1. The Gospel of Regeneration
The first pillar of the Fivefold Gospel is that of the Gospel of Regeneration. The rebirth is a prerequisite to salvation (John 3:3). As such, the Gospel of Regeneration can be called the Gospel of Salvation.
1. The Way to Regeneration
In order for man to be free from the curse of sin, the final judgement, and the authority of Satan, he must first receive salvation. Through an act of rebellion by one man, Adam, all men were destined to be born sinners (Romans 5:16), and were unable to reach the glory of God through his own means (Romans 3:23).
Immediately following Adam’s rebellion, God prophesied a plan of salvation.
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”(Genesis 3:15)
In this passage the offspring of the woman refers to Jesus Christ, as many of the prophets to follow would prophesy. As was prophesied, Jesus Christ became the living sacrifice for the salvation of all mankind. Salvation made available through the suffering and the death of Jesus on the cross has four meanings. First, the suffering and the death on the cross shows man the result of the sin of man (Isaiah 53:5). Second, it shows mankind the extent to which God loves the mankind (Romans 5:8). Third, it shows mankind the true value of each man (Matthew 16:26). Fourth, it shows mankind the cost of reconciliation (Isaiah 53:6).
2. The Method of Regeneration
There are two conditions for regeneration, repentance and faith. Repentance and faith are one and the same as they manifest simultaneously, and they can be said to be the flip side of the same coin. The words called out by John the Baptist, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near,” (Matthew 3:2) was echoed later by Jesus Christ, “Repent and believe the good news.”(Mark 1:15) In addition, after the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Peter also shouted, “Repent so that your sins may be wiped out.” (Acts 2:88, 3:19)
The other condition is faith. Paul witnessed to the keeper of prisons in Phillippi, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.” (Acts 16:31) Faith in salvation is bestowed on us by God upon the foundation of our faith in the promise of God. However, it is the Holy Spirit Who descends upon us and makes it possible to have faith that Jesus Christ is our Saviour (I Corinthians 12:3).
3. The Result of Regeneration
When we realize our sins and repent, thereby accepting Jesus Christ as our Saviour, what results from our repentance? First, the counsellor Holy Spirit comes into us and resides in us (Romans 8:11).
Second, we are freed from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1,2) Third, we receive the right to become the children of God (John 1:12). Fourth, we shall enjoy the great blessings God has prepared (III John 1:2).
Those who have been reborn, must be baptized and filled with the Holy spirit. When Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit, they become filled with power and can witness effectively. Furthermore, as the Spirit of God is Holy, a Christian filled with the Holy Spirit can shed off the authority of sin and the curse, to live in holiness.
The Gospel of the filling of the Holy Spirit is to live in holiness and actively preach the Gospel as the Holy Spirit fills a person making him overflow with gratitude and the desire to act, a far cry from dry and passive faith.