The Necessity of Regeneration by the Holy Spirit for Salvation

Je 17:9–10 (NKJV) — 9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? 10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.

Jn 3:1–6 (NKJV) — 1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

• Why does the Bible say that all humans are born in sin? (Psalm 51:5, Romans 3:10, Isaiah 64:6)

• What does it mean that our righteousness is like filthy rags before God? (Isaiah 64:6)

• Why does God command us to be holy as He is holy? (Leviticus 11:44-45, 1 Peter 1:15-16)

• How does Adam’s sin affect all humanity? (Romans 5:12, 1 Corinthians 15:22)

• Why does being born in the flesh separate us from God? (Ephesians 2:1-3, Genesis 6:3)

• What does the Bible say about the carnal mind’s inability to please God? (Romans 8:7-8)

• How does the Holy Spirit resurrect us from spiritual death? (Ephesians 2:1, Colossians 2:13)

• What did Jesus mean when He said, "You must be born again"? (John 3:3-7)

• How does the Holy Spirit give us a new heart and spirit? (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

• What does it mean to be born of God and not of flesh? (John 1:12-13)

• Why is regeneration solely the work of the Holy Spirit and not of human effort? (Titus 3:5, John 6:63)

• What is the difference between being born of the first Adam and being born of the second Adam (Christ)? (1 Corinthians 15:45-49)

• How does the Holy Spirit empower us to live a righteous life? (Romans 8:9-11, Galatians 5:16-17)

• How does the renewed mind transform a believer’s life? (Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 2:12-14)

• What are the signs of true regeneration in a believer’s life? (2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 5:22-23)

• How does the Holy Spirit convict us when we do wrong? (John 16:7-8)

• Why is holiness the mark of true regeneration? (Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 1:16)

• How does the Holy Spirit help us to reject the desires of the flesh? (Galatians 5:24-25, Colossians 3:1-3)

• What does it mean that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God? (1 Corinthians 15:50)

• How can we renew our minds daily to walk in the Spirit? (Romans 8:5, Colossians 3:2)