The Spiritual Birth

Psalms 19:7 says, "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple." "The testimony of the Lord is sure." So it is quite odd for a person who has truly received Jesus Christ as his saviour to doubt his salvation.

When "the testimony of Christ" is confirmed in a believer, he begins "waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ", knowing that the Lord shall also confirm him unto the end (1 Corinthians 1:6-8). Paul thanked God that the testimony of Christ was confirmed in the Corinthian believers.

Since "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy", every born again Christian should be a prophet. At the very least, a Christian should be able to prophesy where he will spend eternity.

This, of course, is only possible if a Christian knows that once he is saved, his salvation is secure in Christ. Therefore, the first thing a Christian should know is the doctrine of Eternal Security.

According to Romans 3:22, the righteousness of God is by faith and unto all that believe. Notice carefully that there is no mention of works for God's righteousness. Then, read carefully verse 24 and notice that justification is FREE.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says that salvation is through faith and not of works. Now to make that clear, read Romans 4:1-5. Notice carefully what Romans 4:5 says. "BUT TO HIM THAT WORKETH NOT, BUT BELIEVETH ON HIM THAT JUSTIFIETH THE UNGODLY, HIS FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS." I am really amazed that anyone could believe that works is involved in salvation after reading this verse. How much clearer could it be said? NO WORKS / BELIEF ON JESUS / FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Next, read Romans 5:10: "SAVED BY HIS LIFE". Now, do you see that we are saved by the life of the Lord Jesus Christ not our life, HIS LIFE? Since I am saved by his life, not my life, then, I didn't get saved by how I live, I can't stay saved by how I live, and I can't lose my salvation by how I live.

I Corinthians 12:13 says, "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body". According to Galatians 3:27-28, that body which we are baptized into is the body of Christ. Ephesians 1:12-14 tells us further that this happens when you believed. Ephesians 1:13 says, "in whom [Christ] also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise". So, when a person gets saved, he is baptized into the body of Jesus Christ and sealed in the body of Christ. Verse 14 goes on to say that ye are sealed "until the redemption of the purchased possession". Ephesians 4:30 agrees, saying, "ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." The 'purchased possession', according to I Corinthians 6:19-20 is your body. This is further confirmed by Romans 8:19-23. The redemption of our body is described in I Thessalonians 4:14-17 and is commonly called the rapture.

Now to review, If you have received Jesus Christ as your Saviour:

1. You have PASSED FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE.
2. You were SAVED BY FAITH WITHOUT WORKS.
3. Your ETERNAL LIFE IS A GIFT OF GOD.
4. Your JUSTIFICATION WAS FREE.
5. If you don't do good works after you are saved, YOUR FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
6. You are SAVED BY THE PERFECT LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST & CANNOT LOSE YOUR SALVATION BY HOW YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE.
7. YOU HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST.
8. YOU ARE SEALED IN THE BODY OF CHRIST UNTIL THE RAPTURE.



How Can These Things Be?

After Jesus told Nicodemus that a man must be born of the Spirit in order to enter into the kingdom of God, "Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?"

Jesus didn't begin going into details of the matter, but instead replied, "Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

Judging from the Lord's response, I would say that there are some things about the spiritual birth that He expects Christians to know and especially 'masters' or teachers. In fact, Paul had a lot to say about the new birth. In this article, I will show from Paul's revelation what the scriptures say about some of the elements of being born of the Spirit.

First, we will look at ADOPTION. Then, we will examine some verses on the SPIRITUAL BIRTH. Third, we will study SPIRITUAL CIRCUMCISION. Afterwards, we will continue with THE SALVATION OF THE SOUL, DEATH OF THE BODY, RESURRECTION OF THE SPIRIT, and SPIRITUAL BAPTISM INTO THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST . The SEALING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT has been covered in the article on page one "The Spirit of Prophecy".

Ephesians 1:5 says that we were predestinated unto "the adoption of children by Jesus Christ" Of course, this predestination was "in Christ" (verse 3). In effect, God the Father predestinated that whoever choose to be "in Christ" would get the adoption.

According to Galatians 4:4-7, Jesus Christ paid the price of redemption for us, "that we might receive the adoption of sons". Verse 6 goes on to say, "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts". So, when a person receives Jesus as his saviour, he is then adopted into God's family.

These verses match Romans 8:14-17. However, verses 18-30 continue by discussing the coming "manifestation of the sons of God" and verse 23 says that we are "waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body".
So when a person receives Christ, he is then adopted spiritually, but not yet physically.

The first mention of the spiritual birth in the New Testament is in John 3:3-8 when Jesus is talking to Nicodemus. Jesus said that a person must be born of the Spirit in order to see and enter into the kingdom of God. Then, in verse 8, he says, "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."

The Holy Spirit goes into the Christian and he is the voice of God - the lost hear the sound thereof (the sound of the Spirit - the Christian's witness/ testimony) but the lost can't tell that he was born from above (whence he cometh) or where that Spirit came from and the lost can't tell that he is going to heaven (whither he goeth).

John 3:14-18 is very clear on the fact that the spiritual birth is brought about by belief on the Son of God. This also explains very well what is meant by "believe on his name" in John 1:12 which defines 'receiving Jesus Christ'.

According to Ephesians 2:1 and 5, a person is dead in sins before God "quickens" him. Since Adam and Eve died spiritually in the garden of Eden, every human afterward is born with a dead spirit. So when a person receives Christ, his spirit is quickened (made alive) [Colossians 2:12-13].

