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FAQ # 50
QUESTION 50 : Are you sure regeneration is the “resurrection of the dead”
(Heb 6:1)? Or is the resurrection speaking of Christ’s return?
As
seen in chapter 3, Adam’s disobedience killed all who are born of the
flesh. In other words, his disobedience separated us from the life giving
force that is built in us – God’s spirit. So what resulted was ‘the living
dead,’ which will only live out its bodily tenure then the soul is thrown
in God’s ‘garbage dump’ or hell’s fire: all that will be unfit for heaven
will be thrown into hell’s fire. And that’s why Christ could have said,
“let the dead [living dead] bury their dead [physical dead]” (Lk 9:60).
The
thing that killed us is sin and it brought about spiritual death and then
all other deaths followed. For instance, if I shot an animal in the leg
and he continues to bleed profusely, he would eventually die; though he
is still pretty much alive. Sin came in and cut off our life source (connection
with God) from us and we are as good as dead.
However,
that’s why Christ came, he came to resurrect the dead.
1.
“And
you hath he quickened, who were
dead in trespasses and sins”
(Eph 2:1).
2.
“And you, being dead in
your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together
with him, having forgiven you all trespasses” (Col 2:13).
The following thesis on regeneration,
from another source, will further answer this FAQ:
Regeneration
is the term for the Christian's "new" or "second"
birth. By definition, regeneration is the act of God by which He imparts
divine life to man upon the single condition of faith in Jesus Christ
as personal Savior. This faith will result in water baptism and the baptism
of the Holy Ghost, which is being regenerated.
Several words and phrases in the Bible express the concept of regeneration.
The following passages show how frequently the doctrine of regeneration
is found in the Bible.
* In John 3:7 the words "born again" express regeneration.
* In Eph. 2:5, the words "made alive" refer to regeneration,
the new life
* In 2 Cor. 5:17, the words "new creation" speak of the new
birth
* In 1 John 3:1,2, the expression "children of God" refers to
regeneration.
* In Titus 3:5, the word "regeneration" itself is used.
There are several aspects about regeneration that are important to give
attention to.
All People Need Regeneration
Our condition demands it. Eph. 2:1 declares us to be "dead"
in sins. Death is a condition for which "life" (regeneration)
is the only solution.
Our family connection demands it. Rom. 5:12 indicates that we are dead
because of a family relationship. Therefore, we need a new birth, a new
family, a new Father, all of which are provided by regeneration.
The Author of Regeneration: GOD
John 1:12 informs us that we must be "born of God." The word
"of" points to the source and origin of the new life - God is
the origin and source of regeneration.
John 1:13 eliminate all human aspects of regeneration. The phrase "not
of blood" shows that regeneration cannot be inherited. The phrase
"not of the will of the flesh" shows that God's life is not
the fruit of a man's search for God. "Not of the will of man"
- man cannot generate eternal life.
The Power of Regeneration - The Resurrection
We are "born again...by the resurrection of Jesus Christ", 1
Pet. 1:3. This shows us the kind of power needed for regeneration. According
to Eph. 1:19,20 the power that raised Christ from the dead is the greatest
power ever displayed. This same power is applied in bringing regeneration
to us.
This regeneration or ‘resurrection of the dead’ (Heb 6:2) is not to be
confused with the first, second and third resurrection of the physical
dead. For example, the prophet Daniel said,
“And many
of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting
life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt” (Dan 12:2).
Now,
if the physical death, raised to eternal life, was the resurrection that
brought us into Heaven or God’s kingdom, everyone who goes to heaven would
have to first die, physically.
However,
Paul tells us, “For the Lord himself shall
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and
with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then
we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in
the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with
the Lord” (1 Th 4:16-17).
We have to think spiritually if we are spiritual children. Whatever
happens in the natural realms first took place in the spiritual.
Adam
spiritually died, so man also physically died (Rom 5:12). We are spiritually
resurrected, so we will receive a new body; and not the reverse
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