Transformation of Believers in the NT: 150 Passages

Transformation of Believers in the NT: 150 Passages December 16, 2024

Regeneration is Only the Beginning . . . 

Photo credit: image by KELLEPICS (10-16-17) [Pixabay / Pixabay Content License]

[all verses RSV]

Transformation / New Life / Newness / Renewal

Luke 5:37-38 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed.
[38] But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. (cf. Mt 9:17; Mk 2:21-22)

Romans 6:4, 6 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. . . . [6] We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.

Romans 7:6 But now we are discharged from the law, dead to that which held us captive, so that we serve not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit.

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 . . . Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? [7] Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. . . . [8] Let us, therefore, celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

2 Corinthians 4:16 . . . Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.

Galatians 4:19 My little children, with whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you! (cf. 4:12)

Galatians 6:15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

Ephesians 4:22-24  Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, [23] and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, [24] and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Philippians 1:6, 9-11 And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. . . . [9] And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, [10] so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, [11] filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (cf. 2:13 in the final section below)

Colossians 2:11-12 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ;
[12] and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Colossians 3:9-10 . . . you have put off the old nature with its practices [10] and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Titus 3:5 he saved us,. . . by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit,

Partaking of the Fullness of God / Unity with God / Theosis

John 1:16 And from his fulness have we all received, grace upon grace.

John 17:20-24, 26 “I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, [21] that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. [22] The glory which thou hast given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, [23] I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me. [24] Father, I desire that they also, whom thou hast given me, may be with me where I am, to behold my glory which thou hast given me in thy love for me before the foundation of the world. . . . [26] I made known to them thy name, and I will make it known, that the love with which thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Romans 6:5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Romans 8:17 . . . fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

1 Corinthians 6:17 . . . he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (cf. 10:16; Rom 7:4)

2 Corinthians 1:5 . . . we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings . . .

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [18] And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another

2 Corinthians 4:10-11 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. [11] For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

Galatians 2:19-20 For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. [20] I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 6:17 . . . I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

Ephesians 1:22-23 and he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fulness of him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 3:19 . . . to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.

Ephesians 4:12-13, 15-16 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; . . . [15] . . . we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, [16] from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love.

Ephesians 5:23 . . . Christ is the head of the church, his body . . .

Ephesians 5:29-30 For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, [30] because we are members of his body.

Philippians 3:10 that I may know him . . . and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, (cf. 1 Pet 4:13)

Colossians 1:24 . . . in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,

Colossians 2:10 . . . you have come to fulness of life in him, . . .

Colossians 2:19 . . . the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

2 Timothy 2:11 The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we shall also live with him;

Hebrews 12:10 . . . he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, [4] by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature.

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Filled with / Guided by the Holy Spirit

Matthew 10:19-20 When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; [20] for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Luke 1:15 . . . he [John the Baptist] will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.

Luke 1:41 . . . Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit

Luke 1:67 . . . Zechari’ah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, . . .

John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit . . .

Acts 4:8 . . .  Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, . . .

Acts 4:31 . . . they were all filled with the Holy Spirit . . .

Acts 6:3 . . . men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom . . .

Acts 6:5 . . . Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit . . .

Acts 7:55 . . . he [Stephen], full of the Holy Spirit, . . .

Acts 9:17 . . . be filled with the Holy Spirit. [St. Paul]

Acts 11:24 . . . he [Barnabas] was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith . . .

Acts 13:9 . . . Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, . . .

Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 . . . be filled with the Spirit, (cf. Phil 1:11; Col 1:9-10)

Power and Strength from God

Luke 9:1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,

Luke 10:19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you.

Luke 24:49 . . . I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high.

John 1:12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God

Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you . . .

Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, . . .

Acts 6:8 . . . Stephen, full of . . . power, . . .

Romans 8:28-39 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. [29] For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. [30] And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. [31] What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? [33] Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies; [34] who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written, “For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 15:19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Holy Spirit, so that from Jerusalem and as far round as Illyr’icum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ,

Romans 16:25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you . . .

