Beckett explores regeneration as the believer's first resurrection—a spiritual awakening from spiritual death to new life in Christ—grounded in Romans 6:4's promise to "walk in newness of life." Drawing on Philippians 3:10 and Galatians 2:20, she emphasizes that resurrection life involves an intimate, experiential knowledge of Christ and the power of His resurrection, characterized by transformed desires and progressive sanctification that will culminate in the second resurrection to eternal life. The author affirms that this covenantal knowledge of God, promised in Hebrews 8:10-11, comes through the Spirit's direct revelation rather than mere human instruction, establishing the believer's living hope and inheritance secured by Christ's resurrection for our justification (1 Peter 1:3-4).
What does the Bible say about resurrection life?
The Bible teaches that believers experience a spiritual resurrection through regeneration and will be fully resurrected in eternal life.
Romans 6:4, Philippians 3:13-14, Philippians 3:10, Galatians 2:20, 1 Peter 1:3-4, Hebrews 8:10-11
How do we know regeneration is true?
We know regeneration is true because the Bible promises it, and believers experience the transformative power of God's grace.
1 Peter 1:3-4, Philippians 3:10
Why is knowing Christ's resurrection important for Christians?
Knowing Christ's resurrection is crucial because it empowers believers to live transformed lives and assures them of their eternal hope.
Romans 1:16, 1 Peter 1:3-4, Hebrews 8:10-11
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)
I was reminded of our first resurrection in a sermon preached from the pulpit last Sunday; it was a wonderful Gospel message. Regeneration is the believer’s first resurrection from death to life, which will be completed in perfection in the second resurrection to life eternal, for we know along with Paul that we haven’t attained that perfection yet:
“Brethren, I count not myself to apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:13-14)
Oh glorious day that will be! Most of the Pauline epistles address this very resurrected life we are now living, this “walking in newness of life’. In this resurrected life we now have new desires and perhaps one of the most consuming is stated by Paul:
"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Phil 3:10)
The Lord has changed my desires, even in the last few years so I often wonder if perhaps for those many years I wasn’t even converted. Who knows but the Lord Himself, but this I do know. I’m not content with someone telling me things about Jesus Christ, I must ‘know’ Him for myself, it is a consuming desire and one that I am not ashamed of.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.”(Romans 1:16a)
We search, we read, we study, we pray, we listen to the teachings of men, but we know that it is the Lord Himself who reveals (enlightens) the Truth to each of us; men cannot impart truth to one another. He has led us out of the darkness into the light and guides us into the knowledge of who He is. We must know the power of His resurrection for:
“I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in my: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal 2:20)
We must know of our inheritance, our hope:
“According to his abundant mercy He hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you: (1 Peter 1: 3-4)
And we must remember that the New Covenant that we are in has this very promise of knowing Him:
“For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying Know the Lord, for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest” (Hebrews 8:10-11)
OH thank you Lord God that Jesus Christ was raised for our justification, that through the power of His resurrection we can know Him and walk in newness of life and we give all Praise and Honor and Glory to you alone!
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