by Brian Currie, N Ireland. The word, “regeneration” occurs twice only in the Bible. These two references are as follows: In Matthew’s gospel the subject is National; it has to do with Creation and is in the Future. In Paul’s letter to Titus it is Personal; it has to do with Christians and is in the Present. There are three terms that, while they are closely related, must be distinguished. These are “quickening”; “born again”; and, the subject of this chapter, “regeneration”. The expressions, “quicken”, “quickeneth”, “quickening”, and “quickened”, occur 26 times in the Bible, 14 in the Old Testament and 12 in the New Testament. The main idea in Quickening is the Impartation of Divine Life. For this to happen all of Divine power, Divine Persons and Divine revelation are involved. Of the Old Testament occurrences, 11 are in Psalm 119. Thus there is a close link between quickening and the Word of God, which is the major subject of that Psalm. Not only is the Word of God involved, but the Spirit of God is involved also. Thus we read, “It is the Spirit that quickeneth …” Jn.6.63. Note that the Son of God is involved, Jn.5.21, “For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom He will.” Many are the references which prove that the Father Himself is involved. Eph.2.1, “And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” Eph.2.5, “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ …”; Col.2.13, “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He [God] quickened together with Him, [Christ] having forgiven you all trespasses”. These references also prove the truth of what has been stated, that quickening has to do with impartation of life. Rom.4.17 and 8.11, relating to resurrection, also underline this truth. It is also seen in the agricultural realm, 1 Cor.15.36, and in relation to the Lord Jesus, 1 Pet.3.18. Scriptural illustrations may be found in the three occasions when the Lord Jesus raised people who had died. One was a girl, another a boy and the third a man. Two were young but Lazarus was a mature man. We learn neither gender nor age matters because all need quickening. The girl was just dead, the boy was on his way to the burial and Lazarus was dead 4 days and was stinking. We learn that the depth to which a person has sunk in sin, does not matter - He can quicken all. Now we think of the expression, “born again” which implies Initiation To The Family. It is when we are born naturally that we become part of our father’s family. So it is spiritually. It is only when we are “born again” that we enter the family of God. This does not come about by baptism, natural family ties, religious observances or anything else done by or on a person by themselves or any other human. New birth is from God. Hence the words of the Lord Jesus to Nicodemus, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God … Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” Jn.3.3,7. John uses this word, “again” in three other places in his gospel. These are: Thus the new birth is a work of God since it comes from above. John confirms this in his first epistle, where seven times he reminds us that we are born of God or born of Him. The reader may refer to 2.29; 3.9; 4.7; 5.1, 4, 18. We are never said to be born of Christ. We learn from 1 Pet.1.23 that God using His word, produces it. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” The prepositions in this verse are vital if we wish to understand it correctly. Let us read the verse literally. “Having been born again, not out of [ek] corruptible seed, but incorruptible, through [dia] the Word of God living and abiding forever.” Thus the word of God is the instrument through which the incorruptible seed of Divine life is imparted to a believing soul. A Scriptural illustration may be seen in the story of Naaman in 2 Kings chapter 5, where we read in v.14, “… his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child…”. We come to the subject of this chapter, Regeneration, which means the Introduction Of A New State. This will be expounded as we continue, but a Biblical illustration may be seen in the demoniac of Gadara. He met the Lord Jesus and was totally changed, being introduced to an entirely new state of things. Thus we find him, “sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind” Lk.8.35. There was a change in his Attire, he was “clothed”; there was a change in his Attitude, he was “in his right mind”; there was a change in his Abode, he was “sitting at the feet of Jesus; and there was a change in his Appreciation, he was at the “feet of Jesus”. We have noted that the subject of Regeneration has two aspects. These are: National, to do with Creation and is in the Future. This is Matt.19.28, “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Personal to do with Christians and is in the Present. This is Titus 3.5, “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 …”. The first aspect, as recorded by Matthew, has to do with the nation of Israel and is prophetic. At the rapture of the church, the restraining influence, which has been holding back the onward advance of lawlessness, will be removed and subsequently the world will be plunged into dreadful days of natural disasters such as famines and earthquakes; social anarchy; huge international political problems, with wars, both civil and international, all of these on an unprecedented scale. When the Saviour comes as King, He will put down all His enemies, which will bring about a tremendous renovation and He will introduce an entirely new state of things. Revelation chapter 19 informs us that He will come from heaven on a white horse, the symbol of Royalty, and will deal with those who will be gathered around Jerusalem to effect its destruction. Satan’s two men, the beast and the false prophet, will be “cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone” v.20, and all who followed them will be slain. Then the King will deal with Satan. He will be incarcerated for the 1,000 year period of The Lord’s millennial reign, see Rev.20.1-3. Some dispute the literalness of the 1,000 years period and others suggest it refers to the present day in which we live. However, we note the following details: Note John’s usage. Jn.2.20, “Forty and six years was this temple in building…”; 5.5, “a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years…”; 8.57, “Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?”