The radical renewal of a person's inner being by the work of God's Spirit.
The need for regeneration
John 3:3 See also Ephesians 2:1, Ephesians 2:5; Colossians 2:13
Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
Regeneration is a work of God
It originates in God the Father
John 1:12–13 Regeneration cannot be controlled by human actions or rituals; it is an act of God's sovereign will.
But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God — children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.
It is made possible by the resurrection of Jesus Christ
1 Peter 1:3 See also Ephesians 2:4–5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
It occurs through the hearing of the Christian gospel
James 1:18 See also 1 Peter 1:23–25 The “word of God” is the good news about Jesus Christ.
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.
It is effected by God's Spirit
John 3:5–8 See also John 6:63; Titus 3:5
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
Regeneration is given to those who believe in Jesus Christ
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves those born of Him.
Baptism is the sign of regeneration
John 3:5 Water here is seen by some, though not all, interpreters as a reference to baptism, administered by the church to new converts as a sign of their new birth and their entry into the Christian community. See also Acts 2:38–39; Ephesians 5:25–26; Titus 3:5
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
The results of regeneration
Entry into God's kingdom
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
A new holiness of life
1 John 3:9 See also 1 John 5:18; 1 Peter 2:1–2
Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
Love for other people
1 John 4:7 See also 1 John 5:2
Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Victory over the world's sinful pattern of life
because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.