Regeneration

Good Morning,

The topic today is regeneration, infusing life into the lifeless.  Much to thing about, here.

~Al

Regeneration

 

And you hath he quickened[1], who were dead in trespasses and sins; Eph 2:1 (KJV)

 

And you hath he revived, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Eph 2:1 (Webster)

 

 

[In the Bible, "quick" means, 1. Primarily, alive; living; opposed to dead or unanimated; as quick flesh. Lev 13.  The Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead. 2 Tim 4. (Webster)]

 

The quickening power of the gospel

 

This the peculiar characteristic of the preaching of Christianity in the first age. It came into a world preoccupied by other systems of religion, Jewish and Gentile, and succeeded where they had failed. The secret of its success is the same today—vital power.

I. Upon whom is it exerted?

1. The spiritually dead.

2. The bondslaves of Satan.

3. The subjects of Divine wrath.

II. Through whom does it operate? Christ, the manifested Son of God, is the Alpha and Omega of its proclamations.

1. Through faith men are united to Him.

2. Share in His resurrection.

III. In whom is its source? It is God who ordained the means of salvation, sent His Son into the world to die for sinners, and raising Him from the dead raised also all those who were united to Him by faith by a spiritual resurrection, that they might "walk in newness of life." This gracious work is due—

1. To His nature. "Being rich in mercy."

2. To His affection for men. "For His great love wherewith He loved us." (A. F. Muir, M. A.)

Regeneration

I. The change here noticed is of a remarkably decided nature. A change of the whole human character, by which the dispositions of men become thoroughly altered from that which is evil to that which is good, and by which there are implanted and formed within them those spiritual graces which are essentially connected with the bestowment of the Divine favor and the restoration of the Divine image.

II. This change is accomplished purely by Divine agency.

1. The agency of the Spirit of God in the work of renovation is sovereign.

2. The agency of the Spirit is mysterious.

3. The agency of the Spirit is connected with the instrumentality of the Word.

III. This change is absolutely essential for the salvation of the immortal soul.

1. This is evident, if you consider the occupation, society, and enjoyments of heaven.

2. It is also evident by considering the express testimony of God on the subject. (J. Parsons.)

 

Quickening of the dead

 

I. The Scripture phrases by which the sinful state of man is described. Sleep. "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others," etc. (1Th 5:6, etc.). "Wherefore he saith, 'Awake thou that sleepest,'" etc. (Eph 5:14). Death in trespasses (see text). "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh," etc. (Col 2:13). A corrupt tree. "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit," etc. (Mat 7:18). "For he shall be like the heath in the desert," etc. (Jer 17:6). Darkness. "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness," etc. (1Th 5:4). Led captive, etc. (Eph 2:3). Enmity (Rom 8:7).

II. How the scriptures describe the change that is wrought in those that shall be saved and state God as the Author of it. Being quickened—by God (see text). Born again—by God (Joh 3:3; 1Pe 1:3). Washed and sprinkled—by God (Eze 16:8-9; Eze 36:25). Writing the law in the heart—by God (Jer 31:33). Grafting—by God (Rom 11:23-25). Creating light to shine where was darkness (2Co 4:6).

III. No means short of God can quicken and convert such a sinner. Let us consider everything that is likely.

1. Will miracles? No (Exo 8:16-18; Joh 12:10-12; Act 4:16-17).

2. Will the fulfilment of prophecies? No (Cf. Mat 27:62, etc. with Mat 28:11, etc.).

3. Will prosperity? No (Psa 73:3).

4. Will adversity? No (Pro 27:22).

5. Will preaching the gospel? No (1Co 1:23).

6. Will one rising from the dead? No (Luk 16:31). The necessity of a Divine agent in the Church of God.

IV. Evidences of being quickened.

1. A feeling sense of the evil of sin (Rom 7:18; Psa 38:3-7).

2. A dying to self-confidence, and a trusting in Christ alone (Rom 7:7-11; Gal 2:19-20; Php 3:7-9).

3. An appetite for the means of grace (1Jn 2:3).

4. Love to the brethren as such (1Jn 3:13-14). (H. Foster, M. A.)

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[1] And you

Taking up the closing thought of the preceding chapter, the magnitude of God's power toward believers as exhibited in Christ's resurrection. He now shows that the same power is applied to his readers. Hence the connection is: "When He raised Him from the dead, etc., and you did He quicken, even as He quickened Christ." The structure of the passage is broken. Paul having prominently in mind the thought God quickened you as He did Christ, begins with you also. Then the connection is interrupted by Eph 2:2, Eph 2:3, which describe their previous condition. Then Eph 2:1 is taken up in Eph 2:4, by but God, God introducing a new sentence.

Who were dead (ὄντας νεκροὺς)

Better, Rev., when ye were dead, thus giving the sense of the continued state in the past expressed by the participle being.

(Vincent's Word Studies)