The Holy Spirit’s Regeneration

John 3:1-8, Romans 8:1-11 

Good afternoon. Fellowship in Christ Jesus always brings us grace and joy. I am so glad that Sister Deborah, who came from South Korea, attended our worship service and had a wonderful time with us last weekend. I was also happy that Shawn, Steve, Corado, M. Deborah, and Sister Deborah joined our group Bible study. 

Last Lord’s Day, we studied the work of the Holy Spirit, comparing David’s case with Saul’s case. Even though both of them were anointed as kings of Israel, David personally knew God, but Saul did not, even though he was anointed. As a result, David pursued God’s glory, while Saul ultimately pursued his own glory. 

Today, we will study the Holy Spirit’s regeneration. Regeneration is the core ministry of Christianity. In John 3:3, Jesus clearly tells us, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Without being regenerated, no one can be saved or enter the kingdom of heaven. No one can become God’s child. Jesus explained in detail how we can become God’s children to Nicodemus in John 3:5-6: 

> “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” 

We must be regenerated by water and the Spirit. 

Think about what kind of person Nicodemus was. He was a Pharisee, a member of the Sanhedrin, a teacher of Israel, and a very wealthy man. The meaning of Pharisee is “separate.” This religious group was formed to maintain pure faith, law, and especially ceremonial purity, avoiding any type of impurity. The Pharisees were the theological conservatives of their day, striving to interpret the exact meaning of the law. To become a Pharisee, one had to undergo rigorous training. During his boyhood, he had to study the five books of Moses, the Mishnah (the oral law of the elders), and the Talmud (a commentary on the Mishnah). He not only studied them but also struggled to put them into practice. He paid tithes, fasted twice a week, prayed three times a day, and followed strict regulations. He worked diligently to overcome youthful passions from childhood. 

The Sanhedrin was the highest legislative body in the nation under Caesar. Nicodemus held a chief authority in Israel over the legislative, administrative, and judicial branches of government. He was also a nationally known politician. 

As a teacher of Israel, Nicodemus was respected as a national religious leader. He was also wealthy. John 19:39 tells us that Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh, about seventy-five pounds, for Jesus' burial. 

He was not only highly educated, a politician, and wealthy, but also an extremely pious person. He was one of the most distinguished and well-known figures in the entire nation. We can see how much he struggled to follow God's law and how hard he worked to attain his status. He seemed to have gained everything he wanted. He was an ideal figure for many people at that time. 

However, he was empty. He did not have joy, peace, or satisfaction in his soul. He was not regenerated. He was still living in darkness and had not been born of water and the Spirit. 

One of the core roles in regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit, even though regeneration is the work of the Trinity. Let us study regeneration today, focusing on the work of the Holy Spirit! 

May God give us wisdom and strength to comprehend today’s passage so that we may humbly receive our salvation! 

Part One - The Work of Regeneration by the Trinity

When I go out to do outreach on campus, I often have the opportunity to talk about regeneration. Many people do not know its true meaning. Some say, “I have lived a pretty good life without any serious sins, so I can go to heaven.” Others say, “God is love, so I think He will guide me into heaven.” Some religious people say, “I have bowed absolutely three times every day and lived a good life, so I can go to heaven.” 

However, Scripture does not teach this. In order to be saved from eternal punishment, you must be born again by water and the Spirit. Otherwise, you cannot be saved from the power of Satan or enter the kingdom of heaven. As Jesus said:  “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) 

Let’s study our regeneration in detail! 

The whole Trinity is involved in the work of regeneration: 

1. The Father’s Role in Regeneration 

   Regeneration originates in God’s kindness and love as our Father. It is according to His will, purpose, and counsel. There must be God's plan, His election, and His kindness, even though we cannot fully comprehend this part. Ephesians 1:4-5 tells us: 

   > “Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.” 

2. The Son’s Role in Regeneration 

   Jesus, through His death and resurrection, accomplished the gospel. He cleanses all our sins and grants us forgiveness, as stated in Romans 8:3-6: 

    “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” 

   Hebrews 10:12-14 explains how powerful Jesus’ sacrifice is. His single offering is perfect and sufficient for all time: 

    “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God... For by a single offering, he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” 

   Jesus offered His own body as the atonement for our sins. 

3. The Holy Spirit’s Role in Regeneration 

   The Holy Spirit is the witness of this work, as Hebrews 10:15-18 tells us: 

    “And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, ‘This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,’ then he adds, ‘I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.’ Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.” 

   The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in our regeneration. John Owen explains this in his book The Holy Spirit: 

   “The great physician, the Holy Spirit, has come and healed the dreadful wound in our nature by which we were dead in trespasses and sins. He opens up the wound, shows us how dreadful it is, and reveals the state of death it has brought on us.” 

   The actual washing away of our sins for regeneration and the renewal of our souls is the work of the Holy Spirit. Regeneration is a creative act of the almighty power of the Trinity. 

