Topical Bible: The Holy Spirit: is God: As Author of the New Birth

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Holy Spirit, as the third person of the Trinity, plays a crucial role in the process of spiritual rebirth, often referred to as the "new birth" or being "born again." This transformative experience is essential for salvation and entry into the Kingdom of God, as it signifies a profound change in the believer's heart and spirit, brought about by the divine action of the Holy Spirit.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of the new birth is rooted in Scripture, where Jesus Himself emphasizes its necessity. In John 3:3-8, Jesus explains to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council, the importance of being born again: "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" (John 3:3). Nicodemus, puzzled by this statement, questions how a person can be born again when they are old. Jesus clarifies, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit" (John 3:5). Here, Jesus highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in the new birth, indicating that it is a spiritual rebirth, not a physical one.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the divine agent who initiates and accomplishes the new birth. This spiritual regeneration is not a result of human effort or will but is entirely a work of God. In Titus 3:5, the Apostle Paul underscores this truth: "He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" . This passage affirms that the Holy Spirit is the one who renews and regenerates the believer, cleansing them from sin and imparting new life.

Transformation and Renewal

The new birth brought about by the Holy Spirit results in a radical transformation of the believer's nature. The Apostle Paul describes this change in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" . This transformation is evidence of the Holy Spirit's work, as the believer is no longer bound by their old sinful nature but is now empowered to live a life pleasing to God.

Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

Upon experiencing the new birth, the believer receives the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. This indwelling is a seal of their salvation and a guarantee of their inheritance in Christ. Ephesians 1:13-14 states, "And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory" . The Holy Spirit not only initiates the new birth but also sustains and empowers the believer in their walk with God.

Conclusion

The Holy Spirit, as God, is the divine author of the new birth, effecting a profound spiritual transformation in the believer. Through His work, individuals are regenerated, renewed, and indwelt, enabling them to live in accordance with God's will and to partake in the eternal life promised through Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 3:5,6
Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 John 5:4
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Holy Spirit is no Less the Author of Spiritual Creation or ...
... also the Author of the grace of the Spirit, since we ... to God, that we may be made
the sons of God. ... us into His kingdom by the adoption of holy regeneration, do ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vii the holy spirit 2.htm

Brief Statement of the Reformed Faith, 1902.
... We believe that He has spoken by holy men of God in making known ... New Birth and the
New Life."We believe that the Holy Spirit only is the author and source ...
/.../brief statement of the reformed.htm

Necessity of the New Birth.
... to a cultured, restrained, pleasing condition, and from this to what is really good
and holy. ... and that even we may help in the work of the Spirit of God. ...
/.../schleiermacher/selected sermons of schleiermacher/iv necessity of the new.htm

He Further Very Appositely Expounds the Meaning of the Term "Only ...
... He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him ... upon the water, by His own baptism,
the Holy Spirit; so that ... birth like to His own by water and the Spirit. ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 8 he further very.htm

Creation and Re-Creation.
... is never made to understand what the Author of our ... us personally and daily, the Word
of God directs more ... of operation and of energy, the Holy Spirit remains in ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/ix creation and re-creation.htm

On God's vineyard
... Of this, likewise, God has given them a full view ... soul, in him that is "born of the
Spirit," as was ... inward change from all unholy, to all holy tempers, " from ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 107 on gods vineyard.htm

Whosoever Confesses that one God is the Author of Both Testaments ...
... Whosoever confesses that one God is the author of both ... in the desert, and the streams
of the Holy Spirit in a ... to give water to the elect people of God, whom He ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxiii whosoever confesses that one.htm

The Confession of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. AD 1829 ...
... the truth"for God is the author as well ... God's displeasure, [2204] and grieve his
Holy Spirit; [2205] come ... What God's Word hath joined together, let not his ...
/.../the confession of the cumberland.htm

The Holy Spirit in the Mystery of the Incarnation.
... while our ego and nature desire against God, His holy ... Hence the proper work of the
Holy Spirit consisted in this: ... in the working out of His holy design; and ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xix the holy spirit in.htm

Marks of Having Received the Holy Ghost
... because infinitely holy in himself, and the author and finisher ... And God's elect are
also said to "cry to him ... And since one great work of the Holy Spirit is to ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/marks of having received the.htm