God the Holy Spirit, Mentor's Guide, MG14

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G O D T H E H O L Y S P I R I T

1. At conversion we experience both justification and regeneration.

a. Justification means that we are forgiven by God.

b. Regeneration means that we are changed by God.

c. Justification forgives us for being unrighteous while regeneration makes it possible for us to become righteous.

Regeneration is primarily a work of the Holy Spirit. We have already noted that Jesus said, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Hence, the second birth is by the Holy Spirit. ~ J. Rodman Williams. Renewal Theology. Vol. Two. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990. p. 37.

2. The Old Testament anticipates this doctrine of regeneration in passages that speak about God “giving a new heart” (Jer. 24.7; Ezek. 11.19) and “making ‘dry bones’ live,” Ezek. 37.1-14.

3. The New Testament states plainly that it is a work of the Holy Spirit to make us into brand new people.

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Titus 3.4-6 - But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, [5] he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, [6] whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior (see John 3.5-6).

4. There are a series of terms used in Scripture to describe this one experience of regeneration. It is called:

a. Born anew, John 3.7

b. Born of God, John 1.13