Regeneration

Regeneration ~ as I understand it to be taught in God’s Holy Word…

I find in my studies that in order for me to rightly understand any biblical lesson, I must take all the scriptural references on the lesson under consideration, then through prayer and guidance of the Holy Ghost, first come to an understanding of those scriptures that are easily understood. This I find is true with any lesson, whatsoever it may be.

Based upon this premise I will start with Matt 19:27, for our study on regeneration. Peter said, "we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?" Jesus answers, "…Ye, which had followed me, in the regeneration …, Ye also shall set upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

Now we know that Jesus is not telling them that they would be judging the twelve tribes of Israel under the old law service, but rather that they would be setting the standards, through their writing, in which those to whom would be given the new covenant, or spiritual Israel, would be judged.

With this thought in mind we can understand the scriptures found in the fifth chapter of 1 Corinthians as it pertains to the judgment in the body of believers. I do not know any Old Baptist that does not take this position. In other words, Jesus is telling his disciples in (Mt 19:27) that they are going to lay the foundation for the generation (Ps 22:30) of Christ or those included in the regeneration (Isa 53:1,8 & Acts 2:17, 8:33), as it pertains to the function of the new covenant church, this being in contrast to the old generation, which was under the covenant in stone, being after the flesh (Gal 4:23), which speaks of the untoward generation of (Acts 2:40). He is also herein describing the act of regeneration that occurred on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost applied the new covenant to the hearts of 3,000, betrothing, adding (Acts 2:47) them to the (bride of Christ) church. This day is also described in Isa 65:8 as new wine, wherein a nation (Spiritual Israel) was brought forth, regenerated in one day (Isa 66:8) from the old generation to the new. The Gentile nations were not involved at this time. They were to be brought in later (Act 10:41,47). Paul tells us (Acts 13:46 to let the Gentiles know) that the purpose of God was that his own (natural Israel) should first be shown this wonderful news of the redeemer, but they having seen it (Mt 21:32) rejected it, he them turned to the Gentiles, and they (Acts 13:48) were glad and glorified God. It then tells us that seeing that the middle wall that separated them had been broken down (Ep 2:19), so as many as had been ordained (chosen from the beginning 2 These 2:13) believed. This blessing comes (Acts 10:41) 'not upon all the people, but unto witness chosen before of God'. The believed (n) herein is recorded in the mind and does not imply that all who believed (n) took up their cross at that time. We read in (Acts 10:44) where these two witnesses were brought together, and when they saw that Cornelius believed (n), those of the circumcision that believed (n), were astonished. To believe, which is involuntary, it take two witnesses, (1) engrafted word (Jm 1:23), (2) the preached word. After the Gentiles believed, Peter said, (47) 'can any man forbid water, that these which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we'. There are many of God's children that believe (n), yet fail to take up their cross and follow him into the watery grave. The Holy Ghost regenerates those chosen before in administering to them the engrafted word of the new covenant.

The nation of Israel began with the twelve tribes, which numbered 66 souls (Gen 46:26), and grew to 603,550 males above twenty years of age not counting the 22,000 levites, by the time they came forth out of Egypt 215 years later. This number was 601,730 at the crossing of the Jordan River, and remained fairly constant throughout Israel's history. Liken to this, Jesus started with his twelve apostles, and three years later the number was 120 (Acts 1:15). Ten days later (Acts 2:47) there were added to the Church 3,000. We should at this time address the method in which, as stated here, one is added to the church. If the Lord is doing the adding, then it cannot be based upon the action of the individual, but rather upon the action of the Lord. We read in (1 Cor 3:6) where Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. The minister simply sow the seed, and it will find logging in the ground that God hath prepared (Mt 13:3, 18-23). We find (Rv 7:3) that the number sealed (Ep 1:13, 4:13) was 144,000. It is my understand that having been sealed to the truth, they cannot be deceived (Mt 24:24). This is not to say they cannot become a castaway (1 Cor 9:27). If they do turn from these wonderful truths, it will be because of pride, knowing they are departing from the truth (Hb 6:4, 10:29). Having said this, there are 7,000 which God, so-to-speak, has put hooks in their noses, his bridle in their lips (Is 37:29), to keep them in the strait and narrow way (Rm 9:29).

