JOHN 3V16
Lesson 1 - What Being Born Again Means
Lesson 1 - What Being Born Again Means
PASTOR DAVID. means 'Compare Passage'Jesus said "...except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (CP Jn 3:1-7). Being born again expresses the change wrought in the life of a repentant sinner by the Holy Spirit after being converted to Christ. It means the sinner has died unto sin and has been born anew unto righteousness. How this happens is that when the gospel is preached the Holy Spirit works through the word exposing sin to awaken in the hearts of those open to receiving the gospel, a consciousness of guilt and the need for forgiveness. This leads them to repentance and to acknowledge their need of a saviour (CP 2 Cor 7:9-10). Repentance is that divinely wrought conviction of sin in the heart that the soul is guilty before God, and a resolute turning away from sin. It involves both a change of mind about sin and a change of heart-attitude toward sin. It is at the time a renunciation of sin and an acceptance of the Holy Spirit's enabling power for holy living. Repentance is both God's gift, and man's responsibility (CP Ac 5:31 with Lu 15:11-24). The parable of the prodigal son emphasises the character of true repentance: a complete turn-around and return to our heavenly Father is required. Truly repentant sinners have a deep conviction of their lost state, and earnestly seek to be reconciled to God. They determine to be partakers of the kingdom of God and all the salvation benefits Christ purchased for us with His blood on the cross of Calvary (CP Mt 11:12).
That is what Jesus means in Jn 3:3 when He says "...except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Seeing the kingdom of God is actually perceiving it and its realities through the salvation that can only be obtained through abiding in Christ and having His word abiding in us (CP Ac 4:10-12). As they hear the gospel, repentant sinners are made aware by the Holy Spirit of God's standard of righteousness in Christ and they turn to Christ for salvation (CP Jn 16:7-11; Rom 1:16-17; 2Cor 4:6). Being born again means literally being born anew, begotten from above, from God (CP Jn 1:12-13; 2Pe 1:1-4; 1Jn 2:29). This is one of the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith: the doctrine of regeneration, or the new birth. It is not limited to the initial act of renewal when we are first converted to Christ, but is a continuous work of the Holy Spirit renewing and transforming our lives as we surrender ourselves to the Lordship of Christ and the authority of His word throughout the entirety of our Christian walk (CP Ro 12:2). Once we have committed our way to God we are no longer to be conformed to a world system that is without God, but be transformed by a renewed mind committed to the ideals of the kingdom of God. "Prove" means to test, to prove by practice in everyday life that God's will for us is good and acceptable and perfect. Our minds must be conformed to God's way of thinking. Our plans, goals and ambitions must be determined by heavenly and eternal truths, not by this evil, temporal and transient age (CP Eph 4:20-32). There is a teaching within the teaching here. Note in V28 that the first motive for a believer to earn money is that he may have something to give to someone else. The occupational enterprise of Christians is not simply to make a living for themselves but to also be a channel of blessing for others in need.
We learn from scriptures that man sets himself apart unto God to be holy and God accepts him, forgives him and cleanses him, making him holy by the truth and by faith (CP Lev 20:7-8; Eze 18:30-31; Jn 17:17-19; Ac 26:18; Tit 3:3-6; 1Pe 1:15-16). The word conversation in 1Pe 1:15 means behaviour - it is our behaviour that sets us apart unto holiness before God. But we can only maintain that state of holiness by the empowering of the Holy Spirit, and for that empowering to be effective in our lives we must always be yielded to the Holy Spirit's leading (CP Ro 8:5-17; Ga 5:16-25; 6:7-9). Grieving the Holy Spirit leads to resisting Him (CP Ac 7:51); this in turn leads to quenching the Spirit (CP 1Th 5:19), and finally to despising Him (CP He 10:26-31), which will damn us for eternity. "Renewing of the Holy Ghost" in Tit 3:5 refers to the constant impartation of divine life to believers by the Holy Spirit after we surrender our lives to God (CP 2Pe 1:3-4). We must always continue willing to follow Christ in strict obedience to His word unto the end of our earthly life. Salvation is only assured to those sowing to the Spirit at the end of their life on earth. Whatever we are in life when we die is what we will be throughout eternity (CP Jude 21; Rev 22:11-12). Regeneration involves a complete transformation of our moral nature - a complete change of heart which expresses the change from the person we were to the person we become in Christ (CP Eph 2:1-8; Col 3:1-10). If we have made the way of Christ our way of life it will very plainly show (CP 2Cor 5:17; Ga 6:15). A great many Christians erroneously believe that we can never attain to righteousness and true holiness in this life but if it were not possible God would not have commanded it. It can only be done though through the blood Jesus shed for us at Calvary. None of us could ever stand before God in our own righteousness but all in Christ are made the righteousness of God (CP Ro 5:8-21; 2Cor 5:21).
