CONVERSION The New Birth Process

Like every corporate entity or organization, the church has their own set of terms used to describe certain events or activities. These terms or jargon used often will vary from church to church. Although Pentecostal jargon has its place we have to be careful in its use. Without a proper explanation or understanding certain phrases or terms may be confusing, offensive or may cause others to feel separated or out of place. Possibly the biggest concern with using generic terms or jargon is the possibility that someone may misunderstand what a term is referring to especially in comparison to other churches or other faiths. Recently I have had a few conversations concerning salvation and the term often used is the word Saved. In the general sense most use the word Saved to mean they are ready to meet God on the day of judgment if to took place this moment. But in a practical sense how does one become Saved? Can they just proclaim it; therefore they are Saved? Is there a process to being Saved? And if you are Saved can you ever be un Saved? If you understand all the ins and outs of what it means to be Saved then there is no problem, but if many have used the Saved as a minimized process of salvation. Or they make it appear as though it is a step that one completes. In essence you are Saved once you say the right words, complete a few steps or sign some type of agreement. One man by the name of Nicodemus came to Jesus at night proclaiming his belief that Jesus was divine. Instead of recognizing the man for his belief Jesuss immediate response was Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God John 3:3. Why? Because Nicodemus was not there to proclaim his approval but instead he was approaching Christ the same way many of us have at some point in our lives, Jesus I believe in you, help me to be or do whatever it is you want so I might make it to heaven. The response that Jesus gave Nicodemus was not a set of instructions or directions for what one must accomplish to make it to heaven but instead it was a picture image or an analogy of the process that one goes through as their lives are converted. Jesus tells Nicodemus that we must be born again, but in the physical or the natural that is not possible. So Nicodemus asks that very question, and Jesus responds with Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God John 3:5. This respond quickly makes 2 very bold statements, one being that it is a process (being born) that involves both the spirit and the natural. The second statement is that this process is not up for negations; Jesus clearly says that unless one is born of both the water and the spirit they cannot enter the kingdom of God. I wish good intentions were enough to get us into heaven but the Scripture does not leave that up for debate, God is the judge but we will be judged by His Word. Once we understand that this new birth process that Jesus refers to is a conversion of the old man, which is sinful and unacceptable in Gods holy presence, to being a new man (Eph 4:24 ) that is righteous and holy not in himself but in God, we are able to clearly recognize this process throughout the Bible. The process of being born of the water and the Spirit is revealed many times through the Bible but not only as steps one takes but also as a way of thinking and understanding of Gods relationship and interaction with you and I. It is a process of faith and action that identifies us with Jesus Christ, the one who makes salvation possible by His sacrifice and the shedding of His blood. How are we born of the water and the Spirit? Jesus didnt answer Nicodemus with a series of steps to take; one reason is that the process of being born of the Spirit was not in effect until the Comforter was to come. Another reason is that Nicodemus was not spiritual ready, although he may have loved Jesus he was not one that Jesus had entrusted with the Gospel. But when it was time, the process of faith and action was revealed. Jesus told Peter that He would give unto him the keys of the kingdom (Matt 16:19), and it was Peter who revealed the New Birth process on the Day of Pentecost when those that stood outside the upper room asked, What shall we do, in reference to salvation.

Peters explanation of the New Birth process was adherence to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Peter communicated to the crowd in Acts 2:38 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. When someone believes on Jesus Christ (many start but stop here) and obeys Acts 2:38, they experienced what Jesus described as being born of the water and the Spirit. Peters clear answer was directly related to the gospel of Christ which Paul defines as how we are SAVED. We identify with Christs death by repenting of our sins. In baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ we are buried with Him. And likewise as Christ rose from the grave we are given new life by receiving the Holy Spirit. 1Corinthians 15 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Repentance asking forgiveness and turning away from sin is the next step after we have believed God and His Word. Luke 13:5 (Jesus said) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Baptism being immersed in water in Jesus name for the remission of sins. Mark 16:15-16 And he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Anywhere we see how someone was baptized in the Bible since the beginning of the church the method involved being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. Act 19:3 - 5 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Holy Spirit Infilling being filled with the Holy Spirit; having God's Spirit living within us. Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. John 14:16, 26 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

The Bible records five historical accounts of people receiving (baptized, filled, received, fell on, came upon and poured out) Gods Spirit. Those that received the Holy Spirit were of all nations, from Jews to Gentiles, the religious to the heathen. The Holy Spirit was poured out on everyone (Luke 11:13; Acts 2:39). Of the five accounts, three explicitly describe speaking in tongues as the initial sign or evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:1-4; 10:44-47, 11:15-17; Acts 18:6) The other two accounts reflect an unnamed miraculous sign that indicated when someone received the Holy Spirit. In one instance, the Samaritans already had joy, they believed in Christ and were baptized, and they even experienced miracles. But they had not yet received the Holy Ghost. When Peter and John arrived in Samaria to lay hands on and pray there was an outward sign that they had received the Holy Spirit. What evidence could have been that congruent with the other accounts that there was no need to define the sign of the initial infilling of the Holy Spirit in their lives? (Act 8:1-17) The last account of an individual receiving the Holy Spirit is Paul but according to I Corinthians 14:18 Paul spoke in tongues often.

Although many define this as steps for salvation, the New Birth process extends well beyond the initial experiences of repentance, baptism and infilling of the Holy Spirit. Because of these experiences we are new creatures but Paul and John compare the initial experience as being newborns in Christ (1Corinthians 14:20; Ephesians 4:13-14; 1 John2:12). We are to continue to mature and develop spiritual. If we never move beyond the initial experience we will continue to find ourselves in circumstances of struggle and conflict with our confidence in our salvation and our trust and belief in Christ. Our ability to overcome the nature man is hindered and we become susceptible to old lifestyles. Gods grace and His Spirit can keep you forever but only if you decide to remain in Him. We are not guaranteed entrance into the kingdom if we make decisions that our contrary to God and His Word. If we turn from God and from truth then we are given over to our own lusts (James 1:1:12-16) and find that because of our sins we have hardened our hearts and separated ourselves from God. (Hebrews 3:12-14) Gods presence will not dwell where sin is master. Although one may fail or make decisions that turn from God, they do not have to be re Saved. Any life that sins would have to repent of that sin and ask the Lord to renew His presence in their life, but one is not born again again. His blood is sufficient to cover whatever sins may be committed but that is not a license to sin. (1 John 2:1).