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Regeneration (theology)

December 01, 2023

Regeneration, while sometimes perceived to be a step in the ordo salutis ('order of salvation'), is generally understood in Christian theology to be the objective work of God in a believer's life. Spiritually, it means that God brings a person to new life (that they are "born again") from a previous state of separation from God and subjection to the decay of death (Ephesians 2:5).[1][2] Thus, in Lutheran and Roman Catholic theology, it generally means that which takes place during baptism. In Calvinism (Reformed theology) and Arminian theology, baptism is recognized as an outward sign of an inward reality which is to follow regeneration as a sign of obedience to the New Testament; as such, the Methodist Churches teach that regeneration occurs during the new birth.[3]

While the exact Greek noun "rebirth" or "regeneration" (Ancient Greek: παλιγγενεσία, romanized: palingenesia) appears just twice in the New Testament (Matthew 19:28 and Titus 3:5), regeneration represents a wider theme of re-creation and spiritual rebirth.[4]

Furthermore, there is the sense in which regeneration includes the concept "being born again" (John 3:3–8 and 1 Peter 1:3).[5] Regeneration is also called the "second birth". When Christians believe in Jesus Christ for their salvation, they are then born of God, "begotten of him" (1 John 5:1). As a result of becoming part of God's family, man believes to become a different and new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17).[6][7]

New Testament references edit

In Matthew 19:28, Jesus refers to "the regeneration" (e.g. translations in the Geneva Bible, King James Version, and American Standard Version). The New International Version refers to "the renewal of all things" and the English Standard Version refers to "the new world".[8]

In Titus 3:5 the writer of the epistle refers to two aspects of the mercy which God has shown believers, "the washing of regeneration (i.e. baptism) and renewing of the Holy Spirit."

Historical interpretations edit

Anglican Bishop Charles Ellicott notes the "wide range" of meaning: in Titus 3:5, "the word ... is applied to baptism, as the instrument of the regeneration or new birth of the individual believer", but "there is to be a 'new birth' for mankind as well as for the individual".[9] However, much of the historical theological interpretation of "regeneration" has focused on individual renewal, as shown in the following theological schools of thought:

Baptismal regeneration | Lutheranism and Roman Catholicism edit

Main article: Baptismal regeneration

Lutheran and Roman Catholic theology holds that "baptism confers cleansing of [original] sin, the infusion of regenerating grace and union with Christ."[10] Official Roman Catholic teaching specifically states that regeneration commences with baptism.[11]

General evangelicalism edit

During the period of the Great Awakening, emphasis in Protestant theology began to be placed on regeneration as the starting point of an individual's new life in Christ.[12]

Pelagianism edit

Main article: Pelagianism

Pelagius believed that people were born pure, with God's spirit already at work, making the need for spiritual regeneration from a previous sinful state irrelevant.[13] Since Pelagius, modernist theology has seen regeneration as more a matter of education than spiritual renewal.[12]

Calvinism and Reformed theology edit

Reformed theology teaches that regeneration precedes faith[14] through the doctrine of Total depravity. Before regeneration a sinner is dead and until the sinner is regenerated and given a new nature, the sinner cannot believe.[15]

Reformed theology characteristically views baptism as an outward sign of God's internal work, as John Calvin stated: “all who are clothed with the righteousness of Christ are at the same time regenerated by the Spirit, and that we have an earnest of this regeneration in baptism.”[16] Regeneration is further described as the "secret operation of the Holy Spirit."[17]

Arminianism edit

Arminian theology teaches that the first steps are taken by God in the form of prevenient grace.[18] Arminians differ from Calvinists in affirming that God's grace is resistible. "When our wills are freed, we can either accept God’s saving grace in faith or reject it to our own ruin."[19] When someone believes, it is not grace which makes one to differ from another person, but the freed response to exercise faith to accept that grace. According to Classical Arminians if a person is regenerated it is due to that person's response to grace with faith alone; if a person is rejected, it is due to that person's choice alone. Prevenient grace is appropriated or rejected before regeneration; those who do not reject it come into the light by grace in concert with their freed will operating synergistically. After a believer has under the influence of prevenient grace made the faithful decision to follow Christ, God regenerates them spiritually.[20] In contrast to Calvinism, which teaches that regeneration is the decree of God, Arminianism teaches that a sinner must repent and place their faith in Christ as the condition to regeneration and, in this manner, regeneration is by faith, not by decree.

