Sunday, November 7, 2010

What does it mean to be born again?


The first thing we need to do to answer this question is look at the words of God in the flesh, the Word Himself, Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God.

Jesus said that heaven and earth would pass away but His words would never pass away. He said in John 12:49-50 "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”

I lay this foundation because Jesus IS the way, the truth, and the life, what He spoke IS absolute truth. What He spoke He received directly from the Father and this is what He taught His disciples and they accepted His word.

In John 3:1-7 Jesus tells the Pharisee Nicodemus a ruler of Jews what one MUST do in order to be born again. Let's take a look at what Jesus said:

"There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’"

In these scriptures Jesus tells us plainly what it means to be born again. Unless we are born again we CANNOT see the kingdom of God. And unless one is born of water AND the Spirit he CANNOT enter the kingdom of God. Then He goes on to say that we MUST be born again, not should be, or need to be, or maybe, but MUST be.

Now let's look at what born of water and the Spirit is according to the scriptures. Many have a problem with the word 'water' here and say that it's the birth water, or the water of the word, but that's error and when we look at the Greek word for water in John it's the same word that's used in Matthew 3:13-17

"Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

In these scriptures Jesus is giving us an example of what it means to be born again, He gets baptized by John and immediately He comes up from the water and John was able to see a supernatural manifestation of the Spirit of God descending from heaven LIKE a dove and landing upon Jesus. (Like the tongues of fire on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:3)

The word 'water' here is the Greek word: Hudor

5204. hudor hoo'-dore, and genitive case, hudatos hoo'-dat-os, etc. from the base of 5205; water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively:--water. (Strong's Greek Lexicon)

This is the same word used in John 3:5

The word Spirit is also the same in Matthew and John:

4151. pneuma pnyoo'-mah from 4154; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze (Strong's Greek Lexicon)

Now going back to John 3:5 we can understand clearly that what Jesus said to Nicodemus is that one must be born of water (hudor-baptism) and the Spirit (pneuma-Holy Spirit)

Without these two things as Jesus said, we cannot see or enter the kingdom of God.

This is what it means to be 'born again'. Water + Spirit = Born Again!

We can read of the culmination of this teaching of Jesus in the book of Acts when the Holy Spirit was ushered in with power on the day of Pentecost and 3000 new converts to Christ heard the gospel message preached by Peter and were born of water and the Spirit.

Acts 1:4-5

"And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Acts 2:1-4

"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

The initial evidence of receiving or being filled with the Holy Spirit is speaking in other languages!

Mark 16:17

"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;"

Acts 2:36-39

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

Acts 2:40-42

"And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly  received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."

In The Love Of Christ,
Tyrone

2 comments:

  1. Tyron, are you saying that one must be baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, in order to be saved or born again?

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    Replies
    1. Hi, thanks for the comment and question.

      First, one must understand that the baptism of the Spirit, receiving the Holy Spirit, being filled with the Spirit, the gift of the Holy Spirit, the outpouring of the Spirit, the Spirit falling or coming upon, and the promise of the Father, ALL MEAN THE SAME THING!

      Every one of those seven terms are used in the the book of Acts (six in the first two chapters) to describe the same experience. (A believer of Jesus Christ receiving the Holy Spirit into their heart)

      1) Acts 1:4-5,8

      "And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

      "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;"

      a)wait for the Promise of the Father (Holy Spirit)

      b)you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Note* the ten disciples did not receive the Holy Spirit into their hearts when Jesus blew on them in John 20:22, Jesus was speaking prophetically about what would happen on the day of Pentecost. Also note that: 1) Thomas was not present when that happened and 2) Jesus was not yet glorified, He arose from the dead in the same flesh and bone body He was crucified in. 3) Seven of the disciples went fishing after that experience. It was like they were saying, let's go back to what we know best, fishing!

      c) When the Holy Spirit comes upon you

      2) Acts 2:3-4

      "Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

      a) The tongues of fire was a spiritual manifestation of the Holy Spirit that God allowed the disciples to see like when the Spirit came down from Heaven LIKE a dove when Jesus was baptized. And all 120 disciples including the women received the Spirit into their hearts for the FIRST time!

      b)Emphasis here: They were ALL FILLED with the HOLY SPIRIT and what did they do AFTER the filling? They spoke with other languages as the Spirit they just received gave them utterance.

      3) Acts 2:17

      "And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams."

      a) Pour out of My Spirit on ALL flesh.

      b) The recipients of the Spirit of God will prophesy, receive visions, and dreams.

      4) Acts 2:38

      "Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

      a) You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Which IS the Holy Spirit Himself!)

      5) Acts 10:44,47

      "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word."

      “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

      a) The Holy Spirit fell upon ALL those who heard the word. And how did Peter and the other brethren KNOW that the Holy Spirit had fallen upon them? For they HEARD them speak with tongues AND magnify God. (Sight and Sound!)

      b) Received the Holy Spirit as they did on the day of Pentecost.

      The emphasis is always on receiving the Holy Spirit into the heart, and the sign or physical manifestation of the Spirit of God entering the heart of man initially IS speaking in other languages.

      For further study please read these messages:

      http://gospelofthekingdomofgod.blogspot.com/2012/01/did-you-receive-holy-spirit-when-you.html

      http://gospelofthekingdomofgod.blogspot.com/2011/09/do-all-speak-languages-gifts-of-spirit.html

      http://gospelofthekingdomofgod.blogspot.com/2011/04/sign-of-seal.html

      In His Service,
      Tyrone

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