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Regeneration: New Life from God

Based on these Scriptures, we may define regeneration as the
experience of being reborn, becoming a new creature in Christ by the
power of the Holy Spirit.

The Nature of Regeneration

A Passive Experience

In regeneration people are relatively passive. People’s responsibility in
regeneration may be compared to the relationship that exists between a
doctor and a patient. The doctor cannot proceed with an operation until
the patient consents. However, once this is given, the doctor assumes
complete control. In salvation, we face the same situation. God does not act
until we are in agreement. What a source of joy it is that we can trust our
souls with all their sicknesses, hurts, and sorrows to the Great Physician.

A Sudden Experience

The experience in which God imparts new life to the souls of people
takes place suddenly. Birth is always a crisis, and spiritual birth is no
exception to the rule. Each of us can point to a specific day as his or her
birthday. We came into the world suddenly, at a certain moment. And
in the same way the new birth is a
crisis experience. It may take a
while for us to get to the point of
crisis, but when it happens, it The new birth is a
happens suddenly. Consider it this definite and decisive
way: if someone offers you a gift,
there is a moment of time when you experience. New
don’t yet have the gift, and the next life from above is
moment you receive it. The gift was
offered and taken suddenly. received suddenly.
Spiritual life is like this. One moment
you don’t have it, the next moment
you receive it. The new birth is a definite and decisive experience. New
life from above is received suddenly.

A Mysterious Experience

New spiritual life also appears mysteriously. Jesus did not attempt
to explain the how of the new birth, but He did explain the why: “Flesh

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