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?
Gospel Tract #
The Truth
Questions and Answers on "Why the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is The New Birth"
by Gary Savelli
The doctrine we teach is not "new", though it sounds new to many who have hungered for truth for such a long time. It is the same "holy Ghost" gospel preached by the prophets, by John the Baptist, by Jesus Christ, and by Paul and the apostles.
The very foundation of our faith is this: Jesus Christ stated that a person must be BORN AGAIN in order to see the kingdom of God (John 3:1-8). We maintain that scriptures clearly teach that being born again (or born of the spirit) is the same event as being baptized in the holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. It is ONLY through THIS spiritual "birth experience" that a person is truly born again.
Yes, we know the "perplexity" this statement creates in the human heart. It may be contrary to what we have learned. But is it better to keep believing error, or to know and live in God's truth?
We have many tracts available that can give you in-depth information and biblical proofs relating to the various topics discussed. But the purpose of this tract is to answer questions most often asked by Christians. When the truth contradicts the ways we have always known, a wise person "searches out the truth" to see if it is so. We pray that this tract will help you understand that it is better to "fear God" above men, and to hear and obey what the Spirit is saying to the body of Christ! Let us now respond to the most often asked questions.
Q) Are you saying that if a person does not speak in tongues that they are not saved?
A)This question is actually two separate issues, and phrased in a way that causes one to reject the truth of the gospel. The first issue is that of salvation. The "get saved now" doctrine is not biblical. Nobody is "saved" in this lifetime, only "converted." There is a difference between "salvation" (which is glorification with Jesus upon his return) and "conversion" (which is being born again through faith in Christ Jesus - or receiving the Spirit of God, the new birth experience). Paul did not consider himself "saved" (Phil. 3:11-14), but taught that salvation was a "future" HOPE to be realized upon receiving a glorified body (Rom. 8:24). The Bible clearly teaches that EVERYONE who disobeys God will be lost (1 Cor. 6:9). Friend, NOBODY is safe from the wrath that is coming upon the disobedient (Rom. 1:18). Whether one has "prayed a prayer," "joined a church," or has even "been baptized in the holy Ghost", the sinful and disobedient are being LOST!
The second issue is the necessity of speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues by the power of God was prophesied by the Old Testament prophets as the sign of true "spiritual rest" (Isa. 28:11-12), and as the way God's people must "call upon His name" (Zeph. 3:9). John the Baptist said it was the very work which Jesus came to do (Luke 3:16). Paul said it was the only way one could really say "Jesus is Lord" and have it count with God (1 Cor. 12:3). Tongues is a sign to the unbeliever of God's real presence (1 Cor. 14:22). Peter said it was evidence of God's holy Spirit being poured out into the hearts of men (Acts 2:16-18). Jesus said it was the sign which "follows them that believe" (Mark 16:17). If you have not been baptized in the holy Ghost as evidenced by speaking with other tongues, you have not yet been born of the Spirit. Keep seeking, for you have not fully repented and obeyed (Acts 2:38, 5:32). Most people will not have the faith to believe this! "In the law it is written, with men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that they will not hear me, saith the Lord" (1 Cor. 14:21). Teaching the new birth as anything other than the baptism of the holy Ghost (evidenced by other tongues), is a work of Satan to keep people from experiencing REAL life!
When the body of Christ receives any person as "born again" who has not been baptized with the holy Ghost, this is sin, for we are guilty of judging (this is "judging" someone to be right, when God has not declared it so!). Misunderstanding this truth is perhaps the greatest cause of confusion in the body of Christ in this hour!
Q) How could the multitudes of sincere, Bible-believing people be wrong, and so few people who believe what you preach be right?
A) It is amazing that we now believe the "multitudes" to be right when Jesus said that the way to life is narrow and FEW be that find it (Matt. 7:14)! Moses said: "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil" (Ex. 23:2). Many times throughout history, the multitudes turned away from God while only a small remnant walked in truth. In fact, the Bible predicts an apostasy that would deceive almost EVERYONE (Matt. 24:24, 2 Thess. 2:3)! So the answer is that the multitudes will be wrong . . . don't join them in error!
Q) What about the great Christian leaders of past eras who did not speak in tongues?
A) Firstly, we did not know them personally, and cannot be sure they didn't! It is a fact that many wrote or alluded to having "supernatural experiences." Secondly, we cannot judge these men to be right with God any more than any other individual who must stand before God and give an account. Though leaders of past times may be exalted by men, GOD will be the final judge. A wise person does not worry about or compare himself to others (2 Cor. 10:12). What matters now, is what the Spirit is saying to the body of Christ, and to YOU!
