Transformative Power of the Holy Spirit in Regeneration
Summary
In our exploration of the work of the Holy Spirit in the application of redemption, we delve into the profound doctrine of regeneration. Redemption, completed by Jesus Christ, must be applied to humanity, and this is the unique work of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel is universally offered, yet not all respond. This leads us to the concept of the effectual call, where the Holy Spirit makes the call effective in the lives of believers through regeneration. Regeneration is the implanting of new life in the soul, a divine act that transforms the governing disposition of a person, making it holy. This transformation is not a change in the substance of human nature but a radical change in the disposition that influences all faculties of the soul.
Regeneration is distinct from conversion, which is an outward turning that follows the inward change brought about by regeneration. It is not a moral reformation or a mere psychological change but a profound spiritual transformation. This change is instantaneous, occurring in the subconscious, and is entirely the work of God, with humans being passive recipients. The Holy Spirit plants the seed of new life, leading to a new creation in Christ. This change in disposition affects the whole person, influencing the mind, heart, and will, yet preserving the unique individuality of each person. The diversity in the Christian community reflects this, as each person, transformed by the same Spirit, manifests their faith according to their unique gifts and faculties.
Key Takeaways:
- The Holy Spirit's role in redemption is crucial, as He applies the completed work of Christ to individuals through regeneration, transforming their disposition and making them receptive to the Gospel. This transformation is not a change in the substance of human nature but a profound change in the governing disposition of the soul. [02:48]
- Regeneration is distinct from conversion; it is the divine act of implanting new life in the soul, while conversion is the outward turning that follows. This distinction helps us understand the difference between spiritual transformation and mere moral reformation. [14:00]
- The change brought about by regeneration is instantaneous and occurs in the subconscious. It is a secret, inscrutable operation of God, not fully understood by us, yet its effects are evident in the transformed life of the believer. [32:32]
- Regeneration is entirely the work of God, with humans being passive recipients. It is a creative act of God, where the Holy Spirit plants the seed of new life, leading to a new creation in Christ. This divine act ensures that the transformation is genuine and lasting. [37:39]
- The diversity in the Christian community is a testament to the unique work of the Holy Spirit in each believer. While the fundamental disposition is changed, the individual faculties and gifts remain, allowing each person to glorify God in their unique way. [41:31]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to the Recording
[00:40] - The Work of the Holy Spirit
[01:16] - The General Call of the Gospel
[02:01] - The Effectual Call
[02:48] - Regeneration Explained
[03:32] - Order of Salvation
[05:05] - Importance of Regeneration
[07:28] - Misunderstandings of Regeneration
[08:12] - Biblical Terms for Regeneration
[13:03] - Differentiating Regeneration and Conversion
[15:02] - Disposition and Regeneration
[22:23] - Positive Aspects of Regeneration
[29:18] - Impact of Regeneration on the Whole Person
[32:32] - Instantaneous Nature of Regeneration
[37:39] - Regeneration as God's Work
[41:31] - Diversity in the Christian Community
[42:18] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Titus 3:5 - "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit."
2. John 3:3-8 - Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus about being "born again."
3. Ephesians 2:4-5 - "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Titus 3:5 say about the role of the Holy Spirit in our salvation?
2. In John 3:3-8, how does Jesus describe the process of being "born again" to Nicodemus?
3. According to Ephesians 2:4-5, what is the state of humanity before God intervenes with His grace?
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between regeneration and conversion? [14:00]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of regeneration challenge the idea that we can earn our salvation through good works? [05:05]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that regeneration is a mysterious and inscrutable work of God? [34:02]
3. How does the diversity within the Christian community reflect the unique work of the Holy Spirit in each believer? [41:31]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between regeneration and the effectual call? [03:32]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt a significant change in your spiritual life. How might this relate to the concept of regeneration? [32:32]
2. How can understanding the difference between regeneration and conversion help you in your spiritual journey? [14:00]
3. In what ways can you be more open to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life, knowing that regeneration is entirely God's work? [37:39]
4. How can you celebrate and appreciate the diversity within your Christian community as a testament to the Holy Spirit's work? [41:31]
5. What steps can you take to ensure that your faith is not just a moral reformation but a profound spiritual transformation? [22:23]
6. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of the doctrine of regeneration in your personal Bible study and prayer life? [05:22]
7. Identify one area of your life where you feel passive. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to bring about transformation in that area? [37:39]
Devotional
Day 1: The Holy Spirit's Role in Redemption
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the application of redemption, as He is responsible for applying the completed work of Christ to individuals through the process of regeneration. This transformation is not a change in the substance of human nature but a profound change in the governing disposition of the soul. The Holy Spirit makes the call of the Gospel effective in the lives of believers, transforming their disposition and making them receptive to the Gospel. This divine act ensures that the transformation is genuine and lasting, leading to a new creation in Christ. [02:48]
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."
Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform your heart and make you more receptive to the Gospel today?
