What does it mean to be born again of water and of the Spirit?

Some people think that being born of water is our natural birth, when we came out of the womb with water.

But what does the Bible say?

When Jesus told Nicodemus, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God,” Nicodemus was confused. (John 3:3)

"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?" - John 3:4 KJV

Jesus gave Nicodemus a clearer explanation, to let him know that the birth that He was talking about is a spiritual birth, not our natural birth.

"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 KJV

Jesus made it very clear that He was not speaking of our natural birth of the flesh but rather a spiritual birth of the Spirit of God.

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." - John 3:6-7 KJV

As soon as Jesus finished talking to Nicodemus about being born of water and of the Spirit, John records that Jesus came into the land of Judea and there tarried with His disciples and baptized. (John 3:22, John 3:26).

Baptizing with water in Jesus name is what Jesus was talking about when He said, "Except a man be born of water..."

In the next chapter, John 4, Jesus began speaking of the baptism of His Spirit – we must also be born of His Spirit to enter His kingdom. Jesus spoke of His Spirit as the gift of God. He compared His Spirit to living water.

"Jesus answered and said unto her (the woman at the well), If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." - John 4:10 KJV

Being born of His Spirit brings everlasting life. Being born of water and of His Spirit allows us to enter into the kingdom of God.

"Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." - John 4:13-14 KJV

John chapter 7 clarifies that this living water is the Holy Ghost that Jesus would pour out on the Day of Pentecost, after His resurrection and ascension.

"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. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (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.)" - John 7:37-39 KJV

Jesus spoke of the Holy Ghost experience to Nicodemus. He let Nicodemus know that when a person is born of the Spirit there is a sound.

"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." - John 3:8 KJV

On the day of Pentecost when Jesus poured out His Spirit, there was a sound. Just as Jesus said, there was a sound like the wind. The sound that came when they were born of the Spirit in that upper room was speaking in tongues as the Spirit spoke through them.

"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. ... And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:2, 4 KJV

On that Day of Pentecost, Peter stood up with the rest of the Apostles and preached the gospel. He then preached what they must do to be born again of the water and of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God.

"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.

“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 2:38-39 KJV

The Holy Ghost truly is a gift from God!

By the gift of God's Spirit in us, we can sit in heavenly places.

"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" - Ephesians 2:6 KJV

And this is just the earnest of our inheritance!

"Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." - Ephesians 1:14 KJV

God promises He will give us this precious treasure of His Holy Ghost in our humble, human, “earthen vessel.” It is beyond comprehension to think that God Almighty would live within us!

"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. 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 2:38-39 KJV

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." - 2 Corinthians 4:7 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." - Acts 1:8 KJV

Peter and the other apostles were willing to suffer and be beaten because of their love for Jesus and His name. Even though they were threatened with death, they continued to teach and preach Jesus. Are we willing to suffer and willing to die for Jesus and His name as they were?

Apostle Paul was willing to continue to preach Jesus, knowing that through his ministry that souls were being saved, even though he was threatened with death on a daily basis!

"And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily." - 1 Corinthians 15:30-31 KJV ["And why should we ourselves risk our lives hour by hour? For I swear, dear brothers and sisters, that I face death daily. This is as certain as my pride in what Christ Jesus our Lord has done in you." - 1 Corinthians 15:30-31 NLT]

Peter and the rest of the apostles were put in the common prison for preaching the gospel of Jesus (Acts 5:18, 1Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 6:1-6, Acts 2:38]

"But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life [this message of life!]." - Acts 5:19-20 KJV

They continued preaching the gospel!

"…And when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." - Acts 5:40-42 KJV

Paul cast out a spirit of divination from a damsel that was possessed (Acts 16:18).

"And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers," - Acts 16:19 KJV

"And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks." - Acts 16:22-24 KJV

"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed." - Acts 16:25-26 KJV

When the keeper of the prison brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (Acts 16:30) they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway." - Acts 16:31-33 KJV

Is there someone you haven't forgiven, even if they haven't told you they were sorry? (Luke 23:34, Acts 7:60)

Do you have family, friends, loved ones, that you haven't told you love them?

