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Arthur W. Pink

The New Birth

Arthur W. Pink October, 25 2007 Audio
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A short Arthur Pink tract on salvation and the new birth.

A. W. Pink's sermon on "The New Birth" centers on the doctrine of regeneration, emphasizing its essential role in salvation. Pink articulates that two key components are crucial: deliverance from the guilt and penalty of sin (secured by Christ’s mediatorial work) and deliverance from the power and presence of sin (accomplished through the Holy Spirit’s work). He elaborates on the transformative process of regeneration, sanctification, and glorification, citing Scripture such as Titus 3:5 and Romans 8:30 to highlight the necessity of a radical spiritual change for anyone desiring communion with God. The practical significance of this doctrine underscores that without regeneration, a person cannot truly appreciate or engage with spiritual realities; it serves as both a diagnostic tool for self-examination and a call to embrace the life of faith.

Key Quotes

“The one takes place when, having been brought to lie in the dust as an empty-handed beggar, faith is enabled to lay hold of Christ.”

“Regeneration is indispensably necessary before any soul can enter heaven.”

“A regenerated person is a new creature in Christ Jesus.”

“Let each one of us test and search himself in the presence of God by these questions.”

What does the Bible say about regeneration?

The Bible teaches that regeneration is essential for salvation, restoring believers to spiritual life through the Holy Spirit.

Regeneration, or the new birth, is a critical doctrine in Scripture that underscores the necessity of a radical transformation before one can enter heaven. The natural man, being spiritually dead, cannot appreciate or desire the spiritual things of God. According to passages like Titus 3:5, regeneration is the divine act of God through the Holy Spirit that grants spiritual life, enabling a person to embrace holiness and a relationship with God. A new principle of holiness is introduced that empowers the believer to live in accordance with God's will.

Titus 3:5, John 3:3, Romans 8:10

How do we know regeneration is true?

Regeneration is affirmed in Scripture and evidenced by a transformation in a believer's life and attitudes toward sin and God.

The truth of regeneration is grounded in Scripture, particularly in passages like John 3:3, where Jesus states that 'unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' This transformation is not merely an external change but involves a deep, internal renewal of the heart. Believers can examine their lives for evidence of regeneration through changes in their attitudes toward sin, their desire for God, and their ability to pursue holiness. Genuine faith will produce observable fruits, reaffirming that regeneration has indeed occurred.

John 3:3, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 5:22-23

Why is the new birth important for Christians?

The new birth is vital for Christians because it enables them to enter into a relationship with God and empowers them to live a holy life.

The new birth, or regeneration, is fundamental to the Christian faith as it marks the beginning of a believer's spiritual journey. Without this crucial change, individuals remain spiritually dead, incapable of loving or serving God. As noted in Romans 8:10, the Holy Spirit's work is indispensable to enable believers to live in alignment with God's desires. The new birth not only facilitates reconciliation with God but also equips believers with a new life that desires holiness, love for the Word, and the capacity for spiritual joy.

Romans 8:10, Ephesians 2:1-5, 1 Peter 1:3

What changes occur during regeneration?

During regeneration, a believer is given a new spiritual life, enabling a profound change in desires and attitudes towards sin and holiness.

Regeneration brings about significant changes within the believer, fundamentally altering their spiritual condition. As Arthur Pink explains, prior to regeneration, a person is spiritually dead, but through the work of the Holy Spirit, they are made spiritually alive (Ephesians 2:5). This transformation includes receiving a new principle of holiness that empowers them to loathe sin and desire righteousness. Believers experience a new heart disposition, with a deep sorrow for sin and an earnest affection for God, resulting in a life that actively seeks to honor Him and bear spiritual fruit.

