STUDY 5

STUDY No. 5 - THE NECESSITY OF THE NEW BIRTH

We believe that regeneration by the Holy Spirit is necessary to salvation.

This is in keeping with those startling words of Jesus to Nicodemus:

"EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN AGAIN HE CANNOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD."
(John 3:3)

If you look at the verses which follow, you will see He makes a difference between physical and spiritual birth. He is speaking of birth from above - spiritual birth.

The statement does exactly the same today as when it was first spoken - it cuts across religious observances, a moral life and holy intentions.

REGENERATION is the theological word for it.
To be regenerated means to undergo spiritual conversion or rebirth.

There are many biblical descriptions of the non-Christian -

‘sinner’	‘blind’	‘bound’
‘condemned’	‘deaf’	‘enemy’
‘helpless’	‘lost’	‘useless’
...but none so final as ‘dead’.

Coming to spiritual life is called the ‘new birth’ or ‘regeneration’.

THE MEANING OF REGENERATION

When we become true Christians we not only receive a new standing before God - accepted, but a new state - partakers of the new life. We are born of the Spirit of God (John 3:6-8).

There are several ways of looking at this:

The communication of spiritual life: John 3:6, John 10:10
The partaking of eternal life: John 10:27, John 10:28
The implantation of a new heart: Ezekiel 36:26
The partaking of the divine nature: 1 Peter 1:4
The creation of a new person: 2 Corinthians 5:17

THE NECESSITY OF REGENERATION

This is because ‘by nature’ we are:

Children of wrath - Ephesians 2:3
Sons of disobedience - Ephesians 2:2
Captives of the devil - 2 Timothy 2:26
Apart from God - Ephesians 2:13
Yet in our sins - 1 Corinthians 15:17
Facing the judgement - Acts 17:31
Dead in sin - Ephesians 2:5

This is why Jesus said.....(see John 3:7)

THE MEANS OF REGENERATION

How does this great transaction take place?

It is by the will of God:

John 1:13, James 1:18

It is through the work of Christ:

John 3:14-16, 1 Peter 1:3

It is by the Word of God:

James 1:18, John 3:5, Ephesians. 5:26, 1 Peter 1:23, Titus 3:5

We must not confuse ‘baptism’, which man does, with ‘regeneration’, which only God does.

The Bible teaching is regeneration first, then baptism, which is the outward and visible sign of inward grace.

It is by the Spirit of God. See John 3:5,6 and Titus 3:5.

DEFINITIONS

JUSTIFICATION has to do with the acquittal of our GUILT.
REGENERATION has to do with the impartation of LIFE.
BAPTISM has to do with public identification with CHRIST.

The question: "Have I been born again? is the most important question a person can ever ask of themselves. The answer affects us in eternity. No wonder Peter said: ‘give diligence to make your calling and election sure.’ (2 Peter 1:10). In other words: don’t live in doubt.

One of the clearest presentations of the Gospel that has helped many to a place of assurance is
'THE REASON WHY'.

What about this challenge?
"YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN"

A preacher who often repeated it was asked one day: "Why do you so often repeat that statement "Ye must be born again?" He replied: "It’s simple - because you must be born again!"

Here then is an important truth which, if you know for yourself, you will want to share with others.

PREVIOUS STUDY NEXT STUDY