Complete Metamorphosis and Regeneration: “Ye Must Be Born Again”
Metamorphosis
met·a·mor·pho·sis
Metamorphosis: Caterpillar to Butterfly
A butterfly metamorphosis close up chronological view showing detailed transitions from egg, caterpillar growth, chrysalis formation, butterfly development within the chrysalis and butterfly emergence.
Regeneration
Adult Butterfly - A time of fruition; A rebirth.
Photos: By Primitive Baptists
Series: Living as God's Community
Called to Live as God’s Children
We Are Called to Belong
1 Peter 2:1–10
A Chosen People
".....called out of darkness into his marvelous light..."
1 Peter 2: 9b.1 ESV
"....that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light...."
1 Peter 2: 9b.2 ESV
1 Peter 2: 9b.2 ESV
"Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
1 Peter 2:10 ESV
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Regeneration
Regeneration definition
Found in Matt. 19:28 and Titus 3:5. This word literally means a "new birth." The Greek word so rendered (palingenesia) is used by classical writers with reference to the changes produced by the return of spring. In Matt. 19:28 the word is equivalent to the "restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21). In Titus 3:5 it denotes that change of heart elsewhere spoken of as a passing from death to life (1 John 3:14); becoming a new creature in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17); being born again (John 3:5); a renewal of the mind (Rom. 12:2); a resurrection from the dead (Eph. 2:6); a being quickened (2:1, 5). This change is ascribed to the Holy Spirit. It originates not with man but with God (John 1:12, 13; 1 John 2:29; 5:1, 4). As to the nature of the change, it consists in the implanting of a new principle or disposition in the soul; the impartation of spiritual life to those who are by nature "dead in trespasses and sins." The necessity of such a change is emphatically affirmed in Scripture
Regeneration definition
Found in Matt. 19:28 and Titus 3:5. This word literally means a "new birth." The Greek word so rendered (palingenesia) is used by classical writers with reference to the changes produced by the return of spring. In Matt. 19:28 the word is equivalent to the "restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21). In Titus 3:5 it denotes that change of heart elsewhere spoken of as a passing from death to life (1 John 3:14); becoming a new creature in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17); being born again (John 3:5); a renewal of the mind (Rom. 12:2); a resurrection from the dead (Eph. 2:6); a being quickened (2:1, 5). This change is ascribed to the Holy Spirit. It originates not with man but with God (John 1:12, 13; 1 John 2:29; 5:1, 4). As to the nature of the change, it consists in the implanting of a new principle or disposition in the soul; the impartation of spiritual life to those who are by nature "dead in trespasses and sins." The necessity of such a change is emphatically affirmed in Scripture
Titus 3:5 NASB
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,Titus 3:4-6 (in Context) Titus 3 (Whole Chapter) Godly Living
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,Titus 3:4-6 (in Context) Titus 3 (Whole Chapter) Godly Living
Bildad Speaks: Man Cannot Be Righteous
1Then(A) Bildad the Shuhite answered and said:
2"Dominion and fear are with God;[a]
he makes peace in his high heaven.
3Is there any number to his(B) armies?
Upon whom does his(C) light not arise?
4How then can man be(D) in the right before God?
How can he who is(E) born of woman be(F) pure?
5Behold, even the moon is not bright,
and the stars are not pure in his eyes;
6(G) how much less man, who is(H) a maggot,
and(I) the son of man, who is a worm!"
2"Dominion and fear are with God;[a]
he makes peace in his high heaven.
3Is there any number to his(B) armies?
Upon whom does his(C) light not arise?
4How then can man be(D) in the right before God?
How can he who is(E) born of woman be(F) pure?
5Behold, even the moon is not bright,
and the stars are not pure in his eyes;
6(G) how much less man, who is(H) a maggot,
and(I) the son of man, who is a worm!"
'The Lord our Righteousness.'
