What is the Christian doctrine of regeneration?
Regeneration is a theological term from the King James Version of the Bible. Titus 3:5 says, "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." Modern translations use words such as rebirth to communicate the same idea.This concept of being reborn is of great importance in the Bible. In John 3 a Jewish religious teacher named Nicodemus visited Jesus at night to learn more about Him. Jesus told him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). When Nicodemus questioned the idea of rebirth, Jesus replied, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (verse 5). To be "born again" or "regenerated" is to start a new spiritual life, one that is from God rather than from a human parent.
Other passages affirm this teaching. Ephesians 2:1-2 notes that unbelievers are "dead in the trespasses and sins" prior to knowing Christ. God's salvation brings them from death to life (Ephesians 2:5-6). Being born again brings radical change. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17).
How does regeneration take place? Both John 3 and Ephesians 2 indicate that this change is the result of faith in Christ. Just as an infant does nothing to be born into this world, there is no work a person can perform to become spiritually reborn. God gives new life by His grace to those who trust in Him. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
John 3:16 explains why God offers this new, regenerated life: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." God's love led Him to give His Son on our behalf so we could have eternal life.
Of course, after someone is born, it's time to grow. We would rightly be concerned for an infant who remained at infant size with infant abilities for years on end. In the same way, a person who has been regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit should grow spiritually. Growth naturally follows birth. "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation" (1 Peter 2:2; see also 2 Peter 3:18).
Also important to note is that spiritual rebirth is a one-time event. There is no biblical support for a person to be born again multiple times. Once a person truly comes to faith in Christ, a new life begins, continuing from that point through eternity future with the Lord.
What is justification according to the Bible?
What is sanctification?
What is Christian redemption? What does it mean to be redeemed?
Christian reconciliation - What is it? Why do we need to be reconciled to God?
What do Christians mean by saying they are born again?
Truth about Salvation