Ephesians 2:1-5, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 5:22-23

Sermon Transcript

Auto-generated transcript • May contain errors

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REGENERATION or THE NEW BIRTH by Arthur Pink

Two things are absolutely essential in order to salvation. Deliverance from the guilt and penalty of sin, and deliverance from the power and presence of sin. The one is secured by the mediatorial work of Christ. The other is accomplished by the effectual operations of the Holy Spirit. The one is the blessed result of what the Lord Jesus did for God's people. The other is the glorious consequence of what the Holy Spirit does in God's people.

The one takes place when, having been brought to lie in the dust as an empty-handed beggar, faith is enabled to lay hold of Christ, God then justifying from all sins, and the trembling, penitent, but believing sinner, receiving a full and free pardon. The other takes place gradually, in distinct stages under the divine blessing of regeneration, sanctification, and glorification. In regeneration, sin receives its death wound, though not its death. In sanctification, the regenerated soul is shown the sin and corruption which dwells within, and is taught to loathe and hate himself. At glorification, both soul and body will be forever delivered from every vestige and effect of sin.

Regeneration is indispensably necessary before any soul can enter heaven. In order to love spiritual things, a man must be made spiritual. The natural man may hear about them and have a correct idea of the doctrine of them, but he cannot love them, nor find his joy in them. None can dwell with God and be eternally happy in His presence until a radical change has been wrought in him, a change from sin to holiness. And this change must take place while on earth.

How could one possibly enter a world of ineffable holiness, who has spent all of his time in sin, and living to please self? How could he possibly sing the song of the Lamb, if his heart had never been tuned unto it? How could he endure to behold the dread majesty of God, face to face, who never before so much as saw him through a glass darkly, by the eye of faith. As it is excruciatingly torturous for eyes that have been long confined to dismal darkness, to suddenly gaze upon the bright beams of the midday sun, so will it be when the unregenerate behold him who is light. Instead of welcoming such a sight, all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Yes, so overwhelming will be their anguish, they will call to the mountains and the rocks, fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. And, listener, that will be your experience, unless God regenerates you.

That which takes place at regeneration is the reversal of what happened at the Fall. The one born again is, through Christ and by the Spirit's operation, restored to union and communion with God. The one who before was spiritually dead is now spiritually alive. Just as spiritual death was brought about by the entrance into man's being of a principle of evil, So spiritual life is brought about by the introduction of a principle of holiness. God communicates a new principle, as real and as potent as the principle of sin. Divine grace is now imparted. A holy disposition is wrought in the soul. A new temper of spirit is bestowed upon the inner man. But no new faculties are created within him. are his original faculties, enriched, ennobled, and empowered. A regenerated person is a new creature in Christ Jesus. Listener, is this true of you? Let each one of us test and search himself in the presence of God by these questions. How is my heart affected toward sin? Is there a deep humiliation and godly sorrow after I have yielded thereto? Is there a genuine detestation of sin? Is my conscience tender so that my peace is disturbed by what the world calls trifling faults or little things? Am I humbled when conscious of the risings of pride and self-will? Do I loathe my inward corruptions? Are my affections dead toward the world, and alive toward God?

What engages my mind in seasons of recreation? Do I find spiritual exercises pleasant and joyous, or irksome and burdensome? Can I truthfully say, How sweet are your words unto my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119 verse 103. Is communion with God my highest joy? Is the glory of God dearer to me than all the world contains?

There are seven new things which all believers now possess. Repentance, a new mind about God, Acts 20 verse 21. Justification, A new state before God, Romans 4 verse 25. Regeneration, a new life from God, Titus 3 verse 5. Conversion, a new attitude toward God, Matthew 18 verse 3. Sonship, a new relationship with God, 1 John 3 verse 1. Sanctification, a new position before God. Jude verse 1. Glorification, a new place with God. Romans 8 verse 30.

This concludes Regeneration or The New Birth by Arthur Pink.
Arthur W. Pink
About Arthur W. Pink

Arthur Walkington Pink (April 1, 1886 - July 15, 1952) was an English Bible teacher who sparked a renewed interest in the exposition of the doctrines of Grace otherwise known as "Calvinism" or "Reformed Theology" in the twentieth century.

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