5. HOW TO BE BORN OF THE SPIRIT

Jesus gives us insight as to what happens when one is born of the Spirit. This is truly an exciting miracle, and millions are being born of the Spirit in our lifetime. Jesus tells us in:

John 3:8
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound (hereof but canst not tell whence it goeth, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Note: Wind. Spirit and Ghost in Greek are pneuma (pnyoo’-mah); Wind, Spirit, Christ’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost.

Note: Sound in Greek is phone (fo-nay’); sound, language

This is telling us that everyone who is born of the Spirit (Christ’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost) will hear a sound (language).

Mark 16:17
And these signs shall follow them that believe. . . they shall speak with new tongues.

Note: Jesus’ Word is telling us a sign that follows those who believe—”they shall speak with new tongues.” (Greek word is glossa (gloce-sah’); language.) The value of being born of the Spirit or Holy Ghost is priceless. There are a lot of benefits that come as a result of being born of the Spirit.

Isaiah 28:11-12
For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest: and this is the refreshing.

People seek rest and refreshing, and here it is for all those who follow the plan Jesus gave us. Let’s look at the benefits of obeying the gospel.

John 10:10
Thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

In addition to having a place prepared for those who follow this plan, He came that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly. Where can one receive these types of benefits? There is so much to having life more abundantly.

Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you. And ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Jesus lets us know that we shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon US. Usually people are so excited after receiving the Holy Ghost that they want to tell others. Because of the power of the Holy Ghost, we can be witnesses.

Acts 2:1-4
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Note: Again tongues in Greek is glossa (gloee-sah’); language.

This is being born of the Spirit. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in a new language. Jesus does not leave us guessing whether we have been born of the Spirit (Holy Ghost). There will be a brand-new language we will receive. (Acts 1:14-15 lets us know that there were about 120 on the Day of Pentecost-including Mary the mother of Jesus, women and brethren, all continuing with one accord in prayer and supplication.)

Let’s look at some more experiences of people receiving the Holy Ghost years after the first outpouring:

Acts 8:14-17
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Note: After Peter and John had received the Holy Ghost, they prayed for others that they might receive the wonderful Holy Ghost birth. They had already been baptized in Jesus’ name (born of water). After praying and laying their hands upon them, they received the Holy Ghost. Another example is found in…

Acts 10:44-48
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

Here is a great example of being born again. While Peter spoke, the Holy Ghost fell on all those who heard the Word. The believers who came with Peter were astonished to see the Holy Ghost poured out on the Gentiles. (How did they know? One can’t see a Spirit, but they knew that when someone was born of the Spirit or Holy Ghost they would speak in a new tongue or language.) Notice also the command to be baptized in the name of the Lord. (They still had to be born of the water.)

Here is a final example of several people being born again of water and of the Spirit, years after the Day of Pentecost. They still received the Holy Ghost with evidence of a new language. Notice also, even though they had been baptized, when they heard the message, they were baptized again in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 19:2-3, 5-7
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism…. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues.