This week Pastor Lance continues his deep dive into our doctrinal statement with part two on the topic of regeneration, drawn from John 3:5–8 and Titus 3:4–7.

How does a person who is spiritually dead come to spiritual life? Jesus answers with absolute clarity: "You must be born again." In this lesson, Pastor Lance unpacks regeneration as the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit by which God gives new spiritual life to dead sinners—a work we do not choose, cannot earn, and contribute nothing to, just as no one contributes to their own physical birth.

The teaching works through three central questions:

• Who is regenerated? — Pastor Lance contrasts the non-Reformed views (Pelagian, Semi-Pelagian, and Arminian) and the Catholic doctrine of baptismal regeneration with the biblical view: those united to Christ in the New Covenant are made alive by the Spirit, the result of God's initiative alone.

• When does regeneration happen? — A look at the "family debate" among the Reformed, drawing on Bavinck, Hodge, Berkhof, the Canons of Dort, and Scripture. Both sides agree regeneration is God's act alone and causally prior to faith. Rather than hunting for the exact moment, we're pointed to the better question: do you now believe on the Son?

• What happens when you are regenerated? — You are converted. Your whole conscious life—mind, heart, and will—is reoriented to God in worship. Christ becomes precious to you, the Father's love becomes real, the Holy Spirit gives you life, and that new life bears fruit in repentance and faith.

Regeneration is the hinge on which the whole Christian life turns: God gives life, and the one made alive responds in repentance and faith, bearing fruit worthy of the grace received. You cannot trace the wind's origin, but you cannot miss its effects.

Christ Community Church
Soteriology: A Deep Dive into Our Doctrinal Statement
John 3:5–8; Titus 3:4–7