THE DOCTRINE OF REGENERATION â Part 1
FORERUNNER MESSNGER ALLIANCE (Doctrine)
The Doctrine of Regeneration - Part 1 Carlos Sarmiento
THE DOCTRINE OF REGENERATION – Part 1 INTRODUCTION It is through the work of regeneration that one comes into the new birth experience and gains entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. There is no other way one can obtain this blessed virtue unless one is born of the Spirit, by being born again from above. This sub-doctrine of salvation is the actual door that brings one into the family of God and introduces us to the lifestyle of Christian discipleship. Unfortunately, man-made rules are sometimes introduced into this blessed doctrine as if coming from God for entrance into the salvation plan of heaven. Let's look into what is and what is not biblical regeneration.
I. THE NATURE OF REGENERATION AND WHAT IT IS NOT A.
Regeneration Is Not Baptism: There are some that teach that in order to experience the work of regeneration one must be baptized in water in order to complete the work of regeneration. Some use John 3:5 “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit" and Titus 3:5 "The washing of regeneration" to mean actual water baptism. However, we must compare scripture with scripture to get the true meaning and significance of water in the work of regeneration. “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’” John 3:5 “. . .not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5 1. Water is to be taken figuratively, speaking of the cleansing power of God's Word to cleanse the soul of man “. . .that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.” Ephesians 5:26 2. Jesus told His disciples they were to be cleansed by the teachings of God's Word. “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.” John 15:3 3. Clearly the Bible teaches that the Word of God is the power source that the Holy Spirit uses to convict the sinner of his need of salvation and to wash him of the stain of sin upon his soul/heart. “. . .of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.” James 1:18 www.FMA-alliance.org
[email protected]
Phone: 407.877.5970
FORERUNNER MESSNGER ALLIANCE (Doctrine)
The Doctrine of Regeneration - Part 1 Carlos Sarmiento
“. . .having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” 1 Peter 1:23 B.
Reformation Is Not Regeneration: Regeneration is not a step or set of actions one can take in order to be regenerated into the kingdom of God. One cannot reform himself out of his sinful state and claim that he has been regenerated. To believe so is to say that Jesus' work of redemption was not necessary or that it is one of multiple ways that a man can be born into God's kingdom. No amount of human philosophy or psychological development could ever be adequate enough to transform a sinner into a saint, a condemned soul into a saved soul.
II. WHAT REGENERATION IS A. Registration Is A Spiritual Quickening - A New Birth: Regeneration is the divine impartation from God of a divine new nature and life. It is a completely new creation, the production of a brand-new thing that never existed before. It is therefore not the old nature being altered, reformed or re-invigorated; it has nothing to do with our own self effort or works. In and of ourselves, we by nature are dead to our sins. Therefore, man is in desperate need of salvation which comes through a new birth impartation from the Holy Spirit. Only then can man pass from death to life and from darkness to light. “For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will . . . Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” John 5:21, 24 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” Ephesians 2:1 B. Regeneration Is The Impartation Of A New Nature - God's Nature: Those putting their faith and hope in Christ, become partakers of a divine nature that is given to us by the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul taught much on the new man, which is created by God in righteousness and true holiness. This is made possible because Christ comes to live within the heart of the believer. The new believer is no longer just made up of the human nature but is also a possessor the divine nature by faith in Christ (1 Jn. 3:9, Gal. 5:17).
www.FMA-alliance.org
[email protected]
Phone: 407.877.5970
FORERUNNER MESSNGER ALLIANCE (Doctrine)
The Doctrine of Regeneration - Part 1 Carlos Sarmiento
“. . .and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:24 “. . .by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4 C. Regeneration Is God's Power Imparted To The New Believer To Live Godly - (Holy): Therefore, regeneration is a result of a crisis that takes place within the heart and mind of the sinner. The Holy Spirit illuminates truth to the sinner under great conviction and turmoil over his sin, showing him his need of salvation and of a new nature. The new nature comes with governing power to regenerate man's life which enables him to live holy and overcome all the power of sin and temptation. Truly old things are passed away and all things become new. See also Ezek 36:25-27, Acts 16:14 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” 1 John 3:6-9
www.FMA-alliance.org
[email protected]
Phone: 407.877.5970
The Doctrine of Regeneration - Part 1 Carlos Sarmiento
THE DOCTRINE OF REGENERATION – Part 1 INTRODUCTION It is through the work of regeneration that one comes into the new birth experience and gains entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. There is no other way one can obtain this blessed virtue unless one is born of the Spirit, by being born again from above. This sub-doctrine of salvation is the actual door that brings one into the family of God and introduces us to the lifestyle of Christian discipleship. Unfortunately, man-made rules are sometimes introduced into this blessed doctrine as if coming from God for entrance into the salvation plan of heaven. Let's look into what is and what is not biblical regeneration.
