Another Soteriological Definition

Regeneration. Being born again. It is the act of God giving a person new life. Some other scriptural terms for regeneration are new creation, resurrection, gift of a new heart, gift a new spirit, circumcision of the heart, being begotten again.

Some places (By no means complete!) that the act of regeneration is mentioned in scripture are

• 1 Peter 1:3: "By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... "
• John 3:3-8: "Jesus replied, 'I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.....I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must all be born from above.' The wind blows wherever it will, and you hear the sound it makes, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.'"
• James 1:18: "By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created."
• John 1:13: "But to all who have received him--those who believe in his name--he has given the right to become God's children--children not born by human parents or by human desire or a husband's decision, but by God."
• Colossians 2:13: "And even though you were dead in your transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he nevertheless made you alive with him, having forgiven all your transgressions."
• 1 John 5:18: "We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him."