How does regeneration occur according to the Bible?

Regeneration, or the new birth, is an essential work of the Holy Spirit that makes a person spiritually alive. In John 3:5, Jesus explains that one must be born of water and the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. This indicates that regeneration is not something a person can initiate or achieve; it is a work of grace executed by the Spirit who brings forth new life in a spiritually dead individual. Men-pleasers might suggest that individuals have the power to accept or reject this new birth, but true servants of Christ emphasize that regeneration is purely the work of the Holy Spirit, who brings the elect to faith in Christ. Thus, understanding regeneration highlights our absolute dependence on God's grace for salvation and life.