Part Two - God’s New Creation Work 

The Holy Spirit mysteriously and miraculously gives us new life and recreates our soul from the dead. Ephesians describes how we were once dead in our trespasses and sins. However, when the Holy Spirit illuminates us, we acknowledge the miracle of our transformation. 

Let’s consider how the Holy Spirit works to convert our souls! 

1. The Holy Spirit Convicts the World of Sin 

The Holy Spirit convicts the world of its guilt through His truth and teaches us about sin. 

Before we are illuminated by the Holy Spirit, we have no real concern about our sins, Jesus, or even our salvation. However, when the Holy Spirit convicts us, we are confronted with His truth. 

John 16:8-9 explains this: 

“And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me.” 

This was demonstrated when Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, preached at Pentecost. The people of Israel were convicted of their sins, their hearts were pierced, and they sought the way of salvation. Without conviction, we would neither recognize our sins nor seek salvation. Conviction is a grace-filled work of the Holy Spirit. 

2. The Holy Spirit Reveals and Glorifies Christ** 

The Holy Spirit always represents Christ and leads us to Him. He continues the work that Christ did for His disciples and never acts contrary to Jesus' teachings. His greatest work is to glorify Christ.  We studied this two weeks ago in John 16:13-15. Acts 16:7 also describes the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Jesus: 

 “But the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.” 

Regeneration works the same way. Without the Holy Spirit’s work, we remain in spiritual blindness. When He illuminates our spiritual eyes, we recognize our sins, seek salvation, run to Christ, and ultimately acknowledge Him as our Savior and Lord. 

3. The Holy Spirit Creates a New Heart Within Us** 

A new principle or law is created in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Psalm 51:10, Ephesians 2:10). 

Ezekiel 36:25-30 vividly describes God’s prophecy of the new creation of our hearts: 

> “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules... 29 And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses... 31 Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations.” 

God Himself cleanses us from all uncleanness and idolatry. He accomplished this through the blood of His Son, Jesus. God gives us a new heart and pours His Spirit upon us. Ezekiel 36:27 declares: 

“I will put my Spirit within you.” 

The Holy Spirit comes to all who repent of their sins and believe in Jesus. He helps us walk in God’s statutes and obey His commands. The Holy Spirit enables us to follow His Word. 

When we read the book of Acts, we see that the Holy Spirit is the central figure in God’s ministry. His work continues today. Ephesians 5:18 admonishes us: 

 “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” 

4. Our Bodies Become the Temple of the Holy Spirit** 

Since the Holy Spirit dwells in every true believer, our bodies become His holy temple. 

1 Corinthians 3:16 and 6:19-20 testify to this truth: 

 “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.” 

 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 

If you are a true believer, the Holy Spirit dwells within you. Therefore, you must not grieve Him. Ephesians 4:30 warns us: 

 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” 

If we grieve the Holy Spirit, He is saddened and will not work with us. 

Conclusion 

In these postmodern times, where truth is often questioned or dismissed, it is easy to feel confused about how we should live. However, the Holy Spirit is our wonderful Advocate, Comforter, and Guide, leading us in the right way. He is almighty, ever-present, and active in our lives. This truth is a great source of encouragement and comfort. 

What can we learn from today’s passage? 

1. Humility Before God's Work of Regeneration** 

We must approach God’s regenerative work with humility. Just as creation was the work of the Trinity, so is our spiritual rebirth—a mysterious and miraculous act beyond human comprehension. Even Nicodemus, a knowledgeable teacher, struggled to understand Jesus’ words. The wisdom of this world is shallow, but God’s wisdom is deep and spiritual. 

Our role is not to understand everything with worldly knowledge but to humbly and earnestly seek Him, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us. As Saint Augustine taught, the most important virtue in God’s kingdom is humility, the second is humility, and the third is humility. Jesus affirms this in Matthew 5:3:   “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 

When we humbly and sincerely seek Him, He opens our spiritual eyes and reveals the kingdom of heaven to us. 

2. The Trinity’s Work in Creation and Redemption** 

Just as God’s creation was the work of the Trinity, so is His redemptive work. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work in perfect harmony, each fulfilling a unique role while remaining one God. This divine unity and cooperation remind us of the power and wisdom behind our salvation. 

3. The Holy Spirit Works in Alignment with God's Will** 

The Holy Spirit always works according to the will of the Father and the Son. He never acts contrary to Scripture, as Jesus came to fulfill God’s Word. Therefore, the best way to follow the Spirit’s leading is to meditate on Scripture and live according to Jesus’ teachings. 

If you desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit, you must also be filled with God’s living Word. The Holy Spirit is not only universally present—He is in your room, your office, your workplace, and even within your heart. If you humbly and earnestly seek Him, you will recognize His voice and experience His presence. He upholds the universe with His mighty power and authority, and He desires to lead you in His truth. 

Let us walk in humility, trust in the work of the Trinity, and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance through His Word.