Q) What will happen to the congregations all around the world that do not believe this truth?
A) One great problem we must conquer is our Biblical misunderstanding as to what the body of Christ is, and how one gets into it! The body of Christ is God's PEOPLE (Greek=ekklesia or "called out ONES"). A congregation of Christians is not the body of Christ. Denominations are an abomination to God because they divide the people of God who have the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 1:10-13). God's family consists of those who are baptized with the holy Ghost (Rom. 8:9-16), though they be scattered among man's many sects.
There is only one way to get into the true body of Christ, and that is to be baptized into it through the holy Ghost: "For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body" (1 Cor. 12:13). Once you have been baptized with the spirit, you are in! One cannot "join" the body of Christ, for God brings a person in through this spiritual "baptism" (Gal. 3:27, 1 Pet. 3:21). Therefore, a person can be part of "man's church" and NOT be part of God's family. And conversely, one can be accepted in God's family even if rejected by "man's church." Actually "man's churches" are irrelevant to God, and are not accepted nor recognized by Him. In the end, all unbelievers will be cast out, regardless of their "denominational affiliations".
(show complete article)Q) I belong to a denomination that believes in the baptism of the holy Ghost, but does not believe that it is necessary to be baptized in the holy Ghost to be saved. Is that right?
A) No. It is an abomination of the worst kind, even worse than being one who does not believe in the baptism of the holy Ghost at all! "For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them" (1 Pet. 2:21).
True believers, (those whom God has judged worthy of receiving the holy Ghost) are now joining in worship with "unbelievers" (those who do not have or believe in the baptism of the spirit). The result is spiritual death: "The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead" (Prov. 21:16).
Q) What about missionaries around the world that are not preaching this truth?
A) Unless they lead people into truth they shall become the enemies of God. Jesus was confronted with this same issue and he said: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves" (Matt. 23:15). Missionaries find that the only gospel that WORKS, brings people in contact with the "power of God's Spirit" (through tongues, signs and wonders, and miracles). But if these "proselytes" believe on Christ and receive the Spirit, and then follow their leaders into error, they have simply become these missionaries' "children of hell", further propagating wrong ideas about God. It "multiplies" wickedness, for the blind can only lead the blind into "ditches." God must heal us all.
Q) You teach that one must be baptized in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues to be "born again." Christianity does not believe this. Are you saying that "all of Christianity" is deceived?
A) Yes. "Christianity" can be deceived and that should not shock us. Years ago, reformers preached that the Catholic religion was "antichrist;" later, Pentecostals preached that the "dead" denominations were "antichrist." Both were partly correct, but the truth is that ANY RELIGION that believes a person can worship God without the holy Ghost is "antichrist:" What is "antichrist"? It is a spirit: "Hereby know ye the spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now is it in the world." (1 John 4:2-3). Receiving the doctrine that says a person has the holy Spirit WITHOUT the witness of the holy Ghost (the SPIRIT which confesses through tongues that Jesus Christ has come into the flesh), is receiving that spirit of antichrist. This is the spirit of apostasy. "Anti" means "instead of." This "antichrist spirit" sits in the hearts of God's spirit filled people (the temple of God) and persuades them to receive as "saved" (or as right with God), those who have nor REALLY received the spirit: "[the son of perdition - or "antichrist", is he] who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God" (2 Thess. 2:4). Antichrist's spirit (his doctrine) is now in God's temple and is actually worshipped "as God" (or "instead of God") by those in Christianity! For this reason the Spirit is saying: "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues" (Rev. 18:4).
Q) If this is the truth, why don't more people preach it and believe it?
A) There are probably many reasons, but the chief is that God's people do not have enough of the love of God to REPENT. Another would be the fear of men. Many of God's Spirit-baptized children believe it, but are afraid to confess it before men. Walking in faith causes every believer to suffer the reproach of Christ: "Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach" (Heb. 13:13). This suffering is a promise. Persecution not only at the hands of the world, but at the hands of God's own people who have rejected truth. That is why the body of Christ will find the greatest opposition comes from those within men's religions who have the spirit! We do not expect more people to believe the truth. That does not matter. What matters is that we speak the truth to YOU, so that YOU can serve God acceptably, and with fear. REPENT AND BELIEVE GOD!