We Must be Born to Give Birth

Jesus said we must believe the gospel and be baptized to be saved.

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved... " - Mark 16:15-16 @

He said we must be born of water and of the Spirit.

"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." - John 3:5 

With a birth, there is a mother and father. With our spiritual birth, there is a mother and father.

"One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." - Ephesians 4:6 

God as our Father is responsible for our being born of the Spirit - He fills us with His Spirit.

"And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!" - Matthew 12:49 

As our spiritual mother, believers are responsible for our being born of water - baptizing us in the name of Jesus.

"I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:" - Philemon 1:10 

Of course, in the physical, before we can give birth, we must first be born.

So too with the spiritual: Before baptizing others in the name of Jesus, we must first be baptized in the name of Jesus ourselves. 

"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 2:38

"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." - Acts 2:39 

"And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." - Acts 2:40 

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." - Acts 2:41 

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." - Acts 2:42