Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
REGENERA'TION. This term occurs only in Matt 19:28 and Tit 3:5. " "The washing of regeneration," in the latter passage, signifies the new birth from above or from the Holy Spirit, who makes us new creatures in Christ Jesus. Other words conveying precisely the same idea are of frequent occurrence. " John 3:3. Christians are described as born of God, John 1:12-13; 1 John 2:29; 1 John 5:1, 1 John 5:4. They are also represented as begotten of God or by the word of God. Jas 1:18; 1 Pet 1:3, 1 Pet 1:23.
And the same thing, in substance, is presented under the idea of a new creation, 2 Cor 5:17; a renewing of the mind, Rom 12:2; a renewing of the Holy Ghost, Tit 3:5; a resurrection from the dead, Eph 2:6; a being quickened, etc. Eph 2:1, 1 Chr 6:5.
Regeneration, then, may be regarded as the communication of spiritual life to a soul previously dead in trespasses and sins by the almighty energy of the Holy Spirit, making use of the word of truth as an instrument; in consequence of which divine operation, the soul begins to apprehend spiritual things in a new light, to believe them in a new manner, to love them with an affection not before felt, and to act henceforth from new motives and for new ends.