Decisional regeneration refers to the process by which a person makes a decision to repent of their sins and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This decision leads to spiritual regeneration and new life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Here is an overview of key biblical teachings on decisional regeneration:
The Fall of Humanity into Sin
The Bible teaches that humanity was created good and without sin, but through Adam’s disobedience sin entered the world (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12). As a result, all people are born with a sinful nature that separates them from God (Psalm 51:5; Ephesians 2:1-3). Every human is a sinner in need of salvation (Romans 3:23).
God’s Initiative in Salvation
Though humanity is dead in sin, God takes the initiative to save people through His grace and mercy (Ephesians 2:4-5). He draws people to Himself, convicts them of sin, and opens their hearts to respond to the gospel (John 6:44; John 16:8). Salvation originates with God, not human effort.
The Necessity of Repentance
In order to receive salvation, people must repent of their sins. Repentance involves turning away from sin and turning toward God (Acts 3:19; Acts 26:20). It means acknowledging one’s sinfulness, feeling sorrow over sin, and resolving to live a new life in obedience to Christ. Biblical repentance will result in changed thinking, affections, and behavior.
The Call to Believe in Christ
Along with repentance, salvation requires consciously putting one’s faith in Jesus Christ. A person must believe that Jesus is the divine Son of God who died for sins and rose again (John 3:16; Romans 10:9). This saving faith involves trusting in Christ alone for salvation. Good works cannot earn salvation.
The Moment of Regeneration
When a person repents and believes the gospel, they experience spiritual regeneration at that moment (John 1:12-13). God imparts new life through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The believer is born again, transformed from spiritual death into new life in Christ (Titus 3:5; 2 Corinthians 5:17). This is decisional regeneration.
The Human Response
Though God enables the human response, the Bible is clear that people must make a voluntary decision to repent and believe. All who hear the gospel are responsible to respond in repentant faith (Matthew 3:2; Acts 16:31). Regeneration does not happen against a person’s will.
Grace Precedes Faith
Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches that salvation is by grace through faith. God’s grace always comes before and enables the human decision to believe. While regeneration occurs at the moment of faith, God’s grace drew the person to Himself and granted the ability to believe.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin and opens their eyes to the gospel (John 16:8; 2 Corinthians 4:4-6). The Spirit grants repentance and enables people to submit to Christ in faith. Regeneration is the work of the Spirit through the human response to the gospel.
Divine Sovereignty and Human Freedom
The Bible holds together God’s sovereignty in salvation and human free will (Philippians 2:12-13). God is completely sovereign, yet people make a voluntary choice to repent and believe. Both realities are mysteriously true. Regeneration requires God’s enabling grace and the believer’s repentant faith.
A Changed Life as Evidence
Decisional regeneration results in a dramatic change in values, thoughts, desires, words, and conduct (2 Corinthians 5:17). The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, and other spiritual fruit in the believer’s life (Galatians 5:22-23). Ongoing good works serve as evidence of true regeneration (James 2:14-26).
Assurance of Salvation
Believers can have full assurance of their decisional regeneration based on the promises of Scripture (1 John 5:13). The Spirit testifies with their spirit that they are God’s child (Romans 8:15-16). Growing Christlike character provides confirmation of genuine salvation.
The Call to Make a Decision
Because people must consciously repent and believe to be saved, the Bible issues an urgent call to decide. Joshua challenged the Israelites, “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). Jesus said, “Come to me” (Matthew 11:28) and “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19). God enables but never forces the decision.
The Wide Offer of the Gospel
The offer of salvation through repentant faith in Christ is extended to all (Acts 17:30). God desires all people to be saved from their sins through decisional regeneration (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4). The gospel call goes out to people from every nation and background.
Eternal Destiny Hangs in the Balance
The Bible warns that rejecting God’s offer of salvation has eternal consequences (John 3:18, 36). At the final judgment, those who refused to repent and believe will be condemned to eternal separation from God. That is why today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Objections to Decisional Regeneration
Some object that regeneration precedes and enables faith, rather than occurring at the point of faith. They argue that fallen humans lack the moral ability to positively respond to the gospel. However, the overwhelming testimony of Scripture is that people must choose to repent and believe to experience regeneration.
Others believe regeneration happens at baptism or through sacraments rather than by a personal decision. But the Bible says people are saved by grace through faith, not by external rituals (Ephesians 2:8-9). The thief on the cross demonstrates salvation by faith alone (Luke 23:39-43).
Conclusion
In summary, decisional regeneration refers to being born again at the point of repentant faith in Christ. The Bible strongly affirms human responsibility to make a conscious decision to surrender to Jesus as Lord and Savior. When a person repents of sin and trusts in Christ alone for salvation, God imparts new spiritual life. The believer is transformed by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.