Salvation is described as not by deeds done in righteousness, but in ____ of His own mercy, by washing of ____, and ____ of the Holy Spirit.

Salvation is described as not by deeds done in righteousness, but in ____ of His own mercy, by washing of ____, and ____ of the Holy Spirit.

• A. mercy; cleansing; renewing
• B. virtue; regeneration; renewing
• C. virtue; cleansing; sanctifying
• D. grace; regeneration; renewing

Answer: (B)

Salvation is described as a gift from God, not earned by human deeds. The passage emphasizes that God saves us by His mercy, not by works we have done. The next image, the washing of regeneration, speaks of spiritual rebirth—God makes us new from within. The final image, the renewing of the Holy Spirit, shows that this salvation is not a one-time event only, but an ongoing transformation catalyzed by the Spirit in a believer’s life. The phrase “in virtue of His own mercy” (i.e., by the power and basis of His mercy) sets the ground for this entire work, while regeneration and the renewing work of the Spirit describe the concrete means by which we are saved and kept in that salvation.

Salvation is described as a gift from God, not earned by human deeds. The passage emphasizes that God saves us by His mercy, not by works we have done. The next image, the washing of regeneration, speaks of spiritual rebirth—God makes us new from within. The final image, the renewing of the Holy Spirit, shows that this salvation is not a one-time event only, but an ongoing transformation catalyzed by the Spirit in a believer’s life. The phrase “in virtue of His own mercy” (i.e., by the power and basis of His mercy) sets the ground for this entire work, while regeneration and the renewing work of the Spirit describe the concrete means by which we are saved and kept in that salvation.