The New Birth

Introduction

• Conversion: repentance and faith by the believer
• Regeneration: quickening of the Holy Spirit

I. The Meaning of Regeneration (from above, of God)

• Regeneration is a definite experience...just as definite as physical birth.
• Regeneration is an instantaneous experience. You may have a long experience leading up to it but the moment a person comes to Christ the Holy Spirit enters his heart...it doesn't take a week for Jesus to save you!
• Regeneration is a spiritual experience. Inward thing not outward. Different from reformation (droping bad habits...turning over a new leaf). In regeneration a new nature is received from God. Reformation doesn't bring regeneration but regeneration does bring reformation.
  
  
  • The Holy Spirit is the agent in regeneration: "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)
  • The instrument He uses is the Word of God: "having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever..."1 Peter 1:23

II. The Necessity of Regeneration ("must"...the only way to be saved)

• We must be born again because we are sinners. All have sinned. God is holy. There has to be a change. All must be born again...good sinners and bad sinners.
• Good works, religion do not save. It is not comparative or relative. Baptism and membership are good but do not save.
• Galatians 6:15 "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation."

III. The Mystery of the New Birth ("wind")

• How? We feel it and we see it's results but it's still a mystery.
• It is a work of the Holy Spirit who works in the "deep of our hearts."
• It is God's impartation of life from above. It is resurrection of the spirit.

IV. The Power of the New Birth

• Human experience bears testimony to the transforming power of God's spirit in human life. Many have experienced it and witnessed it in the lives of others.
• A changed life is the greatest proof of the reality of the new birth.