Is there something the Lord has put on your mind to do for Him that you have ignored, delaying by “putting it on the back burner,” and haven't done it?

"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." - Ephesians 5:16-17 KJV

“Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” - Ephesians 5:16-17 NLT

In the Song of Solomon, a book in the Bible of the love between God and His people, there is a verse that is in the midst of verses.

"Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes." - Song of Songs 2:15 KJV

Another translation reads,

"Young Women of Jerusalem Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming!" - Song of Songs 2:15 NLT

The definition of “foxes” is “burrowers.”

In the New Testament, Jesus describes the relationship of Him and His people as a vine and branches. If our relationship with Jesus is ruined, we cannot bear fruit. The little foxes need to be caught that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." - John 15:5 KJV

What can ruin our relationship with Jesus? We know, of course, sin ruins our relationship with Him.

What could be those little foxes that spoil the vines?

These “little foxes” could be the thoughts that enter our minds that can lead to sin.

Just a little thought. A little fox. Yet what begins as little thought can “spoil the vines.”

"And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?" - Matthew 9:4 KJV

Thoughts that are ungodly, accusing, unforgiving, hateful, lustful, prideful, lying thoughts… so many little foxes that can spoil the vines.

"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man." - Mark 7:21-23 KJV

"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." - James 1:14-15 KJV

"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." - John 15:2 KJV

"If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." - John 15:6 KJV

To keep the little foxes out of our relationship with God, we must guard our mind.

"(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 KJV

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober [think clearly and exercise self-control], and hope to the end for [look forward to] the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;" - 1 Peter 1:13 KJV

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

God has only one throne in heaven, and a Lamb is sitting on His throne.

"And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne." - Revelation 4:2

"And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain …" - Revelation 5:6

Why is a Lamb on God’s throne?

God took on flesh and blood in the form of the man Jesus Christ to redeem all of humanity from death from their sin by His own death on a cross. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." - Hebrews 2:14-15 KJV

Because God’s flesh was a sacrifice that was holy and without sin, it was called the Lamb of God.

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." - John 1:29

By the blood of JESUS, we have salvation when we repent, are baptized in Jesus name for the remission of sins, and receive the gift of His Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38, Acts 4:12, Acts 2:4)

Because God’s own flesh and blood was such a great sacrifice of the Creator of the Universe, and by it accomplished the means of salvation for all of humanity, we see God as a Lamb on His throne. His name is JESUS. (Revelation 17:14)

The Image Of The Invisible God

February 7, 2017 · 

Jesus Christ is the Father (The Almighty God) manifested in flesh.

If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. - John:14:7 (KJV)

The Messiah is the Everlasting Father.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

There is only One Father.

Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? - Malachi 2:10 (KJV)

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

Isaiah 9:6 calls the Son the Everlasting Father. Jesus is the Son prophesied about and since the Bible teaches there is only One Father, so Jesus must be God the Father.

Colossians 2:9-10 (KJV)
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of principality and power:

Colossians 2:9 proclaims that all the fulness of the Godhead dwells in Jesu. The Godhead includes the role of the Father, so the Father must dwell in Jesus.

Jesus Himself taught that He was the Father.

Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. - John:8:19 (KJV)

Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. - John:8:25 (KJV)

They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. - John:8:27 (KJV)

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. - John:14:10 (KJV)

I and my Father are one. - John:10:30 (KJV)

But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. - John:10:38 (KJV)

And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. - John:12:45 (KJV)

Jesus promised to be the Father of all overcomers.

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. - Revelation:21:6-7 (KJV)

God (The Father) was manifest in the flesh for the purpose of self- revelation and redemption.

...Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore,... - Revelation:1:17-18 (KJV)

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us... - 1 John 3:16 (KJV)

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. - 2 Corinthians 5:19 (KJV)

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. - 1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God,... - Colossians1:14-15 (KJV)

Matthew 1:21-23 (KJV)
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

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

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. - Romans 6:23 (KJV)

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. - Revelation:1:7-8 (KJV)

I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. - John:8:24 (KJV)

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

Obey Acts 2:38!
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.

#ThereIsOnlyOneGodAndHisNameIsJesus
#ThereIsNoTrinity