The Subject of Spiritual Regeneration
“The Word of God, like the character of its divine
Author, presents mysteries that can never be fully comprehended by finite
beings. The entrance of sin into
the world, the incarnation of Christ,
regeneration, the resurrection, and many other
subjects presented in the Bible, are mysteries too deep for the human mind to
explain, or even fully to
comprehend. But we have no reason to doubt God’s Word
because we cannot understand the mysteries of His providence. In the natural
world we are constantly surrounded with mysteries that we cannot fathom. The
very humblest forms of life present a problem that the wisest of philosophers
is powerless to explain. Everywhere are wonders beyond our ken. Should we then
be surprised to find that in the spiritual world also there are mysteries that
we cannot fathom?” {CSA 46.3}
“All who would enter the city of God must during their
earthly life set forth Christ in their dealings.
It is this that constitutes them the messengers of Christ, His witnesses. They
are to bear a plain, decided testimony against all evil practices, pointing
sinners to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world. He gives to
all who receive Him, power to become the sons of God. Regeneration is the only
path by which we can enter the city of God. It is narrow, and the gate by which we enter is strait; but along it we
are to lead men and women and children, teaching them that, in order to be
saved, they must have a new heart and a new spirit. The old, hereditary traits
of character must be overcome. The natural desires of the soul must be changed.
All deception, all falsifying, all evilspeaking, must be put away. The new
life, which makes men and women Christlike, is to be lived.” {CCh 59.2}
There are persons who are teaching that the subjects of
the Incarnation of Christ, regeneration and the resurrection should not be
studied because they cannot be FULLY comprehended in this life. They use the
following statement to come to that erroneous conclusion:
“The Word of God, like the character of its divine
Author, presents mysteries that can never be fully comprehended by finite
beings. The entrance of sin into the world, the
incarnation of Christ, regeneration,
the resurrection, and many
other subjects presented in the Bible, are mysteries too deep for the human
mind to explain, or even fully
to comprehend. But we have no reason to doubt God’s Word
because we cannot understand the mysteries of His providence. In the natural
world we are constantly surrounded with mysteries that we cannot fathom. The
very humblest forms of life present a problem that the wisest of philosophers
is powerless to explain. Everywhere are wonders beyond our ken. Should we then
be surprised to find that in the spiritual world also there are mysteries that
we cannot fathom?” {CSA 46.3}
Note: If the meaning of the above statement is that the
subject of regeneration cannot be comprehended, so ignore it, why does the
following statement say that “Regeneration
is the only path by which we can enter the city of God.”
“All who would enter the
city of God must during their earthly life set forth Christ in their dealings. It is this that constitutes them the messengers
of Christ, His witnesses. They are to bear a plain, decided testimony against
all evil practices, pointing sinners to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the
sin of the world. He gives to all who receive Him, power to become the sons of
God. Regeneration is the only path by which we can enter the city of God. It is narrow, and the gate by which we enter is strait;
but along it we are to lead men and women and children, teaching them that, in order to be saved, they must have a
new heart and a new spirit. The
old, hereditary traits of character must be overcome. The natural desires of the soul must be
changed. All deception, all
falsifying, all evilspeaking, must be put away. The new life, which makes men and women Christlike, is to be lived.” {CCh 59.2}
The above statement
defines Spiritual Regeneration as follows:
·
In order to be saved, one
must have a new heart and a new spirit.
·
The old hereditary traits
of character must be overcome.
·
The natural desire of the
soul must be changed.
·
All deception, all falsifying, all EVILSPEAKING, must be
put away.
·
The new life, which makes
men and women Christlike, is to be lived.
Now can you see the folly of those who maintain that we cannot comprehend
the subject of regeneration and should avoid it BECAUSE WE CANNOT NOW
UNDERSTAND FULLY all there is to know about regeneration? This same principle
applies as well to the subjects of the entrance of sin into the world, the
Incarnation of Christ and the resurrection.
