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Bible Note: New Creature: A somewhat formal and technical, yet one I find to be theologically sound and well documented scripturally, definition of regeneration is given by John MacArthur. "...regeneration is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which the divine nature and divine life are given (John 3:3-8; Titus 3:5). It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24), when the repentant sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation." (John MacArthur, "Overview of Theology": Study Bible, Nelson.) ...... The pitfall of human reason regarding salvation is that man must somehow do something to earn it, but that sort of thinking is antithetical to what Scripture teaches. In John 3:16; Hebrews 11, Ephesians 2:8,9; Acts 16:31; and many other passages of Scripture, the keyword is faith [but not works, never works] and the object of Christian faith is always Christ [not faith in faith!]. And even that -- faith in Christ -- is a gift of God [it is never earned] (Romans 12:3; Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 1:29) and a work of God [not works of men] (Acts 19:21; 1 Corinthians 2:5). --Hank |