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The New Birth
The New Birth is a cardinal doctrine of the Bible. Long
before Jesus walked on earth God's prophets pointed to it (I Peter 1:10-12).
It was the theme of Christ's preaching. He said to Nicodemus, "Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the
kingdom of God" (John 3:3). That should settle the importance of the
subject. What, then is involved in the new birth?
First, there is a cleansing from sin. Paul wrote, "Not
by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy
He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost"
(Titus 3:5). The word "regeneration" means "new birth"
(Vine, P.267). This cleansing occurs when a penitent believer is immersed
in water, as may be seen in Paul's own conversion. The instruction he received
was, "arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins . . ." (Acts
22:16).
A clear example of the new birth is seen in the conversions
which occurred on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. Spirit-filled men
preached a Spirit-given message. Believers were told to "repent, and
be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remissions
of sins . . . " (Acts 2:38). Eager listeners responded by being baptized
and "the same day there were added unto them about three thousand
souls"(Acts 2:41). Remember how Jesus had promised that those who
were born again would enter the kingdom? With these first converts on Pentecost
that promise was fulfilled.
The Spirit's work in conversion is not in stimulating
a feeling of ecstasy, but in providing men a knowledge of the truth. The
Bible says, "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth (James
1:18). And Peter declared, Being born again, not of corruptible, by the
word of God . . . And this is the word which by the gospel is preached
unto you" (I Peter 1:23,25).
If you have not believed in Christ, repented of your
sins, confessed your faith in Christ before men, and been buried with the
Lord in baptism for the remission of sins, you need to also be born in
to His family today.
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