REGENERATION

REGENERATION

INTRODUCTION

                   1. The providence of God in securing historical emphasis on neglected doctrines. Luther stressed justification; Wesley stressed regeneration, new birth.

2. Regeneration - both an essential doctrine and an essential experience.

  MEANING AND USAGE OF THE TERM

                              The English word:   "Re-generation" - generated again.

                        - Occurs twice in N.T. - Matt. 19:28 "And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."  This is the 1000 year reign of Christ over the Kingdom of God arriving from heaven which it is also called. [Rev. 20] The millennial kingdom is the time of blessedness on earth for Israel restored to God, for Israel reclaimed to Christ, and lies beyond His Second Coming, beyond the resurrection of the dead. In the NT such terms as 'the regeneration' Matt. 19:28; 'the times of refreshing' Acts 3:19; 'the times of restitution' Acts 3:21; 'the kingdom' 1 Cor. 15:24; 'the dispensation of the fullness of time' Eph. 1:10.

Tit. 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."   This is spirit baptism for neither water or baptism appear in the text. The word washing is the word laver. Here the term describes what takes place in the laver, ie Eph 5:26 for the Spirit uses the Words of Christ, bringing to remembrance all that He said, renewing our minds to that of Christ. Paul denies any reference to works of righteousness, which would include baptism. (Mat 3:14-15); washing in order that one might be regenerated which would make one justified (John 15:3).

                              The Greek word: "Palin-genesia" -- again-born.                         cf. texts above.

                               The term is used in two senses in these texts:

         (1) Regeneration of the person - Tit. 3:5 ) Setting up of a new order in the mankind
         (2) Regeneration of the world - Matt. 19:28 ) Setting up of a pew order in world
See above texts.

             Other terms used of Regeneration of persons:

                        Born, begotten, created, new heart, new creation, life, etc.