Jesus Christ is the only man who ever lived who was without sin. Every other person has sinned and come short of God's glory (CP Ro 3:10, 23; 5:12; He 4:14-15). That is why Jesus is the only one who can save us, and why we need to be born again to be saved. But we must always remember that whilst we become born again believers on our way to heaven from the moment we first become converted to Christ, that is only the first step in our life-long Christian walk. As we learned earlier regeneration, or the new birth, is an ongoing work of the Holy Spirit within us that requires our complete surrender to the Lordship of Jesus and the authority of His word (CP Jn 3:5). Many Christians believe that the water Jesus refers to here alludes to water baptism, but it does not. If it did Jesus would be teaching baptismal regeneration - that we can only be saved through water baptism - but He is not teaching that at all. Scriptures teach that we are saved by the word, not water (CP Psa 119:9). We are born again by God's word, and it is only by continuing obedient to the word and resisting all the immoral influences characterising the ungodly world system in which we live that we can cleanse our way (CP Isa 55:1-7).
This is an open invitation for whosoever will to partake of the salvation benefits God has provided for us, but an essential prerequisite is a genuine spiritual hunger and thirst for forgiveness and a right relationship with God (CP 1Cor 1:17-18, 21). Paul clearly teaches here that it is the word of God - the gospel -that saves, not water baptism. Paul is not minimising Jesus' teaching concerning water baptism but rather is stressing the fact that he was ordained of God to preach the word for salvation, not to baptise new converts (CP Eph 5:25-26). We get a much clearer understanding here of what being born of water means. Christ is sanctifying the Church, setting it apart and cleansing it, making it pure and holy unto Himself by the word - the gospel. So we can see that it is not being immersed in water that saves, but being immersed in the word (CP 1Pe 1:23-25). This is virtually the same teaching as Eph 5:25-26. Men are saved by the word alone. Every human endeavour, and the corrupt world system will be judged by God's word CP Rev 21:5-6). This is Christ Himself speaking. He promises that whoever thirsts for knowledge of Him, He will give them to drink of the water of life. (This is a similar teaching to Isa 55:1-7. All who hunger and thirst for Christ will be saved (CP Jn 4:5-14).
The water given by Christ means spiritual life (CP Isa 12:3). But to partake of the spiritual life in Christ we need to be continually drinking of the living water. The word drinketh is a present tense continuous action verb (it is called a present imperative in the Greek). It means that drinking of the water is not a momentary single act but is a progressive or repeated drinking. It is an action in progress, or repeated. It is very important to know that because what it teaches us is that drinking of the water of life requires regular communion with the source of the living water, Jesus Christ Himself. No one can continue to drink of the water of life if he or she becomes severed or separated from its source. That means we are not eligible for the salvation benefits in Christ if we are no longer abiding in Him, or His word is abiding in us. To sum up, our membership in God's family remains conditional on our love for Christ demonstrated by a life of sincere obedience to His word throughout our earthly existence (CP Jn 14:15, 21-23 with 1Jn 2:3-6). Just as we can be born again unto everlasting life by the Spirit of God, we can also extinguish that life by ungodly choices and unrighteous living (CP Ro 6:1-23; 8:12-14; 2Ti 2:11-12).
