon]

When I look at many Scriptures and see how hideous and vile man is, after being a Christian a number of years it is only then can I see more clearly the wonderful depths of His mercy and love.

In wrath, remember mercy (Habakkuk 3:2)....which God will do because....He delighteth in mercy (Micah 7:18).

Amen brother!

 

[Carbon]

Is there any such thing as a 'partial regeneration' e.g. a regenerated body without a regenerated soul?

No, I believe that's impossible.

 

[prism]

No, I believe that's impossible.

It was just a rhetorical question.

 

[Carbon]

The Pelagian view is so far from scripture truth that it is really amazing.
They claim and teach that man simply needs to change his ways, alter his behavior, be a kinder person, and become more generous. Once a man reforms his manner, no problem exists. They believe that regeneration consists in a moral reformation of one's life. Not in a spiritual renovation of one's nature.

But Jesus says we must be born again because, in our fallen state, we are dead in trespasses and sins. Man needs to be regenerated and not merely reformed. This change must be from the inside out. The good tree produces good fruit; out of the treasure of his heart, a man brings forth good or evil.

A Tree Is Known by Its Fruit​

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12.

Whitewashing the tomb does not change the corruption that lies within. It is the heart that needs to be changed, and that fundamental, essential change is regeneration.

 

[Carbon]

Stephen Charnock wrote:
The new birth is necessary in every part of the soul. . . . Because there was an universal depravation by the fall, regeneration must answer it in its extensiveness in every faculty. Otherwise, it is not the birth of the man, but of one part only.

Charnock's quote above is IMO a very profound truth.

Charnock's quotes are awesome.
Charnock emphatically states that the "will cannot concur in the natural infusion of a gracious principle, because it hath no spark in itself by nature, suitable to that principle which is bringing it into the soul itself.

Arminians and semi-Pelagians admit that man has been impaired by sin. And man needs grace to excite the will and yet, the final hinge on which regeneration swings is man's will.
Many even go so far as to say that the natural man can, as an act of the will, allow the spirit of God to work in him. This means that regeneration is in part the cooperative act of man.

I believe scripture does not teach the cooperation or synergism in regeneration.

 

[makesends]

The Pelagian view is so far from scripture truth that it is really amazing.
They claim and teach that man simply needs to change his ways, alter his behavior, be a kinder person, and become more generous. Once a man reforms his manner, no problem exists. They believe that regeneration consists in a moral reformation of one's life. Not in a spiritual renovation of one's nature.

But Jesus says we must be born again because, in our fallen state, we are dead in trespasses and sins. Man needs to be regenerated and not merely reformed. This change must be from the inside out. The good tree produces good fruit; out of the treasure of his heart, a man brings forth good or evil.

A Tree Is Known by Its Fruit​

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12.

Whitewashing the tomb does not change the corruption that lies within. It is the heart that needs to be changed, and that fundamental, essential change is regeneration.

Even the mention in John 3 that what we often call "born again" is literally "born from above". I think that means something very specific about the source of this 'second birth'.

 

[Carbon]

Even the mention in John 3 that we often call "born again" is literally "born from above". I think that means something very specific about the source of this 'second birth'.

Yep, man is passive in regeneration; he is born of the Spirit, John 3:5-6 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.
Man is born of God and not born of anything in man, not his blood, not his flesh, or his will. John 1:13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Regeneration must be the sovereign work of God the Holy Spirit. The bible does not teach synergism, man is not born of the Spirit and of his own will. In this work, we have no part.

 

[Carbon]

Even the mention in John 3 that what we often call "born again" is literally "born from above". I think that means something very specific about the source of this 'second birth'.

Also, search the entire bible and we cannot find one single person who was saved without being born again, regardless of how religious the person may be. Even Nicodemus a teacher in Israel who was a man beyond reproach, and Paul, who was blameless according to the law, were in need of conversion (regeneration) in order to be saved.

Jesus says so. John 3:3.

 

[Carbon]

And how could any man have communion with God without regeneration? Man's nature is darkness, evil and hostile towards God. God on the contrary is light and holiness. The ungodly cannot be in His presence: Psalm 5:5-7.

5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
​

Therefore, in order for man to have fellowship with God, he of necessity must be converted (regenerated).

​

 

[Carbon]

And how could any man have communion with God without regeneration? Man's nature is darkness, evil and hostile towards God. God on the contrary is light and holiness. The ungodly cannot be in His presence: Psalm 5:5-7.

5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
​

Therefore, in order for man to have fellowship with God, he of necessity must be converted (regenerated).

​

Of course God does this work of regeneration in us, again we are passive.

But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. Jeremiah 31:33.

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. Eze 36.

