Born Again?
Have you ever been born again? Born again means different things to different people. Some of the largest cults in the world believe that it means, 'Have you been water baptized?' The largest cult in the world believes that which is the Roman Catholic Church. They believe putting a little water on a baby's head IS water baptism. One of their verses in the KJV, which is God's pure word says it this way
John 3
From reading verse 5, I see that Jesus DID say "…Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." Many cults say that you are not saved UNTIL you are water baptized. This is one of the verses they use BUT Nicodemus seemed to know what Jesus was talking about since he started talking about going back into his mother's womb and being born again physically speaking. In other words, Jesus was talking about the physical birth, the waters of life gush out of your mother's womb when you are born THEN you must be born spiritually speaking next, born of God, when you receive him into your life. We see this truth in John 1:12.
"12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"
Back to verse 6 now. Here Jesus is answering Nicodemus by telling him to be born of flesh is the first birth and to be born of the Spirit is the second birth. Jesus was talking the physical birth and then the spiritual birth with him.
I was teaching on the second birth showing that it is so simple that a child cannot err in the way. I have heard and read how you must do one of them before the other in regards to repent, believe and receive. To me it seems so easy and straightforward that you cannot do any of the three without doing the other two, they tie hand and hand with each other. Let me take you through a few verses to show you what I mean.
In John 1:12 above we see that if you received him then he gives the power to be one of his children.
Going to Acts 16:30,31
Going to Luke 13:3
NOW I want to tie these three scriptures together. The moment I believed with my heart, the inner man, I was born again. God quickened my spirit by his word and I repented BY turning to him for life. I will show you in a slightly different way. A person cannot repent without believing and cannot believe without receiving. That is a profound truth that the word of God teaches.
Rom 10:9,10
So experience life by receiving Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Today could be your day of salvation from all the evil this world is offering you. We live in a dead depraved world and it is getting easier to see that truth as each and every day passes by.
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Here we clearly see that if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ you will be saved.
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
We see Jesus is telling them they must repent to be saved OR they perish, die lost.
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.