Regeneration

We teach that regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are communicated (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5). It is instantaneous and it is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24), so as to secure voluntary obedience to the Gospel. Regeneration will be manifested by repentance, faith, and righteous living.

Good works are its proper evidence and fruit (Eph. 2:10; Titus 3:8) and will be experienced to the extent that the believer submits to the control of the Holy Spirit in his life through faithful obedience to the Word of God (Eph. 5:18-19; Phil. 2:12; Col. 3:16; II Peter 1:3-8).

This obedience causes the believer increasingly to be conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ (II Cor. 3:18). Such conformity is climaxed in the believer’s glorification at Christ’s coming (Romans 8:17; II Cor. 5:17; I Peter 1:23; I John 3:2-3).