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NASB | Titus 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we have done, but because of His own compassion and mercy, by the cleansing of the new birth (spiritual transformation, regeneration) and renewing by the Holy Spirit, |
Subject: Theological Terms: Regeneration |
Bible Note: Doc, Wow, have you been busy. Please allow me, for the purpose of my own edification, to follow up with the reasoning of my question for clarification. If 1 John 3:9 applies to the regenerate at the time of regeneration and not during glorification, then why are we warned not to quench the spirit? Referencing 1 Thessalonians 5:19 as well as Ephesians 4:23-30. If we have the ability to quench the Spirit, then after regeneration, wouldn’t we have the ability to sin again? Doesn’t Colossians 3:10 show us that there should be a continual renewal? Matthew Henry wrote: “Quench not the Spirit. Christians are said to be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire. He worketh as fire, by enlightening, enlivening, and purifying the souls of men. As fire is put out by taking away fuel, and as it is quenched by pouring water, or putting a great deal of earth upon it; so we must be careful not to quench the Holy Spirit, by indulging carnal lusts and affections, minding only earthly things. Believers often hinder their growth in grace, by not giving themselves up to the spiritual affections raised in their hearts by the Holy Spirit. By prophesyings, here understand the preaching of the word, the interpreting and applying the Scriptures. We must not despise preaching, though it is plain, and we are told no more than what we knew before. We must search the Scriptures. And proving all things must be to hold fast that which is good. We should abstain from sin, and whatever looks like sin, leads to it, and borders upon it. He who is not shy of the appearances of sin, who shuns not the occasions of it, and who avoids not the temptations and approaches to it, will not long keep from doing sin.” I guess my question is more along the lines of: Since death entered through sin and death came to all because all sinned (Romans 5:12), once the ability to sin is removed, after regeneration, wouldn’t death also removed? We are told that the last enemy to be defeated is death (1 Corinthians 15:26). Since the wages of sin are death (Romans 6:23), when death is defeated, will it be then, that sin is removed as well therefore making it so we will be unable to sin. However, if all of that takes place at the time of regeneration, why do we still die (physically)? Since death (being the wages of sin) is not defeated until Christ returns, doesn’t even the regenerated Christian have the ability to continue sinning until that time, until we are glorified with Christ? (Colossians 3:4) And at that point, there will be no more death? No need to answer if you will touch upon this topic later. Just wanted to elaborate as to why I had raised the question to begin with. Again, I’m not disagreeing with anything you have stated, just trying to take it all in and gain a better understanding. Thanks a bunch Doc. WOS |