Wesleyan–Arminian theology teaches that the New Birth contains two phases that occur together, justification and regeneration:[3]

Though these two phases of the new birth occur simultaneously, they are, in fact, two separate and distinct acts. Justification is that gracious and judicial act of God whereby a soul is granted complete absolution from all guilt and a full release from the penalty of sin (Romans 3:23-25). This act of divine grace is wrought by faith in the merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). Regeneration is the impartation of divine life which is manifested in that radical change in the moral character of man, from the love and life of sin to the love of God and the life of righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 1:23). ―Principles of Faith, Emmanuel Association of Churches[3]

— Guidebook of the Emmanuel Association Churches, pages 7–8

Quakerism edit

The Central Yearly Meeting of Friends, a Holiness Quaker denomination, teaches that regeneration is the "divine work of initial salvation (Tit. 3:5), or conversion, which involves the accompanying works of justification (Rom. 5:18) and adoption (Rom. 8:15, 16)."[21] In regeneration, which occurs in the New Birth, there is a "transformation in the heart of the believer wherein he finds himself a new creation in Christ (II Cor. 5:17; Col. 1:27)."[21]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Ephesians 2:5
  2. ^ Demarest 1997, p. 292
  3. ^ a b c Guidebook of the Emmanuel Association of Churches. Logansport: Emmanuel Association. 2002. p. 7–8.
  4. ^ Demarest 1997, pp. 293–294
  5. ^ Grudem 1994, p. 699
  6. ^ Whitefield, George. "Regeneration". www.biblebb.com.
  7. ^ "Regeneration". Real Bible Believers. 3 April 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  8. ^ "Matthew 19:28 Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel". biblehub.com.
  9. ^ "Matthew 19 Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers". biblehub.com. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  10. ^ Demarest 1997, p. 281
  11. ^ Demarest 1997, p. 285
  12. ^ a b Burkhardt 1988, p. 574
  13. ^ Demarest 1997, p. 279
  14. ^ Sproul, R.C. Chosen By God. p. 72.
  15. ^ Steele, David N.; Thomas, Curtis C. The Five Points of Calvinism. p. 16.
  16. ^ Calvin, John, "5.12.1", Institutes of the Christian Religion, retrieved 2014-03-07
  17. ^ Calvin, John, "3.1.1", Institutes of the Christian Religion, retrieved 2012-11-08
  18. ^ Olson 2006
  19. ^ "A Summary of Arminian Theology". Society of Evangelical Arminians. 25 October 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  20. ^ Demarest 1997, p. 288
  21. ^ a b Manual of Faith and Practice of Central Yearly Meeting of Friends. Central Yearly Meeting of Friends. 2018. p. 26.

Notes edit

External links edit

 
Wikiquote has quotations related to Regeneration (theology).

