<< GO
BACK
NEXT PAGE>>
Home
|
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.