The New Birth
When Were The Disciples Born Again?
Pastor John Clark, Sr's bible study on the spiritual condition of the disciples - according to Jesus' own words - before the day of Pentecost. Knowing their condition helps us to understand that they were not born again until they were baptized with the holy spirit.
New Birth Teaching Series
"You must be born again"
Three hours of audio teaching (transcript available) from Pastor John Clark, Sr. on the subject of the "New Birth".
When is a person born again and how do you know? The Bible contains clear revelation from God about when a person is born again. Learn what had to occur before the new birth was available to man. Listen as Pastor John covers these topics and more:This is perhaps the most important issue for a person to understand.
Have you been born again?
Thought for Today
Jun. 06
THREE REQUIRED THINGS
Typically, when a young person is learning to read Biblical Greek, teachers of that language begin with the writings of the apostle John because John wrote very simply. Whatever John wrote, it seems, he wrote in terms that were easily read and understood.
In his first epistle, in three different verses, John reminded his readers of what they did in order to be born again (that is, to receive the holy Ghost baptism). The standard John set with those three verses has not changed from the day John wrote that letter until now. These are very simple directives for everyone who wants to receive the holy Ghost and become a member of God's Family. Everyone who has ever done these three things has received the holy Ghost baptism, or they soon will:
First, 1John 5:1 - "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God." One must first hear and believe in Jesus because the holy Ghost is given by God to men in the name of Jesus, God's Son (Jn. 14:26). Nobody praying to God in the name of any other has ever received the Spirit of God and been born again.
Second, 1 John 2:29 - "If ye know that He is righteous, [then] ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him." Just before he was baptized by the holy Ghost into the kingdom of God, the Gentile Cornelius was told by Peter, "God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation, he that feareth Him and worketh righteousness is accepted of Him." To be accepted by God into His family we must obey His commandments. That is righteousness. John warned us not to wander from that simple truth, when he said, "Little children, let no man deceive you [with false doctrine]; he that doeth righteousness is righteous" (1Jn. 3:7). No one who is disobeying God's commandments is righteous, and no unrighteous person will receive the real holy Ghost.
Third, 1John 4:7 - "Love is of God, and everyone that loveth is born of God." This kind of love is love for God and for His people, not the love of the world, for "if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1Jn. 2:15). And how do we know that we truly love God? "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments" (1Jn. 5:2-3). The night before he was crucified, Jesus plainly told his disciples that if they truly loved him, then they would keep his commandments, and that if they did keep his commandments, then he would ask the Father to give them the holy Ghost (Jn. 14:15). No one who disobeys God loves God. That is why those who disobey God do not receive His Spirit.
Simple but true. These are the things that those who desire to be born again will do. They will believe the gospel about Jesus; they will obey the commandments of God; and they will love God, His children, and things that are of Him.
Do those three simple things, and God will baptize you with His holy Spirit into His eternal kingdom.