4: Soteriology: Doctrine of Salvation
Sections for Soteriology: Doctrine of Salvation
1. Introduction
The Doctrine of Salvation
Soteriology
INTRODUCTION TO SOTERIOLGY
Five Cardinal Doctrines:
Salvation - Matt. 10:22; Mark 10:26; Acts 2:21; 16:30; Eph. 2:8
Healing - Matt. 4:23; Matt. 9:35; Luke 9:11; Acts 4:22; 10:38
Baptism - Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Acts 1:22; Rom. 6:4; Eph. 4:5
Sanctification - John 17:17; I Cor. 1:30; I Thess. 4:3,4; 2 Thess. 2:13
Second Coming - Matt. 26:64; Mark 13:32; 14:62; Luke 21:27; Acts 1:11
We use the term ‘cardinal doctrines’ to refer to preeminent and fundamental doctrines. Generally speaking, Cardinal Doctrines are a common bond to the majority of Believers regardless of Denomination. Most other doctrines can be logically sub-categorized under one of these five, as well.
Salvation is an all-inclusive word. The term Salvation expresses Deliverance – Safety – Preservation – Soundness – Restoration – Healing.
Salvation in New Testament Greek:
Nouns – soteria; soterion [4991,4992 ] Luke 1:69; 2:30; Acts 4:12
Verb – sozo [4982] Matt. 1:21; John 10:9; Acts 15:11
*Numbers in these brackets refer to the lexicon in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.
The concept and state of salvation is viewed in the past (Rom. 8: 24), present (I Cor. 15: 2), and future (Rom. 13: 11) tenses in the Scriptures.
To be saved is to be freed:
From the curse of the law – Galatians 3:13
From wrath – 1 Thessalonians 5:9
From death – 2 Corinthians 7:10
From destruction – 2 Thessalonians 1:9
We were lost, but we are now found (saved);
We were bound, but we are now free;
We were blind, but we now can see.
We were condemned, but we are now free from condemnation. (Romans 8:1)
We will be dealing with the subject:
What Constitutes Salvation? [or] The State of Grace
2. Nature of Salvation
The Nature of Salvation
Three Aspects of Salvation
Justification – Regeneration – Sanctification
Justification –
A judicial term bringing into our minds a courtroom scene
Regeneration –
Born into the family, bringing to our minds a household scene
Sanctification
Connected with worship, bringing to our minds a temple scene
A saved man is one who has been set right with God [JUSTIFICATION] and born into the family of God [REGENERATION] and is now dedicated to the service of God [SANCTIFICATION].
àBeing justified, he is made righteous.
àBeing regenerated, he is a child of God.
àBeing sanctified, he is a “saint.”
Do these blessings follow one another or are do they take place simultaneously?
We do see a logical order:
Set right in relation to God’s law. – Romans 3:24 [JUSTIFIED]
A new nature is imparted. – John 3:6 [REGENERATED]
Separated unto a new life and service. – Ephesians 2:10 [SANCTIFIED]
Yet, the three experiences are simultaneous, and are separated only for the purpose of understanding and study. By one application of the precious blood of Jesus are all three experiences received. In an instant, we are justified, regenerated, and sanctified.
Although sanctification is a definite work accomplished at salvation, sanctification is also an on-going process. The ultimate condition of complete sanctification is perfection. (We will look closer at sanctification in a later study.)
All three blessings were procured by the atoning death of Christ. Also, all three blessings flow from our union with Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:21—For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Ephesians 1:7— In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
2 Corinthians 5:17— Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Salvation is Two-fold: OUTWARD & INWARD
Justification —
A change in position: WAS in sin, NOW “In Christ” 2 Cor. 5:17
A change in condition: sinful to righteous. Psalm 51:5; I Cor. 6:11
It means to be set in right relationship with God. When we are justified, we are made righteous. It is ‘Just-as-if-I’d’ never sinned.
Regeneration —
A change in nature — “new creature”
WAS a Child of the Devil, NOW a Child of God (Divine nature)
Sanctification —
A change in character — “old things passed away, all things new”
Having the Fruit of the Spirit and putting on Christ. Gal. 5:22-24
Outward separation and inward purification from sin. 2 Cor. 7:1
The Conditions of Salvation
What is meant by conditions of salvation?
