Washing of Regeneration

Concise Bible Dictionary:

This term occurs only in Titus 3:55Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5). “Regeneration” is not used in scripture in the modern ecclesiastical signification of the word, as may be seen from the only other occurrence of it in Matthew 19:2828And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Matthew 19:28), where it evidently refers to an order of things still future. In Titus the believer is said to be saved by the cleansing in connection with the new order of things introduced by Christianity, as indicated in baptism, and the renewal of the Holy Spirit.
The words “saved us by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost,” show that there is a present escape and deliverance from the world and its course, and an entrance into those things which characterize the world to come, of which the Holy Ghost is now the revealer and power, even as Israel escaped from Egypt and its shame through the Red Sea, and anticipated Canaan in their song of praise.