The New Birth

The Necessity of the New Birth

Book of John Chapter 3

There are several ways used in the Scriptures that speak of the New Birth.

1) Regeneration actually means "new birth".

Tit 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, "by the washing of regeneration", and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Tit 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

2) Restitution of all things.

Act 3:20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

Act 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive "until the times of restitution of all things", which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

3) Passing from life to death.

1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

4) Becoming a New Creature.

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, "he is a new creature": old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

5) Jesus simply says, "We must be Born Again".

We can call all these things the Doctrine of Salvation!

*****Joh 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

Joh 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

We could say that Nicodemus is remembered as the secret disciple but in fact Nicodemus was also a Pharisee.

In fact Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin Court, the Supreme Court of Israel.

Nicodemus was a ruler, a high ranking official in the government of Israel.

It is obvious that he had seen Jesus perform miracles that as Nicodemus said, He could not have done "except that God be with Him".

Nicodemus first came to Jesus to prove Him wrong, but the truth has a way proving to yourself that it is you who are wrong.

We could also say that the Holy Spirit was convicting Nicodemus of the truth!

Nicodemus came to Jesus as formal religionist who had forgotten the work of a Shepherd.

Nicodemus had to ask the Lord, "just who are you" because he did not know Him, but the Lord would ask Him why did he not know, if he was who he said he was.

Jesus was and is much more than a Teacher called of God!

Act 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

In truth, miracles and signs are not that important because the Word of God is most important.

The importance comes when we know the Lord well enough that our lives are changed forever!

Religion will get in our way of knowing Christ.

Religion will only allow us to reverence Christ.

Religion will not allow for the Spiritual change that comes from knowing the Lord in a personal relationship.

Religion will leave you in the darkness, while accepting Christ for who He is, will allow the Light of the Lord to erase that darkness forever!

The truth is once Christ begins a work in our soul, He will carry that work to an ultimate completion!

What was Jesus' answer to the question of Nicodemus?

*****Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Jesus says bluntly, that unless there is a "Spiritual Change", then no one can see the kingdom of God!

We know what that word "Born" means so, what does that word "again" mean?

1) Again means we must have a clear understanding of these things!

Luk 1:3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

2) Again means it must be repeated, it must be a personal relationship, a complete change!

Gal 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

3) Again means it must be from above! We cannot be "Born Again" by using the things of this earth.

Joh 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Being "Born Again" means a complete change of mind and a complete change of direction, away from the bondage of Satan.

We entered this world by a physical birth, so we cannot enter the Spiritual world without a Spiritual birth!

We are dead to the Spiritual world until the sin of this world has been removed!

Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

So how can these things be possible?

*****Joh 3:4 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?

How were we first created?

Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

God first gave us life made in His image.

When Adam chose to not obey God, He chose death instead. So all his children even down to our own generation are now born in the image of Adam and face eternal death.

Now mankind loves this world, that will end in death, more than they love Heaven in which is eternal life.

So we must be "Born Again" in the image of God.

We are "Born Again" by accepting the life that is in Jesus Christ and therefore now we are to be in the image of Christ or Christlike or we say Christian.

This is not a maybe thing, this is a certainty, or we will never enter into God's Heaven really God's New Heaven!

*****Joh 3:5 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.

We should understand that what the Lord was saying to Nicodemus was not impossible for him to understand, just as we understand.

We all must have an inward cleansing and an inward experience of Holy Ghost influence.

What Jesus was saying to Nicodemus was, "in your present moral state you are unable to accept the idea of the New Birth!

This is what is wrong with the world today!

The Kingdom of God begins with a complete submission to the Will of God! To enter this Kingdom there must be our New Birth!

We must understand that we need a "new life" based upon a "New Foundation" that is not of this world!

Act 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

**The "born of water". For the Jews, the High Priests had to go through a ritual cleansing before He could offer a sacrifice to the Lord.

To the Christian that ritual cleansing has been replaced by the water of regeneration by the Holy Spirit.

Tit 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Tit 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Tit 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Why is this necessary?

*****Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Job 15:14 What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

Job 15:15 Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight.

Job 15:16 How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?

Our flesh, that is void of the Holy Spirit, cannot be at peace with God! The flesh that is washed and regenerated by the Holy Spirit, will be at peace with God and possess the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Jas 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

We should not wonder why these things are true!

*****Joh 3:8 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.

We cannot see the wind, but we know that the wind exists because we can feel it and we can hear it as it moves from place to place.

Even today modern scientist cannot truly know where or when the wind is going to blow or where the wind came from.

They certainly cannot understand those gentle breezes that move around us each day.

To understand what Jesus is saying, no one can understand the workings of the Holy Spirit except God.

