"Regeneration is the miraculous transformation of the individual and implantation of spiritual energy. . . . The flesh (i.e., human effort) is not capable of effecting this transformation. Nor can this transformation even be comprehended by the human intellect. Jesus in fact likened this work of the Spirit to the blowing of the wind [John 3:8]" (Millard J. Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 2001) 279.
The new birth, through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, is a miraculous work of God in our lives. It may not be thought miraculous because it cannot be seen by the eyes of people. The results can be observed in terms of lifesyle. The person who has been born again is aware of a transformed mind (Romans 12:1-2). The mind is renewed to understand the written Word of God. Prior to regeneration, the natural man, unlike the spiritual man, cannot understand the things of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:14-16). This change is often referred to in the Bible as repentance, from the word metanoia meaning change of mind.
The new birth is miraculous because it is beyond man's ability. Erickson properly refers to this inability as flesh or human effort. In this context, flesh refers to man's sinful nature separated from God's grace. "So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God" (Romans 8:8). Therefore, this work of God's grace in man must be initiated by the Spirit of God. Man's inability is overcome by God's preceding grace. This is experienced in the convicting work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-11). He convicts us of sin, righteousness and judgment. The sin is not believing in Christ. The righteousness is that of Christ. The judgment is the defeat of the prince of this world through the death and resurrection of Christ.
The new birth is miraculous because it defies human explanation. It is the work of God's grace that we receive by faith alone. Nicodemus did not understand the new birth. He asked Jesus how a person could be born again (John 3:5-12). Jesus likened the work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration to the wind. Man cannot control nor manipulate the wind. He cannot see the wind, but he can see and feel the results of the blowing wind. We can be assured of the regenrating work of God's Spirit in our lives by faith. We believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:15-18, 36). You could say that it's a miraculous gift of God received by faith. "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God" (1 John 5:1).
The new birth is miraculous because we become a new creation by God's Spirit. The apostle Paul put it this way: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). He further stated: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:10). God alone is our Creator in the natural world as well as the new birth.
Now, let us consider a summary statement about our new birth. "Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace" (Baptist Faith and Message, 2000).
The new birth, through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, is a miraculous work of God in our lives. It may not be thought miraculous because it cannot be seen by the eyes of people. The results can be observed in terms of lifesyle. The person who has been born again is aware of a transformed mind (Romans 12:1-2). The mind is renewed to understand the written Word of God. Prior to regeneration, the natural man, unlike the spiritual man, cannot understand the things of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:14-16). This change is often referred to in the Bible as repentance, from the word metanoia meaning change of mind.
The new birth is miraculous because it is beyond man's ability. Erickson properly refers to this inability as flesh or human effort. In this context, flesh refers to man's sinful nature separated from God's grace. "So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God" (Romans 8:8). Therefore, this work of God's grace in man must be initiated by the Spirit of God. Man's inability is overcome by God's preceding grace. This is experienced in the convicting work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-11). He convicts us of sin, righteousness and judgment. The sin is not believing in Christ. The righteousness is that of Christ. The judgment is the defeat of the prince of this world through the death and resurrection of Christ.
The new birth is miraculous because it defies human explanation. It is the work of God's grace that we receive by faith alone. Nicodemus did not understand the new birth. He asked Jesus how a person could be born again (John 3:5-12). Jesus likened the work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration to the wind. Man cannot control nor manipulate the wind. He cannot see the wind, but he can see and feel the results of the blowing wind. We can be assured of the regenrating work of God's Spirit in our lives by faith. We believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:15-18, 36). You could say that it's a miraculous gift of God received by faith. "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God" (1 John 5:1).
The new birth is miraculous because we become a new creation by God's Spirit. The apostle Paul put it this way: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). He further stated: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:10). God alone is our Creator in the natural world as well as the new birth.
Now, let us consider a summary statement about our new birth. "Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace" (Baptist Faith and Message, 2000).
