Regeneration
God gives new spiritual life, creating renewed hearts that respond to Him.
What is a doctrine?
Definition: A doctrine is what Scripture teaches about a specific truth: about God, humanity, salvation, or the future. It is drawn from the whole Bible, not just one passage.
How to read this page: Start with the definition, then read the key passage witnesses to see where this doctrine lives in Scripture.
Formation: The formation section shows how this doctrine shapes the believer's life and ministry.
This doctrine affirms that salvation includes a real work of new birth by God's Spirit, bringing people from death to life and enabling renewed faith and obedience.
Also known as New Birth · Spiritual Rebirth
1 John 2:28-29 Abide in Christ for Confidence at His Appearing Believers are called to remain in Christ so that they may have confidence rather than shame at His return, with righteous living serving as evidence of being born of Him.
To show that Christ’s advocacy and atonement produce a life of obedience, love, discernment, and perseverance rather than moral carelessness or doctrinal vagueness.
- 1 : Call to abide in Christ with an eye toward His future appearing (2:28).
- 2 : Confidence contrasted with shame at His coming (2:28).
- 3 : Righteous practice as evidence of being born of Him (2:29).
Those who abide in Jesus Christ share in His life and will stand unashamed at His appearing, not because of their merit, but because they are united to the Righteous One and have been born of God, resulting in transformed conduct.
1 John 3:1-3 Behold the Father’s Love: Children of God and Future Glory The Father has lavishly bestowed His love upon believers by calling them His children, granting them a present identity and a future hope that fuels present purification.
To show that divine sonship produces visible transformation through hope, righteousness, love, faith in the Son, and the Spirit’s confirming work.
- 1 : Marvel at the Father’s love expressed in calling us His children (3:1a).
- 2 : The world’s ignorance of believers rooted in ignorance of God (3:1b).
- 3 : Present identity and future transformation at Christ’s appearing (3:2).
Through Jesus Christ, the Father has adopted sinners as His own children, not by their merit but by His gracious love. Though the world does not understand this identity, those born of God await Christ’s appearing, when they will be made like Him, and this hope drives them toward holiness now.
1 John 3:4-10 Children of God and Children of the Devil: Sin, New Birth, and Revealed Identity Persistent lawless sin reveals alignment with the devil, while righteous living and love for fellow believers reveal new birth from God.
To show that divine sonship produces visible transformation through hope, righteousness, love, faith in the Son, and the Spirit’s confirming work.
- 1 : Definition of sin as lawlessness (3:4).
- 2 : Christ’s purpose in appearing: to take away sins and because in Him there is no sin (3:5).
- 3 : Abiding in Christ incompatible with ongoing sinful practice (3:6).
Jesus Christ was revealed to remove sin and to undo the devil’s work. Through union with Him, believers receive new life from God that breaks the dominion of sin and produces transformed conduct, not to earn salvation but as evidence of having been born of God.
All 37 Witnesses
8 canonical motifs share passages with this doctrine. Expand any motif to read its summary.
Spirit
Trace the Spirit's presence, empowerment, renewal, and mission-bearing work across Scripture.
Trace this motif →Holiness
Study holiness as divine character, covenant identity, and sanctified life across Scripture.
Trace this motif →Kingdom
Study kingdom reign, divine rule, and gospel kingdom proclamation across Scripture.
Trace this motif →Judgment
Track judgment as covenant accountability, divine justice, and eschatological reckoning.
Trace this motif →Faith
Follow faith, believing response, trust, and persevering allegiance across Scripture.
Trace this motif →Remnant
Trace remnant preservation, covenant continuity, and mercy under judgment across Scripture.
Trace this motif →Resurrection
Follow resurrection hope, vindication, and life-over-death patterns across the canon.
Trace this motif →Glory
Trace how divine glory, revealed majesty, and Christ-centered exaltation move across Scripture.
Trace this motif →