John 3:1-5 Now there was a certain man among the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler (a leader, an authority) among the Jews,2 Who came to Jesus at night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know and are certain that You have come from God [as] a Teacher; for no one can do these signs (these wonderworks, these miracles—and produce the proofs) that You do unless God is with him.3 Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God.4 Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb again and be born?5 Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [[a]even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God.
Many Christians use the term "reborn" and ask themselves if one is born again? Many professing Christians can profess to be saved or believe in Jesus but many look for the action of one who professes to determine if he/she is born again. Nicodemus was confused and thought how could one re enter the womb of one's mother and be born again. But Jesus answered and said "unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot ever enter the Kingdom of God." There are many Christian today who think in order to be born of the Spirit, one must have been born of flesh or from a mother's womb. After all, water is filled in the womb where the baby is nurtured/housed before birth.
John the Baptist came on the scene and told the people to repent and be baptized. He was baptizing people with water. Water baptism was not new and it was not created by John. It was already practiced in the temple. Many Christians today believe it is imperative to be baptized by water. In fact, a very large fundamental denomination in the western church calls themselves the "Baptist." They pride themselves in getting people "saved and baptized." But even they will admit to you that water baptism is not conditional to salvation. They will point out to one of the thief on the cross who was not baptized. They emphasize that water baptism is more an obedient act. This is true but many do not know what they are being obedient too besides the ritual or ceremony of water baptism.
John the Baptist came on the scene and told the people to repent and be baptized. He was baptizing people with water. Water baptism was not new and it was not created by John. It was already practiced in the temple. Many Christians today believe it is imperative to be baptized by water. In fact, a very large fundamental denomination in the western church calls themselves the "Baptist." They pride themselves in getting people "saved and baptized." But even they will admit to you that water baptism is not conditional to salvation. They will point out to one of the thief on the cross who was not baptized. They emphasize that water baptism is more an obedient act. This is true but many do not know what they are being obedient too besides the ritual or ceremony of water baptism.
What is water used for? Water is used in our daily life for washing. It is used to wash away dirt and filth from our bodies. It is used for drinking. Water is life. But in the spiritual sense, what does water have to do with being reborn? Does it mean that a physical birth must take place?
Jesus spoke of those two conditions to enter the Kingdom of God. He said that you must be born of water and of Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God. How is one to be born of water when we have already been born from our mother's womb?
Jesus spoke of those two conditions to enter the Kingdom of God. He said that you must be born of water and of Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God. How is one to be born of water when we have already been born from our mother's womb?
When someone accepts the Lord Jesus into their hearts through repentance, the Holy Spirit will enter that person. He is to become a new creature in HIM as the Blood of Jesus washes away his or her sin. We have satisfied the latter condition. Now, how are we to be born of water? They say salvation is three parts. There is justification, sanctification, and regeneration. We are justified by His Blood and our faith. How are we sanctified?
John 17:17 (AMP) Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.
We are sanctified by the Truth. His Word is Truth. Sadly, in the western world, we western Christians have so much biblical resources at our disposal. In fact, many Christians may even own multiple bibles. Yet, even with this freedom and the freedom of religion in our country, today's Christians seem to be least knowledgeable in the Word. Many have been deceived to think the act to "believe" is really acknowledgement of the existence of God and what Jesus did on the cross. The demons even acknowledge and believe and they shudder so we should be careful not to believe as they do.
Ephesians 5:26 (AMP) So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word,
We are washed by water with the Word of God. When someone is water baptized, he/she is immersed in water to come up a new person. That water baptism is a type and representation of us being immersed in His Word and to let His Word wash us. If we are to call ourselves Christians, then we are to be immersing ourselves in His Word. If we are to be abiding in HIM, we are to be immersing ourselves in His Word.
John 15:2-3 (AMP) Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. 3 You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you].
John 15:10 (AMP) If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and live on in His love.
