Joh 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
Joh 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, 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.
Joh 3:6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Joh 3:8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, 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.
We can only experience the new birth of water and Spirit when we obey the instructions of Jesus Christ.
The Lord declared things vital to entering the kingdom of God. Most folk today would rather live without absolutes, but the Lord gave some absolutes concerning the new-birth experience. Especially us Americans want to treat the kingdom of God as tho it were a democracy. It is rather a theocracy. The Lord has given us the opportunity to be saved . . .consequently, He has also given us a pattern. He told Nicodemus emphatically that without the new birth experience no man could see the kingdom of God.
There are people who try to go around the laws of the land and of God, but there is no way to avoid the single gateway of entrance into the kingdom of God. A person may not enter His kingdom by any other means. The writer of Hebrews posed a great question . . ."How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him" (Hebrews 2:3) Nicodemus heard Him. The apostles heard Him, many modern day folks have heard Him as well. Jesus said, "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again"(John 3:7).
Nocodemus was, by all evidence, a sincere, thinking man. He was also obviously a truth seeker. He was like a lot of folks today . . .curious, cautious, and even skeptical. Jesus spoke to him in strange terms about being born again. I can see why . . .given the day, that he questioned Jesus, . . ."How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mothers womb, and be born?"(John 3:4)
I bet this idea of a new birth was a revolutionary concept to Nicodemus. It sure was bound to have required some tolerance as to his ideals on Nicodemus"s part as his logic and his faith in the Almighty was being challenged. But when Nicodemus questioned the idea of a new birth, Jesus quickly clarified the concept of that wonderful experience. . . . "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"
"These are not drunken, as ye suppose" (Acts 2:15). It is obvious from Peter"s response that the Jews were leary about the goings on in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost. The report of the happenings caused an uproar of the people when it was "noised abroad". . . .so they came to ask as to the meaning of such behavior.
It is interesting to note that Peter cut right to the point of their questions by stating "These are not drunken as ye suppose". They were not drunk but had been filled with the Holy Ghost !
The sinful cannot inherit the kingdom of God. So it is clear that a person must be changed, restored, and redeemed to regain a spiritual relationship with the Almighty God. Adam and Eve lived in a perfect world with perfect surroundings, and they enjoyed a perfect relationship with God. But disobedience introduced sin and changed everything.
All was not lost in mankinds plunge into sinful disobedience. God had already devised a way to restore mankind to a perfect state of relationship with Him. The fulfillment of this plan was what Jesus referred to as the new birth in His talk with Nicodemus. The idea of a new birth could not be understood but only in a spiritual context. Most notable is that Jesus made it clear that the new birth was not optional to those who would see the kingdom of God. It is an absolute imperative.
Jesus knew that Nicodemus"s question required spiritual understanding, so He clarified the fundamentals of the new birth by saying, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit"(John 3: 5-6). Jesus brought realization to Nicodemus by revealing that the new birth is a spiritual experience. All men must be born again . . .a spiritual new birth. Nicodemus knew the impossibility of returning to the womb of his mother, but Jesus revealed the idea of a heavenly birth.
Jesus"s revelatory words to Nicodemus in John 3:5 presented His plan for all mankind. As essential as water is to human life, so is it necessary for spiritual life. Baptism in water in the name of Jesus Christ is fundamental to the new birth. It is noteworthy that Jesus considered water baptism so vital that He led by example and was baptized by John the Baptist.
In addition to baptism in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, it is also necessary to be born of the Holy Spirit. Spirit baptism and water baptism in Jesus name are essential for the new birth experience.
Jesus said, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God"(John 3:5) . . . . .what does cannot mean? "Cannot" is an unyielding word . . .an ultimate decree regarding the impossibility of someone gaining salvation in any other way or by any other means. The word "cannot" follows the word "except", which means "apart from". In other words, apart from being born again, we cannot enter God"s kingdom. This is another clear indication of the intent of the Lord in His instruction to Nicodemus, and it"s a warning to the disobedient. There just ain"t any leeway for those who would decide that the Lord really did not intend to imply that to be born again was essential.
Here is an important point to me . . . .Jesus gave Peter the Keys to the kingdom. We might wonder what Peter experienced in coming to his conclusion concerning the identity of Jesus Christ. We know that the diciples reported that some had said He was "John the Baptist" . . .some "Elias" . . .and others "Jerimias or one of the prophets" (Mathew 16:14). But it was Peter that He asked . . .not asking what others said, but as to what Peter himself believed.
