The word “regeneration” is often used loosely when “born again” is meant, but a careful examination of the subject will show that it is an incorrect usage of the word. They are not the same words in the Greek any more than in the English.
New Birth
New birth is that sovereign act of the Spirit of God producing a new life in a soul that has been dead—dead in sins. It is obviously impossible for a dead person to do anything; if anything is done, it must be done by another. Therefore, we read in James, “Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth” (Jas. 1:1818Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (James 1:18)). In John 3 it is spoken of as being born of water (the Word) and of the Spirit; so also in 1 Peter 1:2323Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1 Peter 1:23), we are told that we were born again by the Word of God. So then new birth is the act of the Spirit of God using the Word of God to produce an entirely new life.
Regeneration
Regeneration, however, is only mentioned twice in Scripture: 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) and 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). In neither case is new birth the thought, but rather a complete change of condition.
In Matthew it says, “In the regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of His glory.” We might ask, “When will this be?” Matthew 25:3131When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: (Matthew 25:31) will shed light on it: “When the Son of Man shall come [or, shall have come] in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations.” This is plainly an earthly scene, for there will be no nations in heaven; it is the time when the Son of Man will set up His throne on earth—the Millennium.
Thus we see that “the regeneration” is the glorious day of the Son of Man on earth—those days foretold all through the Old Testament prophecies. Satan will have been bound, the forces of evil destroyed, and “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Isa. 11:99They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:9)). Our poor minds, which are so accustomed to the condition of things in this sin-defiled and suffering world, cannot comprehend the great change that will be ushered in by the Son of Man in His day; this new scene is called “the regeneration.” Truly it will be a new condition for the whole animate creation.
The Washing of Regeneration
Now let us look at the other place where the word “regeneration” is found: “Not 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; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:5-65Not 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; 6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; (Titus 3:5‑6)).
First we are told that He has saved us, not because of our works, but according to His mercy, and that through the washing of regeneration. The one who is saved was born a sinner and at a distance from God; then that evil nature bore its own fruit, but God has come in and brought about a complete change. He who was in the kingdom of darkness has been translated into the kingdom of the Son of His love. God is not satisfied merely to have one saved from hell; He brings such a one into a whole new sphere. He has not left us where we were, nor what we were. This is more than being “born again,” which is the communication of life; it is the whole new order of things into which we have been brought, but, of course, a new life was necessary to it.
Baptism
Of this great change baptism is the outward sign, or symbol. We have been baptized unto Christ’s death (Romans 6), and now are to walk in newness of life. Baptism is unto death, but then there is the manifestation of life—a new life. It is to be feared that the real import of baptism is often lost sight of, for it is not a meaningless sign. In order for us to be brought out of that wherein we were held, death was necessary—the death of Christ, and also resurrection—the resurrection of Christ. Christian baptism was instituted to set forth this great truth; not that baptism ever has, or ever will, save anyone, but it does have a special significance for us which should not be overlooked.
A New Position
In 1 Peter 3 we are reminded that the world in Noah’s day perished, but “eight souls were saved through [not, by] water” (vs. 20 JND). The ark was a type of that which saves the soul, even of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. He bore all the storm and judgment, so that all who take refuge in Him are saved through His death and, of course, resurrection. Then the Spirit of God by Peter goes on to say that “the like figure... even baptism doth also now save us.” Baptism is a figure of that which now saves; it is the figure of the death of Christ. Baptism does not save, but it is the symbol of that which does, “by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God” (vss. 21-22).
And where did the ark that saved those “eight souls” leave them? Not in the old scene of corruption and violence, but on a cleansed earth. All this was but a type, for that cleansed earth was soon spoiled, but now if any man is “in Christ,” he is a new creation where all things are of God. Blessed place into which we have been brought! We are brought there not through our works, but by the death and resurrection of Him who is now in heaven. God must have moral conformity to Himself in those brought to Him.
Practical Purity
In Titus 2:13-1413Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:13‑14) it says, “Our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” It does not say that He gave Himself for us to deliver us from the pit, but that He might have a people who are suitable to Himself. Another has said, “God has saved us by purifying us; He could not do otherwise. To be in relationship with Himself, there must be practical purity.”
This is the “washing of regeneration.” It is the cleansing that brings us into a state where everything is new, everything of God. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [creation]: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)).
If “the regeneration” is that new state of bliss which will be ushered in by the Son of Man, the Christian of this day is in it already morally. He does not have to wait for “the regeneration” to be brought into a condition and sphere of conformity to the mind of God.
The Millennium
There is a somewhat similar thought in what is said about the day that is coming. We read that the Millennium will be the time of the shining forth of the “Sun of righteousness” (Mal. 4:22But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (Malachi 4:2)); it will be the glorious day for the earth. Now the earth is shrouded in moral darkness; it is night here (although “the night is far spent, the day is at hand”), but does the Christian have to wait for the day to come? No, he is already there; “we are not of the night, nor of darkness” (1 Thess. 5:55Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (1 Thessalonians 5:5)), for we are already of the day that is coming (vs. 8). While we are living upon the earth that is veiled by the night, we are of the light (Eph. 5:88For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (Ephesians 5:8)) and belong to the day that will soon dawn.
Thus we have been saved, and washed, and are already of the regeneration, even in a better way. God has made us clean and new, before the day of the regeneration dawns upon the earth. How blessed is our place now! May we enter more into it by faith, and thus we shall manifest it more before the world which is still lying in darkness (Rom. 13:12, 1312The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. (Romans 13:12‑13)).
Renewing of the Holy Spirit
Another thing that is added 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) is the “renewing of the Holy Ghost.” This is different from that which is found in verse 6: “Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour”—the blessed fact of the sealing of the Spirit. Yes, everyone who is saved also has the Spirit of God dwelling in him, but there is more. That blessed heavenly Guest is not only the seal of what we have and the earnest of what we are to get, but He is the energy and power of all in the new creation. He maintains us by His power in all that into which we have been brought. There is not, and never can be, any lack, for we are maintained in all the strength of God the Holy Spirit—the “renewing of the Holy Ghost.” His work is continuous, as we read, “He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you,” “He will guide you into all truth,” “He will show you things to come,” and “He maketh intercession for us” (John 16:13-1513Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. 15All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. (John 16:13‑15); Rom. 8:2626Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26)).
P. Wilson (adapted)