Day 2: Distinction Between Regeneration and Conversion
Regeneration is distinct from conversion; it is the divine act of implanting new life in the soul, while conversion is the outward turning that follows. This distinction helps us understand the difference between spiritual transformation and mere moral reformation. Regeneration is an instantaneous, subconscious change brought about by the Holy Spirit, while conversion is the conscious response to this change. Understanding this distinction allows believers to appreciate the depth of spiritual transformation that occurs within them, beyond mere external changes. [14:00]
Titus 3:5 (ESV): "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced a profound internal change. How did this internal transformation lead to an outward change in your actions or attitudes?
Day 3: The Instantaneous Nature of Regeneration
The change brought about by regeneration is instantaneous and occurs in the subconscious. It is a secret, inscrutable operation of God, not fully understood by us, yet its effects are evident in the transformed life of the believer. This divine act of regeneration is entirely the work of God, with humans being passive recipients. The Holy Spirit plants the seed of new life, leading to a new creation in Christ. This transformation affects the whole person, influencing the mind, heart, and will, while preserving the unique individuality of each person. [32:32]
John 1:12-13 (ESV): "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you feel stuck or unchanged. How can you trust in God's power to bring about an instantaneous transformation in that area?
Day 4: Regeneration as God's Creative Work
Regeneration is entirely the work of God, with humans being passive recipients. It is a creative act of God, where the Holy Spirit plants the seed of new life, leading to a new creation in Christ. This divine act ensures that the transformation is genuine and lasting. The believer's new disposition affects the whole person, influencing the mind, heart, and will, yet preserving the unique individuality of each person. This creative work of God is a testament to His power and grace in the lives of believers. [37:39]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: How can you embrace your identity as a new creation in Christ today, and what steps can you take to live out this new identity in your daily life?
Day 5: Diversity in the Christian Community
The diversity in the Christian community is a testament to the unique work of the Holy Spirit in each believer. While the fundamental disposition is changed, the individual faculties and gifts remain, allowing each person to glorify God in their unique way. This diversity reflects the manifold grace of God and the unique ways in which He works in the lives of His people. Each believer, transformed by the same Spirit, manifests their faith according to their unique gifts and faculties, contributing to the richness and diversity of the Christian community. [41:31]
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."
Reflection: What unique gifts and talents has God given you, and how can you use them to serve and glorify Him within your community?
Quotes
The work of redemption was completed by the Son of God our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ but it must be applied to men and that is the special work of the Holy Spirit, and we're in process of considering how he does this. We saw that his first work is to see that the message concerning Redemption is preached and is offered to all. [00:37:48]
The Bible itself tells us that though this Universal offer was made, this General call was given, some believed and some didn't. In spite of the fact that the message came with this whosoever, clearly there was a division into two groups, those who believed and those who didn't. [00:01:37]
Regeneration is not conversion. Why not? Well, for this reason: conversion is something that a man does. Regeneration, as I'm going to show you, is something that is done to man by God. Conversion means a turning away from one thing to another in practice and in your life. [00:14:03]
Regeneration does not mean that a change takes place in the substance of human nature. The important word there is substance. The substance or the raw material, if you like, of what constitutes human nature, whatever it may be, the doctrine of regeneration does not teach that that substance is changed. [00:18:28]
Regeneration does not just mean moral Reformation. You see, some people have thought that. They've thought that the entire thing that happens in regeneration is that a man's will is changed, and because his will is changed, he reforms and lives a better life. But that's nothing but moral Reformation. [00:22:01]
It is the act of God by which a principle of new life is implanted in men with the result that the governing disposition of the soul is made holy. I'll repeat that: it is the act of God by which a principle of new life is implanted in men with the result that the government disposition or dispositions of the soul are made holy. [00:16:40]
When a man is regenerated, The Peculiar gifts which make him the man he is always remain. Paul, as I reminded you, was essentially the same man when he preached the gospel as he was when he denounced it and persecuted it. I mean by that the same individual did things in the same way. [00:28:21]
Regeneration is entirely the work of God, with humans being passive recipients. It is a creative act of God, where the Holy Spirit plants the seed of new life, leading to a new creation in Christ. This divine act ensures that the transformation is genuine and lasting. [00:37:39]
The diversity in the Christian community is a testament to the unique work of the Holy Spirit in each believer. While the fundamental disposition is changed, the individual faculties and gifts remain, allowing each person to glorify God in their unique way. [00:41:31]
Regeneration is something that happens in the subconscious. Generation, the implanting of this seed of life, and the change of the disposition is something that happens in a man's subconscious or, if you prefer it, unconscious. Our Lord explained that fully, didn't he, to Nicodemus? It's a secret operation. [00:32:32]
The change takes place in a man's outward life and living because this great change has taken place within him first of all. But they're not the same thing. You can look at it like this, if you like: there is all the difference between planting the seed and the result of the planting of that seed. [00:15:02]
The Holy Spirit produces within us what are the terms it implies. Well, there is actually the word regeneration itself. It's only used once in the New Testament, and that is in Titus, the epistle to Titus 3:5, where the Apostle speaks about the washing of regeneration. [00:08:12]
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