“Live Again”

Bible Study

By Pastor J.R. Arango

• Let’s start out by reading the following scriptures…

John 3:1–8 (NLT)

1)  There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee.

2)  After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”

3)  Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

4)  “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”

5)  Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.

6) Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.

7)  So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’

8)  The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

Introduction

• The term “born again” is a metaphoric expression used by many, meaning to have a new start.
• “Born again” is also a Bible term meaning to have a spiritual birth, similar to a physical birth and is found in John chapter 3.
• Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus one night expressing his amazement with Jesus’ miraculous power that He blessed the people with.
• Jesus kindly did not gloat in receiving admirations, rather He effectively transitioned to the real need of Nicodemus.
• He told Nicodemus that he needed to be “born again.”
• Nicodemus did not understand what Jesus meant by being “born again.” He questioned, “How can a man be born again? How can a grown person enter their mother’s womb again and be born again?”  Jesus’ response shifted the conversation into a spiritual one. 

John 3:5 (NLT)  Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.

• In other words, you must be born of the water and of the Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God.

Being Born Again of The Water and The Spirit

• Being Born Again of the Water.

  • Just like in a natural birth when the baby is getting ready to be born, the first thing that happens is the mother’s water (the amniotic fluid from the sac) breaks.
  • Just like in a natural birth, the same thing happens in a spiritual birth. We have to be born again of the water.
  • Water here signifies of “Water Baptism.”

• Being Born Again of the Spirit.

  • Again, just like a natural birth when the baby is born, the first thing that the baby has to do is breathe. So it is in a spiritual birth, we breathe in the Spirit of God.
    • The word “Spirit” means, “breath.”
    • Also notice that there’s a big “S” on the word Spirit. In the Bible that signifies that it is the Spirit of God.
  • This means that we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

• Before we go further into water baptism (being born again of the water) and being filled with the Spirit of God (being born again of the Spirit) there are two prerequisites that must be in fulfilled in order to be born again:

1. You must have faith in God.

• • One must have faith both that God exists, and that He loves you enough to allow you to be born again.
  • The Bible says in…

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)  And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

2. You must repent of your sins.

• Repentance defined

  • According to Webster’s Dictionary, to repent means “to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life; to feel regret or contrition; to change one’s mind.”
  • The New Testament was written in the Greek language. The Greek word for repentance is metanoeo, which literally means “to perceive afterwards” and “hence signifies to change one’s mind or purpose.”
  • In the New Testament, this word always indicates a change for the better.

• We are instructed and commanded to repent.

  • Repentance is absolutely necessary for salvation; the Bible commands everyone to repent. When Adam sinned, God questioned him and expected a confession in Genesis 3:9-13.
  • In Noah’s day, God destroyed all but eight souls because mankind would not repent. He spared the wicked city of Nineveh only because its inhabitants repented in response to Jonah’s preaching.
  • John the Baptist preached repentance strongly in Matthew 3:1-11, Mark 1:4-5, Luke 3:3-9.
  • Jesus proclaimed it in…

Matthew 4:17 (KJV)  Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Mark 1:15 (KJV)  Repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Luke 13:3, 5 (KJV)  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

• • While Christ was on the earth, He sent His disciples to preach repentance in Mark 6:12, and just before His ascension He again commissioned them to preach repentance in Luke 24:47.
  • Peter preached repentance in…

Acts 2:38 (KJV)  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 3:19 (KJV)  Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;The Apostle Paul preached repentance in…

Acts 26:20 (NKJV)  but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

• • • He also told the Athenians to repent in…

Acts 17:30 (KJV)  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.

• What happens when you repent?

  • At the moment of repentance, man begins to let God work in his life. Man decides to turn away from sin to God, and he allows God to turn to him.
    • As part of the turn from sin, God enables man to break away from sinful habits and desires.
    • As part of the turn to God, God allows man to start a personal relationship with Him.

• So, repentance qualifies a person for water baptism (being born again of the water) and for the infilling of the Holy Spirit (being born again of the Spirit).

Water Baptism (being born again of the water)

Mark 16:16 (KJV)  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Acts 2:38 (KJV)  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

• Water Baptism defined
  • Water baptism is a ceremony in which the one who has repented of their sins is completely immersed in water in the name of Jesus for the remission of those sins. It is an act of faith in Jesus Christ.
• Jesus commands us to be water baptized.
  • Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, He commanded His disciples to go into all the world, to preach the gospel, to make disciples, and to baptize them.

Mat 28:19 (KJV)  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

• • He expected all believers to be baptized, and He promised salvation to those who believed and were baptized.

