"THE NEW BIRTH" = =20

"THE NEW BIRTH" = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; =

= = = &nb= sp; = By Dr. Hoyt W. Allen, Jr.

= &nb= sp; John 3:5 states that a per= son must be born of the water and the Spirit in order to be saved here and now = and to go to heaven. Some would c= ontend that the new birth is accomplished the instant a sinner believes in Jesus as Lord and Savior. In order to back up their teachings they will quote John 3= :16 or Acts 16:31, which do not make a reference to water baptism. However, Jesus did command baptism= and I contend. No, sinners can be s= aved without baptism, which is the culmination of the new birth just as the actu= al emerging from the womb is called the physical "birth."=

= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; Many scriptures imp= ly this and some come right out and say it very loud and clear. Jesus teaches it by calling the new birth a birth of water AND Spirit. <= /span>Peter, on the birthday of = the church, tells sinners seeking salvation to told to repent AND be baptized for the remission of their sins a= nd to receive the indwelling guest who is God's Spirit (Acts 2:38). Paul points out that we are baptized INTO Christ and at baptism PUT ON Ch= rist (Galatians 3:27). He also men= tions plainly that it is from the baptismal pool that we arise to walk in NEW LIFE (Romans 6:4).

= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; The new born babe in Christ is then urged to allow Christ to control one’s life so that we WILL grow spiritually.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> But the living and the growth FOLL= OWS the birth in every scriptural teaching on the subject. Babies have no separ= ate lives until they are expelled from the womb of their mother. Christians hav= e no life in Christ while they await the NEW birth.

= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; Jesus has us being influenced by the Word prior to birth and by His Spirit just as the husband= and wife unite sexually, which results in physical birth. This is spoken of as being "begotten" by the Word.&nb= sp; This happens through reading the written Bible, as well as hearing it through an evangelist. A birth results in new life and that's its purpose. What we are called to enjoy is = not the birth itself, but the life, the walk, the Way which Ephesians 2:8-10 po= ints out IS why we were reborn (good deeds). The new birth is a simple process just as birth itself is. T= he implanted Word creates the beginning of life. Following repentance and bapt= ism based upon faith in Jesus, new Christians walk in a new life aimed at bring= ing us to Heaven after serving Jesus here on earth with all our hearts (Revelat= ion. 2:10).

= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; The process of birth is concluded at the baptism of a repentant beli= ever. That's what Paul is saying in 1 Corinthians 12:13 -- we ALL (each of us) ca= me INTO the church (into Christ) when, by the influence of God's Spirit, we we= re baptized (by another person) into CHRIST, and so we should be united becaus= e we have shared a common faith and a common "new birth." He's saying = that no one is a Christian until the person HAS repented of sin and been baptized into Christ. Paul agrees with= Peter and repeats the same "plan" for salvation which was spoken by Pet= er on the birthday the church.

= &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; Faith that remains alone does not save. Grace that is not= joined to an appropriate response does not save. Birth that is not followed by gro= wth and service does not save. The Bible doesn't agree with teachers who omits baptism.

KY= OWVA Evangelistic Association * 1541 S. 7th St. * Ironton, OH 45638
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