Regeneration seems to be one of those topics that theologians argue about while non-experts give little thought to it. Since this is a biblical topic that appears in nearly every book of the New Testament, we should consider this major theme closely and repeatedly. Regeneration is implicated not only in the term “born again,” but also in the many references to Christians as children of God, sons of God, the new self, new creation, having been made alive, and the new Christian familial identity as brothers and sisters to each other. I offer three controversial theses about regeneration to provoke consideration of this important doctrine.

  1. Regeneration is a gift provided in the New Covenant
  2. Regeneration was not experienced until Pentecost
  3. Regeneration is only experienced through embrace of the gospel

(1) Regeneration is a gift provided in the New Covenant (and not otherwise)

Ezekiel 36 and Jeremiah 31 tell God’s promise of an inward work of salvation that is also broader and deeper than previously experienced in Israel. These features coincide as necessary provisions for the guilt, corruption, and personal hostility because of sin. Apart from the cross-resurrection-ascension of Jesus, God could not provide the New Covenant realities until the incarnation had occurred. Notice that when Jesus promises living water as an echo of the New Covenant promise, John explains that “the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:39; all quotations are from nasb). At least four features of the New Covenant (NC) are unprecedented and coincide with the personal renewal by which God makes sinners who were “dead in sin” and “children of wrath” (Eph. 2:1-3) alive by the Spirit and children of God.

  • The complete forgiveness of sins
    • Ezekiel 36:25 “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols”
    • Jeremiah 31:34 “I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more”
    • Unlike the earlier provisions of forgiveness through the temple cult, the NC promise of comprehensive forgiveness anticipates the provision in the cross. Justification by faith alone was provided during the Old Covenant (OC; Paul cites Abraham and David as examples of justification by grace through faith in Romans 4), but the clear promise of this provision is veiled until the NC that would replace the OC.
  • The provision of a new heart as