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THE WASHING OF REGENERATION
Paul penned a very interesting statement about salvation. He wrote:
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he
saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which
he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified
by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life,”
(Titus 3:5-7). In this text we notice several things. Salvation is not of works.
Salvation comes by the mercy of God. Salvation comes by the renewing work of the
Holy Spirit – that is, the birth from above or being “born again.” Part of this
salvation is justification – being viewed as righteous in God's eyes by grace.
And finally Paul concludes that we shall inherit eternal life in fulfillment of
our hope – our faith towards the future.
In addition to these things, Paul mentioned “the washing of
regeneration.” More literally he said the “bath of regeneration.” Some folk,
every time they see a word related to water in the Bible jump to the conclusion
that it refers to baptism. Folks, it just ain't so! A little reminder of high
school English will settle the matter as to what the phrase “the washing of
regeneration” means. Remember gerunds? A gerund can be spotted by the ending
“ing.” A gerund is a verb that acts as a noun. In our text, “washing” is a
gerund - a noun. Remember prepositional phrases? Propositional phrases modify
nouns. In our text “of regeneration” is a propositional phrase. Prepositional
phrases are made up of a proposition followed by a noun and perhaps some
modifiers like “a” or “the.” In our text “of regeneration” is a propositional
phrase that modifies the noun “washing.” What does the propositional phrase tell
us about the noun “washing”? It tells us that it is regeneration that washes. It
is regeneration that bathes. The phrase “the washing of regeneration” does not
mean, cannot mean, that baptism regenerates.
The very nature of baptism will not allow for the idea that baptism
regenerates or has anything to do with the new birth. It is a righteous act (see
Matthew 3:15). Therefore baptism
is
a work. Paul, in our text wrote: “Not by works of righteousness which we have
done...” Salvation is either by works or by the mercy/grace of God. You
cannot have it both ways. That principle is set forth by Paul in Romans 11:6:
“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.
But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more
work.” Grace and works, like oil and water, will not mix. Grace means
unmerited favor – God's favor as a gift. Works demands payment and a payment is
not a gift. And so both English grammar and the context of the phrase “the
washing of regeneration” will not allow any idea of baptism having anything to
do with regeneration or salvation. “Ye must be born again.”
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