BORN AGAIN
Part one
In the late 1960s we began hearing Christians using the term "born again". Born again, are words used by Christians to identify themselves as true believers in Jesus who have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. To the Christians these words bring great confidence and assurance. To the unbeliever it brings laughter and ridicule. The question often surfaces, what does it mean and why it is necessary. It refers to the experience of a "new birth", and specifically refers to "spiritual rebirth", or regeneration of the human spirit from the Holy Spirit, contrasted with physical birth. It is a core doctrine of the evangelical Christian denominations.
These two words were uttered only three times in the Bible. Twice by Jesus and once by Peter.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
John 3:7 "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
1st Peter 1:23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
- So one might ask if these words are mentioned only three times in the Bible; how important can they be? Because Jesus said:
- "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
- 'You must be born again.' (John 3:3-7)
- "Another might ask "if it is that important what makes it so?
- It makes the difference between going to heaven and going to hell.
- Still another might ask "why isn't my physical birth good enough to get me into heaven."
- Yet another may inquire what is the cause that I must be born again?
The Bible provides answers to all of these questions and more in the next few parts of this message.
Read John 3:1-15
This subject will be further developed in lesson part two.