The nation of spiritual Israel has continued in the same pattern to grow and increase as the Lord sees fit. This scripture teaches us another important lesson. God’s ministers are to go teach wheresoever the spirit leads, and when the word preached lands upon the heart of one who is in possession of the engrafted word of new covenant, it will, as on the day of Pentecost, find fertile ground in which to grow and bring forth fruit thereunto. How much fruit will be produced? It depends upon the type of ground in which the Lord has prepared in the hearts of those to whom the Holy Ghost has administered the engrafter word of new covenant, and how they add unto this faith (2 Pt 1:5, 1 Jh 5:4). We know from reading the parable of the sower that all ground is not the same.

In Hosea Chapter Six we see three generations. First one is from Adam to Abram. Second one is from Abram to Jesus. Third one is from Jesus until the end of time. The thought is derived from such scriptures as Isaiah 53:8, which stated that there is coming a generation that will declare his (Jesus) generation (Ps 22:30) in contrast to the generation under the old covenant. This scripture is quoted by Philip in Acts 8:33 as he teaches the eunuch concerning this present new generation, which had at that time been given to those chosen as a witness to the truth.

We find that Peter relates too this position when he tells us in 1 Peter 2:9 that the body of believers are ‘a chosen generation, a royal priesthood’. Paul also give us further insight to this thought in 2 Thess 2:13 "…’God has from the beginning chosen you… (Who? The new generation) which is through the sanctification of the Spirit (Holy Ghost, via the new covenant) to the belief of the truth’.

John tells us in the Second Chapter of his first epistle that there are some of God’s children that have the unction of the Holy (Ghost) One, and "ye know all things" of (Rm 8:28), while others (verse nineteen) did not and therefore went out from them. Why did they go out? Was it because they had not, ‘the sealing of the Holy Ghost’, as we find described in Eph 4:30? One may ask, could they have stayed? I believe the answer is yes, just as those who fell in the wilderness could have entered in. Others may ask, why did those who had the unction of the Holy one not go out? This one is more difficult to answer, for it is dealing with how God works in the lives of a small remnant of his people. We read in Psm 110:3 ~ 'Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.' In order not to become caught up in the false doctrine of perseverance, I must apply this verse only to the remnant and not the whole of God’s people. Just as it was with Caleb and Joshua in Num. 14:24 to whom it is said, ‘they had a different spirit in them.’ We find this to be true as we set aside the different offices of the church. God puts a driving force in some, and then moves upon them 'to do his will' (Ph 2:13), while others are not so. One may ask, "Can one resist this force?" The answer is yes (Rm 13:2), just as a horse may resist the desires of his trainer. The end result is, that God will have his way in the lives of the remnant (Is 37:29). We are told in (Mt 24:24) ‘they can not be deceived’ and in (Rm 11:4) ‘will not bow to the image of Baal’.

'God is long-suffering not willing that any perish' (2 Pt 3:9); we are able to understand this in his dealings with the children of Israel, but there comes a time when God says, ‘It is enough’ as he did with those who fell in the wilderness (Num 14:22). We find in Heb 10:28 that some who had been sealed counted it an unholy thing and had done despite unto it. We also find in Heb 6:4 that one can have this sealing (engrafted word of the new covenant), and then turn from it. I have a question ~ could this not be the lesson taught in 1 John 5:16 concerning the sin unto death? Also we find in Matt 12:32 this same lesson.

It is my understanding that the all things found in 1 John 2:20-27 can be related to the same ‘all things’ in Rom 8:28, which I understand to be the sum of the basic fundamentals of the completed work of Jesus Christ upon the cross. These we know, as John goes on to tell us, is an anointing (verse 27) to the truth, which we find in Mal 2:7 & 3:3, where the priests were anointed to the truth. In what manner were they anointed? They were purified (sanctified, anointed) to the knowledge of the truth. Those called out to bear witness to the truth, are likened to the tribe of Levi, as priest.

The Holy Ghost was sent down on the day of Pentecost, circumcising the heart (replacing that made in stone as after the flesh), giving the new covenant (the fundamentals truths) to those whom God had chosen before the foundation of the world, to received after those days (Jer 31:31; Heb 8:10). The Holy Ghost at the appointed time writes it upon the hearts (betrothal price, (Passover blood of the Lamb of God) of the bride of Christ.

