Passage: The Gospel & Salvation | Lesson 05
Carl Sujo | October 19, 2014
What is Biogenesis?
Biogenesis is the production of new living organisms or organelles. The law of biogenesis, attributed to Louis Pasteur, is the observation that living things come only from other living things, by reproduction... That is, life does not arise from non-living material, which was the position held by spontaneous generation.
1. What does it mean to be “born again”?
According to Hodge's Systematic Theology, the word regeneration is used almost universally to refer to the instantaneous change from spiritual death to spiritual life. He says it is not used to designate "the whole work of sanctification, nor the first stages of that work comprehended in conversion, much less justification or any mere external change of state." In calling it a spiritual resurrection—the beginning of a new life, Hodge adds, "Sometimes the word expresses the act of God. God regenerates. Sometimes it designates the subjective effect of his act"
2. Study John 3:1-10
a. What type of person is Nicodemus? Pharisee. A religious person. A new religion does us no good. He doesn’t need a new religion but a new life. He is physically alive but spiritually dead. John 3:3
b. What does he recognize about Jesus? Signs. He recognized his miracles and as a miracle worker but that was not good enough. (John 3:6) supernatural. Like Biogenesis, Flesh is born of flesh. Spirit is born of spirit. It is the key to the kingdom.
c. What does it mean to be born of water and spirit? (John 1:26, 33,34) John baptized in water, Jesus baptizes in the Holy Spirit. John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance (Mark 1:4). Perhaps, repentance of our sins is the first step of being born again.
3. Why do we need to be “born again”?
a. We are dead (Ephesians 2:1-2)
Apart from the new birth, we are dead in trespasses and sins.
b. We are children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3)
The problem is not just in what we do but in who we are. I am my main problem. My parents are not my main problem. My job is not my main problem. My circumstances are not my main problem. I am my main problem. Not my deeds, and not my circumstances, and not the people in my life, but my nature is my deepest personal problem. Our nature is described as “children of wrath”. Our nature, our being is deserving of God’s wrath.
4. What if we are not regenerated or born again
We cannot see or enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:3–5). If we are not born again, we are not entering into the Kingdom of God. We will go to hell. So being born again is critical.
5. How is a person “regenerated”?
a. In His love for us, God made us alive (Ephesians 2:4-5)
b. It is done to us, not something we do (John 1:13) It was God’s will
c. According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again(1 Peter 1:3). We do not cause the new birth. God causes the new birth. Any good thing that we do is a result of the new birth, not a cause of the new birth.
6. How is a person who is regenerated different than a person who is not regenerated?
a. A regenerated person practices righteousness (1 John 2:29)
b. A person born again does not practice continuous sin (1 John 3:9)
c. A person born of God loves on another (1 John 4:7)
d. A person born of God overcomes the world (1 John 5:4)
Application
In 1 John 4:7 it states: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” Even though it is all God’s spiritual work which regenerates us and gives us spiritual life, John give us a directive “let us love...” to love one another. Now that God has given us spiritual birth, we are to live it out.
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