. These examples prove indisputably that the reference here is to real and definite years. Quite a number of spheres will be affected, both regarding Israel nationally and mankind generally. The following Scriptural references indicate the immensity of the changes, which will take place in at least seven different aspects. We appreciate all these changes and anticipate these days with hearts full of joy and devotion, because there will be the vindication of the Lord Jesus, here on earth where He was rejected. Note the contrasts between His position when rejected on earth and during these days of Millennial glory. Many Christians have largely neglected the Epistle of Paul to Titus. Yet within the compass of these 46 verses we have a large area of doctrinal truth. In fact, there are three great doctrinal passages in the epistle, as follows. It is our intention to focus just now on chapter 3 especially vv.1-7 which bring before us the subject of Regeneration as it affects Christians in the present. These verses may be understood by asking and answering three questions: 3.3, “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.” Paul includes himself in this description by the use of ‘we’ but he is quick to indicate that this manner of life had all changed and was no longer the way he nor they, lived. Thus he uses the imperfect tense, as he writes, “we … were”. A seven-fold charge is listed against us and, as is usual in Biblical numerics, seven is divided into 3 + 4, or 4 + 3. Seven being the number of completeness, this shows the complete depravity of our spiritual state, prior to regeneration. The first three are inward and the second four are outward. This is the order because the major problem with unregenerate mankind is inward. This was the conclusion of God in Ps.14.1, “They are corrupt, they have done abominable works …”. Notice it commences with what they ‘are’, not what they ‘do’. “They are corrupt” refers to the inward state and as a result we read of what they do, “they have done abominable works …”. This inward problem cannot be overcome by any outward panacea. Man’s difficulty cannot be remedied by outward things like religious ordinances such as baptism or partaking of ‘Holy Communion’; nor by works of kindness or philanthropy; nor by the provision of better housing, employment or social benefits. Nothing outward can touch the inward problem. Thus the inward needs to addressed before the outward can be corrected. Thus inwardly my Mind, Heart and Will were all affected by sin. This led to problems: Serving. The Present Participle in the Active Voice means that, when unsaved, we constantly pursued this path. This is the word with which many Christians have become familiar, ‘doulos’, and means we served as slaves. Regardless of what unsaved people think, they are not free. What is it they serve? Divers lusts. Note here and also with “pleasures”, both are plural. This means every sort and type of depraved and longed for cravings and desires. It occurs some 38 times as a noun in the New Testament. The only times it is translated other than “lust(s)” are Lk.22.15, Phil.1.23, 1 Thess.2.17, “desire”; and Rom.7.8, Col.3.5, 1 Thess.4.5, “concupisence”. “pleasures”. The reference is to every sort of natural and sensual desires. The word is only found elsewhere in Lk.8.14, 2 Pet.2.13, ‘pleasure(s)’; and Jms.4.1, 3, “lusts”. Living. This is another Present Participle in the Active Voice, again meaning this way of life was constantly followed. Malice. This carries the meaning of rank badness, with a vicious hardheartedness that has a desire to injure others. It is used in the New Testament as follows. Matt.6.34, “evil”; Acts 8.22, “wickedness”; Rom.1.29; 2 Pet.2.16, “maliciousness”; 1 Cor.5.8, 14.20; Eph.4.31; Col.3.8; 2 Pet.2.1, “malice”; and Jms.1.21, “naughtiness”. Envy. The nine references in the New Testament all are translated, ‘envy’. The word means to want the very thing another person has. It is stronger than jealousy which wants something similar to another. “Envy” is displeased when another person does well and prospers. An envious person would not, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice …” Rom.12.15. Vv.4-6, “But 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.” Just as there was a seven-fold charge against us, we now read of a seven-fold moving of God, showing the completeness of our salvation. We note that this ‘appeared’. This word, as a verb, is only elsewhere in Lk.1.79, “To give light”; Acts 27.20, “appeared” and in this epistle at 2.11, “hath appeared”. The meaning is that it shone forth. It was formerly hidden but now made manifest. This glorious message of regeneration through the death of the Lord Jesus was not in the Old Testament but is the subject of New Testament revelation. We search in vain to find this, or any other doctrine related to the church, in the Old Testament. We also must appreciate that regeneration did not come from within man. We did not deserve it nor could we merit it and so God had to move. For this reason in the seven-fold movement of God we read of the Trinity – v.4, “God”; v.5, “the Holy Ghost”; v.6, “Jesus Christ”. These seven actions are: It is now further explained and lest we make any mistake, we are told how it did not come about and how it did come about. That is, it is both negatively and positively taught as seen in the expression in v.5, “Not ... but”. 