Mark 16:16 (KJV)  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

• The method of baptism the Bible teaches is by full immersion.
  • John baptized in the Jordan River (Mark 1:5, 9) and “in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there” (John 3:23). He needed springs and rivers large enough for immersion, not just the few drops of water sprinkling would have required.
  • John immersed Jesus…

Matthew 3:16 (KJV)  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water.

Mark 1:10 (KJV)  And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened.

• • Philip immersed the Ethiopian eunuch…

Acts 8:38-39 (KJV)  

38)  …and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.  

39)  And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip…

• • Paul described baptism as a burial with Christ (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12).

Rom 6:4 (KJV)  Therefore 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.

Col 2:12 (KJV)  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.

• • These passages presume that baptism is by immersion and only make sense if the reader understands this. No one is buried by sprinkling or pouring a little dirt over the body, but only by complete burial.

• Baptism is essential to salvation

  • Jesus said in…

Mark 16:16 (KJV)  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

• • Jesus spoke with Nicodemus in…

John 3:3-5 (NLT)

3)  Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

4)  “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”

5)  Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.

• • Peter preached it on the day of Pentecost, at the birth of the Church.

Acts 2:38 (KJV)  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

• • Peter commanded Cornelius and his household to be baptized.

Acts 10:48 (KJV)  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

• • Peter told about Cornelius’ angelic visitation — angels told Cornelius to go find Peter in Joppa.

Acts 11:14 (KJV)  Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.  (He commanded them.)

• • Peter mentioned the essentiality of water baptism in one of his epistles.

1 Pet 3:20-21 (KJV)

20)  Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

21)  The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

• Water Baptism must me performed in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Is it important which name is used in baptism? Let’s see how the Bible answers that question.

Acts 4:12 (KJV)  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Col 3:17 (KJV)  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

• Let me ask you this:
  • Who robed Himself in flesh and was born in a humble stable?
  • Who died on the cross?
  • Who rose again on the third day?
  • Who conquered death, hell and the grave?
  • Who ascended up on high, led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men?
  • Who saved your soul from a devil’s hell?
  • So which name are we to be baptized in? JESUS!

• • The Word of God tells us and demonstrates to us, by example, that we are to be baptized in Jesus’ Name.

Luke 24:47 (KJV)  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Acts 2:37-38 (KJV) 

37)  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38)  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8:14-16 (KJV) 

14)  Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15)  Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16)  (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Acts 10:47-48 (KJV) 

47)  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48)  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Acts 19:1-5 (KJV) 

1)  And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

2)  He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3)  And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.

4)  Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

5)  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 22:16 (KJV)  And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

• There are some in our world today who teach baptism in the titles, “Father, Son and Holy Ghost.” But the scripture does not give us even one example where anyone was baptized in the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
  • What about Matthew 28:19? This is considered the Great Commission.

Mat 28:19 (KJV)  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

• In the name, not in the titles.
  • Name – singular
  • Father, Son and Holy Ghost are titles — none of these are proper names, but descriptive titles.
• There is no contradiction. Jesus commanded them to baptize in the name of Jesus.
  • Peter was there when Jesus gave the Great Commission. He understood what Jesus had said.   Also, Matthew was present on the day of Pentecost when Peter stood up with the other eleven disciples (Matthew was part of the eleven) to preach.
• Jesus commanded them. He did not say “repeat after me.” 
  • The disciples knew what He meant.
• The name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost is Jesus.
  • The name of the Father is Jesus.

John 5:43 (KJV)  I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

• The name of the Son is Jesus.

Mat 1:21 (KJV)  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

• The name of the Holy Ghost is Jesus.

John 14:26 (KJV)  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

• • So Matthew 28:19 teaches baptism in the Name of Jesus.

• In summary, below are nine reasons why Matthew 28:19 refers to the name of Jesus in baptism.

1. 1. Its grammar designates one name (singular).
   2. Its context shows that Jesus described His power and therefore told the disciples to baptize in His name.
   3. Mark’s and Luke’s descriptions of the same instructions of Christ show that Jesus was the only name mentioned.
   4. The Early Church, including Matthew, carried out Christ’s instructions by baptizing in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5; 22:16; I Corinthians 1:13).
   5. The name of the Father is Jesus; the Father is revealed through the name Jesus (John 5:43).
   6. The name of the Son is Jesus (Matthew 1:21).
   7. The name of the Holy Ghost is Jesus; the Holy Ghost is revealed through the name Jesus (John 14:26).
   8. God has revealed Himself in the New Testament by one name (Zechariah 14:9) and that name is Jesus (Revelation 22:3-4).
   9. The Bible does not teach the doctrine of the trinity, so there is no theological justification for a triune formula.

