FOR THE
CHILDREN:
New Hampshire Confession of Faith #7
December 3, 2000 -- Pastor Ronnie Wolfe
VII. OF GRACE IN REGENERATION
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners 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 power of 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, and faith, and newness of life.
- REGENERATION IS A NECESSITY FOR SALVATION
- A man must be born twice, physically and spiritually
- John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
- John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
- 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.
- Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
- REGENERATION GIVES A HOLY DISPOSITION TO THE MIND
- Repentance is brought about by way of regeneration
- The word repentance literally means to have a change of mind.
- When the Lord regenerates us, he gives us a different mind or attitude
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
- Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
- This new attitude hates the former self-our sin.
- Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
- This new attitude loves the Lord-our salvation
- 1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
- REGENERATION SECURES VOLUNTARY OBEDIENCE TO THE GOSPEL
- Titus 3:5 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;
- Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to
all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we
should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might
redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people,
zealous of good works.
- FRUITS OF REGENERATION ARE REPENTANCE, FAITH AND NEWNESS OF LIFE
- Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
- Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
- Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
- Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
- Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.