Regeneration is the Christian teaching that is more commonly referred to as ‘being born again’. Jesus says that in order to see the kingdom of God one must be ‘born again’ (John 3:3). The phrase ‘born again’ is more literally ‘born from above’. Jesus goes on to explain that this new birth is not a physical birth but a spiritual one (John 3:8). This new birth occurs when someone hears the Gospel and responds by trusting in Jesus as their Saviour (John 3:16). At that point, the Holy Spirit of God comes into someone’s life and dramatically and fundamentally changes them - He ‘regenerates’ them (Revelation 3:20, 1 Peter 1:23). Unless we are regenerated by the Spirit of God, we are still dead in our sins, unable to live upright and godly lives, and are objects of God’s wrath (Ephesians 2:1-5). But when someone is regenerated by God’s grace, then they can live lives full of good works pleasing to Him (Ephesians 2:6-10). Only the regenerate receive eternal life.
