Little Red Book Ministry

IV. Important Differences in These Terms
Sometimes the terms atonement, justification, and regeneration are used as if they are interchangeable. However, each term has a distinct meaning and usage. There are important differences that must be recognized.

To restate what has been pointed out in previous lessons, God always creates at three levels (see Lesson 5 section II), and establishes processes and systems within His creation in sets of sevens (see Lesson 2 section II:C). Therefore , it should come as no surprise that when God creates a “new creature” (Ephesians 2:10; 4:24; Colossians 3:10) that it occurs through the three-part process of atonement, justification, and regeneration.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

A. Each part of the Godhead is uniquely active in the creation of the “new man”
1. Atonement is the specific work of God the Son in our behalf toward salvation
Romans 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:9–10

2. Justification is the specific work of God the Father in our behalf toward salvation
Romans 3:23–26; 8:32-33; Galatians 3:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:9–10

3. Regeneration is the specific work of God the Holy Ghost in our behalf toward salvation
John 3:5–8; Titus 3:5

B. The body, soul, and spirit of a man all benefit from these three works of the Godhead
1. Atonement paves the way for justification and regeneration. In addition it pays the price of the bodily “second death” (Revelation 20:11–15) for all who will accept it. Christ’s resurrection after His atoning death paved the way for the bodily resurrection, allowing the individual to enter eternity with a glorified body

Romans 8:30; 1 Corinthians 15:51–54

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint- heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:17).