With this thought in mind we then can see that the preaching of Peter on this grand and noble day simply confirmed the truth in those to whom the Holy Ghost had already given the new covenant too. In other words, when these two witnesses (The engrafted word and the preaching of this same truth by the power of the Holy Ghost) were received by those standing by, empowered them to say, what shall we do (Acts 2:38)? Those that were pricked in the heart, because they had been circumcised of the heart (engrafted word), stood in contrast to those who were pricked to the heart. The question might arise here, were those to whom had the engrafted word the only children of God? The answer is simple. No, for if not, you have only those that believe, as the false teachers tell us can be counted as children of God. I might ask the question, did God the Father have more children than those spoken of in Deut 7:6 where it is said, 'thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God; the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself', which as stated in verse seven to be the fewest of all people? We see the same expression in Luke 12:32 as it pertains to a special people, although he declares them to be but a little flock, God hath shown respect unto this little flock above all of his other children, just as he did Israel. If the new covenant is as the old covenant only to a small portion (Deut 32:9), then it stands to reason that it is not the eternal covenant which includes all of God’s children, which will, when time is no more, sing praises around His eternal throne. I trust that I have to some degree been able to show the contrast in the two covenants spoken of in Gal 3:24. The first being one that only pertained to the flesh, written in tables of stone, while the latter pertained to the spirit, written in the heart. Those under the first could not meet the demands of it in as much as it demanded perfection of the flesh. With this thought in mind we can better understand what Paul is teaching us in 1 Cor 2:14. That is, those who are still attempting to worship God after the first, in the flesh, cannot please God (Jh 4:24). Those under the second, or new, are now enabled because the engrafted word of the new covenant, which now having their conscience purged from the dead works (Hb 9:14), of the first, via the sprinkling of the blood of the perfect Passover sacrifice, are able to please him. They now know that the flesh profiteth nothing. At the time this statement was made in John 6:63, his disciples could not understand, not having received the power which was to be bestowed upon them by the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8), thus allowing them to now worship him in spirit and in truth (Jh 4:24), which is the only way that is pleasing to God.

The only other place where the word regeneration appears in the scriptures is in Titus 3:5. We must also notice that the word is not found in the Old Testament, and only these two places in the New. Keeping in mind the lesson taught in Matt 19:28, let us attempt to expand on it. Paul is admonishing Titus, that through the preaching of the word, in the power the Holy Ghost, (one of the two witnesses) he is able to confirm what they already know (1 John 2:20). How do they know? By and through the engrafted word of the new covenant (the first witness) written within those who have been called, sanctified (2 Thess 2:13 thereby called saints), putting them in mind of the responsibilities of a true disciple. He reminds them they should show meekness to all men, especially those in authority. He then tells Titus that we, (the Jews) in the past, had not performed as good citizens (as Israelites). In fact, Paul says, 'We ourselves, (Jews) before the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, were also sometimes foolish', disobedient as were the Gentiles who were without the law to guide them in the ways of God (Eph 2:12). Question ~ when did the kindness and love of God our Saviour appear? Paul tells us in 1 Tim 1:13 when "we ourselves" were acting foolish and disobedient, even though we had a zealousness of the law of God, (Gal 1:24) were ignorant and in unbelief even now as his kinsman in the flesh were doing (Rom 10:1-3). It was at this time we were given hope, because the love of God was shed abroad in our heart (implanting the engrafted word of the new covenant) by the Holy Ghost, the unction of the Holy One, and we now know all things (Rom 5:5, 1 John 2:20). This is, as stated above, the work of regeneration in the hearts of those chosen, sanctified to the truth.

Peter tell us in his first epistle 1:2, that we, who are of the elect, through the sanctification of the Spirit (implanting of the new covenant), which is accomplished by the sovereign act of God through the sprinkling of the Passover blood of Jesus Christ, unto and upon those chosen before, unto obedience (discipleship 2 Thess 2:13). In this sovereign act, He has begotten (quickened, regenerated) us again unto a lively hope. He goes on farther to tell us that this new covenant dealt faith will keep us in the faith even though we are in heaviness through manifold temptations. This faith that we now have is something the writers of the Old Testament did not have even though they searched diligently (1 Pt 1:10). They wrote, in order that we in the new covenant age, might be able to gird up the loins of our minds (of Christ 1 Cor 2:16) as obedient children, and not fashioning ourselves according to the former (as those under the first covenant) lust through ignorance. This thought fits with the teaching we saw in 1 Tim above. We also read in Acts 21:20 & 22:3 where Paul, as well as many of his kinsmen, was zealous of God, as they understood it through the works of the law or flesh. I say flesh, for this is the way Gal 4:24 describes the law. If we will read 1 Cor 2:1-14 we will also find that in the flesh, that is the natural man, or as law-worshipers we are unable to please God; the only way that we can rightfully serve God is in Spirit and Truth (John 4:24). Based upon this premise, only a very few of God’s children are ever in the spirit, but it seems we are in the flesh most of the time. The only way that we can be in the spirit is first to have the new covenant administered to us by the Holy Ghost, then prepare our minds (Mt 25:9), by crucifying the flesh, by trimming our lamps, that when the Bridegroom appears we may enter into his chamber. This is the only way that we can truly worship Him.