“Nicodemus had come to the Lord
thinking to enter into a discussion with Him, but Jesus laid bare the
foundation principles of truth. He said to Nicodemus, It is not theoretical knowledge you need so much as spiritual regeneration. You need not to have your curiosity satisfied, but to
have a new heart. You must receive a new life from above before you can appreciate heavenly
things. Until this change takes place, making all
things new, it will result in no saving good for you to discuss with Me My
authority or My mission.” {DA 171.1}
“Nicodemus had heard the preaching of
John the Baptist concerning repentance and baptism, and pointing the people to
One who should baptize with the Holy Spirit. He himself had felt that there was
a lack of spirituality among the Jews, that, to a great degree, they were controlled by bigotry
and worldly ambition. He had hoped for a better state of things at the Messiah’s coming. Yet
the heart-searching message of the Baptist had failed to work in him conviction
of sin. He was a strict Pharisee, and prided
himself on his good works. He was widely esteemed for his benevolence and his
liberality in sustaining the temple service, and he felt secure of the favor of
God. He was startled at the thought of a
kingdom too pure for him to see in his present state.” {DA
171.2}
Jesus told Nicodemus that he
needed a SPIRITUAL REGENERATION, and that this consists of:
· A new
heart, the Spirit of Christ indwelling the soul.
· A new life from above making all things new.
·
There is no saving good
in discussing Christ’s authority or His mission--THE GOSPEL, until one has a
new heart and a new life from above. In other words, no personal witnessing
project will be a success without these requisites.
Ignorance in Regard to Regeneration NO
EXCUSE
While some very errant professing SDA “reformers” are teaching that we can’t
understand the subject of regeneration, we find below that there is no excuse
for blind ignorance regarding the work of regeneration.
“There was no excuse for the blindness of
Israel in regard to the work of regeneration. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Isaiah had written, “We are all
as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are
as filthy rags.” David had prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and
renew a right spirit within me.” And through Ezekiel the promise had been
given, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within
you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give
you an heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within
you, and cause you to walk in My statutes.” Isaiah 64:6; Psalm 51:10; Ezekiel 36:26, 27.” {DA 174.1}
Regeneration is:
· A recognition that we are ALL as an unclean thing.
· All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.
· A clean heart created in us, and a RIGHT SPIRIT put
within us--the Spirit of Christ.
· Walking in God’s statutes out of a motive of faith in and
love for Christ.
What CSA 46.3 (First at beginning of this
document) Really Means
The first E. G. White statement above DOES NOT mean that we should not
pursue the study of the issues mentioned because we can’t understand them at
all, but rather that we will never FULLY UNDERSTAND THEM THROUGHOUT ETERNITY,
because they are exhaustless. But we should apply ourselves to learning all
about them that is possible in this life.
“If it were possible for created
beings to attain to a full
understanding of God and His works, then, having reached this point,
there would be for them no further discovery of truth, no growth in knowledge,
no further development of mind or heart. God would no longer be supreme; and
men, having reached the limit of knowledge and attainment, would cease to
advance. Let us thank God that it is not so. God is infinite; in Him are “all
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” And to all
eternity men may be ever searching, ever learning, and yet they can never
exhaust the treasures of His wisdom, His goodness, and His power.” {CCh
88.2}
What follows is the FULL CONTEXT
of the first E. G. White quote, CSA 46.3.
Many, especially those who are young in the
Christian life, are at times troubled with the suggestions of skepticism. There are in the Bible many things which they cannot
explain, or even understand, and Satan employs these to shake their faith in
the Scriptures as a revelation from God. They ask, “How shall I
know the right way? If the Bible is indeed the word of God, how can I be freed
from these doubts and perplexities?” {CSA 45.1}
God never asks us to believe, without
giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith. His existence, His
character, the truthfulness of His word, are all established by testimony that appeals to our reason; and this testimony is abundant. Yet God has never removed the possibility
of doubt. Our faith must rest upon evidence, not demonstration. Those who wish
to doubt will have opportunity; while those who really desire to know the truth
will find plenty of evidence on which to rest their faith. {CSA 46.1}
It is impossible for finite minds fully to comprehend the character or the works of the Infinite One. To the keenest intellect, the most highly educated mind, that holy Being must ever remain clothed in mystery. “Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?” Job 11:7, 8
....{CSA 46.2}
The Word of God, like the character of its
divine Author, presents mysteries that can never be fully comprehended by
finite beings. The entrance of sin into
the world, the incarnation of Christ, regeneration, the resurrection, and many
other subjects presented in the Bible, are mysteries too deep for the human
mind to explain, or even fully