God’s requirements in the man whom He accepts for Christ’s sake and on whom He freely bestows the blessings of the gospel of grace. Under what conditions does God bestow the free gift of salvation? Simply, there must be life! (Rom. 8:16)
What are the conditions of salvation?
The Scriptures set forth: Repentance — Faith — Confession.
Mark 1:15; Acts 22:16; 16:31; Romans 10:9,10; Hebrews 11:6; Acts 8: 13,21
Is intellectual faith sufficient?
James 2:19—Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
No. We must have more than what the devils have! They believe and tremble and still work against the will of God. D.L. Moody said, “Doubt your doubts and believe God.”
Acts 8: 13,21—Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
What is the difference between faith and belief?
Faith is a Divine activity. (Eph. 6:17; John 6:44; Rom. 10:17) Believing is a human action. God expects us to respond to the faith he has placed in us and He commands us to believe. (Mark 5:36) When God draws men, he is looking for something in him for we cannot respond properly to God unless we have faith. Hebrews 12:2—Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. He helps us to believe.
John 1:1 “Word” logos [3056] àwritten Word, living Word (natural essence). The Holy Bible and Christ, the living Word, are logos.
Rom. 10:17 “Word” rhema [4487] àspoken Word (supernatural essence); Rhema refers to a special Word spoken by the Spirit to you. It is the revealed Word of God.
What is the difference between repentance and faith concerning salvation?
|
Faith is concerned with God’s Promises. |
Repentance is concerned with sin. |
|
Receives Salvation. |
Renounces sin. |
Faith dwells upon God’s mercy. Eph. 2:8,9; Luke 18:13; 13:3
What is God’s command to all men?
Every individual is required to repent (including those in the Church). Acts 17:30; Rev. 2:5,16,21; 3:3,19
To repent is to stop doing whatever it is you are doing. Some denominations suggest you repent of all sins at salvation—past, present and future. How can you repent of (stop doing) something you haven’t done? We can only repent of sins past and present.
Can there be faith without repentance?
No. No one can receive the promises of God without repentance. Mark 1:15; Jonah 3:5-10
Can there be godly repentance without faith? No.
We need God at every step in our Christian experience and are wholly dependent on Him. We must receive every Christian grace from God and God only responds to faith. Hebrews 11:6; 2 Timothy 2:25
It is the Holy Ghost that brings conviction of sin which leads men to repentance.
Are faith and repentance simply preparatory to salvation?
No. Faith and repentance are continuous motions in the life of the Believer. Ephesians 3:17; Revelation 3:19
Conversion
Acts 3:19; Matthew 18:3; Luke 22:32; James 5:20
Conversion involves the whole person:
Intellectually Acts 2:37, 38 “they heard”
Emotionally Acts 2:37, 38 “pricked in their heart”
Volitionally Acts 16:27-31 “What shall we do?”
How is conversion distinguished from salvation?
Conversion describes the human or man-ward side of salvation. Luke 19:8, 9; Acts 9:11; 16:33, 34; Philippians 2:12, 13
Which comes first—regeneration or conversion?
One does not necessarily precede the other. It is more accurate to say that regeneration is God’s action in man and conversion is man’s action toward God. Regeneration and conversion work together at once.
“Somewhere between the limb and the ground, Zaccheus was converted.”— D. L. Moody
3. Justification
The Nature of Justification – Divine Acquittal
Justification is a state of acceptance entered into by faith. (Rom. 4:2-8; 5:1)
Justification is a free gift of God made through Christ. (Rom. 1:17; 3:21,22)
Justification is a state of acceptance in which the believer stands. (Rom. 5:2)
Justification is a complete and secure position in relation to God. Justified” is God’s verdict. (REMEMBER: Justification is a judicial term.) (Rom. 8:33,34)
Justification is an act of God’s free grace wherein He pardons all our sins and accepts us as righteous. (The pardon must be accepted.)
Justification places the offender in the position of a righteous man. God justifies the ungodly. No earthly judge can do this. (Rom. 4:5)
Justification is two-fold.
Subtraction - the cancellation of sins
Addition - the imputing of righteousness
The Necessity for Justification
Man is condemned
All men need the righteousness of God, because all men have sinned. (Job 9:2; Acts 16:30)
The Gentiles are under condemnation.
