The New Birth

I would like to re-open a subject of the utmost importance for every individual who reaches the age of accountability.  This is a subject in which all parents need to instruct their children.  This is also a subject that we, who understand the truth, should NOT be embarrassed to discuss with our neighbors and co-workers.  The subject that I would like to re-open is: “What must a man do to be born-again?”

(1 John 5:9-13)  If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son. {10} He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself:  {11} And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. {12} He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. {13} These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

I notice from the scriptures that are given from 1st John, that the witness of God out-weighs the witness of any man, no matter how good the man’s intentions.  God’s witness concerning what He has provided for every man, woman, boy, and girl is given in this scripture.  Notice that verse 11 plainly states God’s record concerning His provision for man.  1 John 5:11,12 “… God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”  The life provided for man from God is in Christ Jesus.  If we possess Him, we possess life.

(1 John 3:24)  And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us.  (Rom 8:16)  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:.  COMMENT:  We notice from these scriptures that the Spirit itself really, actually touches and interacts with our spirit to let us know that we are children of God.  Romans 5:1 states plainly that we who are justified by faith have peace with God.  Once again, the witness of God is greater than the witness of man.  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.  In addition to this, notice again that 1 John 5:10 stated that those who have truly believed on Christ have the witness in their own person.

(Mark 16:16)  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  As clearly as 1 John 5:10 states that in order to possess Christ you must truly believe on Him, Mark 16:16 states why a person is damned.  Does not this scripture clearly state that not believing is damnation?  (Recall 1 John 5:10.)  As the Lord Himself stated, (John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  To be born again, a man must believe on Christ Jesus.  When a man truly believes on Christ Jesus he receives the witness in his own person that brings peace from God.  If a man does not possess this witness, he has not truly believed on Christ Jesus.

Let’s be careful to rightly divide the word of truth.