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Abundant Life in the Son: A Study of Salvation

Christ personally. She was born again—converted and regenerated. She
received a new nature, and her life was truly changed.

In this chapter, we consider the aspect of salvation referred to as
regeneration: the divine act that imparts spiritual life to the repentant
sinner as he or she is joined in personal union with Christ. Let’s consider
first the definition of this term.

Definition of Regeneration

In Unit 1, we considered the response of people to the gospel in
repentance, faith, and conversion. These elements are the active
response from each sinner. Now we consider the activity of God in
salvation, and we see that people are at this point primarily passive. It is
God alone who can ignite the spark of spiritual life in the hearts of those
who are spiritually dead because of their disobedience (Ephesians 2:5).

People’s highest destiny is to live with God forever, but human nature
in its present condition does not possess the capacities for living in a
heavenly kingdom. For this reason, heavenly life must come down from
above to change human nature for membership in that kingdom.

Characteristics of Regeneration

Regeneration is the act of God that imparts spiritual life to the
repentant sinner as he or she receives the Lord Jesus Christ (Titus 3:5).
It is a supernatural act that takes place the instant the sinner receives
Christ. At this point, the repentant one
receives divine life and he or she also
receives a new nature (2 Peter 1:4).
At regeneration, the Thus the repentant one becomes a

repentant sinner new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
receives divine life Please note that in regeneration

and a new nature it is the Holy Spirit who gives
life to those who are spiritually
and becomes a dead (John 6:63; Romans 8:1–10;

new creation. Ephesians 2:1–5). According to John
Wesley, regeneration is “that great
change which God works in the soul

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