Divine Revelations of Heaven
Divine Revelations of Heaven and Hell. Hear for yourself
great revelations and testimonies about Heaven and Hell. Among these: "A Divine Revelation of Hell" and "A Divine Revelation of Heaven" by Mary Kathryn Baxter; "Heaven Is So Real" by Choo Thomas; "The Final Quest" by Rick Joyner; "23 Minutes in Hell" by Bill Wiese. Hear God-given revelations of Hell and of Heaven that some people received through face to face encounters with Jesus Christ himself and visitations to these places transported by Jesus or one of his angels. They saw and heard and smelled and some even experienced a little of the sufferings of Hell. Some people received insight into these places through visions and dreams. Some tasted the fruits and the joys and pleasures of Heaven. Some were christian believers when that happened. Some were unbelievers who had died and went to Hell but were brought back to life for a last chance. Hear for yourselves these testimonies and words of divine wisdom. Heaven is real, and Hell as much. |
Library Search
| PASTOR DAVID | Library Search |
| ... Footnotes: [236] Exodus 32:7, etc.; Deuteronomy 9:12, etc. [237] Exodus 32:9, etc. [238] Exodus 32:32. [239] Or, "mighty.". [240] Literally, "be wiped out.". ... /.../chapter_liii_the_love_of_moses.htm - 9k |
| ... Footnotes: [4283] Exodus 32:7, etc.; Deuteronomy 9:12, etc. [4284] Exodus 32:9, etc. [4285] Exodus 32:32. [4286] Or, "mighty.". [4287] I. despotes (master). ... /.../chapter_liii_the_love_of_moses.htm - 9k |
| ... [3039] Pusillus. [3040] Exodus 32:10. [3041] An allusion to, rather than a quotation of, Exodus 32:32. [3042] Non sineret. [3043] Quantum liceat. ... /.../chapter_xxvi_the_oath_of_god_.htm - 11k |
| ... 22. [697] Exodus 7:19. [698] Exodus 9:10. [699] Exodus 9:23. [700] Exodus 9:29. [701] Exodus 10:22. [702] Exodus 12:29. [703] Numbers 12:3. [704] Exodus 7:12. ... /.../chapter_xv_after_mentioning_a.htm - 13k |
| ... [2973] S. Luke 12:42. [2974] S. Luke 12:43. [2975] Psalm 71.[lxx.] 19. [2976] Exodus 32:31. [2977] Exodus 32:32. [2978] Jeremiah 7:16. [2979] Bar. iii. 1, 2. ... /.../chapter_ix_by_collating_similar.htm - 13k |
| ... with God, "Yet now, if thou wilt, forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written." (Exodus 32:32.) Behold his ... /.../6_the_sanctity_of_those.htm - 10k |
| ... de Off. II. 7. [425] Cic. de Off. II. 14. [426] Exodus 32:32. [427] Exodus 34:30. [428] Deuteronomy 34:6. [429] 1 Sam. 1 Kings] xvii. 32. [430] 2 Sam. ... /.../chapter_vii_what_is_useful.htm - 18k |
| ... 8. [3608] cf. Letter CXXIII. 15. [3609] Numbers 16:46-48, Vulg. [3610] Exodus 32:10. [3611] Romans 9:3. [3612] Isaiah 24:2. [3613] Exodus 32:32. ... /.../letter_cxxviii_to_gaudentius.htm - 24k |
| ... on behalf of the offenders, he cries: If Thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book which Thou hast written (Exodus 32:32 ... /.../letter_xix_a_d_1127_to.htm - 33k |
| ... 7. [4797] Revelation 5:1-5. [4798] Revelation 3:7. [4799] Psalm 69:28. [4800] Daniel 7:10. [4801] Exodus 32:32. [4802] xxix. 11, 12. [4803] Isaiah 22:22. ... /.../4_i_feel_myself_growing.htm - 19k |
Inside the Gates
PASTOR DAVID
Inside the Gates
God, in His infinite mercy and grace, permitted me to go to that beautiful place called heaven. The logistics of my trip to His home and back to earth are unclear to me, but I cannot be mistaken about the reality of it.
