Abraham Kuyper, in his classic book on the Holy Spirit's work, wrote, "There is one great act of God which re-creates the corrupt sinner into a new man, the comprehensive act of regeneration, which contains three parts: quickening, conversion, and sanctification."
Regeneration makes you spiritually alive in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) You were spiritually dead to God, until the Holy Spirit awakened you to new life in Christ. "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1). You are made spiritually alive to a personal relationship with God in Christ.
Regeneration enables your conversion to Christ. Conversion has a negative and positive aspect. Negatively, you turn away from your old life through repentance. Positively, you turn to God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit's work enables you to repent and believe the gospel.
Regeneration sanctifies you, which means you are set apart unto Christ. Through conversion, you are set apart to new life in Christ (1 Peter 1:2). Sanctification by the Holy Spirit begins in conversion and is completed in glorification (Romans 8:30; 1 John 3:2). Sanctification is the process of your spiritual growth in Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