Having said all of this, we now will attempt to define the word under consideration. To accomplish this, let’s look at a few scriptures in the Old Testament and relate them to the word regenerate. I trust I have now established in your minds what is required to be a true disciple of Christ. Isa 53:8 tells us that some time after his writing this though, there will be a people who will declare his generation. The eunuch in Acts 8:32 was reading this same scripture, whereupon Phillip from this scripture preached unto him Jesus Christ. In Ps 22:30 we are told of a seed that shall serve him, and this seed shall be counted to the Lord for a generation. We then ask, what generation is considered to be the generation of Christ? 1 Peter 1:9 tells us that those who are able to shew forth praises are called a chosen generation. In other words, those that have the truth are counted as the seed or generation of Christ. I think it safe to say that it is the bride of Christ, which has the new covenant written in their hearts, who will be the generation that can shew forth the praises to their Husband. If the chosen generation, who Peter tells us are priests, (and we know from reading the Old Testament that only the tribe of Levi was qualified to make a offering), then it stands to reason that those in the New Testament should be called priests, who are able to offer up true praises. We read in Mal 2:4 that the covenant of life and peace was with Levi. We also read that the law of truth was in his mouth. Under the Old Covenant, only those Israelites called out as the seed of Jacob had access to the truth as it was written in tables of stone; likewise, those who have the New Covenant written in the fleshly tables of the heart have access to the truth. Now we know that many of God’s children today have the written word called the Bible and can read and understand it only as far as their natural intelligence will permit. They can read ‘thou shall not murder’ and understand what it means. They are not able to see any deeper; that is, to know that to hate their brother is also considered murder. Those of the generation of Christ, or we could say regenerated from the old covenant and now made partakers of the new covenant, are enabled to know by the testimony of the heart (conscience) that they have transgressed the law written in the heart.

Titus 3:4-7 "After that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Gal 3:23 'before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.' Gal 3:25 'But after that faith is come.' If we remember the lesson of Matt 19:28 and read this with the same thought in mind, we can see that the time frame ‘after’ denotes the giving of the new covenant, which is herein called 'regeneration', or faith. This is not to be equated with the faith as described in Heb 11:1, but rather the faith that is dealt (Rm 12:3) or 'gift' (Ep 2:10) in the hearts of those chosen (Acts 10:41) as the witness of the completed work of Christ (2 Cor 5:19). It is the work of the Father as he betroths the bride unto his Son, Jesus. It is a washing or cleansing from dead works to the service of our Husband, Jesus. After the washing is accomplished, then there is the need of the preached word to bring about a renewing of the Holy Ghost (1 Peter 1:3). With this thought in mind, we can better understand verse 8 'This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.' Yes, now that we are enabled to show the evidence of the law written in our hearts, we should be careful to maintain good works, for once enlightened and we turn back, there remaineth no more sacrifice, but a certain fearful looking for the judgment of a jealous Husband (Hb 10:29).

We at this point should have a better understanding of the lesson taught in John 3:3 & 3:5. John 3:3 'Except a man be born again (from above, regenerated by the Spirit) he cannot see the kingdom of God.' John 3:5 'Except a man be born of water (gospel ~ 1 Cor 4:15 'I have begotten you through the gospel) and of the Spirit (regeneration), he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.' John give us the two witnesses necessary to be confirmed unto the truth.

Why is it that I place water as the gospel here? In the writing of the Apostle John, the word water is used to describe the gospel; see John 4:14 'Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.' Once one is confirmed by the two witnesses, they will never again fear (Heb 2:15, Rev 20:6) in the sense that the law worshipers fear, but can now abide in the eternal life as it is taught in 1 John 2:25.

John 7:38 'He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.' Again, when it has been confirmed to one of the chosen, by the two witnesses, having seen the beauty in the truth, it brings forth a desire to tell the world what they have experienced. The truth is now flowing freely out of the new covenant as it comes forth from the heart.

1 John 5:8 'There are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.' The spirit, which the new covenant given in regeneration, the water as it is preached in the power and demonstration of the spirit, and the blood of the Passover lamb as it was placed upon the cross of Calvary in sight for the true believer.

May the God of all grace and mercy continue to guide us in the way of truth.

Allen Cook. 02/15/2005