Relationship Between Regeneration and Sanctification in Christian Life
Regeneration and sanctification are distinct yet interconnected aspects of Christian experience, both initiated by God's grace. Regeneration, literally meaning "new birth" (Greek: palingenesia), refers to the spiritual transformation where an individual passes from spiritual death to life [2]. This concept is found in passages like Matthew 19:28 and Titus 3:5 [2]. In Titus 3:5, it is described as a "washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit," emphasizing that salvation is "not by works of righteousness" but "according to his mercy" [4, 9]. This new birth signifies becoming a new creature in Christ Jesus and a renewal of the mind [2].
Sanctification, on the other hand, is the ongoing process of being set apart for God's service and becoming more like Christ [3]. It is "the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration" and extends to the entire person [1]. While regeneration is a singular event, sanctification is a continuous work of the Holy Spirit, bringing the whole nature under the influence of the new principles implanted during regeneration [1]. The apostle Paul speaks of this process, noting that believers, "being made free from sin, and having become servants of God," have their "fruit of sanctification, and the result of eternal life" (Romans 6:22) [5].
The relationship between the two is sequential and developmental. Regeneration is the initial act of God's grace that makes sanctification possible [1, 7]. John Calvin notes that the "entire blessing of redemption consists mainly in these two things, remission of sins, and spiritual regeneration," with newness of life being the "second and principal part of our salvation" [7]. Regeneration involves putting off the "old man" and putting on the "new," a definition Calvin gathers from scripture [6]. Sanctification then builds upon this foundation, involving separation to God's service and being effected by God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit [3]. It is a process that leads to the mortification of sin [3]. The washing of water, often understood as baptism, is also linked to cleansing and regeneration [8, 9]. This transformation is a complete departure from a life of sin and death, transferring one into a realm of life and purity [9].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Regeneration — Only found in Matt. 19:28 and Titus 3:5. This word literally means a "new birth." The Greek word so rendered (palingenesia) is used by classical writers with reference to the changes produced by the return of spring. In Matt. 19:28 the word is equivalent to the "restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21). In Titus 3:5 it denotes that change of heart elsewhere spoken of as a passing from death to life (1 John 3:14); becoming a new creature in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17); being born again (John 3:5); a renewal of the mind (Rom. 12:2); a resurrection from the ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sanctification — Is separation to the service of God -- Ps 4:3; 2Co 6:17. Effected by God. -- Eze 37:28; 1Th 5:23; Jude 1:1. Christ. -- Heb 2:11; 13:12. The Holy Spirit. -- Ro 15:16; 1Co 6:11. In Christ -- 1Co 1:2. Through the atonement of Christ -- Heb 10:10; 13:12. Through the word of God -- Joh 17:17,19; Eph 5:26. Christ made, of God, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Saints elected to salvation through -- 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2. All saints are in a state of -- Ac 20:32; 26:18; 1Co 6:11. The Church made glorious by -- Eph 5:26,27. Should lead to Mortification of sin. -- 1Th 4:3,4. Ho”
- Titus “not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, -- Titus 3:5”
- Romans “But now, being made free from sin, and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification, and the result of eternal life. -- Romans 6:22”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 38.2: through Christ. And as what we have from Adam becomes old, 439 439 “ Deuient vieil et caduque ;” — “Becomes old and frail.” and tends towards ruin, so what we obtain through Christ remains for ever, and is not frail; but, on the contrary, tends towards immortality. This passage is worthy of notice, inasmuch as a definition of regeneration may be gathered from it. For it contains two parts — the putting off of the old man , and the putting on of the new , and of these Paul here makes mention. It is also to be notice”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 28.3: become man, and be a partaker of our flesh, that he might be our brother: it was necessary that he should by dying become a sacrifice, that he might make his Father propitious to us. That he might present us holy. Here we have the second and principal part of our salvation — newness of life. For the entire blessing of redemption consists mainly in these two things, remission of sins, and spiritual regeneration. ( Jeremiah 31:33 .) What he has already spoken of was a great matter, that righteousness has been procure”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:26: sanctify--that is, consecrate her to God. Compare Joh 17:19, meaning, "I devote Myself as a holy sacrifice, that My disciples also may be devoted or consecrated as holy in (through) the truth" [NEANDER] (Heb 2:11; Heb 10:10; Heb 13:12 see on Heb 10:10). and cleanse--rather, as Greek, "cleansing," without the "and." with the washing of water--rather as Greek, "with," or "by the laver of the water," namely, the baptismal water. So it ought to be translated in Tit 3:5, the only other passage in the New Testament where it occurs. As the bride passed”
- Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:5: 3:5 not because . . . but because: The contrast is between human actions that might be thought to merit salvation and God’s grace (see Gal 2:16). Salvation is through faith in God’s mercy alone (Eph 2:8). • He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth: See Ezek 16:9; John 3:1-15; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22; 2 Pet 1:9. • and new life through the Holy Spirit: This signifies a complete departure from the life of sin and death and a transfer into the realm of life and purity (see also Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:10).”