Regeneration
In reviewing the nineteen articles of faith professed by one of the country's largest religious bodies, or any other religious writings, we are only following the scriptural admonition to "try the spirits, whether they be of God" (1 John 4:1), to "prove all things" so that we may "hold fast to that which is good" (1 Thess. 5:21). Anything in the writings of men which will stand the test of the scriptures should be accepted and held fast, but that which falls under the test of scripture should be discarded. A failure to so love the truth as to "try the spirits" may prove disastrous. Paul speaks of some saying, "because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Tess. 2:10). In kindness and love, therefore, we study these nineteen articles because of our interest in truth, and in our soul's eternal welfare
Article No. VII.
"We believe the scriptures teach that in order to be saved, men must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life."
Must Be Born Again
The first thing affirmed here is that in order to be saved, men must be regenerated, or born again. We are cited to several scriptures as proof of this statement, the first is John 3:3 where Jesus said to Nicodemus "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." There can be no misunderstanding of what Jesus here said. Since Jesus said a man "must be born again," then we accept the affirmation to that effect. We should never have a disposition to deny a statement if it is supported by the scriptures. We are cited to other scriptures in support of this proposition, such as 1 Corinthians 1:14, Revelations 21:27; but these scriptures say not one word about regeneration or being born again, so we can not accept them as proof for the contention. However, a thing need not be said two or three times in the Bible to be true — just once is sufficient. We, therefore, accept the statement that a man must be born again because this is what Jesus said.
What Regeneration Is
The second statement in this article defines regeneration for us. We are told "that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind." This giving of a holy disposition to the mind is not regarded as a responsibility of man, for the next statement informs us that it is effected by the Holy Spirit. Regeneration, as here defined, would simply be God's giving to a man a holy disposition of mind. We are cited to several scriptures in support of this definition, to which we now give our attention. The first one is 2 Corinthians 5:17 which says "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." Actually, this verse tells us that it is the man in Christ who has been regenerated. The phrases "is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new" are used instead of the term "regeneration." These terms are descriptive of a regenerated person. Webster defines "regeneration" thus: "To cause to be reborn spiritually; convert. To reform completely. To generate anew; reproduce; re-create; revive." Regeneration, therefore, certainly involves a changed, purified mind. Notice this verse does not state the means of regeneration. It simply informs us that the "man in Christ" is a regenerated person.
Other references cited as proof that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind are Ezekiel 36:26 — which figuratively speaks of God taking from Israel their stony (hard) and rebellious heart; Deuteronomy 30:6 and Romans 2:28-29 where reference is made to "circumcision of the heart." It is not denied that in regeneration the heart is purified, but it is a mistake to think of regeneration as consisting only of a holy disposition of mind.
The Heart
The heart, so frequently mentioned in the scriptures, is a composition of the mind or intellect, the affections or emotions, and the will of man. It includes the mind or intellect, for the Bible teaches one thinks, reasons, understands with the heart (Prov. 23:7; Matt. 13:15). It includes the emotions or affections, for the Bible teaches that one loves with the heart (Matt. 22:37). It includes the will of man, for we are said to "obey from the heart" (Rom. 6:17). Through the preaching of the gospel, men come to believe in Christ (Rom. 10:17) which is an exercise of the mind. This faith produces love for Christ, an exercise of the emotions. When one thus believes in and loves the Christ, he will then "obey from the heart" the commandments of the Lord, which is an exercise of the will. In this way the heart — all of the heart — is changed and purified. To have the mind changed while the emotions and will remain unchanged is only a partial change of regeneration.