Steps in their downfall:
Once knew God— Rom. 1:19,20
Glorified Him not as God— Rom. 1:21
Neither were thankful— vs. 21
Became vain in their imaginations— vs. 21
Their minds were darkened— vs. 21
Blindness led to idolatry— vs. 23
Idolatry led to moral corruption— vs. 24-31
They are without excuse— vs. 32
The Jews are under condemnation. Rom. 3:19
The Law Cannot Save (Rom 3:20)
The Law is only a school master to bring us to Christ. (Gal. 3:24) It is merely a measuring rod that reveals what it is without any suggestion for remedy or change.
The law is the knowledge of sin—Rom. 3:20
Righteousness is without the law—Rom. 3:21
Witnessed by the law
Gen. 3:15; 12:3; 22:4,13,14; Psa. 32:1,2; Gal. 3:6-8; John 8:56
Witnessed by the Prophets
Isa. 53:4-6; Jer. 23:6; 31:31-34; Eze. 36:26
This was God’s original plan of salvation
The law was added: Gal. 3:19-26.
Rom. 10:3 Ignorant of God’s righteousness,”
Going about to establish their own righteousness.”
Have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
When Christ came they had no need of Him. John 8:32-34
This is the work of God” John 6:28-29.
A train is a means to an end. Christ is the end of the law.” Rom. 10:4
The Source of Justification — Grace
The Operation of Grace Understood
Grace primarily means favor, or the kindly disposition in God’s mind.
Grace has been called pure unrecompensed kindness and favor” or Unmerited favor.” Grace cannot incur debt. What God bestows, He bestows as a gift; we cannot pay for it. (Rom. 6:23) Christian service is not the payment for God’s grace; service is the Christians way to express devotion and love to God. We love Him because He first loved us.” (I John 4:19)
Grace is God’s dealing with the sinner absolutely apart from the question of merit or demerit. Grace is neither treating a person as he deserves, nor treating him better than he deserves.
Grace is infinite love expressing itself in infinite goodness.
A misunderstanding should be avoided. Grace does not mean that sin is forgiven because God is big-hearted enough to remit the penalty. Redemption is through the blood. (Rom. 3:24; Eph. 1:6-7) Pardoning sin is based on strict justice. In pardoning sin He is faithful and just” ( I John 1:9) We are justified only because Christ PAID the debt.
Grace is independent of man’s works or activity. Gal. 5:4
When a person is under the Law, he cannot be under Grace. When he is under Grace, he is not under Law.
| Law | Grace |
|---|---|
| Pay all. | All is paid. |
| A work to do. | A work done. |
| Restrains actions. | Changes nature |
| Condemns | Justifies |
| Servants work for wages. | Sons enjoying an inheritance. |
Errors to be avoided
Legalism-Justification based on keeping the law.
Lawlessness-Justification no matter what deeds continue. (Although we are not ’under the law’, we are also not ‘without law.’
Galatianism- Justification initially received by faith but then sustained by keeping the law.
The Word grace” is used sometimes in an inward sense, to denote the:
Operation of the Divine Influence. Eph. 4:7
Effect of the Divine Influence. Acts 4:33; 11:23; James 4:6
The Operation of Grace Classified
Prevenient Grace
Drawing Men to God
Prevenient (literally: going before) grace is the Divine influence preceding a person’s conversion, exciting his efforts to return to God. It is the effect of God’s favor in drawing men. If God in His grace did not make the first move toward man, man would never move toward God. Man is too blinded by his sin, but the Spirit of God is at work in the world today drawing the wandering sheep to the fold of God.
John 6:44—No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Striving with the Disobedient
Acts 7:52—Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
Even in the lives of the wicked that have desires only for evil does the grace of God work. One example of God striving with the disobedient in his grace is found in the life of the prophet Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 2:1,2— And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. 2 And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.
God has a plan and is looking to share His plan with faithful servants. This revelation is through His Spirit and by his grace. Organizations and churches may recognize the ministries of men, but it is only the Holy Ghost of God that can call people. Let us enter in to this experience where not only does the prophet hear the words of the Spirit, but the Spirit enters into him and set him on his feet. This is no time for sitting son; I have a work for you to do.” We must never take the Word of God lying down. Let us stand ready as ministers of the grace of God.