We can learn many a lesson from the Book of Job and we can learn this lesson to.

Job 33:4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

This is something we all need to understand!

The Holy Ghost must be allowed to do His work by convicting us of sin!

1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Even with the greatest Teacher of all speaking, Nicodemus was so full of religion and worldliness, he just could not grasp what the Lord was teaching Him.

*****Joh 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

Joh 3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

We should understand that this was not some new doctrine for the Jews, even the songs they sang in worship gave this doctrine.

Psa 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Psa 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Psa 51:13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

This is the same doctrine of the Millennial Kingdom when the Lord next returns to this earth.

Eze 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Eze 36:28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

The was very little excuse for a Pharisee or a member of the Sanhedrin to not know these things!

They were too busy looking upon all others to take a look at themselves!

Jesus will have these same words for us when we refuse to study the Word of God, as we are commanded.

What is sure is just what the Lord says. If we cannot receive the truth of our existence upon this earth, we will never understand the Heavenly things that are also real!

*****Joh 3:11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

Joh 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

The words of the Lord are certain and their fulfillment sure!

When we do not believe the words of the Lord, then we have rejected the Giver of all life!

On this day Nicodemus could not believe what he was hearing from the Lord, but we know that maybe he went back and studied what the Lord had said and compared it to the Scriptures for in the end Nicodemus became a believer!

As for those who doubt the Lord today, they need only look at the nation of Israel and the Jewish people as a guarantee of the truth of God!

God expects us to believe and accept every Word He has given to us and we cause our own problems when we do not!

God divides our world into only two groups, those that believe and repent and those who do not believe nor repent!

1Jn 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

1Jn 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

1Jn 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

It is a fact that no man in the flesh has ascended up to Heaven because they would perish from the Glorious Majesty that is God.

The Lord Jesus Christ had to take on the form of a man after He came to this earth to keep from destroying mankind. He came to save and not to destroy.

We should also know that the Lord Jesus returned to Heaven in His glorified body and whatever that body looks like is the way our body look when we see Jesus.

1Jn_3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Before these things can take place, the Lord Jesus had to die!

*****Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

The serpent in the wilderness is a great Biblical truth.

The escapees from Egypt had journeyed in the wilderness safe in the harms of God and had become discouraged forgetting that had been redeemed and God had met all their needs.

When God had heard enough of their complaining God sent fiery serpents among the people and those who were bitten would die without God's help.

God gave some instructions to Moses on how this people could be saved.

Num 21:8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

Num 21:9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

These people could only live if they put forth the effort to gaze upon that serpent that was raised, so more of them could see.

Jesus said: "if you are familiar with this story in the Bible you could better understand what He had come to this earth to do"!

It may not have been until Jesus was raised upon the cross at Mount Calvary that Nicodemus totally understood what the Lord was teaching him that day.

God came down from Heaven and took upon Himself the body of a man just, so this body would die to pay the sin debt of all this world.

It took the pure Lamb of God to be such a sacrifice!

We may ask why God would do such a thing and we will get the same answer every time!

*****Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

We see that to God, salvation is a love thing!

1) The fact is: God "So" loved.

2) The evidence was: God gave.

3) The purpose was: to save.

4) The proof was: God sent His Son to die.

5) The means of salvation: it is only through the Lord Jesus Christ that salvation and eternal life in the Kingdom of God can take place!

To the Jews this was a wakening. They had thought that Jehovah God was only the God of the Jews.

This world we live in, is not the perfect place that so many depend upon.

This world we live in, is not to be the world of the angels that did not leave with Lucifer.

This world we live in, is not a world of creations such as Adam that was said to be very good.

This world we live in, lies in wickedness!

God made us to be as common as the sunshine but those that close their eyes, the sun is no good to them.

Salvation extends to all the ignorant and the educated, all the very worst and all the very best. Salvation is for all!

When we that know the Lord think about it, there is no greater gift that God could have given to us!

Most all the world of false religion do not believe that God can love, and they are so very wrong!

God loves with so much affection, it cannot be matched even by the love of our Mothers!

1Ti 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

1Ti 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

1Ti 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

God does not allow unworthiness to cloud His eyes!

God does not allow religion to cloud His eyes!

God does not allow cruelty to cloud His eyes!

God does not allow anything to stop His love for us all!!!!!!!!!!

God has a loving nature!

1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

1Jn 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

God wants everyone in this world to know His love!

1Jn 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

God also wants this world to know that His love is complete when we accept His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Joh 16:26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

Joh 16:27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

Joh 16:28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

There is not enough of paper in all the world to write down all the words that describe the love of God!!!

