In another lesson titled “Freedom By Doing The Word of God” we saw the importance of doing the word. Obedience is the key that unlocks the door to Gods’ blessings in our lives. Since we know that obedience is essential, the question naturally arises “What must I do?” This lesson will introduce the salvation message that was preached by Jesus and his disciples. The first priority of our Lord was to seek and save that which was lost. Prayerfully consider this lesson and open your heart and life to God. Remember, obedience is necessary to be a believer.
Ye Must Be Born Again
John 3:1-8 (KJV) 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.
Nicodemus was an exceptional man in that he was a religious leader but was not numbered among the hypocrites. He had a hungry heart to know truth and deep inside of him was a desire to do the word of God. When he came to Jesus the master told him what he must do to be saved. “Ye must be born again.” This statement was a totally new idea to him, one that he did not fully understand. He asked the Lord how this could be done. “Can a man enter the second time into his mothers womb and be born?” Jesus answered in the negative. Of course this was not what he was talking about. Jesus explained that to be born again, one must be born of the water and of the Spirit. To understand what he said we need to look at the meanings of these two words. The Greek word for water is: (hoo-dat-os) [water as if raining, as in a river, H2O]. The Greek word for Spirit is: (pnyoo’-mah) [the Holy Spirit of God]. With this in mind we can easily see that the new birth contains these two elements.
Born Again
There are many places where Jesus taught about the water and Spirit birth. Why did he make such an emphasis of this? The reason goes all the way back to the garden. When Adam and Eve sinned they broke the relationship that they had with the Lord. From then until now every child born has inherited the nature of sin and death. In this spiritual condition it is impossible to please God. We cannot be a Christian and have this old nature alive and in control. This is why there must be a change.
From The Old To The New
Jesus taught the necessity of a change in order to enter into his kingdom. He illustrated this by using bottles as an example.
Mark 2:22 (KJV) And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.
The bottles that he referred to were actually skins. The old bottles were hard and unmovable. This old bottle represents you and I with our old unmoving sin nature. The new wine, which is the Spirit of God, cannot live in an unregenerate man or woman. The new wine (Holy Ghost) must be put into a new vessel. The new vessel is pliable and soft and we must be soft and pliable before him. When Gods’ Spirit is inside there are pressures exerted by the word. God moves upon us to change to conform to his nature. If we are not pliable and moldable before him, there will surely come along something that will crack and break our vessel and our relationship with him.
2 Cor. 5:17 (KJV) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
By obedience to the Gospel plan we are born into the kingdom of righteousness and true holiness.
Ephes. 4:22-24 (KJV) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; [23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; [24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
The word conversation speaks of our lifestyle and behavior. Through the new birth experience our behavior is changed to please God. We are also translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. The word “translated” means to transfer or carry away.
Col. 1:13-15 (KJV) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: [15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Is it any wonder that when the disciples of the Lord received this spiritual new birth that they got carried away in their worship and excitement?
Acts 2:1-4 (KJV) And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. [2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. [3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
They were so excited and carried away that the onlookers thought they were drunk! Well, they were! What they had received was a spiritual intoxication of the Holy Ghost! Before the day of Pentecost the disciples were loaded down with the old sin nature. After Pentecost, the disciples were powerful witnesses that shook the then known world.
Water And Spirit
There are several places where Jesus taught about water and Spirit. We will cover these in greater detail in the studies titled “Repentance”, “Born of the Water” and “Born of the Spirit.” Below I have listed a few scriptures that speak of these three areas of salvation.
Repentance
Matthew 4:17 (KJV) From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 9:13 (KJV) But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Luke 5:31-32 (KJV) And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. [32] I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Luke 13:2-4 (KJV) And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? [3] I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. [4] Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
Water Baptism
Matthew 28:19 (KJV) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mark 16:15-16 (KJV) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. [16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Luke 24:47 (KJV) And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (baptism is for the remission of sins)
John 3:5 (KJV) 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.
Spirit Baptism
Mark 16:17 (KJV) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (when the Spirit came they spoke in tongues)
John 3:5 (KJV) 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.
John 7:37-39 (KJV) In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. [38] He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. [39] (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Acts 1:5 (KJV) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 1:8 (KJV) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Conclusion
This study will not be complete unless you go through the lessons in order below. It would do you well to take the time to go through each of them and as you do let the Lord speak to your heart and ask him to give you the courage to do his Word!
What Does It Mean To Receive The Holy Ghost?
Thanks for going through the Word with me. If you have any questions or comments I would love to hear from you. Just click here and I will get back with you as soon as possible. May God bless you in the next three studies.
Sincerely
Greg Wirths
Focus on Freedom
Focus On Freedom 