 

[Tambora]

Stephen Charnock wrote:
The new birth is necessary in every part of the soul. . . . Because there was an universal depravation by the fall, regeneration must answer it in its extensiveness in every faculty. Otherwise, it is not the birth of the man, but of one part only.

Charnock's quote above is IMO a very profound truth.


It seems to me according to what Scripture teaches and what Charnock said the whole man must be regenerated before there is any benefit.

And since sin is man's substance, we are fallen and dead spiritually, the process of regeneration must be a miraculous physical change in man.



Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. John 3:5.

Matthew 8:10-12 ESV
10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.
11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,
12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”


I see a few questions that I must ask concerning the kingdom.

How did Abraham, Isaac and Jacob qualify to be in the kingdom?
There will be many that join them, so how do they qualify?
And what did some, who were already children of the kingdom, do to get kicked out?
Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Carbon]

Matthew 8:10-12 ESV
10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.
11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,
12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”


I see a few questions that I must ask concerning the kingdom.

How did Abraham, Isaac and Jacob qualify to be in the kingdom?

By faith.

There will be many that join them, so how do they qualify?

By faith

And what did some, who were already children of the kingdom, do to get kicked out?

Well they were never really in, they were in the type and shadow but not in the new covenent. These, the Jews believed salvation by keeping the Law.

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Arial]

How did Abraham, Isaac and Jacob qualify to be in the kingdom?

They were elected (chosen) by God. Therefore had to be regenerated by him.

There will be many that join them, so how do they qualify?

Same way.

And what did some, who were already children of the kingdom, do to get kicked out?

Kingdom there probably is a reference to covenant Israel, not the kingdom of heaven. And they were natural men, sinners, not regenerated.

 

[Tambora]

Well they were never really in, they were in the type and shadow but not in the new covenent. These, the Jews believed salvation by keeping the Law.

Cop out.
Since the others were only members by faith, it stands to reason that those kicked out at one time had faith and were in the kingdom and lost that status somewhere along the way and were kicked out.

Kingdom there probably is a reference to covenant Israel, not the kingdom of heaven. And they were natural men, sinners, not regenerated.

Cop out.
Since the others were only members by election, it stands to reason that those kicked out at one time were elected and lost that status.

I don't know how anyone can read those 3 verses and not realize the context is speaking of the same kingdom.

And this is where I believe some have gone off the rail with their theology of "election" and does not agree with Jesus when He stated those 3 verses, and does not agree with Paul who says some are grafted in and some are cut off, and does not agree with John who wrote about Jesus saying some written in the book of life were blotted out.

 

[Carbon]

Cop out.
Since the others were only members by faith, it stands to reason that those kicked out at one time had faith and were in the kingdom and lost that status somewhere along the way and were kicked out.

Denial.

 

[Arial]

Cop out.
Since the others were only members by election, it stands to reason that those kicked out at one time were elected and lost that status.

I don't know how anyone can read those 3 verses and not realize the context is speaking of the same kingdom.

To use the term members to refer to those who are in the kingdom of heaven twists the concept a bit. Those in the kingdom of heaven are the children of God, brought into relationship with him, by him, through covenant. We see clearly in scripture that God chose Abraham. God chose Isaac. God chose Jacob. For his purposes in redemption. Keeping his promise of Gen 3 concerning the seed of the Redeemer.

Israel, the natural seed of Jacob was serving a purpose in redemption also and as such it was a type of the kingdom of heaven. God was their God. God was their King. So it is no cop-out to say that Jesus is speaking of kingdom in two different ways. The full counsel of God on the subject bears that out. It would be a long and complicated post to paint that entire picture.

And this is where I believe some have gone off the rail with their theology of "election" and does not agree with Jesus when He stated those 3 verses, and does not agree with Paul who says some are grafted in and some are cut off, and does not agree with John who wrote about Jesus saying some written in the book of life were blotted out.

The Bible is the word of God, but it is of necessity written by men, using human language and from a human perspective. But Jesus says many things about who is in the kingdom of heaven and who is not. Not just those three verses. Scripture interprets scripture. He said no one can come to the Father unless the Father draws them. He says all the Father gives him will come to Him. He says that no one can enter or even see the kingdom unless he is first born from above.

Paul says some Jews are cut off and some Gentiles grafted in and that is clearly not speaking of national Israel but the spiritual, true seed of Abraham. He says, "And not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but 'Through Isaac shall your offspring be named,' This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring."

Paul says writing to the Gentiles, "Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.

John the Baptist said to the Jews, "Do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father,' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham."

Jesus told the religious Pharisees when they claimed Abraham as their father that the devil was their father.

 

[fastfredy0]

Of course God does this work of regeneration in us, again we are passive.

I think @makesends and I would say we are passive in all aspects of our lives.