BORN AGAIN

WHY IS BEING BORN AGAIN IMPORTANT?

"In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." " ...I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.  You should not be surprised at my saying, "You must be born again."   John 3:3-7 NIV 

I THOUGHT ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS BELIEVE, ACCEPT THE LORD, AND SAY A SINNERS PRAYER?

Saying you believe, accepting the Lord, and saying a sinners prayer is a form of REPENTANCE.  This is only a start. We must start with repentance, a sorrowful heart, change of mind, and going a different direction in life.  But the old man or (old ways) must die, and through repentance and baptism he does. Most people stop at repentance, say they believe, and recite a sinner's prayer (But where is the sinner's prayer in the Bible?)  A new birth must take place, that's how you enter the Kingdom of God.  Check out the article [Born Again Vs Believism] with the link bar on the left side of this page.

The apostle Paul explains it well:

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?  By no means!  We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?  Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.  If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.  For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. Romans 6:1-6



 
Many in this world say a sinner's prayer, they accept the Lord, and choose him as Savior; (They are Called).  But it is the LORD that accepts and chooses us by our obedience to the new birth; (They are Chosen).  "Many shall be called, few shall be chosen."  Matthew 22:14. 


1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Ezekiel 20:41
I will accept you as fragrant incense when I bring you out from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will show myself holy among you in the sight of the nations.

Isaiah 41:9
I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you.  I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.

Water Baptism

Water baptism is an essential part of being born again and not merely a symbolic ritual. It is part of entering into or the birth into the kingdom of God (God's church, the bride of Christ), and therefore, it is not merely a part of local church membership. (See John 3:5; Galatians 3:27).

Mode of Baptism

Water baptism is to be administered only by immersion. Paul said, "We are buried with him [Jesus Christ] by baptism (Romans 6:4; see Colossians 2:12), Jesus came up "out of the water" (Mark 1:10), and Philip and the eunuch went down "into the water" and came up "out of the water" (Acts 8:38-39).
Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection are applied to our lives when we experience being born again: "Repent [death to sin], and be baptized [burial] every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost [resurrection]." (See Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-7; 8:2).

Sprinkling, pouring, or infant baptism of any kind cannot be substantiated by the Word of God, but are only human traditions.

Formula of Baptism 

The name in which baptism is administered is vitally important, and this name is Jesus.
Jesus' last command to His disciples was, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). We should notice that He said name (singular) not names. As previously explained, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are not names of separate persons, but titles of positions held by God. An angelic announcement revealed God's saving name in the New Testament: "She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).

The apostles understood that Jesus was the name to use at baptism, and from the day that the church of God was established (the Day of Pentecost) until the end of their ministry, they baptized all nations (Jews--Acts 8:16; Gentiles--Acts 19:5) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In fact, Jesus is the only name given for our salvation. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

• Baptism of the Holy Ghost

The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the birth of the Spirit (John 3:5). This spiritual baptism is necessary to put someone into the kingdom of God (God's church, the bride of Christ) and is evidenced by speaking in other tongues (other languages) as the Spirit of God give utterance.

Look what happened to these people when they didn't seek the truth and were not born again.  They were called but never chosen!

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?  And in thy name have cast out devils?  And in thy name done many wonderful works? 

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  Matthew 7:23

        Why?

...but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 
1 Peter 2:7-9

 Listen to the news media on any given day, and you probably wonder, Is there any hope left?  Soaring prices, weather-related catastrophes, economic instability, military conflict, crime, layoffs, suicides -- and on and on.  Even closer to home, perhaps you struggle with hopelessness about your marriage, children, job, friendships, or other things you hold dear.

We all need hope!!!  When enduring life's most difficult times, we need to believe that a positive outcome is possible. 

"For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you."  Jeremiah 29:11-12

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  1 Peter 1:3
  
There is HOPE in Jesus!  Be a Seeker of the Truth and be obedient to his Word!

Please e-mail (bornagain.water_spirit@yahoo.com) your thoughts or comments on this website or on things published in this website would be appreciated. 

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