03 -- The Nature Of Regeneration
6. What is Regeneration -- its nature and extent?
Regeneration is the impartation of spiritual life to the human soul, in which God imparts,
organizes, and calls into being the capabilities, attributes, and functions of the new nature. It is a
change from death to life, from the dominion of sin to the reign of grace, and restores the spiritual
life which was lost by the fall. It is instantaneously wrought by the Holy Spirit, and always
accompanies justification.
1. Dr. J. Dempster says: "You ask in what, then, does regeneration consist? Simply in this
threefold change -- namely, justification, partial renovation, and divine adoption. The first changes
the believer's relations to the infinite government, but effects no renovation of his heart. The
second changes his affection sufficient for him to achieve the control of downward tendencies. The
third introduces him into the divine family, of which he is made aware by the witnessing Spirit of
adoption." -- Sermon before Biblical Institute.
2. Rev. Luther Lee says: "Regeneration is a renewal of our fallen nature by the power of
the Holy Spirit, received through faith in Jesus Christ, whereby the regenerate are delivered from
the power of sin which reigns over all the unregenerate. Regeneration reverses the current of the
affections, and so renews the whole soul that all the Christian graces exist. ... The power of sin is
broken: the principle of obedience is planted in the heart." -- Theology, pp. 194-200.
3. Bishop Foster Says: With respect to regeneration, that is a work done in us, in the way
of changing our inward nature; a work by which a spiritual life is infused into the soul, whereby he
(the regenerate) brings forth the peaceable fruits of righteousness, has victory over sin, is enabled
to resist corrupt tendencies, and has peace and joy in the Holy Ghost; a radical change by which
the preponderating tendencies of the soul are turned towards God, whereas they were previously
from him -- by which the love of sin is destroyed, its dominion broken, and a desire and relish for,
and longing after holiness implanted." -- Christian Purity, p. 43.
Bishop Foster states in the preface of the new and revised edition of "Christian Purity," that
he "is not aware that a single point has been relinquished or materially modified;" hence we shall
occasionally quote from the old edition.
7. What is the difference between justification and sanctification?
Justification and regeneration are concomitants and inseparable. Regeneration is the
beginning or the lowest degree of sanctification, hence, every justified soul is either partially or
entirely sanctified. This being the case, those professors who, through prejudice, aver they will
have "nothing to do with sanctification," will have nothing to do with any religion at all.
Justification and sanctification are perfectly distinct, although the beginning of
sanctification is inseparable from the justified state.
1. Justification is a governmental act, which passes in the mind of God; sanctification is a
divine work wrought in the heart of man.
2. Justification precedes sanctification. which in its lowest degree attends it as one of its
concomitants.
3. Justification is a relative change- changing the believer's relations to the divine
government; sanctification is a radical change affecting a moral renovation in the soul.
4. Justification changes our forensic relations to God; sanctification changes our
disposition of heart towards him.
5. Justification removes the guilt of sin; sanctification destroys its power, and when it is
entire, cleanses all its pollution. The former secures the favor of God, the latter the "divine
nature."
6. Justification secures our adoption into the family of God, our sonship, our heirship, and
our spiritual affiliation; sanctification secures a preparation or meetness for "the inheritance of the
saints in light." The former makes the believer a child of God, while the latter imparts the image of
God.
7. Justification relieves the soul from exposure to the curse of violated law -- the miseries
of hell; sanctification prepares it for the gracious rewards of virtue the felicities of heaven. The
first secures a title to heaven, and the second a preparation for it.
8. Justification is an instantaneous and complete act; it has no degrees, all who are justified
are freely and fully justified "through the redemption in Christ Jesus; sanctification has degrees,
some are partially, and some are entirely sanctified. The beginning, and the completion of
sanctification are both instantaneously wrought. The approach to entire sanctification may be
gradual.
9. Justification, God's act, and sanctification, God's work, are experimentally by faith,
meritoriously by the blood of Christ, instrumentally by the word of God, and efficiently by the
Holy Ghost. See John xvii. 17; 1 John i.7; Rom. xv.16; 1 Timothy iv. 5.
Dr. G. D. Watson says: "Pardon and purity are both received by separate, specific acts of
receptive faith are both instantaneously wrought by acts of the Divine Will; are both attested by the
Holy Ghost; are both retained by constant submission, unwavering trust; are both requisite to a
happy, useful life, and both absolutely essential to admission to heaven. -- Advocate of Holiness,
November, 1879.
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