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In the last lesson we saw how tragic it is to be lost in eternity. It is important to learn what God has done to save us from this state. God's actions in our behalf are called "grace". Our response to what God has done for us will determine whether we benefit from His grace or not. The proper response to grace is "faith". We are saved by grace through faith
(Ephesians 2:8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
No question has generated more confusion than "What must I do to be saved?". The problem does not come from the Bible being difficult to grasp on this point! It is quite plain. The problem comes from the systems that men have devised which, while containing some truth, distort or ignore Bible passages which deal with salvation when they do not support their system. Any system which does not accept all the Bible says about salvation should be discarded.
Being "born again" is not just another way of being a Christian; it is necessary. If I am not a "born again" Christian, then Jesus says that I am outside His Kingdom! What does it mean to be "born again"?
(John 3:1-8) There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 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. 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. 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? 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. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The 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.
The same idea is expressed by different figures of speech throughout the New Testament. Paul refers to the same thing by using figure of death (to sins), burial with Christ into His death (baptism) and resurrection (rising from baptism to walk in newness of life). Paul was simply using a different figure to show the same thing which Jesus had referred to as being "born again".
(Romans 6:2-4) God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Jesus explained to Nicodemus that He was not talking about a literal birth, but a spiritual rebirth. Jesus also explained that this new birth consisted of being born of water and the Spirit.
(John 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.
The Spirit works on the heart through the gospel to bring about the new birth. The gospel is God's power to save
(Romans 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; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Jesus taught that the Spirit gives life and that His words are spirit and life
(John 6:63) It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Jesus also taught that the word is the seed of the kingdom.
(Luke 8:11) Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
The Bible says that we are "brought forth" by the word of truth...
(James 1:18) Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
...and that we are "born again" through the word of God.
(1 Peter 1:23-25) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
The gospel is the agent through which the Spirit works on the heart to bring about the new birth. Jesus said that this birth is like the wind because neither can be seen, but you can see the effects of both.
(John 3:8) The 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.
The Biblical definition of "faith" is "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen"
(Hebrews 11:1) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
(Hebrews 11:6) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
The faith by which we are saved consists of trust and obedience and leads us to live godly lives
(Hebrews 11:8) By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Faith that lacks these qualities is "vain" or "dead". The Bible teaches that we are "justified by faith"
(Romans 5:1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
but also plainly shows that we are not justified by faith alone.
(James 2:24) Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Both of these statements are true; we are justified by faith but not by faith alone
(James 2:14-24) What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
We must be careful that what we believe is what God, and not man, has said.
(Matthew 15:9) But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Faith is a part of the new birth process.
What does "repentance" mean? Many people would be surprised to learn what it does not mean! For example, "repentance" does not mean sorrow for one's sins. However, Godly sorrow leads to repentance and one cannot repent apart from being sorry for his sins
(2 Corinthians 7:9-10) Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Neither is changing one's life repentance, although repentance does produce changed lives
(Acts 3:19) Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Repentance is simply a change of heart. It is the victory won within the heart as one brings his own will into line with God's will. Repentance is a part of the new birth process.
The Bible states that one must confess faith in Christ as Lord. This means to tell others what he has come to believe in his heart. A good example of this confession is found when Philip taught the Ethiopian Treasurer about Jesus
(Acts 8:27-39) And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
The confession which is made "unto salvation" is a confession of faith in Christ, not a confession of sins. Though there is a deep awareness of guilt, confessing our sins to others is not a requirement made of one initially coming to Christ
(Romans 10:9-10) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Confession of Christ is a part of the new birth process.
You will recall that water was mentioned by Jesus as He discussed being born again. Jesus was referring to baptism in water. Baptism is a response of faith in God's power and willingness to save. It is the consummation of the new birth process. Jesus taught that one must believe and be baptized to be saved
(Mark 16:15-16) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Those in sin were told that they needed to "call upon the name of the Lord" to be saved
(Acts 2:21) And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
When they came to believe in Jesus they asked exactly what they must do. How does one "call upon His name"? They were told to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus "for the remission of sins."
(Acts 2:36-38) Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 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. God sent Ananias to Saul to tell him that he, too, must call upon the name of the Lord by being baptized and thus have his sins washed away
(Acts 22:16) And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Many other passages show the importance of baptism. We have already seen Paul's parallel of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection with repentance, baptism and walking in newness of life. Later in the chapter, Paul points to this act of "obedience from the heart" as the time when one is freed from his sins
(Romans 6:16-18) Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 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.
It is at baptism that we are placed by God into His Son and salvation can only occur in Christ
(Galatians 3:27-28) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
(Colossians 2:12) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Does baptism have anything to do with being saved? YES!
(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:
Baptism is a part of the new birth process.
Forget about trying to determine which of these steps in being born again are the most important. "Is belief more important than confessing?" "Is baptism more important than repentance?" Rather than this, we must determine that if God has said a thing is necessary, then it is. Each of these parts must play its God-given role in salvation. LESSON #7 is entitled "LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE". We will see what it takes to be a disciple of Jesus.