I. TO BECOME A
BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIAN
REASONS WHY EVERYONE MUST TO BE BORN-AGAIN
God's Existence is self evident
God is very real. Pretending or choosing to believe that He doesn't exist does not nullify His existence (John 1:3, 10).
"19 because cwhat may be known of God is 5manifest 6in them, for dGod has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world eHis invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and 7Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but fbecame futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened."Rom. 1:19-22)
God has set the terms and conditions by which He will reveal Himself to people (Heb. 11:6). No one can, therefore, set the terms and conditions under which to believe. To think so is self-deception awaiting a painful shock!
Man's sinfulness and God's Judgment
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"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23)
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"The wages of sin is death (both physical and eternal), but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 6:23).
- "...God
is angry with the wicked
every day" (Psalm 7:11)
- "He who believes in the
Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see
life, but the swrath
of God abides on him. " (John 3:36)
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Rom. 1:18; Eph. 5:6; 1 Thess. 1:10
Jesus The Saviour from Judgement
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Jesus is "..the atoning sacrifice for our sins.." (I John 2:2).
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God gave Jesus so that we can have eternal life (John 1:12; 3:3-8; 3:16-18) by believing in Him and accepting the price paid on the cross.
"16 pFor God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten qSon, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 rFor God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. " (John 3:16-17)
What must I do to be saved from Judgement and have eternal life?
To be born-again a person must " CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH, JESUS IS LORD, AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED" (Rom. 10:9-13).
After making sure they firstly believe in their hearts that Jesus Christ is alive today , lead the person in a clear audible prayer that includes:
1. Confessing and renouncing ALL their sins.
2. Renouncing all involvement in the occult, and idolatry;
3. Acknowledging that they believe in and accept the redeeming power of The Lord Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.
4. Surrendering their life under the Lordship of Jesus Christ
Finally, encourage them to share their faith with someone as part of their Christian life.
Signs of Salvation
The Bible does not give instruction on what signs are immediately apparent when a person is saved. However, the responses or reactions to the new birth vary widely among individuals. As with most experiences in life it depends on the individuals personality. Some people are far more emotional, while others are not.
There are those who have been through painful traumatic times with heightened levels of guilt. Such an individual may experience a tremendous peace and sense of being totally forgiven. They may even weep because of great joy instead of sadness.
Someone else standing next to the emotional person may experience almost nothing immediately, but will over the next few days notice their perspectives on life have changed with peace in their hearts being a major sign.
Finally, it is impossible to be Born-Again and not experience an inward awareness of a change within a matter of hours or two days. Just as it is not possible for a baby to be born and not notice that it is no longer in the womb. In the majority of cases the New Birth like the natural birth have dramatic impact on the individual even though the emotional evidence may vary significantly.
Possible Blockages to Salvation
If there is no inward evidence within a week the individual should talk to an experienced Christian or Christian counsellor. The reasons (this not exhaustive) may include:
a) Perhaps there was no genuine repentance done. Remember, God is the One giving the New Birth. If you are not sincere or you are unwilling to surrender all then these could be obstacles. Some people may treat the whole Salvation prayer like an experiment to see what will happen. Others are doing it under outward pressure from those around them but inwardly they are not convinced or even committed. God is not mocked.... He will call your bluff!
b) Satanic bondage can prevent a person from exercising their free will. However, the fact, that the person is able to seek prayer means they can be freed with the assistance of deliverance ministry by someone qualified in this type of ministry.
II. TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
REASONS WHY EVERY CHRISTIAN MUST BE BAPTISED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
a) John the Baptist prophesied that Jesus was going to baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matt. 3:11; John 1:23-33).
b) Jesus promised that those who believed would be baptised in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). They will have supernatural power to witness effectively (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit will be a Helper, comforter, guide, counsellor for the Christian in their daily life (John 14:16-17; 15:28; 16:7-14).
c) The person who is baptised in the
Holy Spirit can enjoy supernatural growth in their spirit through speaking in
tongues and intimacy in communion with The Holy Spirit (I Cor. 14:4; Jude 20;
2 Cor. 13:14).
HOW TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
Note: It is extremely important to understand that The Spirit of God is Holy and therefore can only dwell in the spirit of a redeemed, child of God. Therefore, never pray for a person to be filled with The Holy Spirit before they are Born-again.