Ezekiel 2:3-5—And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day… I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD. 5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.
God’s prevenient grace is here at work. Whether Israel was going to hear or not, God was still sending his messenger to them. God is married to the backslider. Jer. 3:14
Effectual Grace
Ephesians 3:7—Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Grace is effectual in producing conversion, if not resisted by the person. John 5:40; Acts 13:46 Effectual Grace” is not equal to irresistible grace.
The fourth point of Calvinism is irresistible grace.’ This view on grace suggests that no one can resist the grace of God, but that every one God ‘chooses’ to save will be saved without any resistance. This concept contradicts the biblical teaching of free-will and choice, and negates any need for the sinner to cooperate in any way with God’s dealing.
Biblical ‘effectual grace’ emphasizes the sufficiency of God’s grace to convert any and every soul that chooses to respond to God’s dealing. God’s grace is irresistible only in the sense that it trumps the power of sin and hell and there is no problem that the grace of God cannot overcome. God’s grace is resistible in the sense that the Lord has set before us an open door and will not force any to walk through it that have not made that choice of their own free will.
John 12:32—And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
If God’s grace was ‘irresistible’ the entire world will be saved, but we know from Scripture that is not the case.
Let us look at a few Biblical examples of how God deals with men. Note that God makes the first move and then requires some kind of action from man before He makes the next:
Romans 10:13—For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Matthew 4:19—And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Mark 10:51—And Jesus answered…, ‘What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?’
Hebrews 10:29—Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Effectual Grace is not an assurance to the wayward that confirms the lie, If God wants me to be saved, He’ll save me.” Effectual Grace is an assurance to the repentant that confirms the truth, If I truly want to be saved, God can and will save me!”
Actual Grace
Grace enables men to live rightly, to resist temptation and do their duty. Thus we speak of praying for grace to perform a difficult task. II Cor. 12:9
Habitual grace
Grace is the effect of the indwelling of the Spirit, resulting in a life characterized by the fruit of the Spirit. Gal. 5:22,23
The Grounds of Justification – Christ’s Righteousness
How can God treat a sinner as a righteous person?
God provides the repentant sinner with righteousness.
The Provision of Righteousness
Is it just to give the title of good” and righteous” to one who has not earned it? The Lord Jesus Christ has earned it for and on behalf of the sinner, who is declared righteous through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” Rom. 3:24
What does redemption mean?
Redemption means complete deliverance by a price paid.
The Price of Righteousness
Christ earned or paid for this righteousness for us and the price is His atoning death. Romans 3:25 says:
Romans 3:25
Propitiation is that which secures God’s favor for the undeserving. Christ died in order to save us from God’s righteous wrath and to secure His favor to us. Propitiation means mercy seat. (Ex. 26:34; Heb. 9:5; I John 2:2; 4:10)
The Need of Righteousness
As the body needs clothing, so the soul needs character. As one must appear before the world clothed in proper garments, so must man appear before God and heaven clothed in the garment of a perfectly righteous character. Rev. 3:4, 7:13, 14; 19:8
The sinner’s garment is defiled and tattered. Zech. 3:1-4 And were he to clothe himself in his own goodness and merits and plead his own good deeds, they would be considered as filthy rags”. Isa. 64:6; James 5:2; Jude 23
We need to guard against defiling our garments. Rev. 3:4; 16:15
The Provision of Righteousness
Righteousness was purchased by Christ’s substitutionary death.
God has provided a garment. Isa. 61:10; Isa. 53:5,11; Rom. 4:6;5:18,19; II Cor. 5:21 His death was a perfect act of righteousness because it satisfied the law of God; it was also a perfect act of obedience. And all this was done on our behalf and placed to our credit. The act by which God charges or reckons this righteousness to our account is called imputation.
Righteousness is imputed to our account.
Imputation is the reckoning to a person the consequences of another’s act. For example, the consequences of Adam’s sin are reckoned to his descendants. The consequences of man’s sin were reckoned to Christ, and the consequences of Christ’s obedience are reckoned to the believer. He wore our garment of righteousness. He is made unto us righteousness,” I Cor. 1:30. He becomes the Lord our righteousness,” Jer. 23:6.
