The NEW BIRTH: What it IS, and what it is NOT

 

The NEW BIRTH: What it IS and IS NOT

(Pastor Terry L. Reese; Valley GBC of Armagh, PA; 2/24/23)

 

A. What this change is NOT: it is not the work of man!

1. The New Birth is NOT procured by church ordinances. Simon Magus was water-baptized—and unregenerate! (Acts 8:13,20-23).

 

2. A good education is not regeneration. Education may serve to restrain men's lusts—but cannot change their innermost hearts. A wolf in chains is restrained from causing harm—but it is still a wolf!

 

3. Natural progress in outward maturity is not the new birth. As men progress in age and maturity, they often turn from youthful indiscretions and outwardly embrace a more discreet and respectable lifestyle. However, such self-reformation is not redemptive change nor spiritual regeneration!

 

4. Zeal & regularity in religious observance is not the new birth. One may engage in all the outward duties of religion—and yet remain utterly lost & unregenerate (Acts 26:4-5, Matt. 23:15)! 

 

5. The New Birth isn’t simply a “flash-in-the-pan” emotional “experience” that eventually fades into oblivion (Matt 13:20-21, 1John 2:19). Many persons momentarily experience the pangs of a troubled conscience—only to return to their own “vomit” (2 Pet. 2:22): cf., Pharaoh, Esau, Simon Magus, Felix, Judas, etc.

 

B. What this change IS. This change is real & profound—a man is literally transformed by God into a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17)!

 

1. Regeneration results in a change of qualities, or dispositions (Eph. 4:22-24, Gal. 5:17-24, Rom. 6:1-14).

 

2. It is a supernatural change. He who is born again is born of the Spirit (John 3:5). Man cannot effect this change (Jer. 13:23)—but the God who raises the spiritually dead can (Ezek. 36:26, John 1:13)!

 

3. It is a change into the Likeness of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18), which is God’s eternal plan for His elect (Rom. 8:29).

 

4. It is an entire & extensive change: the whole man (mind, will, soul, etc.) is regenerated (2 Cor. 5:17: “All things become new…").

 

5. It brings a new freedom from sin (John 8:34-36; Rom. 6:16-18)!

 

6. It is irreversible—it is a permanent & lasting change (John 6:37-40, 10:27-30; Philip. 1:6, Rom. 8:29-30).

 

7. The agent of regeneration: the Word of God (1 Pet. 1:23). God appoints means that attend His Divine activity: evangelism (Matt. 28:19-20; Rom. 10:13-15) and prayer (Rom. 10:1; 1Tim. 2:1).