Peter may have astounded the others when he replied "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God"(Mathew 16:16). Jesus said "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven"(Mthew 16:17). This was the monumental revelation of the ages . . .the answer for which all Israel, and all creation, had been searching since Adams fall in the Garden of Eden. Jesus knew Peter"s humble background and knew that such a revelation of eternal truth had not come with human logic. Human logic in that day would not have been able to provide such a measure of spiritual understanding.
So, Jesus right off the bat announced what he had in mind for Peter . . . .this is where I give credibility to the words of Peter. . . ."Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build this church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys to the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven"(Mathew 16;18-19). Jesus gave Peter divine authority and commissioned him to become the spokesman for the fledgling church.
Alright . . .In what way did Peter use the keys?
Faith and repentance are the first step toward a relationship with God. Repentance is the act of changing or turning around. It"s right up front in the process of turning toward God and continues thru-out our life. Repentance is not the ultimate experience, even tho it does give us relief of pent up guilt . . .but it is only the initial beginning of the salvation experience. Peter realized that repentance was a primary key to entering the kingdom of God. He himself, was a perfect example of the miracle of repentance, as he had denied the Lord three times after Jesus was arrested. Still he was able to repent and go on with his relationship with Jesus.
There was a big difference between the man called Peter before Pentecost and the apostle Peter after Pentecost. Peter was a man who had repented and received forgivness. With a voice of experience, Peter could declare, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost"(Acts 2:38). . . . .He had just experienced the life changing quality of Pentecost by being born again!!
Second, Peter said that one must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. No less important that repentance, water baptism is the physical and public demonstration of ones faith and obedience to Jesus Christ. Thru baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, we experience spiritual adoption and take on the family name of all believers. Whats more, water baptism is not optional but a biblical mandate and a necessity.
From here on out there is no way that I can slip what I believe by you and still lay it out. The Bible is specific concerning the necessity of water baptism. Acts 2:38 gives a clear and certain commandment. Clearly, baptism is a vital aspect of our salvation experience, for the apostle Peter later wrote, "The like figure where unto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1Peter 3:21).
Not only did Peter instruct believers to be baptized in water for the remission of sins, but he further instructed them to do so "in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:38). Jesus is the only name "given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Many argue that water baptism should repeat the words of Jesus from Mathew 28:19, rather than the words from apostle Peter from Acts 2:38. This position tho, reveals a lack of understanding on several points. . . First, Jesus was not giving a formula . . .He was instructing the believers in principle as to what they were to do, not how they were to do it. When one examines the verse carefully, he will see that baptism is to be in the singular name . . .not the titles, of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Second, only one name fulfills Jesus command by singularly associating with the titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, . . .the name of Jesus. (See Mathew 1:21, John 5:43 and 14:26). Jesus is the only name that will accomplish the command of Mathew 28:19!!! Finally, when Jesus gave the keys to the kingdom of God to the apostle Peter, He gave to him the responcibility to preach the gospel message and open the door to New Testament salvation (See Mathew 16:18-19).
Calling on the name is required in order for a person to obey the great commission. Jesus intended that all who come to repentance should be buried with Him in baptism in the likeness of His buriel. (See Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12)
Then finally, Peter used the third key to the beginning of a spiritual relationship with God: "Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost"(Acts 2:38).
In Acts 19, the apostle Paul encountered believers in Ephesus. Paul asked them "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost"(Acts 19:2). . . .Here Paul clearly shows that his expectation that believers should receive the Holy Ghost. To the believers in Rome he said, "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Romans 8:9).
The Lord sent the apostle Peter to the household of Cornelius to reveal God"s plans to redeem Gentiles. It is important to consider Cornelius"s words to Peter when he stated that the angel had told him to send for Simon Peter and that when he came, he would tell Cornelius words whereby he and his house would be saved (Acts 11: 13-14). Cornelius was a praying and a giving man whos alms had come up to God for a memorial . . .yet he was not saved? Had he not needed the message of salvation, the services of Peter would have been unnecessary. But God loved Cornelius and the Gentile people enough to open to them the plan for their redemption.
Jesus put the entire Bible in a nutshell in just a few words . . ."Ye must be born again" (John 3:7). God wants everybody everywhere to be born again of the water and of the Spirit.
Nicodemus came to Jesus by night, evidently hoping that no one would notice him. The record of his meeting with Jesus shows a truth for all people . . .that we all must experience the new birth if we are to be saved. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ . . .it has been revealed to us and it tells us what God"s plan for salvation is. These truths that were unveiled in Peter"s message on the Day of Pentecost are still vital and available today . .we can all still have the same spiritual experience that those followers had then.
