“Ye Must Be Born Again”
By Timothy Mcqueen
John 3:3-8 give to us the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews who came to Jesus at night. The words of Jesus:
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee except a man is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. John 3:5
Nicodemus had difficulty understanding just what Jesus meant about a new birth. He questioned Jesus, “Can I enter the second time into my mother’s womb and be born again?” Jesus informed Nicodemus that He was speaking about a spiritual birth. “That which is flesh is flesh, but that which is spirit is spirit.”
Jesus admonished His disciples to return to Jerusalem after they had followed Him to Olivet to watch Him ascend into the heavens, and “..tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high, ” (Luke 24:49). Also, Luke records for us in his writings in the book of Acts that Jesus told them:
“…but ye shall he baptized with the Holy Ghost….” Acts 1:1-5
Some few days later this experience became a reality to those who followed the instructions of Jesus and returned to Jerusalem and the Upper Room where the Holy Ghost was poured out upon them just as Jesus told them it would be. Acts 2:14, this was also the fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32, as well as the prophet Isaiah 28:11-12.
This glorious new day dawned as Luke records it for us in the second chapter of Acts, the Day of Pentecost. It was a glorious day indeed for the church, and for us, as well as those who have received this same experience as they did on that day called Pentecost. This was the day the church of Christ was birthed. There were 3,000 in that day added to this church, Acts 2:4 1. God continues to add to His church daily.
Many rushed to the sight of the outpouring – the Upper Room. They witnessed what was happening to the 120 as they reacted to the effects of the infilling of the Spirit. Some were acting drunk. As the crowd gathered around, the Apostle Peter, the man the Lord had given the keys (teachings) to the Kingdom of Heaven, (Matthew 16:19) began to preach to the people He had a spell-bound congregation who listened to his convincing words, as he informed them as to what was taking place before their eyes. When Peter concluded his message that day and the people were pricked in their hearts, they inquired, “Men and brethren, what must we do?” This was Peter’s opportunity to employ the keys or teachings to the Kingdom of Heaven. The Words of Peter were few but emphatic:
“Then Peter said, 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. Acts 2:38
Note that Peter did not imply that this gift of the Holy Ghost was some optional experience that one can possess after they are saved; he said,
“Ye shall receive.. ” It is part and parcel of the plan of salvation! To have salvation one must have the Holy Ghost, with the EVIDENCE of speaking in tongues. Acts 2:4, 10:46, 19:6, 1 Cor. 15:22.
Remember some years later when Paul met those disciples of Ephesus, and he asked them if they had received the Holy Ghost since they believed? When they replied, “We have not so much as heard whether there he a Holy Ghost. Paul knew by their answer that something was wrong with their baptism, so his next question to them was, “How then were ye baptized?”
Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ and the infilling of the Holy Ghost go together. Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:19, Acts 4:12, is the fulfillment of Matthew 28:19. There is only ONE name whereby we must be saved. Jesus is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Therefore we must take on His name in baptism, anything else is not biblical! Romans 6:35
If the infilling of the Holy Ghost was not important to salvation then why did Paul insist on these disciples (men who were evidently religious) understanding about the need for the Holy Ghost? Also, if water baptism in the name of Jesus wasn’t important, then why did Paul rebaptize them in Jesus’ name? The answer is because Paul knew that Jesus Himself gave the commandment in Matthew 28:19 to do so.
We have four specific references in the Book of Acts where people received this great experience, and other references where we have people being filed with the Spirit.
Acts 2: The Day of Pentecost was the first outpouring.
Acts 8: The Samaritans became the first outside of the Jewish race to receive this experience.
Acts 10: The household of Cornelius became the first Gentiles to receive this experience.
Acts 19: The twelve disciples of Ephesus men who were religious but did not possess the Holy Ghost.
There are other places where the Bible does not specifically state that the people received the Holy Ghost, but when we consider the purpose of the Holy Ghost then we realize that they too received this great experience.
How about you? Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? If not unto what were you baptized? Have you yielded fully to God’s sovereignty’? Friends, this evening may not be like this morning. There is no guarantee there will be a tomorrow. Church, this is not the time to put your salvation oft’ Stop procrastinating! It’s time to make a decision. Stop being just lukewarm. Either get on fire or get away from the fire! This is the time to realize that one day time will be no more, and the choices you have made in life will be irrevocably ratified for all eternity. The, choice is yours, “are ye born again?”,
of water (through baptism in Jesus’ name), and of the Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in tongues! Have you received the indwelling of the Holy Ghost?
“How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation; which at first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him.” Hebrews 2:3
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The Above Material Is A Private Tract Written By Timothy Mcqueen #514164, Cmcc, Po Box 539, Jefferson City, Missouri, And Was Written For The Watchman’s Trumpet. This Material Is Copyrighted And May Be Used For Study & Research Purposes Only.
