Born of Water and the Spirit

1. Born of Water and the Spirit “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:5(NJKV)

2. What is ‘being born again’? Three wise men?

3. What is ‘being born again’? • Why is rebirth required? • Answer: because of sin man is alienated from God, his Creator. • “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” Rom 5:12

4. What is ‘being born again’? • James teaches us that like Adam and Eve we responsible own sin: • “each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full–grown, brings forth death.” James 114-15 • Principles involved in rebirth: • ROMANS 4:1-3 • GALATIANS 3:6-9

5. “Born of Water and the Spirit” • “Jesus answered (Nicodemus) and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." • Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?" • Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:3-5

6. “Born of Water” • There needs to be a cleansing, a renewal: • ROMANS 6:3-8 & 23 • “…the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us––baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” 1Peter 3:20-21

7. “Born Again” • How can one be born again? • 1PETER 1:22-25 • The Word of God is perfect and as Paul writes: • “The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two–edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

8. “Born Again” • Being born again involves change: • “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 • One becomes renewed or born again through the inspired Word of God.

9. “Born of the Spirit” • Being born by water and the Spirit are not isolated events, but concurrent. Being born of water through baptism is a manifestation of ones faith wrought by the inspired Word: • “In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth” James 1:18 • “Blessed be God who ... has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..” “...For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Pet. 1:3,23).

10. “Born of the Spirit” • Being born again is not as some view it an instant rebirth by the possession of the gifts of the Spirit. • Just as natural birth is not an instantaneous process from the moment of conception, so rebirth is a gradual process over a lifetime of service to God.

11. “Born of the Spirit” • Following baptism comes a new life in Christ: • “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” • "put off the old man (old nature) with his deeds, and put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him (God) that created him (Christ)." Colossians 3:2-4, 9

12. “Born of the Spirit” • Through Jesus we are adopted sons God: • "When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons". Galatians 4:4-5 • “Do not let your adornment be merely outward… …rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” 1Peter 3:2-4

13. “Born of the Spirit” • Ultimately a change in nature must occur in order to have a part in the Kingdom: • “..flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.. .. this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality… … then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." 1Corinthians 15:50, 53-54 • It is a change to what Paul calls a "spiritual body“, a body "clothed upon" with life, changed from a feeble mortal state to a state of glory like that of the risen Christ (see 2Corinthians 5:4; Philippians 3:21)

14. “Born of the Spirit” • Jesus Christ will return and reward the faithful by granting rebirth to spirit nature. They will receive the nature of Christ and be ‘born again’ to a new life - eternal life His Kingdom. • To those who are faithful God offers rebirth - a new beginning - a chance to fulfil the purpose for our creation.

15. “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Spirit Word Baptism A change of mind Eternal Life (spirit nature) in the Kingdom