Christ expiated our guilt, satisfied the law, both by obedience and suffering, and became our substitute, so that being united with Him by faith, His death becomes our death, His righteousness our righteousness, His obedience our obedience. God then accepts us not for anything in us, not for works—Rom. 3:28; Gal. 2:16—or merit, but for the perfect all-sufficient righteousness of Christ set to our account. For Christ’s sake, God treats the guilty man, when penitent and believing, as if he were righteous.
Righteousness is imparted to our life.
Justification that saves is something external, and concerns the sinner’s position, but is there no change in condition?
It affects his standing, but what of his conduct?
Righteousness is imputed but is it also imparted?
In justification Christ is for us, but is He also in us?
In other words, it seems that imputation would dishonor the law if it were not bound up with security of future righteousness.
The answer is that justifying faith is the initial act of Christian life and this initial act, when the faith is living, is followed by an inward, spiritual change known as regeneration.
Righteousness is imputed in justification and imparted in regeneration. The Christ who is for us becomes the Christ in us. Christ liveth in me,” Gal. 2:20.
The change of position - Being in Christ
Rom. 8:1; II Cor. 5:17 I John 2:5-6
The change of conduct – Christ in You
Christ being in you Col. 1:27; Eph. 3:17; Gal. 4:19; Eph. 4:13
Being in Christ and Christ in us actually go together John 15:4 John 14:23I John 3:24; 4:13 Real salvation calls for a life of practical holiness. They who wear His righteousness will be careful to purify themselves. I John 3:3
The Means of Justification – Faith
Justification is by faith. Since the law cannot justify, man’s only hope is for a righteousness without the law” (Rom. 3:21). This is not an unlawful unrighteousness, or a religion that permits us to sin, but is justification that changes our position with God based on the merits of Christ. This is the righteousness of God” (a righteousness which God imparts), and it is a gift because man lacks the power to develop it or work it out. (Eph. 2:8-10) The three operations of faith are as follows:
Faith Appropriates
A gift must be accepted. How then is the gift of righteousness accepted? What is the instrument which appropriates the righteousness of Christ? It is the faith.
Galatians 2:16—Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Faith is the hand, so to speak, which takes what God offers. Faith is the instrumental cause of justification. Rom. 3:22; 4:11; 9:30; Heb. 11:7; Phil. 3:9 Faith lays hold of God’s promise and appropriates salvation.
Faith Applies
Psalm 51:7—Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Faith not only takes all that God has to offer, but it applies it to the soul.
Faith activates
Faith not only passively receives, but also actively uses what God bestows. Faith is also an affair of the heart. (See Rom. 10:9,10; Compare Matt. 15:19 with Prov. 4:23.)
Faith involves works. The Scripture speaks of a work of faith.”
Gal. 5:6—Faith which worketh
###I Thess. 1:3—Work of faith
- Faith produces works, James 2:26
- Faith proved by works, James 2:18
- Faith protected by works, James 2:22
That is, faith is an energetic principle; as well as, a receptive attitude. Faith is therefore a powerful motive to obedience and to every good work. Faith involves the will and is connected with all good choices and actions. (Rom. 14:23) Faith includes the choice and pursuit of the truth. (II Thess. 2:12) Faith implies subjection to the righteousness of God. (Rom. 10:3)
4. Regeneration
Regeneration
The Nature of Regeneration
Regeneration is the Divine act which imparts to the penitent believer the new and higher life in personal union with Christ. The N.T. describes regeneration as:
A Birth
Regeneration is a Birth (not baptism - not church attendance - not reformation). God the Father is He “that begat” and the believer is “begotten” of God (I John 5:1), “born of the Spirit” (John 3:8) and “born from above” (literal translation of John 3:7). These terms refer to the act of creative grace which makes the believer a child of God.
A Cleansing
God saved us by the “washing (literally, laver or bath) of regeneration”. (Titus 3:5) The soul was completely bathed from the defilements of the old life and made to live in newness of life - an experience pictured by water baptism. (Acts 22:16)
A Quickening
We were saved not only by the “washing of regeneration” but also by the renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Titus 3:5 Compare Psa. 57:10; Rom 12:2; Eph. 4:23; Col. 3:10
A Creation
He who created man in the beginning and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, recreates him by the operation of His Holy Spirit. II Cor. 5:17 Eph. 2:10 Gal. 6:15 Eph. 4:24 Compare Gen. 2:7 The practical result is a radical change in the individual’s nature, character, desires, and purposes.