The word of truth is instrumental in the new birth (James 1:18). In fact, Peter says that "the word of God" is the incorruptible seed by which we are born again. So, the new birth is "of the operaion of God" (Colossians 2:12), of the incorruptible seed, "the word of God" (1 Peter 1:23), "of the Spirit" (John 3:5-6), by the quickening of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:45; John 5:21), and "Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all" (Galatians 4:26).

Ephesians 6:17 calls the word of God "the sword of the Spirit". A lost person is "in the flesh" (Romans 7:5). But a saved person "is not in the flesh, but in the Spirit" (Romans 8:9). So, there is a change that takes place when a person receives Christ. Hebrews 4:12 says that the word of God is "sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow". This describes the dividing [or cutting apart] of the soul, spirit, and body by the sword of the Spirit. This operation is further described in Colossians 2:11-15 and is there called "the circumcision of Christ".

"In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncir- cumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." [Colossians 2:11-15]
As I said, a lost person is "in the flesh" - in other words, his soul is stuck to his body on the inside. The circumcision of Christ takes place and the soul puts off the body of the sins of the flesh. The soul, although it does stay inside the body until death, is cut apart from the body and is loosed from the body. The believer's spirit is also loosed from his body.

When a person believes on Christ, his spirit is raised up and seated in Christ (Ephesians 2:6). So, the believer's spirit is taken out of his body and put in Christ.

At this time, when the soul is cut loose from the body on the inside, the soul is saved (1 Peter 1:3-9). "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." (verses 8-9)
When the spirit is taken out of the body, the body dies according to Romans 6 and 8:9-10. The Spirit of God also comes inside the believer to dwell permanently. "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. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." Then, it may be that the body is brought back to life by the Spirit of God unless Romans 8:11 is referring to the rapture which is more likely. "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."

Now we come to the Spiritual baptism into the body of Jesus Christ. There are actually a lot of verses on this. The starting place with Paul is Romans 6:1-11.

"1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" A Christian does not live in sin. A Christian lives "in Christ". "3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?"

"baptized into Jesus Christ". This is done by the Holy Spirit. This is the baptism that Jesus referred to in Acts 1:5. This is further confirmed by 1 Corinthians 12:13. And this will become more and more clear as we study further.
"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."

"4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:3)

"5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6Knowing this, that our old man is cruci- fied with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

So, the old man is dead that we should not serve sin. Being dead with Christ, death has no more dominion over us. We are dead and alive at the same time like before our salvation. The difference is that before salvation, the spirit is dead and the body is alive, but after salvation, the spirit is alive and the body is dead.
"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." (Romans 7:4)

Once you are saved, you are married to Christ by being joined to him spiritually. 1 Corinthians 6:17 says, "He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit."
"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." (Romans 12:4-5)

Immediately after the new birth, a person is a babe "in Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:1).

"For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread." (1 Corinthians 10:17)

"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it there- fore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one mem- ber suffer, all the members suffer with it;or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)

"Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

When a person gets saved, he is established with all other believers in Christ, anointed by God, and sealed by God by the giving of the Holy Spirit.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

A new creature indeed! As we have been seeing from scripture, there is quite a bit new after the new birth.

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:27-28)

This matches a couple of verses previously mentioned - 1 Corinthians 12:13 and 1 Corinthians 6:17. Look at them again and compare.

In Christ we are blessed with all spiritual blessings "in heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:3) "which always causeth us to triumph in Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:14). Remember (if you read Ephesians 2:6) that we are seated "together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus".

Jesus Christ is "the head over all things to the church, Which is his body." (Ephesians 1:22-23) This church, the body of Christ, the Lord added to daily" such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47). This is "the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." (Acts 20:28) This is the church mentioned in 1 Corinthians 10:32; 1 Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:13; Ephesians 5:23-32; Philippians 3:6; Colossians 1:18, 24; and 1 Timothy 3:15. This is the Spiritual church which is the body of Christ. This was a mystery before the Lord revealed to Paul; "That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel" (Ephesians 3:3-6).
The Lord gave gifts to the church - apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers; "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:11-16)

When we get our new glorified bodies - a body like Jesus Christ's body - we will be a perfect man. Then we will no longer be children; we will become a man and put away childish things (1 Corinthians 13:10-12).

Again, the Bible says that the church is the body of Christ in Colossians 1:18-24. Colossians 3:9-15 speaks of the church in the same manner as 1 Corinthians 12:13 and Galatians 3:27-28.

Now not all of this is easily understood. But we have to take all of what the Bible says as facts regardless of our lack of understanding.


The Believer' Standing and State

STANDING (Position in Jesus Christ)

Redeemed (I Peter 1:18-19)
Reconciled (II Corinthians 5:18-19)
Righteous (II Corinthians 5:21)
Sanctified (I Corinthians 1:30)
Justified (Romans 3:24)
Citizen of God’s Household (Ephesians 2:19)
Complete in Christ (Colossians 2:9-10)

STATE (Position as a sinner)

Conceived in Sin (Psalm 51:5)
Evil (Genisis 8:21; Matthew 7:11; Psalm 39:5)
Unrighteous (Romans 3:10-18)
Foolish (Jeremiah 4:22)
Wretched (Romans 7:24)
The Least of Saints (I Corinthians 15:9)
Chief of Sinners (I Timothy 1:15)
Unprofitable Servant (Luke 17:10)