AFTER MAKING SURE the person is a truly born-again Christian, HAVING RENOUNCED ALL OCCULT and WITCHCRAFT ACTIVITY, lead them in a simple prayer to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
A Spirit-filled (that is a Holy Spirit baptised) Christian should lay hands on the person and ask the Lord Jesus to baptise the Christian in The Holy Spirit.
THE EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
a) Jesus prophesied that those who believed in Him would speak in tongues. THERE WERE NO EXCEPTIONS MENTIONED as is so often taught in the churches (Mark 16:15-17).
b) At Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples they ALL, without exception, spoke in tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:1-4).
c) Peter recognised that the Gentiles had truly been baptised in the Holy Spirit when he heard them speaking in tongues (Acts 10:44-48; 19:6).
Encourage them to speak some sounds as a step of faith, and the Holy Spirit will give them the utterance. It is THEY who MUST DO the speaking Not the Holy Spirit (Acts. 2:4).
NOTE: Occult and witchcraft activity can permit people to speak demonic tongues; that is why a person MUST confess and renounce ALL such previous and/or existing personal, family, and ancestral involvement.
SOME POSSIBLE BLOCKAGES:
a) Areas of unconfessed sin including: pride, lack of forgiveness, lack of repentance; involvement in the occult.
b) Fear - this includes fear of being taken over and therefore losing control. Fear that something evil is going to happen to them. Fear that they will not receive.
c) Doubt and Unbelief about the genuineness of the baptism in the Holy Spirit or the Word of God.
d) Blockage of the mind- mind controlling evil spirits may block the person's mind telling them not to accept it because they don't understand it.
e) Secular humanism - that man should depend on himself and not on God. It is man centred and therefore resists God.
III BE BAPTISED IN WATER
The Purpose and symbol of Water Baptism
The Apostle Paul explains the significance of water baptism and why it can only apply to born-again believers or disciples of Christ. In Romans 6:1-14 it reads,
"6 What shall we say then? aShall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who bdied to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that cas many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus dwere baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were eburied with Him through baptism into death, that fjust as Christ was raised from the dead by gthe glory of the Father, heven so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 iFor if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that jour old man was crucified with Him, that kthe body of sin might be 1done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For lhe who has died has been 2freed from sin. 8 Now mif we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that nChrist, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, oHe died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, pHe lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, 3reckon yourselves to be qdead indeed to sin, but ralive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 sTherefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your tmembers as 4instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but upresent yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as 4instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For vsin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace."
A Direct Command to disciples ONLY from The Lord Jesus Christ
In (Matt 28:18-20), it is explicitly clear that Water baptism is not an option but a command from The Lord Jesus Christ. It is very important to notice that the baptism is AFTER a person becomes a disciple not before. It is a command to born-again believers only. The Scripture reads,
"18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, lAll authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 mGo 3therefore and nmake disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 oteaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am pwith you always, even to the end of the age. 4Amen."
The Apostles were obedient to the command
In Acts 2:36-42, after Peter had preached to the Jews they were convicted of their sin in Crucifying The Christ. Peter commanded them to repent and be baptised. It reads,
"36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, hthey were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said to them, iRepent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the 2remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and jto your children, and kto all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, Be saved from this 3perverse generation. 41 Then those who 4gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 lAnd they continued steadfastly in the apostles 5doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."
Other scriptures that demonstrate that all those who were baptised had firstly repented and become disciples of Christ: Acts 8:16; 8:36; 9:18; 10:47; 16:15; 16:33; 18:8
Published 2005
