Our Regeneration To Christ Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

Regeneration to Christ

Remarks.

1. We will investigate the Holy Spirit’s work in our regeneration to Christ. No one can come to God or be converted to Christ, without the work of the Holy Spirit. Nor can we be called the “sons of God”; without the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

2. The bible sets forth this precedence: “God has granted the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit into the life of the sons of God.”

3. The obedient believers are granted the Holy Spirit to dwell in them, “personally, as well as, through the word of God.”

4. The Pentecostal had first “received the word,” as a result of Peter’s preaching; and were before promised: “the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost” upon their, “repentance and baptism into the name of Jesus Christ,” Acts 2:38. Paul affirms: “Now if any man has not the Spirit of Christ (the Holy Spirit), he is none of his,” Romans 8:9.

BODY OF LESSON

REGENERATION TO CHRIST

A. Spirit’s work in regeneration. Paul reminds Titus: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration... That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life,” Titus 3:5-7. We will note, the Spirit’s work in the regeneration process.

B. Spirit’s work in the “new birth.” Notice: “Jesus said: I say unto thee, except a man is born again; he cannot see the kingdom of God... Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter ...kingdom of God,” John 3:3-5.

1. Jesus speaks of two components that are required to undergo the “new birth.” They are, the “water and the Spirit.” Many would argue this point; but Jesus is includes them both in the “new birth.”

2. Both components must be present during the regeneration process. And, we see both of them in the conversion of the treasurer by Philip, Acts 8:26-39.

3. The Spirit enables the teaching of Christ; and the water enables the regeneration, or the baptism into Christ, Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26-27; Acts 8:12; Acts 18:8.

4. Baptism is where:

a. Regeneration occurs. Paul writes: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? ... And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God,” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

b. We are born again. Peter writes: “See ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit… Being born again... abideth forever,” 1 Peter 1:22-23.

c. We are saved. Peter again: “Which sometimes were disobedient… The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also NOW save us …by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” 1 Peter 3:20-21; Mark 16:16-16.

d. Conclusion: The Holy Spirit converts through the word and our obedience to the truth. At which time our “sins are wash away,” Acts 22:16. And we receive the “gift of the Holy Ghost,” Acts 2:38. This is the Holy Spirit’s work in our regeneration to Christ.

C. Quickening power of the Godhead. The Spirit is the “quickening power of God in the new birth.” The Father, Son and Holy Spirit “quickeneth to give eternal life.” Notice:

1. The Spirit quickeneth: “It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life,” John 6:63.

2. The Son quickeneth: “For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will,” John 5:21; 2 Timothy 4:1; Romans 14:9.

3. The Father quickeneth: “I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things,” 1 Timothy 6:13. It is God the Father, “who quickeneth all things.” Notice:

a. First, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in … and sins,” Ephesians 2:1-3. Paul speaks to our condition before our quickening with Christ; and the Father’s great love “wherewith He loved us.”

b. Further, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love... When we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved),” Ephesians 2:4-5. Several things happened when we WERE WITH CHRIST. Notice:

1) First, we were “dead in our trespasses and sins.”

2) Second, we were “quicken with Christ” or “made alive,” by God.

3) Third, “(by grace we are saved).”

4) Fourth, we were “forgiven all trespasses,” Romans 6:5-6; Colossians 2:13.

5) Conclusion: Where did all this occur? This all happen in baptism, when we were with Christ. Paul further discusses the regeneration process.

c. Next, “But God, who hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That in the ages to come... he might shew,” Ephesians 2:6-7. Paul writes the same things regarding the Roman’s baptism into Christ, Romans 6:3-7.