This was asked in one of my discussion groups in Facebook: How is one born again? The proponent of that question was swift to answer. He said, we don't know.
But it is clear from Scripture:
Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
and
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
And they also speak a lot about regeneration so I looked up "regeneration" in my Bible and found this verse:
Tit 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;
Notice the phrase "by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit." This immediately tells me that regeneration is separate and distinct from the ministry of the Holy Spirit which is renewing.
I believe regeneration is a ministry of the Word because of these passages:
Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
and
Joh 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
I believe these phrases are all related: washing of regeneration, washing of water by the word, and clean through the word.
Now I believe you can see here also the importance of preaching, the importance of sharing the Word.
Still a Scripture to consider:
Joh 3:5 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.
Ah, born of water - I believe this also refers to the Word. : )
But it is clear from Scripture:
Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
and
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
And they also speak a lot about regeneration so I looked up "regeneration" in my Bible and found this verse:
Tit 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;
Notice the phrase "by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit." This immediately tells me that regeneration is separate and distinct from the ministry of the Holy Spirit which is renewing.
I believe regeneration is a ministry of the Word because of these passages:
Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
and
Joh 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
I believe these phrases are all related: washing of regeneration, washing of water by the word, and clean through the word.
Now I believe you can see here also the importance of preaching, the importance of sharing the Word.
Still a Scripture to consider:
Joh 3:5 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.
Ah, born of water - I believe this also refers to the Word. : )
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