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Born Again or Begotten? (Part One)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe concept of being begotten of God is central to understanding our spiritual identity and relationship with Him. Only those who are begotten again will be in God's Kingdom, marking it as an absolute necessity for salvation. This spiritual event opens an entirely new chapter of life, emphasizing the importance of being spiritually minded, growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, and maturing to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. God perceives us, after receiving His Holy Spirit, as part of His Kingdom, even if young in the faith. A person becomes part of the Kingdom of God by being begotten again, thus becoming sons of God. God's Kingdom, as presently configured, consists of God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and all the children of God who have entered the Family of God by means of God's calling, being begotten again, and receiving His Holy Spirit. God considers these sons as in Christ, and since Jesus Christ is in the Kingdom of God, we are perceived by Him as part of it as well. Our citizenship is already registered in heaven, the headquarters of the Kingdom of God, affirming that we are not merely conceived but fully recognized as His children within His Kingdom.
Use God's Word as a Mirror
Sermonette by Bill CherryBe doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. If you merely hear God's Word without acting on it, you risk self-deception. For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. God's Word serves as a mirror, reflecting the true state of who you are, but failing to act on what you see is like forgetting your own reflection. However, he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. By continually living by God's Word with the right attitude, you will find blessing in your actions. God commands us to be doers of His Word for several reasons. First, God's Word begets us; it is the source of our nourishment and spiritual growth, penetrating our hearts and prompting change. Second, we are called to be firstfruits of His creatures, examples and teachers who use God's Word as a textbook to guide our lives and relationships, learning patterns that shape us for this life and beyond. Third, failing to do God's Word leads to self-deception; without action, we fool ourselves into thinking hearing alone is enough, missing the transformation that comes from living it out. Therefore, look into God's Word, continue in it daily, and be a doer, not merely a hearer, to avoid deception and to receive the promised blessing.
Born Again or Begotten? (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughJesus Christ's teaching on being born again, as recorded in John 3, emphasizes its significance with the solemn introduction, "Most assuredly, I say to you." This doctrine reveals that God sees us as His children, part of His Family Kingdom, capable of functioning as adults before Him in this world. It portrays us as a new creation, embarking on a spiritual journey to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ and transform into His image. Once converted, we are no longer spiritually dead to God but alive in Christ, heirs of salvation, free from spiritual bondage, and able to pursue the holy, righteous character of our Savior. This teaching shows we are special to God, responsible for what we have been given, and under judgment, distinct from the rest of the world. Jesus explains in John 3:5 that unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God, equating this to being born again or born from above. Both water and Spirit are presented as spiritual entities in this context. Every born-again person instantly becomes a child of God, a member of His Family, and a citizen of His Kingdom. God addresses His children as adults, fully capable of carrying out His commands, even if young in faith. There is no gestation period in this spiritual birth, mirroring the immediate creation of Adam and Eve as living souls. The new spiritual child possesses two natures, the old carnal nature and the new nature born within, which are at war with each other. The born-again person must choose to overcome the old nature, striving for dominance of the new nature in conduct and life. Jesus instructs in John 3:6 that what is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit, highlighting the necessity of this new birth. Flesh, as a metaphor for sinful human nature, continuously generates sinful acts, while the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, and other virtues. A change must occur from a life dominated by the natural heart to one motivated by God's Spirit to prepare for the Kingdom of God. This birth marks the beginning of a holy, spiritual mind, enabling spiritual attitudes, conduct, and perspective, evidenced by seeing and entering the Kingdom of God and producing the fruits of the Spirit.
Born Again (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The concept of being 'Begotten of God' or born again, as discussed, signifies a profound spiritual transformation initiated by God. This change is not a new idea but has roots in the Old Testament, where a radical change of heart was spoken of, indicating a process of spiritual renewal. Jesus Christ Himself expressed surprise that Nicodemus, a man of stature, did not grasp this concept, emphasizing that it was already present in their teachings. The term used by Jesus implies a significant spiritual change in an already living person, often translated as 'born again,' 'born anew,' or 'begotten again,' with a preference for 'born from above,' highlighting the divine origin of this transformation through God's action. This spiritual rebirth parallels the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, where one day they were slaves and the next they were free, yet still faced the journey to remain free, underscoring that the process of spiritual growth continues after the initial change. Regeneration, synonymous with new birth, encompasses the entire process from the beginning of God's calling to the resurrection. It is not a momentary event but a continuous journey of spiritual renewal and transformation, adjusting one's moral and spiritual vision to the mind of God, requiring a willing response from the believer. This process is described as causing a complete moral and spiritual reformation, forming anew a person into a new creation, changed from evil to good, with a new heart, family, values, and possessions. Upon repentance and conversion, through the receipt of God's Holy Spirit, individuals are immediately considered sons of God, not as embryos or fetuses, but as whole persons, fully born and ready to function spiritually. This parallels the creation of Adam, who was formed as a complete person and instantly became alive with the breath of life from God. Jesus consistently used the male figure of the Father in teaching this concept, indicating no involvement of a mother or womb, affirming that the Father alone is the Creator in this spiritual rebirth. Furthermore, believers are already in the Kingdom of God upon receiving God's Spirit, seen as citizens and full-blown sons of God, not waiting for a future birth but needing time to grow into maturity. This transformation is not a birth at the resurrection but a change from physical to spiritual glory, as they are already part of the spiritual temple, which is Christ Himself, functioning within it as priests under His leadership as the High Priest.
Matthew (Part Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWe should not seek material rewards under the New Covenant, though God may sometimes bless us physically. Our focus should be on spiritual rewards.