The Work of the Holy Spirit in Regeneration
THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN REGENERATION
INTRODUCTION
The words "born again" have been cheapened today by many in religion. Satan is a master at redefining Bible terms; therefore, it behooves us to have a clear understanding of the Scriptural meaning of these words.
Let’s consider what the Bible teaches about being "regenerated" or "born again."
I. THE NECESSITY OF THE NEW BIRTH
A. OUR LORD CLEARLY REVEALED THAT REGENERATION WAS NECESSARY TO SALVATION (Jn. 3:3, 5).
1. Before a man can fellowship with God, he not only needs forgiveness, but his whole nature must be renewed. Fallen man is:
a. Natural (I Cor. 2:14).
b. Sensual (Jude 19).
c. Carnal (Rom. 8:5-8).
d. This is opposed to being spiritual (I Cor. 2:15).
2. Christ revealed that there is an unchangeable distinction between that which is born of the flesh and that which is born of the Spirit(Jn. 3:6).
a. To be born of the flesh is to be carnal, corrupt, ignorant of spiritual things, and under the condemnation of God.
b. The flesh and the spirit are diametrically opposed to each other (Gal. 5:17).
c. By the physical birth, fleshly children come from fleshly parents, and by the spiritual birth, spiritual children come from the Holy Spirit.
d. The flesh may become religious, refined and outwardly moral, but it is still flesh.
e. A person will have neither the desire nor the ability to serve God until he has been born again of the Spirit.
B. EVERY PART OF THE NATURAL MAN IS DEFILED BY SIN.
1. His mind is darkened to the things of God (I Cor. 1:18; 2:14; Eph. 4:18).
2. His heart is in a state of enmity toward God (Rom 8:7; Jer. 17:9)
3. His will is only free to carry out the desires of his depraved nature (Jn. 1:13; Rom. 9:16; Philp. 2:13).
4. The flesh has become totally unprofitable in the things of God (Jn. 6:63).
II. THE NATURE OF THE NEW BIRTH
A. THE DEFINITION OF REGENERATION.
1.The change required in man’s soul to enable him to enter God’s kingdom is called
INTRODUCTION
The words "born again" have been cheapened today by many in religion. Satan is a master at redefining Bible terms; therefore, it behooves us to have a clear understanding of the Scriptural meaning of these words.
Let’s consider what the Bible teaches about being "regenerated" or "born again."
I. THE NECESSITY OF THE NEW BIRTH
A. OUR LORD CLEARLY REVEALED THAT REGENERATION WAS NECESSARY TO SALVATION (Jn. 3:3, 5).
1. Before a man can fellowship with God, he not only needs forgiveness, but his whole nature must be renewed. Fallen man is:
a. Natural (I Cor. 2:14).
b. Sensual (Jude 19).
c. Carnal (Rom. 8:5-8).
d. This is opposed to being spiritual (I Cor. 2:15).
2. Christ revealed that there is an unchangeable distinction between that which is born of the flesh and that which is born of the Spirit(Jn. 3:6).
a. To be born of the flesh is to be carnal, corrupt, ignorant of spiritual things, and under the condemnation of God.
b. The flesh and the spirit are diametrically opposed to each other (Gal. 5:17).
c. By the physical birth, fleshly children come from fleshly parents, and by the spiritual birth, spiritual children come from the Holy Spirit.
d. The flesh may become religious, refined and outwardly moral, but it is still flesh.
e. A person will have neither the desire nor the ability to serve God until he has been born again of the Spirit.
B. EVERY PART OF THE NATURAL MAN IS DEFILED BY SIN.
1. His mind is darkened to the things of God (I Cor. 1:18; 2:14; Eph. 4:18).
2. His heart is in a state of enmity toward God (Rom 8:7; Jer. 17:9)
3. His will is only free to carry out the desires of his depraved nature (Jn. 1:13; Rom. 9:16; Philp. 2:13).
4. The flesh has become totally unprofitable in the things of God (Jn. 6:63).
II. THE NATURE OF THE NEW BIRTH
A. THE DEFINITION OF REGENERATION.
1.The change required in man’s soul to enable him to enter God’s kingdom is called