08/26/2020
BORN AGAIN!
What Does It Mean?
A favorite phrase today in all segments of our society is, “born again.” Since so many people are professing to be “born again,” let’s look at the term from a biblical standpoint. The first use of the term is in John 3:3 which has to do with a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. QUOTE: Jesus answered and said unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. This was alien to Nicodemus so Jesus had to put it in perspective by saying in John 3:5, Except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. So, we see the absolute necessity of the new birth if we are to enter into the kingdom. In John 3:6 Jesus said, that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee Ye “must” be born again.
Now if we are bible believers, we must accept this as fact. The question that remains is, how can we be born again? Jesus said water and spirit. On the day of Pentecost, Peter, who was given the keys to the Kingdom by Jesus himself (Matt. 16:19), being filled with the Holy Ghost, gave the answer, Acts 2:38, Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, for the promise is unto you and your children and to them that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call. God is still calling through His ministers. This same Peter said, He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance, 2 Peter 3:9. Someone has said this was for the Jews but we find the same method being used to save the Gentiles, Acts 8:14-17, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:1-6.
We find in every scriptural reference to people receiving the Holy Ghost that they spoke with other tongues—this to signify they had received the spirit. Paul said as many are led by the spirit of God they are the sons of God and if any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his, Romans 8:9, 14. In Romans 6:18, Paul writes: Being made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. My friend, the only way we can be made free from sin is by the shed blood of Jesus. This was his purpose for coming into the world to redeem us back to God. In Luke 24:47 we find repentance and remission of sin is to be preached in Jesus’ name. There is no other way to be born again other than through baptism(water) in Jesus’ name and being filled with the Holy Ghost(Spirit) then we become new creatures,(II Cor. 5:17) and are to go on to perfection (Heb. 6:11),Eph. 4:11-13. This is God’s plan. If there is any other it does not come from the Bible, which is God’s Holy Word. Attend a church that believes and teaches the “Apostle’s Doctrine” so that your salvation will be sure.
