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BY THE AUTHOR
Dr. Clarence E. Mason, Jr.
Philadelphia College of Bible
1970

REGENERATION

1. THE NATURE OF REGENERATION
   1. Regeneration is not baptism
      The Romanists hold the doctrine that regeneration is accomplished only through the instrumentality of baptism. The language of the baptismal formula of the Protestant Episcopal, Lutheran, and a number of other churches, states or implies regeneration is associated with, or accomplished by, water baptism. This is effectual in every instance of its application to an infant. In the case of adults its virtue may be either resisted and nullified, or received and improved.
      
      Such passages as the following emphasize regeneration: Jn. 3:5; Gal. 6:15; Jas. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23; 1 Cor. 4:15; 1:14-17. If baptism and salvation are synonymous, 1 Corinthians 4:15 and 1 Corinthians 1:14 are contradictory. In Acts 8:13,20-23, Simon was baptized but was "in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity"; cp. Luke 23:43.
       
   2. Regeneration is not reformation
      Regeneration is not reformation, but it is a supernatural act of God (Jn. 1:12-13; Tit. 3:5; Eph. 1:19-22). Reformation is a forward step in man's experience. The Pharisees were reformers, but they did not strike at the root of the disease, which was sin.
       
   3. The positive aspects of regeneration
      1. It is the impartation of a new nature (2 Pet. 1:4).
      2. It is a spiritual quickening (Eph. 2:1, 5-6; Jn. 5:21, 24-25).
      3. It is a spiritual creation (Eph. 2:10; Gal. 6:15 ASV; 2 Cor. 5:17)
         
         "Regeneration is not evolution, but involution, the communication of a new life. It is a revolution, a change of direction resulting from that life. A new governing power comes into the regenerate man's life by which he is enabled to become holy in experience. " William Evans
          
2. THE NECESSITY OF REGENERATION
   1. It is universally necessary (Jn. 3:3,5; Gal. 6:15).
   2. The sinful condition of man demands it (Jn. 3:6; Rom. 7:18; 8:8; 12:2; Jer. 13:2
   3. The holiness of God demands it (Heb. 12:14 ASV, the holiness).
   4. The presence of spiritual death demands it (Eph. 2:1).
       
3. THE MEANS OF REGENERATION
   1. It is a Divine work (Jn. 1:13; Jas. 1:18; Tit. 3:5).
      In the salvation of every person there is an actual putting forth of Divine power whereby the dead sinner is quickened (made alive).
      1. God begets men through the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:5; Jn. 3:5-6).
      2. The Word is the instrument that the Holy Spirit uses in regeneration (Jas. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23,25).
      3. Men are used of God for the regeneration of sinners by the preaching of the gospel (1 Cor. 4:15).
   2. The human side of the means of regeneration
      1. The written Word must be received and believed (1 Pet. 1:23; Acts 2:41; 1 Cor. 4:15).
      2. The Incarnate Word must be believed and received (Jn. 1:1,12; Gal. 3:26).
          
4. THE RESULTS OF REGENERATION
   1. A radical change in life and experience (2 Cor. 5:17).
      Regeneration is not gradual in its occurrence though it may be gradual in its manifestation.
   2. Sonship with God (Gal. 3:26).
   3. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19).
   4. Liberated from the slavery of the flesh (Rom. 8:2, 9).
   5. A living faith in Christ (1 Jn. 5:4).
   6. Victory over the world (1 Jn. 5:4).
   7. Cessation of sin as a life practice (1 Jn. 3:9).
   8. Establishment of righteousness as a life practice (1 Jn. 2.29).
   9. Christian love (1 Jn. 3:14).
       
5. DEFINITION
   Regeneration is the Holy Spirit's gracious, sovereign, quickening act in which the Divine nature is imparted to the soul of man, causing a reversal of his attitude toward God and sin, the expression of which, in repentance and faith, is secured through the instrumentality of the Word of God.

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