Process Of Regeneration
Titus 3:5 speaks of "the washing of regeneration" which has to do with the process of regeneration, and this is the next thing referred to in the article now under consideration. We are told that "It (regeneration) is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth." Two things are here affirmed, first, regeneration is affected by the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, and second, it is effected in a manner above our comprehension. We notice the latter contention first. As proof of this statement we are cited to John 3:8 "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit." This teaches, so we are told, that there is mystery surrounding the new birth. The Lord's conclusion was "so is every one that is born of the Spirit," not "so is the birth of the Spirit." You cannot see the wind, but you can hear it and can see the effects of it; in like manner you cannot see the Spirit, but you can hear the words of the Spirit and can see it's effect by observing the lives of those born again. So, instead of Jesus describing the birth of the Spirit here, he was talking about "the one" born of the Spirit; therefore the passage does not teach that the new birth is a mystery — above our comprehension.
Jesus referred to the process of this new birth when he said, "except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). The new birth is a birth (one birth) of two elements — water and Spirit. The Spirit plays the part of the begettal. Paul said to the Corinthians "I have begotton you through the gospel" (1 Cor. 4:15). Peter said, "Having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth" (1 Peter 1:23, ASV). The gospel or word of God preached by the apostles and that by which people were begotten was revealed by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:13 and 1 Peter 1:12). Hence, through the gospel, the Holy Spirit begets. Now, what part does the water play in the new birth? Most people completely ignore the water element in the new birth, but it is just as emphatically mentioned as Spirit. Paul declares in Romans 6:3-4 that we are raised from the waters of baptism "to walk in newness of life." If there is a newness of life, there must have been a birth. This is what Paul was talking about when he said in Titus 3:5 "according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit." The only washing in connection with the whole Christian system is baptism. Ananias told Saul "Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins" (Acts 22:16). In regeneration a "renewing" is taking place, and it is being done through the agency of the Holy Spirit. By Jesus' expression, "except a man be born of water and the Spirit" is meant, except a man be begotten or made a believer by the teaching of the Spirit and is baptized he shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of God. This is essentially what Jesus said in giving the commission — "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature; he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16). That regeneration is effected by the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, is readily admitted; but I emphatically deny that this is effected in a manner above our comprehension.
Design Of Regeneration
This seventh article next informs us that regeneration is effected "so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel." The passage listed as proof of this assertion is somewhat astounding. It is 1 Peter 1:22-25, "ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit," This verse affirms that their souls had been purified in obeying the truth, but the above statement says regeneration or purification is effected so as to secure obedience. To fit this statement, Peter must be made to say "your souls having been purified in a manner incomprehensible, now obey the truth through the Spirit." This passage teaches that the purifying came about through their obedience to truth. The Holy Spirit teaches believing, penitent sinners to be baptized in the name of Christ for the remission of sins; and when this is done, he is raised "to walk in newness of life" — has purified his soul in obeying the truth, through the Spirit, and is therefore regenerated. No, friends, regeneration is not effected so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel, but rather is effected through our obedience.
Evidence Of Regeneration
Lastly, in this article, we are told that the evidence of regeneration "appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith and newness of life." If this statement means to say that repentance, faith and newness of life are the fruits of regeneration, then we must reject the idea that repentance and faith are such on the grounds that they are conditions with which we must comply in order to be regenerated, and not a fruit of it. Newness of life might be looked upon as a fruit of regeneration since it is a result of it. However, I am inclined to think that the reference here is to the fruits of faith, the fruits of repentance, and the fruits of a new life. If this be the meaning, then we must agree that these do constitute evidence of a new birth or of regeneration having taken place.
Conclusion
In closing, let me say that article number seven is correct in saying that in order to be saved, men must be regenerated or born again; for this is what Jesus said. It is wrong, though, in limiting regeneration to a disposition of mind so as not to include the emotions and will of man. It is wrong in declaring that regeneration is effected in a manner above our comprehension; for as we have seen, this is not what Jesus taught by the wind illustration. It is right in declaring that regeneration is effected by the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, but wrong as to how effected. It is wrong in asserting that regeneration is to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; for, as we have seen, it takes the obedience to effect regeneration — the obedience is a part of regeneration. It is right in looking upon the fruits of faith, of repentance, and a newness of life as evidence of regeneration; for there are many scriptures which show the changed, reformed life is evidence of regeneration. We urge you to think seriously on these matters — to "try the spirit," and be not deceived.