The New Birth
by Perry Sexton
All have sinned (Romans 3:23) and are therefore in need of salvation because our sins have separated us from God (Isaiah 59:1,2). Man must come back to God through obedience to His will (Hebrews 5:9). Another way of looking at this is when man is in sin, he is dead spiritually (Ephesians 2:1-5) and the alien sinner must be “born again.” As Jesus 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).
By this verse we can understand that man must be “born again” in order to enter into the kingdom (there is no other way of entrance). To enter into the kingdom is to be saved (Colossians 1:13,14). Seeing then the gravity of the new birth, all people should seek diligently to understand it and to be born again. How is man “born again”? Note that Jesus said: “Except a man be born again.” Jesus said “a man” not a child. “Born again” -- this has nothing to do with the first birth which was physical. The “new birth” is spiritual.
Jesus further said: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). It is one birth with two elements: “water” and “the Spirit.” To be born of the Spirit is to obey the words of the Spirit (cp. John 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:16,17). This is seen clearly in 1 Peter 1:22, 23: “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: {23} Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." Man is "born again" by obeying the word of God, not just believing (cp. James 2:14-26)!
In order to be saved (born again) man must hear the truth, believe (Romans 10:17) the truth and obey the truth: which includes repenting of sins (Luke 13:3), confessing Christ (Matthew 10:32, 33), and being baptized “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Mark 16:16, etc.). Compare this with next month’s article on the conversions.
Paul said to the Romans: “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. {18} Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Rom. 6:17,18). Consider, “free from sin” is the same as what Peter spoke of as “purified your souls.” Note: “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit … 23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:22-23). Remember, it was Peter who said by inspiration: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).
Please note, they “were the servants of sin,” but they repented (stopped sinning) and obeyed with the understanding (cp. John 6:45) “that form of doctrine.” What is that form of doctrine? It is the gospel of Christ which is “the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16). The gospel in its simplest form is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Please read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and note that they were saved by the gospel. Note the comparison:
- Jesus died for our sins -- we are to die to sin (repent, cp. Romans 6:6,11; Luke 13:3).
- Jesus was buried -- we are to be buried with Him by baptism (Romans 6:4).
- Jesus was raised from the dead -- when one submits to scriptural baptism he is raised from that watery grave, by the power of God, to newness of life (Romans 6:4,5; Colossians 2:12).
It is a most beautiful picture when you read and accept what the Bible teaches on this matter.
Friends, this is the new birth. To “be born of water” is to be baptized scripturally. Scriptural baptism is that which is taught in the Bible which was delivered by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16,17). Scriptural baptism is for people who are capable of understanding and believing (Mark 16:16; John 3:3,5). It is a burial in water (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:38; 10:47,48). Scriptural baptism is “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Mark 16:16). Compare:
- “Born again … of water and of the Spirit” (John 3:3-5).
- “baptized … raised up … newness of life” (Rom. 6:3,4).
- “baptized … made free from sin” (Rom. 6:3-17).
- “ purified your souls … Being born again (1 Peter 1:22,23).
- “be baptized … for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).
When one obeys the gospel of Christ he is saved and is thus added to the church, the kingdom (Acts 2:37-41, 47; Colossians 1:13,14). He has been born into the family of God (cp. 1 Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 3:15; 1 Corinthians 12:13).
I know that these things are not taught in the denominational world and that you may have and should have serious questions. I ask that you study this matter with an open mind and an honest heart (Luke 8:15 cp. Acts 17:11). Your soul is far too valuable to be lost by the doctrines of men (Matthew 15:9; 2 John 9). I would be most happy to answer any questions you may have. I will do so in this paper or to you privately. I stand ready to assist you any way I can. Please study Romans 6. Have you obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15,16)? ♥
{Conversions chart next month.}