3.5, “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;” The first part of the verse is teaching us the vital truth that man’s works have no part to play in his salvation. It literally reads, “not out of [ek] works in [en] righteousness.” The source is not works and the sphere is not “righteousness”. God does not save us because of what we have done or will do; our good works do not influence God in His dealings with individuals. In this great matter our effort is futile and worthless. This is constantly underlined in Paul’s writings, as may be gleaned by reference to the following representative Scriptures. Rom.3.28, 4.5; Gal.2.16; Eph.2.8, 9; and 2 Tim.1.9. We have seen above that we were wrong inwardly and outwardly. Therefore two things are required. Both of these happen at Conversion. Perhaps an illustration will help our understanding. In the Old Testament the priests were used to various washings. However, there were two that were vital to their service. At their consecration we read in Lev.8.6, “And Moses brought Aaron near, and his sons, and bathed them with water” J.N.D. This was a one off event and was done on them by Moses who was acting for God. However when they would approach to serve they had to have constant recourse to the laver to wash their hands and feet. This they did for themselves. The former is Titus chapter 3 and the latter is John chapter 13. Note Heb.10.22, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” Some suggest that this is a literal washing and refers to baptism. If we take the “body” literally, then we must take the “hearts sprinkled” literally also. This is another reference to “the washing of regeneration”. Another Scripture, which links closely here, is Jn.3.5, “… Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God”. For the sake of completeness we ought to mention that 1 Cor.6.11 is different. The word there means ‘to wash off or away’, and as used in the Middle Voice it means ‘to wash oneself’. As expounded by W. E. Vine it, “indicates that the converts at Corinth, by their obedience to the faith, voluntarily gave testimony to the complete spiritual change Divinely wrought in them.” The “washing” and “renewing” are seen in the one verse in 2 Cor.5.17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; (this is Washing) behold, all things are become new” (this is Renewing). On the day of Pentecost, Acts chapter 2, the Lord Jesus poured out the Holy Ghost in rich profusion and He has never been recalled. Thus we need not expect any further outpouring in our day. The Holy Ghost is a Divine Person, not an influence. We cannot conceive of part of this Person being poured out. On that great day He was poured out totally and, said the Lord Jesus, “… He may abide with you for ever” Jn.14.16. As long as the church is here, He will be here also. Some may point to the same word being used in Acts 10.45 as evidence that there is an ongoing out-pouring of the Holy Ghost, “… on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.” It is to be noted that the tense here is not as in Acts 2.33. There it is an aorist, pointing to an action complete at that time. In Acts 10.45 it is the perfect tense meaning that the action is viewed as having been completed in the past, but has present and ongoing effects. Thus in Acts chapter10 the Gentiles came into the good of that which was done in Acts chapter 2. There has not been a fresh outpouring of the Holy Ghost since Acts chapter 2. When a person becomes a Christian through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, at that moment they come into the good of the event described in Acts chapter 2. The answer is in 3.1,2 with respect to our Present Responsibility, and in v.7 with respect to our Future Destiny. “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, [but] gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.” Since we belong to a new order of things, changes are expected. In these verses two are highlighted. The teaching is practical for us. Unless such subjection hinders our obedience to the Word of God, we are to be obedient to every kind of ruler whether national or local. It matters not whether we like the people concerned, agree with the laws passed or even find them unfair. We submit and pay our local and national taxes, and live life as quietly as possible. The constant reminder is required because when laws are passed which we do not like we could soon forget our position and become involved politically. In 1 Tim.2.1,2, we are taught that our only point of contact with the murky world of politics is in prayer, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” Note that we do not pray that our particular brand of politics will prevail, but we do pray that those in authority will so act that we may live and so serve God quietly and peaceably. In the New Testament there are high incentives for us to be in subjection to the “powers that be”. Here it is Regeneration: In Rom.13.1, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers” is based on Justification: In 1 Pet.2.13, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake” it has as its motivation the subject of Redemption. Some people have the unhappy knack of being able to cause trouble anywhere and over nothing. If we are always objecting about paltry and incidental things, when a serious matter arises our objection will scarcely be considered. Now we are taught that it is not all negative, what we should not do, but there is the positive side. This should cause thanksgiving to arise to God from our worshipping hearts as it did with Paul when he wrote, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” Col.1.12. May the subject of Regeneration touch our lives practically that we may reflect more of the Lord Jesus until we meet Him in the air.
INTRODUCTION.
DEFINITION.
EXPOSITION.
National
Alteration - What Will Take Place In This Great Regeneration?
Spiritually
Geographically
Botanically - The Edenic conditions will return:
Zoologically
Naturally
Socially
Nationally
Vindication
ON EARTH
MILLENNIUM
Shame
Glory:
Swaddling bands
Shrouded in glory:
A donkey
A white horse:
He shed tears
Eyes "as a flame of fire":
A purple robe
Royal robes:
A crown of thorns
Many diadems:
A reed of mockery
A rod of iron:
A few forsaking disciples
The armies of heaven:
His blood
The blood of His enemies:
Above Him it was "King of the Jews"
On His thigh, "KING OF KINGS & LORD OF LORDS"
Men gathered to condemn Him
They gather for Him to condemn them:
On the cross He was alone
With all the heavenly host.
Personal
Why Was Regeneration Necessary?
Inwardly
Outwardly
How Did Regeneration Come About?
Negatively
Positively
What Difference Did Regeneration Make?
3.1,2 - Present Responsibility
3.1 - No Anarchy Politically
3.2 - No Antagonism Socially
3.7 - Future Destiny