to comprehend. But we have no reason to doubt God’s Word
because we cannot understand the mysteries of His providence. In the natural
world we are constantly surrounded with mysteries that we cannot fathom. The
very humblest forms of life present a problem that the wisest of philosophers
is powerless to explain. Everywhere are wonders beyond our ken. Should we then
be surprised to find that in the spiritual world also there are mysteries that
we cannot fathom? ...{CSA 46.3}
The difficulties of Scripture have been
urged by skeptics as an argument against the Bible; but so far from this, they
constitute a strong evidence of its divine inspiration. If it contained no
account of God but that which we could easily comprehend; if His greatness and
majesty could be grasped by finite minds, then the Bible would not bear the
unmistakable credentials of divine authority. The very grandeur and mystery of
the themes presented should inspire faith in it as the Word of God. {CSA 46.4}
The Bible unfolds truth with simplicity and
a perfect adaptation to the needs and longings of the human heart, that has
astonished and charmed the most highly cultivated minds, while it enables the
humblest and uncultured to discern the way of salvation. And yet these simply stated truths lay hold upon subjects so elevated, so far-reaching, so infinitely beyond the
power of human comprehension, that we can accept them only because God has
declared them. Thus the plan of redemption is laid open
to us, so that every soul may see the steps he is to take in repentance toward
God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, in order to be saved in God’s
appointed way; yet beneath these truths, so easily understood, lie mysteries
that are the hiding of His glory—mysteries that overpower
the mind in its research, yet inspire the sincere
seeker for truth with reverence and faith. The more he searches the Bible, the
deeper is his conviction that it is the Word of the living God, and human
reason bows before the majesty of divine revelation. {CSA 46.5}
To acknowledge that we cannot fully
comprehend the great truths of the Bible is only to admit that the finite mind
is inadequate to grasp the infinite; that man, with his limited, human
knowledge, cannot understand the purposes of Omniscience.... {CSA 46.6}
God intends that even in this life the truths of His Word shall be ever
unfolding to His people. There is only one way in
which this knowledge can be obtained. We can attain to an understanding of
God’s Word only through the illumination of that Spirit by which the Word was
given.... And the Saviour’s promise to His
followers was, “When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into
all truth.... For He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you.” John
16:13, 14. {CSA 46.7}
Note: What truth that is to be EVER
UNFOLDING have you witnessed lately? End note.
God desires man to exercise his reasoning powers; and the study of the
Bible will strengthen and elevate the mind as no other study can.... A sense of the power and wisdom of God, and of our
inability to comprehend His greatness, should inspire us with humility, and we
should open His Word, as we would enter His presence, with holy awe....{CSA
47.1}
Disguise it as they may, the real cause of doubt and skepticism, in most
cases, is the love of sin. The teachings and
restrictions of God’s Word are not welcome to the proud, sin-loving heart, and
those who are unwilling to obey its requirements are ready to doubt its
authority. In order to arrive at truth, we must have a sincere desire to know
the truth and a willingness of heart to obey it. And all who come in this
spirit to the study of the Bible will find abundant evidence that it is God’s
Word, and they may gain an understanding of its truths that will make them wise
unto salvation....{CSA 47.2}
God invites us to prove for ourselves the
reality of His Word, the truth of His promises. He bids us “taste and see that
the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8....{CSA 47.3}
And everyone who has passed from death unto
life is able to “set to his seal that God is true.” John 3:33. He can testify,
“I needed help, and I found it in Jesus. Every want was supplied, the hunger of
my soul was satisfied; and now the Bible is to me the revelation of Jesus
Christ.” ...{CSA 47.4}
By faith we may look to the hereafter and
grasp the pledge of God for a growth of intellect, the human faculties uniting
with the divine, and every power of the soul being brought into direct contact
with the Source of light.... “Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face
to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” 1
Corinthians 13:12. 71 Steps to Christ, 105-113. {CSA 47.}
But there must be earnest study and close investigation.
Sharp, clear perceptions of truth will never be the reward of indolence. No
earthy blessing can be obtained without earnest, patient, persevering effort.
If men attain success in business, they must have a will to do and a faith to
look for results. And we cannot expect to gain spiritual knowledge without
earnest toil. Those who desire to find the
treasures of truth must dig for them as the miner digs for the treasure hidden
in the earth. No halfhearted, indifferent work will avail. It is essential for old and
young, not only to read God’s word, but to study it with wholehearted
earnestness, praying and searching for truth as for hidden treasure. Those who do this will be rewarded, for Christ will
quicken the understanding. {COL 111}.
Some confuse spiritual
regeneration as being the same as physical regeneration. We will next study
what God’s Word and the Spirit of Prophecy have to say about physical
regeneration.
~rwb