Washing of Regeneration: What the Holy Spirit actually says

Regeneration and conversion are often thought to be the same, but they are two very distinct and completely different events. An attempt to compare these two would be like comparing the growth of an apple tree to the development of an apple. Regeneration is the tree and conversion is the apple, and you cannot have an apple without an apple tree.

When regeneration and conversion are understood to be two separate events, the distinguishing features become obscured when the two are not rightly divided and their characteristics are jumbled.

The word regeneration “palingenesia” can only be found twice in scripture. The Morrish Bible Dictionary interestingly says, “It will be seen that the word regeneration has not in scripture the sense of ‘new birth,’ to which the term has been commonly applied. Intimately connected with regeneration is the idea of ‘washing,’ referring probably to a cleansing, or separation from old associations, which is essential to the idea of regeneration”. And when rightly divided, this will be found to be very true.

The first use of this word is found in Matthew 19:28. This usage is in regard to a change of power and authority, not a new birth. Christ takes a seat upon His throne at the right-hand of God. God took His kingdom from the nation of Israel after the flesh and gave it to the spiritual Israel of promise (Romans 9:8). These and other changes are described as the shaking of heaven and earth (Daniel 7:13-14 & Hebrews 12:26-28).

With this study I hope to be able to not only convince, but also to prove, that the use of regeneration spoken of in Titus 3:5 is the same as that in Matthew 19:28.

The scriptures reveal five changes of power and authority that occur at the time of regeneration. Although there is no stated order in which these occur, I will discuss each one in what would seem to be the most logical order. Just to clarify, each of these are solely spiritual in nature and do not involve any action, decision, or even conscientiousness on the part of the person. In fact, the person cannot know when regeneration occurs, only that it has taken place at some time in the past.

• Translation
• Crucifixion
• Spiritual Baptism
• Adoption
• Inheritance


Translation

A lot is revealed by Jesus concerning translation in John chapter 6. In John 6:44, Jesus teaches that no man can come into His authority, unless he is delivered into His authority by the Father. In John 6:37, He teaches that all who are delivered into His authority will be received by Him. In John 6:50, He teaches that all that are delivered to Him will live forever. And in John 6:39, He teaches that of all those who are delivered into His power and authority, not a single one will ever be taken away.

Colossians 1:13-14 provides us with a word picture of the translation event. At this point one should think of John 6:44, and give great consideration to the word “draw” which means to pull up or out; to raise from any depth; as, to draw water from a well. And this definition is clearly made manifest in these passages. God reaches down into the depths of darkness and delivers us from its power and authority setting us down on the other side of a great barrier that no man can cross (Genesis 3:24) without the Fathers divine intervention. These passages from Colossians do not describe the transference of the person physically, but instead of the transference of the title of ownership of the purchased possession.


Baptism

Paul uses baptism, "baptizo" meaning to be cleansed by submersion, to reveal another aspect of regeneration. He uses this figuratively in Romans 6:3-7. He teaches that during regeneration, a spiritual baptism of cleansing takes place. This is consistent with his teaching from Titus 3:5, when he uses the phrase “the washing of regeneration”. This cleansing is the victory of Christ over death being applied. It is the blotting out of our transgressions against God, which were atoned by Christ on the cross.


Crucifixion

Also in Romans 6:3-9, Paul uses crucifixion “soos-tow-ro’-o”, meaning to render helpless, and makes several references to the person being buried into death with Christ. Prior to regeneration, the carnal nature has complete and utter control over the person. This carnal nature is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be (Romans 8:7). Therefore, by the washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5) and the adoption of children (Ephesians 1:5), when Christ’s victory over death is applied, the carnal man is put to death (Ephesians 2:16), or rather loosed from total dominance. This loosing renders the carnal man helpless against the power of the Holy Spirit. It enables the person, for the first time, to be able to subdue the carnal man, but only through the power and strength of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:13). It is the person’s free will choice to convert to Christ and receive the Holy Spirit (John 14:23), enabling His power and authority over the carnal man. For more details on subduing the carnal man, see my study Born Again by Conversion.

Although the person is cleansed by the loosing of the carnal nature, it remains to be the dominant force in his life. To provide a word picture, regeneration is the removing of the shackles and the opening of the cell door, making a way of escape from the prison cell in which the person has been kept by the power of darkness. Now, all he needs to do is find his way out to enjoy this new freedom, and this is the purpose of the gospel message. Jesus also said this very same thing in John 13:10, "He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit". In other words, the person is now willfully allowing the carnal nature to reign over his mortal body (Romans 6:12) and yielding himself to its service, by obeying its lusts (Romans 6:13). This is why Paul describes this aspect of regeneration as being baptized into death. Despite having been transferred into this new realm, over which Christ has dominion, the person is not automatically conformed to its ways and means. At this point, the person is described as being asleep (Romans 13:11, 1 Corinthians 15:34, Ephesians 5:14) because he has not yet been awakened to this glorious change. As dead (Romans 6:7, Ephesians 5:14, Luke 15:24, John 5:25, John 11:25, Romans 11:15, Romans 14:9, 1 Corinthians 15:29, Ephesians 2:1, Ephesians 2:5, Colossians 2:13, 1 Timothy 5:6, 2 Timothy 2:11, and many others) because the person is unfruitful and unskillful in the ways of righteousness. As a child of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2, Ephesians 5:6, Colossians 3:6) because he is rebellious and in love with the world. And even a child of the devil (1 John 3:8 & 10, 2 Timothy 2:26) because he is yielding himself to be the devils servant (Romans 6:12).


