Part 3 - Regeneration and Baptism in the Holy Spirit
BAPTISM IN THE SPIRIT IS CLOSELY RELATED TO BEING BORN AGAIN
Born again has a water aspect as well as a spiritual aspect
Regeneration results from receiving the Spirit and confessing Christ as your Lord and Savior in the waters of Baptism
IF YOU ARE BORN AGAIN YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE SPIRIT BECAUSE RECEIVING THE SPIRIT MAKES US A CHILD OF GOD
John 1:12 John 3:5-8 Rom 8:11-16
EVERYBODY
WHO BELIEVES IS BORN AGAIN AND OVERCOMES THE WORLD
1John 5:1-5
BAPTISM WITH THE SPIRIT BRINGS US INTO THE BODY
1Corinthians 12:13 Romans 8:9
THE SPIRIT BRINGS US INTO GOD'S KINGDOM
John 3:3 John 3:5
THE SPIRIT JUSTIFIES US, WASHES US AND SANCTIFIES US
WE RECEIVE THE SPIRIT BY BELIEVING
John 7:37-9 Galatians 3:2 Galatians 3:5 Galatians 3:14 Ephesians 1:13
WE
ARE SEALED BY THE SPIRIT WHEN WE BELIEVE
2Corinthians 5:5
Ephesians 1:13 Ephesians 4:30
WE ARE BORN AGAIN BY BELIEVING
Note: Born again is a term that is used in only one Gospel (John's). It is equivalent to Baptism in the Holy Spirit and Baptism in water mentioned in the other gospels. While the term born again shows that baptism in water is linked to baptism in the Spirit (see John 3:5) it is not teaching something different to the other gospels.
Jesus introduced the term born again when he was talking to Nicodemus (John chapter 3). Nicodemus, being a teacher of Israel should have already known what Jesus was saying! (John 3:10)
Born again is a general term that covers both the Old and the New covenant. The Jews were God's chosen people. They were meant to be circumcised not only in the flesh but also in the heart by the Spirit.
Abraham was circumcised in heart by the Spirit. The Israelites were not allowed into the tent of meeting unless they were circumcised not only in the flesh, but also in the heart.
We too are circumcised when we are baptized by the Spirit (Col 2:11-15)
Jesus says that nobody can enter the Kingdom of Heaven unless he is born again.
Abraham was therefore born again, not by baptism by the Spirit but by circumcision by the Spirit! In Jeremiah's time and again in Christ's time, the Jews had become uncircumcised in heart