• There are many historical sources that prove this point. Here is one…
  • Hasting Dictionary of Bible, page 88, – It must be acknowledged that the three fold name of Matthew 28:19 does not appear to have been used by the primitive church, but rather in the name of Jesus, Jesus Christ or Lord Jesus.
• Now that we have studied being born again of the water, let’s now study being born again of the Spirit.

  

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost (being born again of the Spirit)

Luke 24:47-49 (KJV)

47)  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

48)  And ye are witnesses of these things.

49)  And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Acts 1:4-5 (KJV)

4)  And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

5)  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Acts 2:1-4 (KJV)

1)  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2)  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3)  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4)  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:37-39 (KJV)

37)  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38)  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39)  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

• God’s intent in giving out His Spirit.

  • God’s desire was to restore the close fellowship He enjoyed with Adam and Eve. But sin broke communion with God and He has always endeavored to fill the gap.
  • There was an attempt to restore that fellowship in the Law of the Old Testament. It made man conscious of their sin, but the Law did not connect men with God. The Law was difficult to keep.  Man needed more than an outward code to cause them to obey.  There was nothing wrong with the Law; the problem was with man.  Man needed an inner unction to obey, more than just a reformation.
    • Reformation is putting a new shirt on the man, while salvation is putting a new man in the shirt.
  • Man needed a new nature.

• There were many prophecies regarding the Holy Ghost. Old Testament prophets declared a glad song.  God was going to give man a new heart.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (KJV)

26)  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.”

27)  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

• He would write His laws on the inside of men…on men’s hearts.

Jeremiah 31:33 (KJV)  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

• Hosea wrote about God’s Spirit falling upon men like the rains necessary for an agricultural harvest.

Hosea 6:3 (KJV)  Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

• The prophet Joel struck a resonant chord of hope when he said that God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh in the last days.

Joel 2:28-29 (KJV)

28)  And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

29)  And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

• From the very onset of Jesus’ ministry, men were directed to look to a point where they would enjoy a personal, intimate fellowship with God.

• John the Baptist

  • Jesus’ forerunner said in introducing Jesus…

Mat 3:11 (KJV)  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

• • Jesus spoke of the Holy Ghost.
  • Jesus mentioned that in order to be saved you have to be born again of the Spirit.

John 3:3-6 (KJV)

3)  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4)  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5)  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6)  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

• He assured His disciples that if they would ask, seek and knock, they would receive the Holy Ghost.

Luke 11:9-13 (KJV)

9)  And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

10)  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

11)  If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

12)  Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

13)  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

• He explained how it was going to happen.

John 7:37-39 (KJV)

37)  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

38)  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

39)  But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

• He continually spoke of The Holy Ghost.

John 14:16-18 (KJV)

16)  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17)  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

18)  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

John 14:26 (KJV)  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

• Jesus gave them instructions on where to go to receive the Holy Ghost.

Luke 24:49 (KJV)  And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Acts 1:4-5 (KJV)

4) And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

5) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Acts 1:8 (KJV)  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

• The Prophecy was fulfilled.

  • The first out-pouring of the Holy Ghost was on the day of Pentecost. There were 120 disciples present. This is where the Church began.

Acts 2:1-4 (KJV)

1)  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2)  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3)  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.”

4)  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

• • Peter preached the baptism of the Holy Ghost on the first day of the Church.

Acts 2:16-18 (KJV)

16)  But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

17)  And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18)  And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

Acts 2:37-39 (KJV)

37)  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

38)  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39)  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

• The world received it.

  • The Samaritan received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8:14-17 (KJV)

14)  Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15)  Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16)  (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17)  Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

• Cornelius — the first Gentile to receive the Holy Ghost.

Acts 10:44-46 (KJV)

44)  While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45)  And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

46)  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

• The disciples of John the Baptist received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 19:1-6 (KJV)

1)  And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

2)  He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3)  And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.

4)  Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

5)  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6)  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

• The apostle Paul spoke of the Holy Ghost.

  • He wrote that if a man does not have the Holy Ghost, then they are not part of the Body.

Rom 8:9-11 (KJV)

9)  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.

10)  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

• He mentioned that the Holy Ghost will launch us up on that rapture day.

11)  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.

Rom 8:16 (KJV)  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

• When we receive the Holy Ghost, we are baptized into the Body of Christ.

1 Cor 12:13 (KJV)  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.

• Speaking in tongues is the initial outward evidence of the infilling of the Holy Ghost.

