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New Hampshire Confession of Faith #6

Pastor Ronnie Wolfe

John 3:1-8 

VI. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION (Regeneration by Grace)

We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which objection involves him in an aggravated condemnation. 

  1. NECESSITY OF GRACE IN REGENERATION
    1. Regeneration is the same as the new birth and involves the recreation of fallen man and his nature by the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit
    2. This is the first and greatest of the sinner
      1. Man was generated in his physical conception and birth
      2. He must be re-generated in order to have spiritual life - John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
      3. Man can never produce spiritual fruit without a new life within - John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
    3. Regeneration is an act of God which brings newness in man.
      1. It is not a development process which came from his first birth (physical)
      2. Man is not made better physically as a result of regeneration but is changed at the center of his being - Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
    4. Regeneration changes the mind
      1. Holy impulses are present which were not present before - Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
      2. In regeneration man now has a tendency to love God, perform good works, obey God and oppose lawlessness (or hate sin).
        1. Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
        2. Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
        3. Romans 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.


  2. THE AGENT OF REGENERATION
    1. The Holy Spirit Is The Agent
      1. He is the only agent of regeneration. No man can act in his place.
      2. Man can teach and help others in a physical way; he can even preach to gospel to others, but he cannot impart spiritual life
        1. Mark 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
        2. Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
        3. John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life.
    2. Regeneration Cannot Be Carnally Understood
      1. We cannot understand regeneration perfectly, because it is a work of God.
      2. We cannot trace the process, diagram it, or know the scheme of it. It is a mystery.
        1. John 9:25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner [or no], I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
    3. Regeneration Is Wrought In Man's Own Mind
      1. God uses truth to bring a man to regeneration and faith in Christ.
      2. This truth is delineated by the mind of the man. God does not have to create a new physical mind for the man - Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
      3. God brings new ideas to man's mind, and man consents to these ideas and follows them with his new life.
      4. Along with repentance come repentance and faith in Christ.


  3. THE RESULTS OF REGENERATION
    1. Obedience To God
      1. With new privileges comes new responsibilities and a new disposition to do those things commanded by Christ.
      2. A regenerated man now lives in the realm of law based upon love, not the old letter of the law but the spirit - 2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
    2. Devotion To God
      1. Acts are based upon feelings, and in regeneration God gives us a new feeling toward him.
      2. We will respond with prayer, singing, praise and worship
        1. Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
        2. 1 Corinthians 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on [his] face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
        3. Luke 19:37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
    3. Acts of Righteousness (Good Works)
      1. Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
    4. Control of Life By Holy Spirit
      1. Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
      2. Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
    5. Fruits
      1. Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
      2. Luke 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
      3. 2 Corinthians 9:10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for [your] food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
      4. Philippians 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

 

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