Having considered the work of God in the conversion of man, we shall now proceed to the consideration of the person who is the recipient of this divine operation, and thus is regenerated.
Regeneration Defined
Regeneration is a word derived from human birth.1 We must not understand this to refer only to giving birth itself, but it is inclusive of all that pertains to it, such as conception, fetal growth, and the birth itself. We must not be of the opinion that man possesses life prior to regeneration, as if there were a preparation for regeneration, which we would understand to be conversion. No, man is dead prior to regeneration and receives life by way of regeneration. There is no third state between death and life, and thus also not between being converted and unconverted.
Although we can make a distinction between calling, regeneration, conversion, and sanctification, considering them to be sequential—that is, the one issuing forth from the other—Scripture does not always use this distinction. Instead, Scripture comprehends all these in either one word or the other.
It is not the justice of God which requires regeneration, but it is a necessity as far as the will of God is concerned. Without satisfaction of the justice of God, absolutely no man can be saved. Regeneration, however, neither contributes anything toward satisfaction for guilt nor toward obtaining the right to eternal life. It would therefore not be in conflict with His justice if it so pleased the Lord, at the moment of death, to translate a person who is chosen and reconciled through Christ’s death into the state of perfection and thus into eternal felicity. This is true for such children who die prior to birth or prior to the years of discretion. All the regenerate, whether they live a longer or shorter period and are converted at an earlier or later date, are made perfect in one moment at the hour of their death. However, it is the will and wisdom of God concerning those who have come to the years of discretion, not to bring them into heaven except He first regenerates them in this life by means of His Word.
The Necessity of Regeneration
The necessity of regeneration is evident from the following:
First, we read, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, 5); “And make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel” (Ezek 18:31). Therefore those who do not receive a new heart will die.
Secondly, search the entire Bible and you will not find one person who was saved without being born again, regardless of how civil and externally religious he may have been. Even Nicodemus, a teacher in Israel who was a man beyond reproach, and Paul, who was blameless according to the law, were in need of conversion in order to be saved.
Thirdly, (1) how could man have communion with God without regeneration? Man’s nature is darkness, evil, hostile toward God, and pollution itself. God, on the contrary, is light and holiness. The ungodly cannot be in His presence (Ps 5:5-7). Therefore, in order for man to have fellowship with God, he of necessity must be converted.
(2) It is also the promise of the covenant that God will convert those who are included in this covenant. “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel … I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts” (Jer 31:33); “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes” (Ezek 36:26-27). Therefore, he who does not have a new heart is no partaker of the covenant. All who are included in this covenant will receive a new heart.
(3) Regeneration is also the objective of Christ’s suffering and death. “Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14). He who therefore is included in what Christ has merited will be born again. To whomever Christ has been given unto justification, He has also been given unto sanctification.
If regeneration is so essential that without it no salvation is to be expected, how greatly man ought to be concerned that he be born again! For by nature he is unregenerate, dead, and on the way to perdition. How concerned everyone should be to know what his state is in this respect! How man ought to ask himself: Am I one of them? Ask yourself the question: Have I already been regenerated? Take heed to your answer, for there is no third state.
(1) Many are so thoroughly evil that they never ask themselves that question. If this question arises in their heart against their will, they push it away without answering it, it being a matter which is repulsive or of no concern to them. It can also be true that they certainly know that such an investigation would not turn out well and that it would cause them to be disturbed; they could then no longer persevere in sin with such delight, and this does not suit them.
(2) Others go to the opposite extreme, imagining themselves to be already regenerated, either because they wish that the life which they lead would indicate regeneration, salvation following upon such a life, or because they do not wish to entertain such gloomy thoughts about themselves—that they are unconverted and in a condition upon which salvation will not follow. It could also be that one considers himself regenerated because at one time he either has been filled with terror concerning condemnation, or has been grieved over the commission of a vile and shameful sin. Having prayed for forgiveness at that time, he now refrains from the commission of many sins in which he previously indulged himself, diligently frequents church, and lives in such a fashion that he is beyond reproach. With such a persuasion man goes to bed, and sleeps peacefully while yet being in sin.
(3) Others, who are more attentive, do not wish to deceive themselves. They are concerned, but cannot come to a conclusion because they are neither well-acquainted with the nature of regeneration, nor do they have sufficient light to know themselves and what things have been granted to them. To all of these we shall explain the nature of regeneration, so that everyone may examine himself in the light of it, the unconverted would come under conviction and seek after regeneration, and the converted would recognize their regenerated state, rejoice, be stirred to manifest their regeneration, and grow in it.