Jeremiah 23:6 KJV
It will always give a Christian the greatest calm, quiet, ease, and peace, to think of the perfect righteousness of Christ. How often are the saints of God downcast and sad! I do not think they ought to be. I do not think they would if they could always see their perfection in Christ. There are some who are always talking about corruption, and the depravity of the heart, and the innate evil of the soul. This is quite true, but why not go a little further, and remember that we are 'perfect in Christ Jesus.' It is no wonder that those who are dwelling upon their own corruption should wear such downcast looks; but surely if we call to mind that 'Christ is made unto us righteousness,' we shall be of good cheer. What though distresses afflict me, though Satan assault me, though there may be many things to be experienced before I get to heaven, those are done for me in the covenant of divine grace; there is nothing wanting in my Lord, Christ hath done it all. On the cross He said, 'It is finished!' and if it be finished, then am I complete in Him, and can rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, 'Not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.' You will not find on this side heaven a holier people than those who receive into their hearts the doctrine of Christ's righteousness. When the believer says, 'I live on Christ alone; I rest on Him solely for salvation; and I believe that, however unworthy, I am still saved in Jesus;' then there rises up as a motive of gratitude this thought-- 'Shall I not live to Christ? Shall I not love Him and serve Him, seeing that I am saved by His merits?' 'The love of Christ constraineth us,' 'that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto Him which died for them.' If saved by imputed righteousness, we shall greatly value imparted righteousness. By Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92)
It will always give a Christian the greatest calm, quiet, ease, and peace, to think of the perfect righteousness of Christ. How often are the saints of God downcast and sad! I do not think they ought to be. I do not think they would if they could always see their perfection in Christ. There are some who are always talking about corruption, and the depravity of the heart, and the innate evil of the soul. This is quite true, but why not go a little further, and remember that we are 'perfect in Christ Jesus.' It is no wonder that those who are dwelling upon their own corruption should wear such downcast looks; but surely if we call to mind that 'Christ is made unto us righteousness,' we shall be of good cheer. What though distresses afflict me, though Satan assault me, though there may be many things to be experienced before I get to heaven, those are done for me in the covenant of divine grace; there is nothing wanting in my Lord, Christ hath done it all. On the cross He said, 'It is finished!' and if it be finished, then am I complete in Him, and can rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, 'Not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.' You will not find on this side heaven a holier people than those who receive into their hearts the doctrine of Christ's righteousness. When the believer says, 'I live on Christ alone; I rest on Him solely for salvation; and I believe that, however unworthy, I am still saved in Jesus;' then there rises up as a motive of gratitude this thought-- 'Shall I not live to Christ? Shall I not love Him and serve Him, seeing that I am saved by His merits?' 'The love of Christ constraineth us,' 'that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto Him which died for them.' If saved by imputed righteousness, we shall greatly value imparted righteousness. By Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92)
'Ye must be born again.'
John 3:7 KJV
Regeneration is a subject which lies at the very basis of salvation, and we should be very diligent to take heed that we really are 'born again,' for there are many who fancy they are, who are not. Be assured that the name of a Christian is not the nature of a Christian; and that being born in a Christian land, and being recognized as professing the Christian religion is of no avail whatever, unless there be something more added to it--the being 'born again,' is a matter so mysterious, that human words cannot describe it. 'The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.' Nevertheless, it is a change which is known and felt: known by works of holiness, and felt by a gracious experience. This great work is supernatural. It is not an operation which a man performs for himself: a new principle is infused, which works in the heart, renews the soul, and affects the entire man. It is not a change of my name, but a renewal of my nature, so that I am not the man I used to be, but a new man in Christ Jesus. To wash and dress a corpse is a far different thing from making it alive: man can do the one, God alone can do the other. If you have then, been 'born again,' your acknowledgment will be, 'O Lord Jesus, the everlasting Father, Thou art my spiritual Parent; unless Thy Spirit had breathed into me the breath of a new, holy, and spiritual life, I had been to this day 'dead in trespasses and sins.' My heavenly life is wholly derived from Thee, to Thee I ascribe it. 'My life is hid with Christ in God.' It is no longer I who live, but Christ who liveth in me.' May the Lord enable us to be well assured on this vital point, for to be unregenerate is to be unsaved, unpardoned, without God, and without hope. By Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92)
'To whom belongest thou?'
No neutralities can exist in religion. We are either ranked under the banner of Prince Immanuel, to serve and fight His battles, or we are vassals of the black prince, Satan. 'To whom belongest thou?'
Reader, let me assist you in your response. Have you been 'born again'? If you have, you belong to Christ, but without the new birth you cannot be His. In whom do you trust? For those who believe in Jesus are the sons of God. Whose work are you doing? You are sure to serve your master, for he whom you serve is thereby owned to be your lord. What company do you keep? If you belong to Jesus, you will fraternize with those who wear the livery of the cross. 'Birds of a feather flock together.' What is your conversation? Is it heavenly or is it earthly? What have you learned of your Master?--for servants learn much from their masters to whom they are apprenticed. If you have served your time with Jesus, it will be said of you, as it was of Peter and John, 'They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.'
We press the question, 'To whom belongest thou?' Answer honestly before you give sleep to your eyes. If you are not Christ's you are in a hard service--Run away from your cruel master! Enter into the service of the Lord of Love, and you shall enjoy a life of blessedness. If you are Christ's let me advise you to do four things. You belong to Jesus--obey him; let his word be your law; let His wish be your will. You belong to the Beloved, then love Him; let your heart embrace Him; let your whole soul be filled with Him. You belong to the Son of God, then trust him; rest nowhere but on him. You belong to the King of kings, then be decided for Him. Thus, without your being branded upon the brow, all will know to whom you belong. By Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92)
Adult Butterfly
A time of fruition; A rebirth.
Egg larvae within - The Egg - Germ of a new life.
Larvae - Caterpilla
Chrysalis: A time of change.
Adult Butterfly - A time of fruition; A rebirth.