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (cf. 1:24)

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, [5]  that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:4 . . . with the power of our Lord Jesus,

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.

2 Corinthians 10:4 for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

2 Corinthians 12:9 . . . I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 13:4 . . . For we are weak in him, but in dealing with you we shall live with him by the power of God.

Ephesians 1:19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe, according to the working of his great might

Ephesians 3:16-18 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, [17] and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, [18] may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, [21] to him be glory . . .

Ephesians 6:10-16  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. [14] Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; [16] besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one.

Philippians 3:10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, . . .

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things in him who strengthens me.

Colossians 1:11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,

1 Thessalonians 1:5 for our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. . . .

2 Thessalonians 1:11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his call, and may fulfil every good resolve and work of faith by his power,

2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from evil.

1 Timothy 1:12 I thank him who has given me strength for this, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful by appointing me to his service,

2 Timothy 1:7-8 for God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control. [8] Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel in the power of God,

2 Timothy 3:5 holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such people.

2 Timothy 4:17 But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength to proclaim the message fully, that all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

Hebrews 13:6 Hence we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?”

James 5:16 . . . The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.

1 Peter 4:11 . . . whoever renders service, as one who renders it by the strength which God supplies; . . .

1 Peter 5:10 . . . the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you.

Grace of God

Acts 4:33 . . . great grace was upon them all.

Acts 6:8 . . . Stephen, full of grace . . .

Romans 12:6 . . . gifts that differ according to the grace given to us . . .

1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation . . .

1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me.

2 Corinthians 1:12 . . . not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God.

2 Corinthians 12:9 but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” . . .

Ephesians 3:7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace which was given me . . .

Ephesians 4:7 But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

1 Timothy 1:14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus,

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 13:9 . . . it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace, . . .

James 4:6 . . . he gives more grace . . .

1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

1 Peter 5:5 . . . “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

2 Peter 1:2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. . . .

Sanctification

John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth.

Acts 15:9 and he made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith.

Acts 26:18 . . . those who are sanctified by faith in me.

Romans 6:22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life.

1 Corinthians 1:2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus . . .

Ephesians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, [4] even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification . . .

1 Thessalonians 5:23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 . . . God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

Hebrews 9:14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

1 Peter 1:2 . . . sanctified by the Spirit . . .

1 John 1:7, 9 . . . the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Indwelling of God / Being “In” God

We’re described as “God’s temple” (1 Cor 3:16-17; 6:19; 2 Cor 6:16; Eph 2:22). God “will live in” us (2 Cor 6:16). He’s “in” us (1 Jn 3:24; 4:4). We “abide in” God (1 Jn 2:24; 3:6; 4:13, 15-16) and specifically, abide in Jesus (Jn 6:56; 15:4; 1 Jn 2:24), and God “abides in” us (1 Jn 3:24; 4:12-13, 15-16). Jesus abides in us (Jn 6:56; 15:4), and He is “in” us (Jn 14:20; 17:23; Rom 8:10; Col 1:27), and we are “in” Him (Jn 14:20; Phil 4:7). Jesus dwells in our “hearts” (Eph 3:17). The Holy Spirit is “within” us (Ezek 37:14). He’s “with” us (Jn 14:16), “dwells” “in” or “with” us (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11; 1 Cor 3:16; 2 Tim 1:14), and is in our “hearts” (2 Cor 1:22; 3:3; Gal 4:6). And we’re “in” the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:9), and “possess the Spirit” (1 Cor 2:13). “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Our “life is hid with Christ in God” (Col 3:3). “God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil 2:13). See also John 17:20-26 above.

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Photo credit: image by KELLEPICS (10-16-17) [Pixabay / Pixabay Content License]

Summary: Collection of NT passages concerning transformation, renewal, union with God (theosis), the Holy Spirit, the power & grace of God, sanctification, the indwelling, & being in God.

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