Originally Posted by rwinger61

First of all, if your idea of a study of Regeneration is limited to the two times the actual word is used, then you are definately off on the wrong foot.

Take a look at John 3 - the "new birth" passage. Regeneration is the theological term used for the new birth.

3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

What does it mean to "see the kingdom of God"? I don't think Christ if referring to actually seeing Christ reigning in heaven at some future date. He is describing the spiritual kingdom of God which is "not of the this world" as Christ told Pilate. He is a King, but his servants would not fight because this kingdom is not earthly, but spiritual. Now go to 1 Corinthians 2:14 -

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Is believing that Jesus Christ is the appointed Messiah who came down from Heaven as the incarnate Son of God - yet remained a poor, humble man - and died to pay the penalty of sin - is that a spiritual thing? Can natural man "Discern it?"

It is a very spiritual thing, and as Jesus told Nicodemus, you won't comprehend it until the Spirit has come upon you and opened your eyes.

Look at Acts 16:14 -

Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.


Now why was this woman able to discern and recieve, (or "heed) the things spoken of by Paul? Because God saw fit to send the Spirit upon her and open her understanding. That is the sending of the Holy Spirit to the sinner in conjunction with the preaching of the word, which saves the sinner.

Why can't unregenerate people believe?

John 12:40
“ He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes,Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,So that I should heal them.”

Why do they believe?

Ephesians 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding[c] being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

Got to go - I have a lesson to study for and I am missing Star Trek.