The doctrine of regeneration is the belief that, in order for a person to be saved and have eternal life in Heaven, they must be born again spiritually by the Holy Spirit. This belief is taught in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament, with unmistakable force and clarity.

There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who have been born dead in Adam and those who have been born again into new and everlasting life in Christ.

In John 3:3, Jesus tells Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” This passage makes it clear that, in order for a person to enter into the kingdom of God, they must be reborn spiritually. This IS the gospel, the good news. Whatever may call itself “Christianity” without it… well… isn’t.

The apostle Paul also speaks about the concept of regeneration in his letter to the Ephesians. In Ephesians 2:1, he writes, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked.” This passage shows that, before we are regenerated, we are spiritually dead. However, in Ephesians 2:5, Paul goes on to say, “Even when we were dead in our trespasses, [God] made us alive together with Christ.” This passage shows that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be made alive spiritually and be reborn.

Another example of the doctrine of regeneration can be found in Romans 8:9, where Paul writes, “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” This passage shows that, in order to belong to Christ and have eternal life, a person must have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them.

In his second epistle chapter 1 verse 4, the apostle Peter tells us “For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”

“Partakers of the divine nature.” While this principle has been abused by some in the word of faith movement, (and others) it is true that when a man is regenerated, born again, made a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) he is adopted into the family of God and lives forever by his spiritual union with God in Christ.

In summary, the doctrine of regeneration teaches that, in order for a person to be saved and have eternal life, they must be spiritually reborn through the power of the Holy Spirit. By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, full, free and forever. This concept is central to biblical teaching and is essential for understanding the Christian faith.

The biblical concept of regeneration is of prime importance because it offers the hope of salvation and eternal life to all who confess with their mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead. (Romans 10:9)

Without the reality of regeneration, it would be impossible for anyone to be saved and have eternal life. Every child of Adam would be eternally lost in divine damnation. The doctrine of regeneration is a block in the foundation upon which the Christian faith is built, and is the only hope of a new and abundant life in Christ.