December 01, 2023
regeneration, theology, this, article, uses, texts, from, within, religion, faith, system, without, referring, secondary, sources, that, critically, analyze, them, please, help, improve, this, article, december, 2022, learn, when, remove, this, template, messa. This article uses texts from within a religion or faith system without referring to secondary sources that critically analyze them Please help improve this article December 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message Regeneration while sometimes perceived to be a step in the ordo salutis order of salvation is generally understood in Christian theology to be the objective work of God in a believer s life Spiritually it means that God brings a person to new life that they are born again from a previous state of separation from God and subjection to the decay of death Ephesians 2 5 1 2 Thus in Lutheran and Roman Catholic theology it generally means that which takes place during baptism In Calvinism Reformed theology and Arminian theology baptism is recognized as an outward sign of an inward reality which is to follow regeneration as a sign of obedience to the New Testament as such the Methodist Churches teach that regeneration occurs during the new birth 3 While the exact Greek noun rebirth or regeneration Ancient Greek paliggenesia romanized palingenesia appears just twice in the New Testament Matthew 19 28 and Titus 3 5 regeneration represents a wider theme of re creation and spiritual rebirth 4 Furthermore there is the sense in which regeneration includes the concept being born again John 3 3 8 and 1 Peter 1 3 5 Regeneration is also called the second birth When Christians believe in Jesus Christ for their salvation they are then born of God begotten of him 1 John 5 1 As a result of becoming part of God s family man believes to become a different and new creature 2 Corinthians 5 17 6 7 Contents 1 New Testament references 2 Historical interpretations 2 1 Baptismal regeneration Lutheranism and Roman Catholicism 2 2 General evangelicalism 2 3 Pelagianism 2 4 Calvinism and Reformed theology 2 5 Arminianism 2 6 Quakerism 3 See also 4 References 5 Notes 6 External linksNew Testament references editIn Matthew 19 28 Jesus refers to the regeneration e g translations in the Geneva Bible King James Version and American Standard Version The New International Version refers to the renewal of all things and the English Standard Version refers to the new world 8 In Titus 3 5 the writer of the epistle refers to two aspects of the mercy which God has shown believers the washing of regeneration i e baptism and renewing of the Holy Spirit Historical interpretations editAnglican Bishop Charles Ellicott notes the wide range of meaning in Titus 3 5 the word is applied to baptism as the instrument of the regeneration or new birth of the individual believer but there is to be a new birth for mankind as well as for the individual 9 However much of the historical theological interpretation of regeneration has focused on individual renewal as shown in the following theological schools of thought Baptismal regeneration Lutheranism and Roman Catholicism edit Main article Baptismal regeneration Lutheran and Roman Catholic theology holds that baptism confers cleansing of original sin the infusion of regenerating grace and union with Christ 10 Official Roman Catholic teaching specifically states that regeneration commences with baptism 11 General evangelicalism edit During the period of the Great Awakening emphasis in Protestant theology began to be placed on regeneration as the starting point of an individual s new life in Christ 12 Pelagianism edit Main article Pelagianism Pelagius believed that people were born pure with God s spirit already at work making the need for spiritual regeneration from a previous sinful state irrelevant 13 Since Pelagius modernist theology has seen regeneration as more a matter of education than spiritual renewal 12 Calvinism and Reformed theology edit Reformed theology teaches that regeneration precedes faith 14 through the doctrine of Total depravity Before regeneration a sinner is dead and until the sinner is regenerated and given a new nature the sinner cannot believe 15 Reformed theology characteristically views baptism as an outward sign of God s internal work as John Calvin stated all who are clothed with the righteousness of Christ are at the same time regenerated by the Spirit and that we have an earnest of this regeneration in baptism 16 Regeneration is further described as the secret operation of the Holy Spirit 17 Arminianism edit Arminian theology teaches that the first steps are taken by God in the form of prevenient grace 18 Arminians differ from Calvinists in affirming that God s grace is resistible When our wills are freed we can either accept God s saving grace in faith or reject it to our own ruin 19 When someone believes it is not grace which makes one to differ from another person but the freed response to exercise faith to accept that grace According to Classical Arminians if a person is regenerated it is due to that person s response to grace with faith alone if a person is rejected it is due to that person s choice alone Prevenient grace is appropriated or rejected before regeneration those who do not reject it come into the light by grace in concert with their freed will operating synergistically After a believer has under the influence of prevenient grace made the faithful decision to follow Christ God regenerates them spiritually 20 In contrast to Calvinism which teaches that regeneration is the decree of God Arminianism teaches that a sinner must repent and place their faith in Christ as the condition to regeneration and in this manner regeneration is by faith not by decree Wesleyan Arminian theology teaches that the New Birth contains two phases that occur together justification and regeneration 3 Though these two phases of the new birth occur simultaneously they are in fact two separate and distinct acts Justification is that gracious and judicial act of God whereby a soul is granted complete absolution from all guilt and a full release from the penalty of sin Romans 3 23 25 This act of divine grace is wrought by faith in the merits of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Romans 5 1 Regeneration is the impartation of divine life which is manifested in that radical change in the moral character of man from the love and life of sin to the love of God and the life of righteousness 2 Corinthians 5 17 1 Peter 1 23 Principles of Faith Emmanuel Association of Churches 3 Guidebook of the Emmanuel Association Churches pages 7 8 Quakerism edit The Central Yearly Meeting of Friends a Holiness Quaker denomination teaches that regeneration is the divine work of initial salvation Tit 3 5 or conversion which involves the accompanying works of justification Rom 5 18 and adoption Rom 8 15 16 21 In regeneration which occurs in the New Birth there is a transformation in the heart of the believer wherein he finds himself a new creation in Christ II Cor 5 17 Col 1 27 21 See also editAltar call Augustine of Hippo Born again Conversion to Christianity Decision theology Evangelicalism Evangelism Free will in theology Holy Spirit Justus Velsius Monergism and synergism Sinner s prayerReferences edit Ephesians 2 5 Demarest 1997 p 292 a b c Guidebook of the Emmanuel Association of Churches Logansport Emmanuel Association 2002 p 7 8 Demarest 1997 pp 293 294 Grudem 1994 p 699 Whitefield George Regeneration www biblebb com Regeneration Real Bible Believers 3 April 2020 Retrieved 8 May 2021 Matthew 19 28 Jesus said to them Truly I tell you in the renewal of all things when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel biblehub com Matthew 19 Ellicott s Commentary for English Readers biblehub com Retrieved 2023 04 27 Demarest 1997 p 281 Demarest 1997 p 285 a b Burkhardt 1988 p 574 Demarest 1997 p 279 Sproul R C Chosen By God p 72 Steele David N Thomas Curtis C The Five Points of Calvinism p 16 Calvin John 5 12 1 Institutes of the Christian Religion retrieved 2014 03 07 Calvin John 3 1 1 Institutes of the Christian Religion retrieved 2012 11 08 Olson 2006 A Summary of Arminian Theology Society of Evangelical Arminians 25 October 2013 Retrieved 21 May 2017 Demarest 1997 p 288 a b Manual of Faith and Practice of Central Yearly Meeting of Friends Central Yearly Meeting of Friends 2018 p 26 Notes editBurkhardt H 1988 Regeneration in Wright David Ferguson Sinclair Packer J I eds New Dictionary of Theology Downers Grove InterVarsity Press p 574 ISBN 0830814000 Demarest Bruce 1997 The Cross and Salvation Wheaton Crossway Books ISBN 0891079378 Grudem Wayne 1994 Systematic Theology Reprint ed Grand Rapids Zondervan Publishing House ISBN 0310286700 Olson Roger 2006 Arminian Theology Downers Grove IVP Academic ISBN 0830828419External links edit nbsp Wikiquote has quotations related to Regeneration theology Regeneration Encyclopedia Americana 1920 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Regeneration theology amp oldid 1156926521, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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