The phrase “washing of regeneration” is found in Titus 3:5, which says “he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” This verse provides important insight into the nature of salvation and how we are regenerated by God.
1. Regeneration refers to being born again spiritually
The word “regeneration” refers to being “born again” spiritually. When someone becomes a Christian, there is a radical change in their spiritual nature – they become a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). This change of spiritual life comes through the work of the Holy Spirit, who gives us new spiritual life when we put our faith in Christ.
The washing of regeneration refers to the spiritual cleansing we receive when we are saved. Just as we need to be physically cleansed from dirt, we need to be spiritually cleansed from sin. This happens when we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Through this spiritual cleansing, we are made new creations in Christ.
2. Regeneration is necessary for salvation
Regeneration must take place for someone to be saved. We cannot save ourselves or make ourselves spiritually alive through good works or religious rituals. We need the life-giving work of the Holy Spirit to regenerate our dead hearts and spirits.
Jesus emphasized this to Nicodemus in John 3:3 when he said “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” We are all dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1) until the Holy Spirit makes us alive in Christ. Regeneration is a necessary part of God’s salvation.
3. Regeneration happens through the Word of God
In Titus 3:5, Paul connects regeneration to the “washing of water with the word.” This likely refers to baptism being connected with faith in the word of the gospel. Through hearing and believing the word, the Holy Spirit cleanses and regenerates our hearts.
Peter makes a similar connection in 1 Peter 1:23 – “since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.” The word of God is the spiritual seed that causes us to be born again when combined with faith.
So Scripture emphasizes that the regenerating work of the Spirit is connected to the word of the gospel. The Spirit uses the word to convict us of sin and bring us to new life.
4. Regeneration is part of our justification and renewal
In Titus 3:5, regeneration is connected with “renewal.” When we are born again, we also experience an ongoing renewal by the Holy Spirit. Our regeneration leads to sanctification – a process of being made holy.
Paul says God saved us “by the washing of regeneration and renewal.” Regeneration is part of the initial washing or cleansing we receive at salvation. Renewal is the ongoing sanctifying work of the Spirit in our lives.
Justification (being declared righteous) and regeneration happen simultaneously at conversion. We then experience renewal and sanctification as the Spirit transforms us into Christ’s image.
5. Regeneration is completely an act of God
Our regeneration is not something we accomplish ourselves. Paul says God saves us according to His mercy, “by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). We do not cooperate in our spiritual rebirth, it is entirely an act of God according to His sovereign grace.
Jesus emphasized this to Nicodemus by comparing regeneration to the wind – something that blows wherever it wishes (John 3:8). We do not control the wind; it is a free and sovereign act of God. In the same way, the Spirit regenerates sinners however He pleases, according to God’s sovereign will.
Regeneration is a free gift of God’s grace, not something we can initiate or deserve through good works or religiosity. All glory for our salvation belongs to God alone.
6. Faith and repentance are the effects of regeneration
While regeneration precedes faith and repentance, they will certainly follow as a result. When God regenerates our hearts, the immediate effects will be faith in Christ and repentance from sin.
God’s regenerating work provides both the will and ability to respond in faith and repentance. These are marks of true regeneration because God gives His children new desires when He makes them spiritually alive.
So while regeneration must precede faith, it will immediately result in faith and repentance. True born again believers will manifest a heart that turns from sin and embraces Christ.
7. Regeneration results in a new nature that produces good works
Regeneration not only gives us a new position before God as His children, but also a new disposition towards obedience. Those who are born again receive a new heart with new desires for holiness.
Ezekiel 36:26-27 describes regeneration as God removing our heart of stone and giving a heart of flesh, causing us to walk in His statutes. The indwelling of the Spirit empowers believers to bear fruit in keeping with repentance (Matthew 3:8).
Good works will never earn salvation, but they will certainly be evident in the lives of the regenerate. Faith without works is dead because true spiritual life inevitably produces fruit (James 2:17).
8. Only those who are regenerate will inherit eternal life
Eternal life is a free gift received by grace alone through faith alone. But only those who are regenerate have experienced the gift of saving faith. Eternal life only belongs to those who are born again by the Spirit through the gospel.
Jesus said the regenerate have passed from death to life and will not come into judgment (John 5:24). Instead, they have crossed over from the realm of spiritual death into eternal life. Regeneration results in an eternal inheritance that cannot perish or fade (1 Peter 1:4).
All who have been born again can rejoice that their eternity is secured. The regenerating work of the Spirit guarantees they will spend forever with Christ.
9. Regeneration should produce gratitude, humility and assurance
Since regeneration is completely an act of God, we should respond with immense gratitude. We contributed nothing to our spiritual rebirth; it is solely by grace we have been saved.
This truth should also produce great humility. We have no place for pride, arrogance or self-righteousness. Our right standing before God is all His doing, not our own.
Additionally, we can have full assurance of our salvation since it depends on God’s sovereign regeneration. Our eternities are securely in His hands. His regenerating power guarantees we will inherit eternal life.
The washing of regeneration should fill us with praise, humility and confidence – all grounded in God’s amazing grace toward us.
10. The Church’s mission should focus on gospel proclamation
Since regeneration comes through the word of the gospel, the church’s mission should focus on gospel proclamation. While social causes and justice have their place, the eternal souls of mankind should be our priority.
The apostles consistently preached the gospel first and foremost since it is the only message with regenerating power. The book of Acts shows how the early church turned the world upside down through bold gospel preaching resulting in regeneration.
We have no power to change hearts and lives apart from the regenerating work of the Spirit through the word. Preaching and teaching the gospel message should be central to all we do.
In summary, the washing of regeneration beautifully captures the regenerating and renewing work of the Holy Spirit at conversion. This joyful truth should fuel our worship, humility and mission as believers. Our great God and Savior has made us alive together with Christ!