Nicodemus" questioning of the Lord, and Peter"s message on the Day of Pentecost, show us the opening of the door to Heavens greatest treasure . . .the new birth.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Folksthat believe baptism is essential to salvation tend to de-emphasize the Blood of Christ as an all-sufficient payment for sin. Instead, they believe that the blood of Jesus is not really sufficient to "cleanse us from all sin" (see I John 1:9).Instead, they believe that salvation must be obtained through both the good work of Christ on the cross, and the good work of man in baptism.Man therefore becomes a "co-redeemer" together with Christ. It is salvation by the grace of God plus the work of man - Jesus and man working together to pay for sin.The act of baptism is actually a picture of what should have already happened in the lives of such believers before they were baptized, namely that they have already been forgiven for their sins and therefore already been made ready for Heaven by trusting Jesus alone for salvationThe idea of salvation by works dates all the way back to the Garden of Eden. Cain, the son of Adam, brought an offering of vegetables to God - his attempt at "salvation by works". Nevertheless, God wanted blood, not the "good works" of fallen man. Cain's offering of works was therefore rejected by God. The fact is, men and women often want to give their "salvation by works" offerings to God, just as Cain once tried to do. They do not want to trust Jesus alone to save them by His blood.
Rev. 1:5 says....."And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witnes, the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood."
Only by the precious blood of our saviour are we saved.
Jesus came to save....Luke 19:10 says.."For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost." Yet Jesus did not baptise anyone......John 4:2 says.....(Though Jesus himself baptised not, but his disciples."
Consider Paul....1Cor. 1:17 says..."For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel,"
Yet Paul also wrote Rom. 1:16............" For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;"....
I will consider the verses that baptismal regeneration proponents commonly use.
#1 John 3:5
1There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5Jesus answered, 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.
6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Notice that no where in this passage is there any mention of Baptism.
But we can note that Nicodemus asked about reentering hismothers womb. That is when Jesus mentionsfirst being born of water(such asthe water we are in while in our mothers womb.) than being born of the spirit. Just because Jesus mentions water does not in any way mean he was talking of baptism.Jesus was talking about thephysical birth and the spirtual birth.Hence the term "Born Again"
Folksthat believe baptism is essential to salvation tend to de-emphasize the Blood of Christ as an all-sufficient payment for sin. Instead, they believe that the blood of Jesus is not really sufficient to "cleanse us from all sin" (see I John 1:9).Instead, they believe that salvation must be obtained through both the good work of Christ on the cross, and the good work of man in baptism.Man therefore becomes a "co-redeemer" together with Christ. It is salvation by the grace of God plus the work of man - Jesus and man working together to pay for sin.The act of baptism is actually a picture of what should have already happened in the lives of such believers before they were baptized, namely that they have already been forgiven for their sins and therefore already been made ready for Heaven by trusting Jesus alone for salvationThe idea of salvation by works dates all the way back to the Garden of Eden. Cain, the son of Adam, brought an offering of vegetables to God - his attempt at "salvation by works". Nevertheless, God wanted blood, not the "good works" of fallen man. Cain's offering of works was therefore rejected by God. The fact is, men and women often want to give their "salvation by works" offerings to God, just as Cain once tried to do. They do not want to trust Jesus alone to save them by His blood.
Rev. 1:5 says....."And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witnes, the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood."
Only by the precious blood of our saviour are we saved.
Jesus came to save....Luke 19:10 says.."For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost." Yet Jesus did not baptise anyone......John 4:2 says.....(Though Jesus himself baptised not, but his disciples."
Consider Paul....1Cor. 1:17 says..."For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel,"
Yet Paul also wrote Rom. 1:16............" For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;"....
I will consider the verses that baptismal regeneration proponents commonly use.
#1 John 3:5
1There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5Jesus answered, 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.
6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Notice that no where in this passage is there any mention of Baptism.
But we can note that Nicodemus asked about reentering hismothers womb. That is when Jesus mentionsfirst being born of water(such asthe water we are in while in our mothers womb.) than being born of the spirit. Just because Jesus mentions water does not in any way mean he was talking of baptism.Jesus was talking about thephysical birth and the spirtual birth.Hence the term "Born Again"
I dissagree you are going into an extreme by suggesting baptism is a works of salvation, one is baptized because the Master said you should, plain and simple, the no works crowed get so offended and really you are taking it to an extreme.