A Resurrection
As God quickened the lifeless clay and made it alive to the world, so He quickens a soul dead in sins and makes it alive to the realities of the spiritual world. This act of resurrection from spiritual death is symbolized in water baptism. Wesley said, Regeneration is “that great change which God works in the soul when He brings it into life; when He raises it from the death of sin to the life of righteousness.”
These terms are simply variants of one great basic thought of regeneration, namely, the Divine impartation of a new life to the soul of man. And three scientific facts true of natural life also apply to spiritual life, it comes suddenly, appears mysteriously, and develops progressively.
Rom. 6:4,5; Col. 2:13; 3:1; Eph. 2:5,6
The Need for Regeneration
John 3:7—Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
In John 3, Jesus answered the need of the heart rather than the words that Nicodemus spoke.
Lack of Life “these miracles”
Nicodemus was spiritually dead. Nicodemus’ opening words reveal a number of emotions struggling in his heart. …these miracles… He lacked a spiritual experience. He might have said, “I am tired of the lifeless services of the synagogue the glory has departed from Israel. There is no vision and the people perish. My soul is hungry for reality. My soul is empty! Your miracles convince me that you are a God sent teacher.”
Ephesians 2:1—And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Lack of Conviction “a teacher”
Nicodemus feels his need, for a teacher rather than a Saviour. “Thou art a teacher” He must realize that he is a sinner. Before he NEEDS to be taught, he NEEDS to be saved.
Lack of Knowledge “how”
John 3:9—How can these things be?
John 3:10—Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
Jesus pointed out the deepest and universal need of men: a change of the whole nature and character. Man’s entire nature has been warped by sin. Man cannot change himself; therefore, the change must come from above.
Jesus did not attempt to explain the “how” of the new birth, but He did explain the why of the matter: the flesh and spirit belong to different realms.
The Means of Regeneration
Divine Agency. The Holy Spirit is the special agent in regeneration, who so acts upon a person as to produce the change. John 3:6; Titus 3:5
Each Person of the Trinity is involved in regeneration:
The Father begets (James 1:18) Of his own will begat He us
The Son is the giver of Life (John 5,6) eat His flesh and drink His blood
The Spirit is the agent (John 3:6) born of the Spirit” (John 6:53)
Human Reparation. Human reparations involved in regeneration are matters of obedience to God’s commands: confession, repentance and faith. They do not purchase regeneration, but are the conditions under which God requires to work.
The Effects of Regeneration
Positional - Children of God
The word “adoption” means literally “giving the position of sons.” Doctrinally, adoption and regeneration should be distinguished. Adoption is a legal term. Regeneration is an inner spiritual change. An individual must be BORN into the family of God (this is regeneration), and is not ADOPTED into the family of God.
“Children” (tekna) means “begotten ones” implies regeneration.
John 1:12-13; Rom. 8:15-16; I John 3:1
“The adoption of sons” (huiothesia) means “the placing as a son”
Gal. 4:5
Son (huios) denotes maturity. (Rom. 8:14,19 Heb. 2:10) We are born as new born babes in regeneration. Adoption is definitely a separate work from regeneration.
Spiritual - Union with God
II Cor. 6:16-18; Gal. 4:5,6; I John 3:24; 4:13; Gal. 2:20
Divine indwelling results in a new type of life.
A newness of life - Rom. 6:4
A new heart - Ezek. 36:26
A new spirit - Ezek. 11:19
A new man - Eph. 4:24
A new nature - II Peter 1:4
Practical - Righteous Living
The person born of God will demonstrate that fact by his:
Hatred of sin - I John 3:9; 5:18
Righteous deeds - I John 2:29
Brotherly love - I John 4:7
Victory over the world - I John 5:4
Two extremes should be avoided in setting a standard for righteous living:
First, making standard too low -Natural reformation
Second, making standard too high -young converts will stumble.
Compare I John 3:9 and I John 2:1.
I John 3:9—Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
I John 2:1— My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
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