The New Birth
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Regeneration — the new birth — is not optional. It is an absolute necessity for entering God's kingdom.
But what IS regeneration? Is it something man does, or something God does? Does faith precede regeneration, or does regeneration enable faith? This study presents 202 verses from 25 books of the Bible, organized to show what Scripture actually teaches about this foundational doctrine.
Definition: Regeneration is the work of God whereby He imparts new spiritual life to the dead sinner. It is God's sovereign work of creating new life where there was only death.
Biblical Terms: Scripture describes this reality with multiple terms — born again, born of God, born of the Spirit, new creature, new creation, quickened, made alive, new heart, new spirit, and passed from death unto life.
The Only Explicit Use: The word "regeneration" appears explicitly once in the New Testament: "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 3:5).
This study derives its categories FROM the biblical text itself, allowing Scripture to define and explain this doctrine.
Jesus Christ spoke with absolute clarity to Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). This is not a suggestion or a recommendation — it is an absolute requirement. The phrase "verily, verily" (truly, truly) emphasizes the certainty and importance of what follows.
Three times in John 3, Jesus emphasizes this necessity: "cannot see" (v.3), "cannot enter" (v.5), and "ye must be born again" (v.7). The word "must" leaves no room for alternatives. Without the new birth, no one can experience God's kingdom. This is not about moral improvement or religious reform — it is about a fundamental change that only God can accomplish.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
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.
They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
Scripture describes the unregenerate condition with stark clarity: "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). Notice the word is not "sick" or "wounded" or "weakened" — but DEAD. A dead person cannot improve himself, cannot respond to spiritual truths, cannot come to God. This is why regeneration is necessary — man is not merely in need of help, but in need of life itself.
Paul adds that we were "by nature the children of wrath" (Ephesians 2:3) — not by choice alone, but by nature. The natural man "receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14). This is the desperate condition from which God must deliver us.
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
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.
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
The word "regeneration" appears explicitly only twice in the Bible. Titus 3:5 states: "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." This verse is crucial because it defines regeneration clearly: it is God's work of mercy, not our works of righteousness.
The phrase "washing of regeneration" does not refer to water baptism, but to the spiritual cleansing that accompanies the new birth. The "renewing of the Holy Ghost" shows that this is the Spirit's work. Regeneration is what God does FOR us and IN us — it is His sovereign work of imparting new spiritual life to those who were dead in sins.
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;
And 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.
Peter writes that we are "born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Peter 1:23). The instrument of the new birth is the Word of God — the gospel message. James confirms this: "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth" (James 1:18).
John 1:13 emphasizes that this birth is "not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." It is not passed down through family lineage, it cannot be achieved by human effort, and it is not the result of human decision apart from God's work. This is God's sovereign work, accomplished according to His will and power.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
To "quicken" means to make alive. This is the language Scripture uses to describe God's work in regeneration: "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). The progression is clear: from death to life, from spiritual deadness to spiritual vitality. This is not self-improvement or gradual development — it is resurrection, the impartation of new life where there was none.
Paul writes: "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)" (Ephesians 2:5). Our quickening is connected to Christ's resurrection. Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we are raised spiritually to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.
Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.
Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.
Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
"Therefore 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). This is not renovation or reformation — it is new creation. The Greek word "kaine" means qualitatively new, not merely chronologically new. God creates something that did not exist before: a new spiritual nature, new desires, new affections, new understanding.
This newness is comprehensive: "old things are passed away... all things are become new." The regenerate person has a fundamentally new relationship with God (no longer an enemy but a child), a new standing before God (justified), a new nature (born of God), and a new future (eternal life). This is the miracle of regeneration.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
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. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
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.
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
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. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
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 Saviour;
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
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;
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
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;
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
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.
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
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;
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins... Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
Having examined 202 verses on regeneration, what does Scripture teach? The testimony of God's Word is clear and consistent:
Some teach that regeneration must occur before a person can believe — that God must first impart new life, and only then can the person exercise faith. But what does Scripture say?
1 John 5:1 states: "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God." The one who believes IS born of God. John 3:16 declares: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Belief brings eternal life.
John 5:24 confirms the order: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." The sequence is: hear → believe → has life → passed from death to life.
The pattern throughout Scripture is consistent: the gospel is preached, people hear, they believe, and upon believing they receive life. The Word of God is the instrument (1 Peter 1:23; James 1:18), and faith is the means by which that Word accomplishes its work. Regeneration is God's work, but it is accomplished through the preaching of the gospel and the response of faith.
Ultimately, regeneration magnifies God's mercy and power. We who were dead are made alive. We who were enemies are made children. We who were in darkness are brought into light. We who were without hope now have eternal life.
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)" (Ephesians 2:4-5).
This is the gospel: God's work of salvation from start to finish. Regeneration is not something we do for God — it is what God does for us and in us. And for that, all glory belongs to Him alone.
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