How are we to keep His commandments if we do not abide in Him by knowing the Word. We must read and know His Word. To know His Word is to know HIM. Scripture says if we keep His commandments, this is the biblical definition of loving HIM.
1 John 2:5 But he who keeps (treasures) His Word [who bears in mind His precepts, who observes His message in its entirety], truly in him has the love of and for God been perfected (completed, reached maturity). By this we may perceive (know, recognize, and be sure) that we are in Him:
And as we stay in His Word, the spirits of our minds are constantly being renewed as we are washed and sanctified. As we follow His Word, we are putting on a new nature created in God's image. If Jesus is the Word and if He is Truth then we must immerse ourselves in the Word and then we live in Truth and the Truth will set us free as we move from Glory to Glory. I hear many Christians telling each other to prepare for the Lord's coming. They tell each other to be holy and ready. Do they even know what they are requiring of themselves. Yes, He comes for a people separated unto HIMSELF. He comes for a people consecrated unto HIMSELF. How are we to be sanctified, consecrated, and made separate? It is by His Word. As we live His Word, we become distinct from the world.
1 Timothy 4:5 For it is hallowed and consecrated by the Word of God and by prayer.
Therefore, having so much biblical resources at our disposal in such an informational age, if you do not know the Word, then how are you going to answer HIM? How are we sanctified, consecrated and made separate unto HIM when most Christians know more about their football and soccer players than they know of their Master? How are we being born again when we know more about the news of Hollywood and TV programs than the Word? How are then we born again? In an age when we have experienced an informational boom and when the bible is now on our phones and in our fingertips and as a Christian nation, how are we to answer HIM when so many know HIM the least through His Word? A greater judgment will befall us.
Fire of God Ministries
Steve Yong Kim
September 20, 2012
Ephesians 5:26 (AMP) So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word,
We are washed by water with the Word of God. When someone is water baptized, he/she is immersed in water to come up a new person. That water baptism is a type and representation of us being immersed in His Word and to let His Word wash us. If we are to call ourselves Christians, then we are to be immersing ourselves in His Word. If we are to be abiding in HIM, we are to be immersing ourselves in His Word.
John 15:2-3 (AMP) Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. 3 You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you].
John 15:10 (AMP) If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and live on in His love.
How are we to keep His commandments if we do not abide in Him by knowing the Word. We must read and know His Word. To know His Word is to know HIM. Scripture says if we keep His commandments, this is the biblical definition of loving HIM.
1 John 2:5 But he who keeps (treasures) His Word [who bears in mind His precepts, who observes His message in its entirety], truly in him has the love of and for God been perfected (completed, reached maturity). By this we may perceive (know, recognize, and be sure) that we are in Him:
And as we stay in His Word, the spirits of our minds are constantly being renewed as we are washed and sanctified. As we follow His Word, we are putting on a new nature created in God's image. If Jesus is the Word and if He is Truth then we must immerse ourselves in the Word and then we live in Truth and the Truth will set us free as we move from Glory to Glory. I hear many Christians telling each other to prepare for the Lord's coming. They tell each other to be holy and ready. Do they even know what they are requiring of themselves. Yes, He comes for a people separated unto HIMSELF. He comes for a people consecrated unto HIMSELF. How are we to be sanctified, consecrated, and made separate? It is by His Word. As we live His Word, we become distinct from the world.
1 Timothy 4:5 For it is hallowed and consecrated by the Word of God and by prayer.
Therefore, having so much biblical resources at our disposal in such an informational age, if you do not know the Word, then how are you going to answer HIM? How are we sanctified, consecrated and made separate unto HIM when most Christians know more about their football and soccer players than they know of their Master? How are we being born again when we know more about the news of Hollywood and TV programs than the Word? How are then we born again? In an age when we have experienced an informational boom and when the bible is now on our phones and in our fingertips and as a Christian nation, how are we to answer HIM when so many know HIM the least through His Word? A greater judgment will befall us.
Fire of God Ministries
Steve Yong Kim
September 20, 2012
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