Irenaeus (c. 180)  — “Through the Spirit we are made new, that we may live in God.” Regeneration as the Spirit’s recreating work. Tertullian (c. 200)  — “We little fishes, after the example of our great Fish, Jesus Christ, are born in water.” Emphasizes new birth imagery tied to spiritual renewal. Origen (c. 230)  — “The soul is renewed by the Spirit unto a new life.” Regeneration as inner transformation. Athanasius (c. 318)  — “He became what we are, that He might make us wh

What is Regeneration? Another word for regeneration is rebirth, related to the biblical phrase “born again.” Our rebirth is distinguished from our first birth, when we were conceived physically and inherited our sin nature. The new birth is a spiritual, holy, and heavenly birth that results in our being made alive spiritually. Man in his natural state is “dead in trespasses and sins” until he is “made alive” (regenerated) by Christ. This happens when he places his faith in Ch