I. THE NATURE OF REGENERATION AND WHAT IT IS NOT A.
Regeneration Is Not Baptism: There are some that teach that in order to experience the work of regeneration one must be baptized in water in order to complete the work of regeneration. Some use John 3:5 “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit" and Titus 3:5 "The washing of regeneration" to mean actual water baptism. However, we must compare scripture with scripture to get the true meaning and significance of water in the work of regeneration. “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’” John 3:5 “. . .not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5 1. Water is to be taken figuratively, speaking of the cleansing power of God's Word to cleanse the soul of man “. . .that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.” Ephesians 5:26 2. Jesus told His disciples they were to be cleansed by the teachings of God's Word. “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.” John 15:3 3. Clearly the Bible teaches that the Word of God is the power source that the Holy Spirit uses to convict the sinner of his need of salvation and to wash him of the stain of sin upon his soul/heart. “. . .of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.” James 1:18 www.FMA-alliance.org
[email protected]
Phone: 407.877.5970
FORERUNNER MESSNGER ALLIANCE (Doctrine)
The Doctrine of Regeneration - Part 1 Carlos Sarmiento
“. . .having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” 1 Peter 1:23 B.
Reformation Is Not Regeneration: Regeneration is not a step or set of actions one can take in order to be regenerated into the kingdom of God. One cannot reform himself out of his sinful state and claim that he has been regenerated. To believe so is to say that Jesus' work of redemption was not necessary or that it is one of multiple ways that a man can be born into God's kingdom. No amount of human philosophy or psychological development could ever be adequate enough to transform a sinner into a saint, a condemned soul into a saved soul.
II. WHAT REGENERATION IS A. Registration Is A Spiritual Quickening - A New Birth: Regeneration is the divine impartation from God of a divine new nature and life. It is a completely new creation, the production of a brand-new thing that never existed before. It is therefore not the old nature being altered, reformed or re-invigorated; it has nothing to do with our own self effort or works. In and of ourselves, we by nature are dead to our sins. Therefore, man is in desperate need of salvation which comes through a new birth impartation from the Holy Spirit. Only then can man pass from death to life and from darkness to light. “For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will . . . Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” John 5:21, 24 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” Ephesians 2:1 B. Regeneration Is The Impartation Of A New Nature - God's Nature: Those putting their faith and hope in Christ, become partakers of a divine nature that is given to us by the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul taught much on the new man, which is created by God in righteousness and true holiness. This is made possible because Christ comes to live within the heart of the believer. The new believer is no longer just made up of the human nature but is also a possessor the divine nature by faith in Christ (1 Jn. 3:9, Gal. 5:17).
www.FMA-alliance.org
[email protected]
Phone: 407.877.5970
FORERUNNER MESSNGER ALLIANCE (Doctrine)
The Doctrine of Regeneration - Part 1 Carlos Sarmiento
“. . .and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:24 “. . .by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4 C. Regeneration Is God's Power Imparted To The New Believer To Live Godly - (Holy): Therefore, regeneration is a result of a crisis that takes place within the heart and mind of the sinner. The Holy Spirit illuminates truth to the sinner under great conviction and turmoil over his sin, showing him his need of salvation and of a new nature. The new nature comes with governing power to regenerate man's life which enables him to live holy and overcome all the power of sin and temptation. Truly old things are passed away and all things become new. See also Ezek 36:25-27, Acts 16:14 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” 1 John 3:6-9
www.FMA-alliance.org
[email protected]
Phone: 407.877.5970
