Introduction
John 3 narrates an encounter Nicodemus had
with Jesus about salvation. Jesus answered in John 3:3 and said unto Nicodemus, Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom
of God. The reason many professing Christians continue to live sinful lives is
that they have NOT been born again. They are not saved. Attending Church
services or being born to Christian parents or partaking in church activities
only is their hope for salvation.
What is born again? How can we be born again?
What is not born again? It is the aim of this study that these salient
questions shall be answered from the biblical point of view so we live in
accordance with the word of God.
Questions
1. Is it necessary to be born again?
o
John 3:1-7; I
Pet. 1:23; Titus 3:5 (It is absolutely necessary to be born again to be saved
and enter the Kingdom of God.)
2. How did Jesus expect Nicodemus to know about
the "new birth" from the Old Testament?
o
Jer. 31:33;
32:39; Ezek. 11:19;18:31; 36:25-27; Ps. 51:10; Isa. 1:18-20; 55:6
3. The New Birth is not:
o
Water baptism,
church membership, reformation, trying to do better, making resolutions to quit
bad habits, giving money or service to the church, or trying to be a Christian
without the life of Christ inside.
4. Is it possible to be born again without Jesus
Christ?
o
Matt. 1:21; Acts
4:12; Rom. 6:23; I John 5:11-13; Luke 19:10. (No. Salvation is through a
Saviour, the person of the Lord Jesus Christ)
5. Is ‘born again’ for every person?
o John 3:16, 17; Rom. 10:13; John 4:10-15; Rev.
22:17 (Yes, "whosoever will.")
6. Why is it necessary to be born again and
thereby receive salvation?
o a. Rom. 3:23; 1 John 1:10; Isa. 53:6. (Because
you have sinned.)
o
b. Because of
your lost and fallen condition:
§ (1) Your sins have separated you from God. (Isa.
59:1,2.)
§ (2) Mankind is depraved and inclined towards
sin. (Gen. 6:5,6; Psalm 53:2,3; Isa.64:6; Eccl.8:11.)
§ (3) The penalty of your sin. (Rom. 2:11-13;
Rom. 6:23.)
§ (4) You are spiritually dead. (Eph. 2:1; I
John 5:12; St. John 3:36.)
7. How can a person be born again?
o
I. God's Part:
§ (1) Jesus Christ died in your place and for
your sins so that you can be forgiven and receive that new life. (I Cor. 15:3;
Isa. 53:5, 6, 12; Gal. 3:13; Heb. 2:9; I Pet. 3:18; Heb. 9:28; I Pet. 2:24;
Rom. 5:8.)
§ (2) Forgive sins.(Heb. 10:16,17; I John 1:9;
Isa. 55:7; Isa. 43:25; Isa. 44:22, 1:18.)
§ (3) Give Spiritual Life. Eph. 2:1,5; I John
5:11 13; St. John 3:1-7.
o
II. Your Part.
§ (1) Choose to be born again. Choose the way of
Jesus instead of the way of Satan; choose to call on the Lord for salvation.
Choose whom you will serve. (Josh. 24:15; Rom. 10:13.)
§ (2) Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son
of God. Absolute trust.(John 3:16-18; John 8:24; I John 5:10.)
§ (3) Receive Him.( John 1:12.)
§ (4) Repent. (Be sorry for your sins - confess
them - leave them.)(Acts 3:19; Acts 2:38; Luke 13:5.)
§ (5) Confess Christ openly.( Rom. 10:9,10.)
§ (6) Be Baptized. (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:15; Matt.
28:19.)
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