our Perspective/Framework. Remember: the Reality is
Larger Than Any Window’s View of It.
A. Sacerdotal (“right” words + “correct” motions = desired
result) vs. evangelical (God meets words and deeds
done in faith).
B. Sacramental (God acts in the ordinance) vs. symbolic
(the ordinance only points to God’s action).
C. Reformed/Calvinist (Christ’s atonement accomplished
salvation for all who will finally be saved = the elect)
vs. Arminian/Wesleyan (Christ’s atonement made
salvation possible for all people but did not accomplish
salvation for any).
II. The OT Anticipated a Time of National Regeneration Involving
Water and God’s Spirit, Aimed at the People’s Obedience and
God’s Glory (Ezek. 36:22-28).
III. Jesus Spoke of (Personal; Collectively National) Regeneration
Involving Water and God’s Spirit, Related to the Coming
Kingdom (John 3:1-7).
A. Unless one is born again/from above, one cannot see
God’s kingdom.
1. Born = people do not need a fresh start but a new origin.
2. Again/from above = this comes not by human effort
but by divine act (vv. 4, 6; John 1:11-13; see Rom. 9:16).
B. Unless one is born of water and Spirit, one cannot enter
God’s kingdom (v. 5).
1. This phrase might refer to two contrasting births (vv. 4, 6).
2. This phrase might well refer to baptism (John 1:31-33;
3:22-26,34; 4:1).
3. National identity is not a substitute, even for the “chosen”
nation (v. 7).
IV. Paul Spoke of Regeneration Involving Water and God’s Spirit,
Aimed at the People’s Obedience and God’s Glory, Related to
the Coming Kingdom (Titus 3:3-8).
A. Our former condition (v. 3; see Eph. 2:1-3).
B. What changed that status: God’s grace and mercy, not our
works (vv. 4, 5, 7; see Eph. 2:4, 5, 8-9).
C. God demonstrated his grace in Christ’s saving work (v. 4;
Titus 2:11; see Eph. 2:5-6).
D. We are saved “through” (think of a path we walk from one
place to another) the outer ceremonial washing and/even
inner spiritual renewal (vv. 5-6).
1. Washing of regeneration.
a. Washing (see Eph. 5:25-26 with “spoken word”).
b. Regeneration (palingenesia; see Matt. 19:28).
2. “And” / or “even” (further explaining)
3. Renewal of the Holy Spirit.
a. Renewal (anakainosis; see Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 4:16;
5:17; Col. 3:10; Barnabas 6:11 — God made us new
by the forgiveness of sins [in baptism]).
b. Holy Spirit (see Eph. 1:13; Ezek. 36:22f; John 3:3f).
E. As a result, we are to live obedient, holy lives (v. 8; Titus
2:11-12; see Eph. 2:10).
F. We await the final consummation of God’s kingdom at
Christ’s return (v. 7; Titus 2:13; see Eph. 2:7; 1:14), when
all things will result in praise and glory to God (see Eph.
1:10-14; Ezek. 36:22-23).
V. Our Present Baptism Looks Back and Relates to Christ’s
Saving Work in the Past and Looks Forward and Relates to
the New Creation and God’s Future Coming Kingdom.
