We Believe in Regeneration by the Holy Spirit

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB)

We believe that for the salvation of the lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.

When someone gives their heart to the Lord, by praying the sinner’s prayer or making a confession of faith, what should happen? We might cheer, and we tell them that they are now saved, but how do we and they know for sure?

Sadly, too many people view salvation as transactional. “Give your life to God, and he will give you heaven.” Although there is some truth in that statement, it falls far short of what God wants for each one of us. Salvation may begin with a transaction, but God intends for us to be transformed or regenerated.

Our doctrinal statement is unequivocal; “regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.” He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5 (NASB 2020)

We would define regeneration as the great change God works in the soul, raising it from spiritual death to righteousness through the renewal of the entire soul by the Holy Spirit, creating it anew in Christ Jesus and restoring it to God’s image in righteousness and true holiness.

Regeneration involves both God’s action and our response, yet the work begins and remains entirely with God. While the results of regeneration may not always be immediately recognizable, if it doesn’t result in a transformation conforming to the image of Christ, something is wrong. Regeneration is essential.

You Must Be Born Again

Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. John 3:6–7 (CSB)

Being born again means being “born from above.” It is God’s work of giving eternal life to the believer. Through the Holy Spirit, this spiritual rebirth moves a person from spiritual death into new life.

Peter put it this way: For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 Peter 1:23 (NIV). Peter bases his call for believers to love one another on the truth that their spiritual rebirth is God’s work, not their own.

This experience is a change of heart—a spiritual transformation. The Holy Spirit gives life to those dead in trespasses and sins, changing them from children of the devil into children of God. To be “born again” is to become a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

The need to be born again comes from humanity’s spiritual condition. All people are spiritually dead until they receive life through faith in Christ, which Scripture describes as a rebirth. Only those who are born again have their sins forgiven and enjoy a restored relationship with God.

Salvation comes by grace through faith, not by works. Through the new birth, a person is saved, spiritually renewed, and made a child of God. Faith in Jesus Christ, who paid sin’s penalty on the cross, is the way a person is born again and shares in Christ’s divine nature.

The evidence of being born again includes turning from habitual sin, showing genuine Christian love—especially toward other believers—loving God, obeying His commandments, and living in spiritual victory.

You Must Be Fruitful

You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. John 15:16 (CSB)

Regeneration and fruitfulness are inseparable: spiritual renewal necessarily produces visible change in character and conduct.

Regeneration proves itself in daily life, not merely as a doctrine. It appears in a character marked by virtue and nobility that others can recognize. Fruitfulness is therefore not optional; it is the evidence that regeneration has truly occurred. Just as physical life naturally shows itself after birth, spiritual life inevitably becomes visible after the new birth.

The fruit of regeneration appears in many areas of the renewed life. Paul describes this fruit as “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” Because spiritual growth often develops one virtue at a time rather than all at once, these qualities help us recognize real progress.

Importantly, regeneration preserves individual personality while redirecting it toward godliness. Spiritual renewal does not erase Peter’s enthusiasm or Paul’s resolution; rather, each must cultivate new graces that complement their original nature—Peter adding self-control to his passion, Paul tempering his boldness with gentleness. Progress is measured not by developing existing strengths but by moving toward new virtues.

Keep on Adding

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 2 Peter 1:5–7 (NIV)

We know that salvation and regeneration by the Holy Spirit is not just a transaction. It must be transformational in every aspect of our lives. Regeneration is a sovereign work of the Holy Spirit, and someone who repents of their sins, confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord, and believes that God has raised him from the dead.

Regeneration requires evidence. Salvation is more than signing our name on a card or joining a church. It is inconceivable that we can be born again and not experience the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Peter tells us that we must make every effort to add to our faith. Paul said: … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12 (CSB)

Productivity and usefulness for God’s kingdom come when we add to our faith. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:8 (CSB).

We believe in regeneration by the Holy Spirit.

Steve Ekeroth