Adoption

Paul, in the opening chapter of his epistle to the Ephesians, sets forth a progression of events which should be undisputable. The first of these events is the adoption of children by the Father, who has predetermined those to whom His glorious grace shall be applied. Paul makes no mention of belief, or of the gospel, until he gets to the third and final item in this progression. This is the true substance of 1 John 4:19, “We love him, because he first loved us”. He loved us before we ever even gave any thought about loving Him. In fact, before we were ever even conceived in the womb of our mother, He chose to love each one of His elect and chose them to be adopted as His children. He chose to make each one accepted in the beloved.

By why must we be adopted? God created man in His likeness and in His image. Some will argue that Genesis 5:3 does not support the claim that Adam passed, his now defiled nature, to all his prosperity. But, Romans 8:29 says that the elect were predestinated to be conformed (made agreeable) to the image of His Son, and Ephesians 1:5-6 supports this stating that we were predestinated to be adopted where in He has made us accepted (agreeable). In other words, a person must be adopted in order to once again obtain the image and likeness of God.

By adoption, the person becomes one of God’s children. But again, this is only a spiritual change, and is the same as the change in authority and ownership mentioned above, in the discussion of translation. There is no change physically to the person. Paul describes the person at this point, as being no different than one who has not been adopted, in Galatians 4:1. Give a lot of consideration to what Paul is saying. The hier, as long as he remains to be a child, is no different than the servant, which is obviously not a child of the father. The point that Paul is attempting to make is, they are both unlearned, without the knowledge needed take control of any part of the fathers estate. Another way you could look at this would be, they both are carnally minded, minding the things of the flesh. They are both in love with the world and are not prepared to be given any responsibility over anything pertaining to the Fathers estate. Notice another very important thing that Paul points out. It is only the heir that is under governors and tutors, to bring him to faith in Christ (Galatians 3:24-25), not the servant. The servant is still under the complete control of the carnal nature; the carnal nature that is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be (Romans 8:7).

It is important to understand why certain scriptures may not appear at first to support this fully. It is all about proper perspective. All of those who the Father adopts as children are, from the Fathers perspective, His children, whether they acknowledge this fact or not. Not all of God’s children will acknowledge Him as their Father. To those who do receive the adoption of sons (Galatians 4:5-6), the Spirit of His Son will be sent into their hearts and they will cry Abba, Father! And these will be obedient unto Him and will obey His commandments, without burden. They will love the Lord their God, and He will be their God.

But to those who do not acknowledge Him and are rebellious against Him, and who love the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds are evil (John 3:19), the wrath of God abides upon them (Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 10:31). They will be chastened (Hebrews 12:7) and those who are exercised thereby (Hebrews 12:11) will turn from their wicked ways and convert and be healed (Matthew 13:15, Mark 4:12, James 5:20). They will enter into the kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 18:3) departing from the broad way and the destruction they have known, entering in through the strait gate of life, which few are able to find (Matthew 7:13-14).


Inheritance

At the time of adoption the person is bequeathed an inheritance (Ephesians 1:11) of Eternal Life and Salvation. Although this inheritance is bequeathed, the same as a father would bequeath his inheritance to his children, there are some differences. The first difference that needs to be understood is that in place of the Father, the Son was the testator (Hebrews 9:16), who died so that the testament would be of force (Hebrews 9:17). The person has obtained the inheritance, because the Son died in place of the Father, but can only take possession of the earnest of it, through faith in Christ when they receive the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14).

A person is only able to take full possession of the inheritance when he departs this mortal world (1 Peter 1:4). Until that time, God has appointed a mediator (Hebrews 9:15), just as a father would appoint an executor for his will. Should the father pass before his children, the executor distributes portions of the estate to the children as needed for support. Whether for food, clothing, education, etc…, the executor pays for these things by withdrawing from the estate. Jesus, acting as mediator, gives us varying measures of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:14) in accordance with our faith and obedience, for blessing, reward, and strength. For more details concerning the earnest of our inheritance, see my study on Born Again by Conversion.


Summary

God uses multiple perspectives to teach a single truth. He did this in Daniel and Revelation. He also did this in the gospels and epistles, for example, with the kingdom of heaven. I hope you will be able to see the evident connections of how these five changes of power and authority are intertwined with each other. They are truly multiple perspectives provided by God’s word to enable the Bible student to gain a proper understanding of Regeneration.

When I think of regeneration, I think of the story of Adam. The fall of man is the reverse shadow of what must be accomplished in order to return to favor with God. Did Adam have a choice to eat the forbidden fruit? Of course he did, without question. But, did Adam have a choice in being driven out from the Garden of Eden? Did Adam have a choice to return to the Garden of Eden and partake of the Tree of Life? No, I am afraid he had absolutely no choice in the matter.