They were not circumcised until they were saved.
They are dead in tresspasses and sin until they are justified.
If they have not yet been justified, they are still dead.
Regeneration, sometimes referred to as the new birth or being born again, is a core aspect of Christian theology that emphasizes the supernatural transformation of humans from spiritual death to spiritual life. This transformation occurs solely through the gracious action of God, who imparts spiritual life to those who are otherwise spiritually dead due to their sinfulness.
Key features of regeneration include:
Initiation by God: Regeneration is a one-time act of God, not a product of human efforts. It is a sovereign work of the Holy Spirit, who convicts individuals of their sinful condition and grants them new life (John 3:3, 6; 1 Peter 1:3).
Precedence over faith: Regeneration occurs before faith, meaning that individuals cannot place their faith in Christ until they receive new hearts from the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:1-5).
Application of Christ's redemptive work: Regeneration applies the benefits of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection to the lives of believers (Westminster Confession of Faith 13.1).
Beginning of sanctification: Regeneration marks the starting point of the ongoing process of spiritual growth and maturity (Philippians 2:12-13).
Distinct from justification: Although closely connected, regeneration differs from justification in that regeneration involves the internal transformation of the individual, whereas justification concerns the
legal declaration of the individual as righteous before God (Romans 3:21-26).
Necessary for salvation: Regeneration is a requirement for genuine salvation, as those who lack spiritual life cannot be counted as true followers of Christ (John 3:3, 7).
Grounded in Scripture: The doctrine of regeneration is supported by numerous biblical passages, including Ezekiel 36:26-27, John 3:3-8, and Ephesians 2:1-5.
Confessions of faith, such as the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Baptist Faith and Message, affirm the doctrine of regeneration as a foundational element of Christian orthodoxy. These documents highlight the fact that regeneration is a work of God's grace alone, not a result of human merit or cooperation (Ephesians 2:8-9).