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“You Must Be Born Again” John 3:3-8 Presented by Chris Reeves * Lakeland Hills church of Christ * Gospel Meeting * March 31, 2011
The New Birth It is a popular, but misunderstood Bible subject It is not merely change or being religious – Nicodemus was religious (Jn. 3:1-2) What is it?
The New Birth: What Is It? “I say unto you…” It is a mature birth – not the birth of an infant (Mk. 16:16; Acts 18:8) “Except one … he cannot” It is a necessary birth – not optional (Lk. 13:5; Jn. 15:4)
The New Birth: What Is It? “Be born anew (again)…” It is a second birth – not being born the first time (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15; Eph. 2:10; 4:24; Col. 3:10) “See the kingdom … enter the kingdom” It is a transitional birth – (Col. 1:13; 1 Cor. 15:24)
The New Birth: What Is It? “Born of water and the Spirit…” It is a composite birth – not a singular element (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 5:26; Tit. 3:5) Water and Spirit work together in conversion (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:37-38; 18:8)
The New Birth: What Is It? John 3:51 Cor. 12:13 Eph. 5:26Titus 3:5 Born of water BaptizedWashing of water Washing of regeneration Born of Spirit By one Spirit By the Word Renewing of the H.S. Enter the kingdom Into one body Sanctify and cleanse Saved
The New Birth: What Is It? “Born of water and the Spirit…” What is the water? Physical birth water? The water is the Spirit? Water baptism? Rom. 6:3-4,17
The New Birth: What Is It? “Born of water and the Spirit…” What is the work of the Holy Spirit? Direct operation? Indirect operation? 1 Cor. 4:15; Jas. 1:18; 1 Peter 1:22-23,25
The New Birth: What Is It? “Born of the Spirit…” It is a spiritual birth, not a physical birth Christians are a product of the Spirit (Jn. 1:12-13; 1 Thess. 2:13) Christians are a reflection of the Spirit (Rom. 8:4ff; Gal. 5:23-24; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 Jn. 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1,4,18)
You Must Be Born Again Are you truly born again? Are you truly living like you have been born again?