Regeneration (theology)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Regeneration, while sometimes perceived to be a step in the

Methodist Churches teach that regeneration occurs during the new birth.[3]

While the exact

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

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

mercy which God has shown believers, "the washing of regeneration (i.e. baptism) and renewing of the Holy Spirit
."

Historical interpretations

Anglican Bishop

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

Main article: Baptismal regeneration

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

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

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

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

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

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

Citations

  1. ^ Ephesians 2:5
  2. ^ Demarest 1997, p. 292
  3. ^
    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.

General and cited references

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to Regeneration (theology).
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Regeneration_(theology)&oldid=1217509067"