Born Again PART ONE Chapter 6 - The Christian Life by Sinclair Ferguson

BIBLES * Bulldogs * & Beards

with Pastor William Shifflett - https://williams-good-word.org/

So far we have discussed our need of God’s saving grace, God’s call to grace, & Conviction of sin. Today we are going to talk about the phrase, “born again” and the doctrine of Regeneration.

Dr Ferguson says, “it is perhaps the most crucial doctrine of all” and “to mistake the way here will mean that the whole focus of our understanding is seriously at fault”.

Why do you think he says that Regeneration is perhaps the most crucial doctrine for understanding the Christian Life?

Regeneration and the Gospel

“Evangelism tends to pass through phases. Sometimes it’s emphasis centers on regeneration.”

I found it interesting to read about when someone asked him, “Are you a Christian” and he replied, “yes”, they then asked, “if he was a ‘true’ Christian”, and finally asked, “if he was a born again Christian”. It made me think of RC Sproul’s book, ‘Saved from what?’ and when he was asked, “Are you saved?”.

How are these two questions, “Are you saved” and “are you born again” similar, and how are they different?

“The message of Paul was of Christ crucified, risen and exalted to whom men should turn in faith and repentance.” When we look at the way the Apostles and the early church evangelized, how does it compare with modern church evangelism?

“Regeneration is only mentioned 2 times in Scripture” : Matthew 19:28 - And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

And Titus 3:5 - not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Regeneration is not the Gospel, regeneration is a result of receiving the Gospel.

Why would anyone present a result of the Gospel 1st, rather than showing the need for the gospel and then the Gospel itself?

John 3:6-8 - That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. Some say that Jesus’ words, “You must be born again” is a command. I had no part in my physical birth, am I in control of my spiritual birth?

Dr. Ferguson’s definition: “We will take ‘regeneration’ to refer to the fundamental imparting of new life by God which lies at the heart of being a Christian, the first abiding of the seed of God in our lives, as the First Letter of John describes it.” Do you have anything to add to that, or comments?

Pictures of Regeneration in Scripture.

1.Birth -

by the will of God - John 1:12 - But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God,

Christians receive Him and believe in His name, how would you describe or explain this?

He give us the right to become His children.

Required to see and enter the Kingdom of God - John 3:3 - Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:5 - Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Is there a difference in seeing the kingdom and entering the kingdom?

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