  • There are many who profess that they have the Spirit because they have felt the Spirit. Feeling the Spirit and having it on the inside are two different things.
  • There were many prophecies about it.

Isaiah 28:11-12 (KJV)

11)  For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

12)  To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

Mark 16:16-17 (KJV)

16)  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17)  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

• This is when it happened for the first time in…

Acts 2:4 (KJV)  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 10:44 (KJV)  While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

Acts 10:46 (KJV)  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Acts 19:6 (KJV)  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

• Why did God choose tongues?

James 3:8 (KJV)  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

James 3:3 (KJV)  Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

James 3:4 (KJV)  Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

James 3:5 (KJV)  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

James 3:6 (KJV)  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

• From this scripture, we gather that man cannot control his tongue. But when God controls man’s tongue…it’s an indication that God has now conquered the last frontier (so to speak) and moved into men’s hearts.  He now indwells in us.

Speaking in tongues when one receives the Holy Ghost is NOT the same as the Gift of Tongues.

• • Tongues in the Bible fall into three distinct categories.
    • First as the initial sign or evidence that someone has received the Holy Ghost.

    • Other tongues

Acts 2:4 (KJV)  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

• • • Unknown tongues

Acts 2:8 (KJV)  And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

• Secondly, as edification for the believer.

  • Edification of the believer speaking with tongues.

    • Used in prayer

    • Used in singing
    • Used in giving of thanks

1 Cor 14:4 (KJV)  He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself…

Jude 20 (KJV)  But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

• Thirdly, as edification of the church assembly, when accompanied by an interpretation.
  • One of the 9 Gifts of the Spirit
    • Divers Kinds of Tongues

1 Cor 14:4-5 (KJV) 

4)  …but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 

5)  I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

1 Cor 14:27 (KJV)  If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

• The spiritual gift of Tongues is not the same as the tongues one speaks when receiving the Holy Ghost for the first time, just like the gift of Faith is not the same as the faith one needs for salvation.

Acts 2:4 (KJV)  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Eph 2:8 (KJV)  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

1 Cor 12:8-10 (KJV) 

8)  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9)  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 

10)  To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

• The Benefits of having the baptism of the Holy Ghost
  • A New Heart – Ezekiel 36:26
  • Inner Law – Jeremiah 31:33
  • Rest and Refreshing – Isaiah 28:11, Matthew 11:28, Matthew  11:29, Matthew 11:30, Acts 3:19
  • A teacher guiding into all truth – Luke 12:12, John 6:63, John 14:26, John 16:13, 2 Cor.inthians 3:6
  • A new birth – John 3:3-7
  • Well of living water – John 7:37-39
  • Power – Acts 1:8
  • Boldness – Acts 4:31-33
  • Sonship – Romans 8:9-11 & 16, Galatians. 4:6
  • Resurrection – Romans 8:11
  • Baptized into one body – 1 Corinthians 12:13
  • Newness of life – Romans 6:4
  • Prayer Partners – Romans 8:26-27
  • Liberty – 2 Corinthians 3:17
  • Sealed with earnest of inheritance – Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Timothy 2:19
  • Hope – Colossians 1:27

Staying Alive

• There is a difference between living again and remaining alive.
  • Once we are born again, or saved the Bible way, we have the opportunity to grow in our spiritual life by staying

There are three keys to staying alive in your spiritual life.

1. Continue to build a relationship with God through PRAYER.

   • Prayer is communicating with God. No relationship will flourish unless there is good communication.

   • Start with five minutes and build from there.

2. The second key to staying alive in your spiritual life is reading your BIBLE.

   • Learning to read your Bible will help you grow in your relationship with God. It will give you understanding and wisdom to live the Christian life.

3. The third key is to ATTEND CHURCH

   • In scripture, the Church is depicted at the mother. When you are born again, it’s the mother who nurtures you and takes care of you spiritually.

• • You have now become part of the body of God or the family of God.
  • You need your Pastor (the under-shepherd) to lead you to greener pastures or higher levels in your spiritual life as he teaches and preaches the word of God to you.

  • You need the influence and fellowship of your spiritual big brothers and sisters of the church where you were born again.

  • Attend every service, whether it is a Bible study, a worship service, or a small group gathering.
  • The more faithful you are to church attendance, the faster you will grow in your relationship with God.

If you live hard for God, it will be easy!  But if you live easy for God, it will be hard!

Conclusion

• Are you ready to LIVE AGAIN?
• What is your next step to take in living again?
• You will be glad you took the step towards living again!

Get ready to Live Again!