Born TWICE, Die once... the better choice than Born once, die twice

THE NEW BIRTH

INTRODUCTION: Now that you have accepted Christ as your Saviour, it is important to truly
understand what has taken place in your life, so that you can tell others about the saving grace of
God.

I.     What is meant by the term, “new birth”?

A.   Simply stated, the new birth is a spiritual birth.

B.   Just as we gain access into the families of men by a birth, so also we gain access into
        God’s family by a birth, John 3:3-7.

C.   There are other names for the new birth, namely, saved, salvation, regeneration, justi-
        fied, and born again.

II.    Why is there a need for the new birth?

A.   Christ, Himself, stated that there is a need, John 3:7.

B.   In our natural state we cannot please God, Isaiah 64:6.

C.   In our natural state we are already condemned and separated from God, John 3:18.

D.   The new birth turns us from the power of Satan unto God, Acts 26:18.

E.   We need the new birth in order to have fellowship with God and to understand the
        things of God, I Corinthians 2:14.

III. What is the new birth and how does it come about?

A.   It is a new nature which is created after God in righteousness and holiness, Ephesians
        4:24.

B.   It is a new standing in God’s sight; we become His children, Romans 8:16.

C.   It is brought about on God’s part by the conviction of the Holy Spirit, (example: Acts
        2:37).

D.   It is an act of the Holy Spirit that produces within us a new birth or new life, John
        1:12,13; John 3:5,6.

E.   It is brought about on our part by repentance and faith, Acts 20:21.

IV.   What powers were needed to produce the new birth?

A.   It took the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, John 3:14-16.

B.   It took God’s Word (the Word of Truth), I Peter 1:23.

C.   It took the Holy Spirit, John 6:63.

D.   It took conviction; we must realize our sinful state and the need for a personal relation-
        ship with Christ.

1. Apart from the conviction of the Holy Spirit, there can be no regeneration.

2. The Holy Spirit takes God’s Word and convicts our hearts, Hebrews 4:12,13; Acts
     5:29,30; Acts 7:54.

3. One must first realize he is lost before he can be saved.

4. One must personally repent and invite Jesus into his heart in order to be saved. (This
     is the work of the Holy Spirit.)

V.   What are the results of the new birth?

A.   We are children of God and will go to Heaven when we die.

B.   Our bodies will be resurrected at the second coming of Christ in the air, I Thessalonians
        4:13-18.

C.   We are assured of glorified bodies, I John 3:2.