I will repeat what James said, "Faith without Works is dead faith"
__________________
The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. Zephaniah 1:14
פרץ
I am glad you posted this. I am sure LBR has taught you the truth about baptism. However, some Plant and Some Water but God gives the increse.
Folksthat believe baptism is essential to salvation tend to de-emphasize the Blood of Christ as an all-sufficient payment for sin. Sorry, but you got this wrong...Baptism is where we come in the contact with The Blood of Christ, the Death, Burial and Resurection.Instead, they believe that the blood of Jesus is not really sufficient to "cleanse us from all sin" Without Blood their is no Forgiveness of Sin(see I John 1:9).Instead, they believe that salvation must be obtained through both the good work of Christ on the cross, and the good work of man in baptism.
Its simply a work of Righteousness not something we invented but, doing what God says to do! Man therefore becomes a "co-redeemer" together with Christ.Not hardly!!!It is salvation by the grace of God plus the work of man - Jesus and man working together to pay for sin. Sorry but, you are wrong again...LoL The act of baptism is actually a picture of what should have already happened in the lives of such believers before they were baptized, namely that they have already been forgiven for their sins and therefore already been made ready for Heaven by trusting Jesus alone for salvation. Mark, Paul, Peter and Others didn't think so. Peter says BaptismSaves IPeter 3: 21 Are we reading the same Bible? The idea of salvation by works dates all the way back to the Garden of Eden. Cain, the son of Adam, brought an offering of vegetables to God - his attempt at "salvation by works". Nevertheless, God wanted blood, not the "good works" of fallen man. Cain's offering of works was therefore rejected by God. The fact is, men and women often want to give their "salvation by works" offerings to God, just as Cain once tried to do. They do not want to trust Jesus alone to save them by His blood.Their is so much wrong with this I don't even know where to start, Wow,(Shaking Head) Heb. 11:4 says By Faith, Able offered a Better Sacrfice to God. Faith comes from the Word of God so he knew better. Maybe you don't know about Baptism, so you need to Repent and Change, before its to late.
Jesus, Alone, Plus, nothing, Equals, EVERYONE SAVED! IF NOT, WHY NOT?
We don't need to discuss anything.
Rev. 1:5 says....."And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witnes, the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood."
Only by the precious blood of our saviour are we saved. I agree!
Jesus came to save....Luke 19:10 says.."For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost." Yet Jesus did not baptise anyone......John 4:2 says.....(Though Jesus himself baptised not, but his disciples." He forgive sins while here on earth. When his plan went into effect he didn't even baptize Paul Acts 22:16.
Consider Paul....1Cor. 1:17 says..."For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel,"
Yet Paul also wrote Rom. 1:16............" For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;".... The same go's for me, I am not here to Baptize you. I am teaching you what you need to do. Now if you want your sins forgiven, you best be baptized for the forgiveness of them. Or you will be lost for eterntiy.
"I dissagree you are going into an extreme by suggesting baptism is a works of salvation, one is baptized because the Master said you should, plain and simple, the no works crowed get so offended and really you are taking it to an extreme."
I will repeat what James said, "Faith without Works is dead faith"
Alex,
I am not against Baptism at all. I was baptized soon after I was saved. I totally agree that baptism is a nesecarry act of obeidience. That has never been the issue. The issue has always been whether or not Baptism is required for salvation. Notice how in Math. 3:13-17 Jesus refers to baptism as a work of righteousness. Note the word "US" in vs. 15. Baptism must be considered as a work.
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Baptism cannot be included in the term FAITH. Neither can it be included in "NOT OF YOURSEVES" Nor can it be included in the "GIFT OF GOD".
13Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Nicodemus?? Of course he knew he could not be born again. But, he wanted to know what that Birth Was. That water was without a doubtisBaptism.
Makes Jesus look bad...Now you got to be born!!! Please have more respect that that for his teaching.
TF
5Jesus answered, 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. So, he says it again Execpt a man be born of Water!!!
6That which is born of the flesh is flesh;and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
1 Peter 3:21 "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
So baptism is a figure, or sign, that you have been changed in your heart. Water Baptism for the New Testament or New Covenant believer is like circumcision for the Old Testament or Old Covenant believer. Israel was commanded to circumcise their flesh as a sign that they had circumcised their heart. But when we make baptism the means of salvation we are making baptism the real thing and Christs atoning work on the cross becomes but a shadow.
Consider this. Suppose your out hunting in the woods and come along a fast moving stream you need to cross. Than you find a fallen log laying across the stream. Its a sunny day and there is a shadow of the fallen log being cast on the water. Now are you going to cross the log or the shadow?
You Must Be Born Again