How were the incomparable wonders of heaven revealed to a mere mortal like me? Let me start at the beginning.
One night the Lord appeared to me and told me I was chosen for a special assignment. He said, “My child, I will manifest Myself to you to bring people out of darkness into light. I have chosen you for a purpose: you are to write and make a record of the things that I will show and tell you."
I submitted myself to God completely, and astounding things began to happen. I was taken from where I was at the time and transported into hell itself. I was aware of all five of my senses: I could see, feel, hear, smell, and taste. Yet, this was a supernatural happening. I realized that the impact it made on me was for a purpose.
For days after I was taken by the Lord into hell, I was very grieved in my heart. My heart was sad and burdened because of the horrors I saw. I had viewed the judgment of God on sin and on the people who had gone to hell. I prayed earnestly to God and sought His comfort.
On the thirty-first night after these events began, the power of Almighty God fell on me again. At two o’clock in the morning, a mighty angel stood beside my bed. Jesus Christ was standing behind the angel. As I looked on the face of the Lord standing there, He smiled at me, but He did not say anything.
The mighty messenger of God said, “God has given me a special mission. I am sent here to take you to heaven and to show you parts of it."
After a moment, he spoke again, “Come and see the glory of God!"
At once, I was supernaturally transported from my home and found myself standing out side one of the gates of heaven with the heavenly angel.
The overwhelming beauty of what I saw around me was breathtaking! The clothing the heavenly being wore looked like a brilliant garment of light. The angel had triangular-shaped wings that glistened with the colors of the rain bow. Although I wasn’t surprised, I was amazed at the indescribable beauty of God that was evident all around.
The next thing I knew, the angel repeated an exclamation that I would hear many times:
“Behold, the glory of God!"
The magnificent gate that stood before me in splendor was made of a solid pearl. In awe I took in everything I could of this most beautiful sight. At this point, I could not see the Lord anywhere, but I was totally enraptured by the glory of heaven.
ENTERING HEAVEN
When we arrived there, two very tall angels were standing outside the gate. Both of them wore glistening robes and had swords in their hands. Their hair was like spun gold, and their faces gleamed with light.
The angel accompanying me moved over to speak to the two angels guarding the gate, and I was left standing alone. In amazement, I thought, “Oh, how glorious are the gates of heaven! How wonderful it is to see this one for myself!" Suddenly, I realized that I was actually going to enter into heaven.
As I watched the angels of the Lord, I could hear some of the conversation they were having. One of them went inside the gate and returned almost immediately with a small volume. The book had a gold cover, and the printing inside was also in gold. It seemed to be a book about my life’s history. My name was stamped on the cover:
(Revelation 21:27)
PASTOR DAVID
Exodus 32:32 But now, please forgive their sin--but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written."
Isaiah 52:1 Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength. Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again.
Ezekiel 44:9 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh is to enter my sanctuary, not even the foreigners who live among the Israelites.
Zechariah 14:21 Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the LORD Almighty, and all who come to sacrifice will take some of the pots and cook in them. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD Almighty.
Mark 7:2 saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were "unclean," that is, unwashed.
Luke 10:20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
1 Timothy 1:10 for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers--and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine
2 Peter 3:13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.
Revelation 21:8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."
Revelation 22:14 "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. FROM TRIUMPHANT FAITH EMBASSY.
Isaiah 52:1 Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength. Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again.
Ezekiel 44:9 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh is to enter my sanctuary, not even the foreigners who live among the Israelites.
Zechariah 14:21 Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the LORD Almighty, and all who come to sacrifice will take some of the pots and cook in them. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD Almighty.
Mark 7:2 saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were "unclean," that is, unwashed.
Luke 10:20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
1 Timothy 1:10 for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers--and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine
2 Peter 3:13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.
Revelation 21:8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."
Revelation 22:14 "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. FROM TRIUMPHANT FAITH EMBASSY.
