B12 Regeneration

L. REGENERATION This is that work of the Holy Spirit by which we experience a change of heart; the recovery upon the heart of the moral image of God. Eph. iv, 23, 24. This work, in Scripture, is variously. expressed. Deuteronomy 30:6; Psalms 51:10; Jeremiah 24:7; Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 36:25-26; John 1:12-13; John 3:5-8; Acts 3:19; Romans 12:2; Romans 13:14; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 1:12-15; Colossians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:22-23; 2 Peter 1:4. That there can be no salvation independent of regeneration will appear, when we consider, (106. Give the evidences of saving repentance in their order? What is regeneration? How is it expressed in Scripture?) 1. All men are sinners by nature and by practice, and they cannot restore themselves to innocence. Psalms 51:5-10; Jeremiah 13:23; Romans 3:19; Romans 8:7-8; Romans 11:32; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 3:10-22; Galatians 5:19-24; Ephesians 2:1-5; Ephesians 4:22-24; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 5:4. 2. God is holy, and cannot look upon unholy beings with approbation or delight. Habakkuk 1:13; 1 Peter 1:15-16. 3. Heaven is a holy place, and none but holy beings are capacitated for either its employments or enjoyments. Psalms 24:3-4; Hebrews 12:14. 4. The Scriptures declare that none but the regenerate can possibly be saved. Matthew 18:3; John 3:3; John 3:7 , Romans 8:7-8, Galatians 6:15; Hebrews 12:14. Errors respecting regeneration: 1. That it is identical with water baptism by an apostolically ordained ministry. Refuted in Acts 13:38-39; Acts 16:31; Romans 5:1; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8; 1 John 5:10. 2. That it is a change of the controlling purpose made by the human will. Refutation: Genesis 5:3; Genesis 6:5; Job 14:4; Psalms 51:5; Isaiah 1:5-6; Jeremiah 13:23; John 3:5; John 3:8. (107. Can we be saved without this? Prove it. What errors respecting it?)