It is God's love that draws us to Christ and it is Christ who brings us to everlasting life!

But there are always those who chose to go their own way trusting this world to show them life.

*****Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

We know that love of God does not mean that all the world is saved.

We know that God is not disappointed in His design because we know God had this plan of salvation in place before the first day of creation.

We must believe that God has provided the only means of salvation and we must volunteer to reach out and take this precious gift of God!

God's love is based upon the "redeeming" work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

God's love is based upon the energy of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore salvation can come only by the combine work of the Triune God, the Holy Trinity.

We know the proof of God's love, shown His greatness when He raised the Lord Jesus Christ up from that garden tomb!

Jesus Christ is now the Mediator of God's love!

If we should ever wonder, it is not the believer who can ever be condemned, it is only the unbeliever!

Every sinner holds righteousness in his own hands!

The unbeliever is condemned already because they remain under the present curse upon this world brought on by the sin of Adam!

Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

The sinner is condemned because they have not believed the truth of God!

1Jn 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

1Jn 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Amen

Let's Pray!

The Promise Of The Holy Spirit

The Promise Of The Holy Spirit

Book of Acts Chapter 2:1-47

Focus: 2:1-6, 22-24, 36-42, 46, 47

It must be very clear to us all, The Holy Spirit is a member of the Triune God. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This is the One God of the Bible!

In Genesis 1:26 it says "Let Us" and these words mean, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit!

A Personality can best be described as as possessing an intellect, having emotions, and having will. As we go through the Book of Acts we will see that the Holy Spirit possesses all these traits and much, much, more.

1.) Intellect: The Holy Spirit searches for the answers from God.

1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: [for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God].

2.) Knowledge: The Holy Spirit knows the thoughts of God.

1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? [even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God].

3.) Mind: The Holy Spirit knows how God thinks.

Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, [may give unto you the "spirit of wisdom" and revelation in the knowledge of "him"]:

4.) Emotions: The Holy Spirit has feelings, and is aware of our feelings and has the ability to respond to our needs.

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

5.) Will: The Holy Spirit has will.

Jas 1:18 Of "his own will" begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

An example:

Act 16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and [were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia],

Each of us have similar traits and in these ways we are made in the image of God but we lack the one main thing and that is "Power".

2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; "but of power", and of love, and of a sound mind.

This why the Holy Spirit comes to live with us after we have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior!

This is why it is the individual believer that is the Church and not some building or some man-made structure!

SO, What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

This is defined as the work whereby the Holy Spirit places every believer into union with Christ Jesus and into a union with every other believer as the "Body of Christ".

1Co 12:13 For by "one Spirit" are we all baptized into "one body", whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made "to drink into one Spirit".

So let's begin our lesson:

*****Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

This day at Pentecost will give us an example of the Power Of the Holy Spirit.

The "ministry" of the Holy Spirit is to "Glorify Christ Jesus" in the life and the witness of every believer!

Joh 16:14 He shall glorify me: "for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you".

Pentecost means 50Th and it was held 50 days after the "Feast of the firstfruits".

The Passover is a picture or a "type" of the "death" of the Lamb of God.

The Feast of the Firstfruits is a picture or a "type" of the "resurrection" of the Lamb of God.

The Feast of Pentecost is a picture or a "type" of the formation of the early Church.

There was no "Power" to form the Church without the "power" of the Holy Spirit!

Another thing we should realize is, that because of all the things that had happened:

1.) The day of this feast.

2.) The death, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

3.) The raising of Lazarus.

There were probably more people in Jerusalem than at any other time up until that day!

Those first believers were in "one accord" and believed all these things!

They now realized the plan of God!

Notice that Pentecost was always observed on the day "after the Sabbath" or Sunday, the 50th day not the 49th day.

The Church had it's beginnings on "The Lord's Day".

The Resurrection was on the 1st day of the week, "The Lord's Day"!

The tithes and offerings were gathered on The Lord's Day!

This day was a once in a life time event and it will never happen again!

There can only be one day that the Church Age began because there was only one Calvary!

*****Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

We can be sure that the Holy Spirit has not made Himself visible in this passage!

These 120 disciples of the Lord heard "a sound".

"A sound" more like a tornado than just a normal windy day.

*****Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them "cloven tongues" like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Cloven means divided into two parts, much like the hoofs of an animal. Most of these type of animals were considered clean to the Jew.

These were not hooves but resembled a flickering flame.

Tongues means "languages" in every place it is mentioned in the Bible that is not talking of "that piece of meat in our mouths".

These are the only two uses of the word "tongues" in the Bible!

These tongues looked as fire, BUT "they were not fire"!

They flickered as a fire does!

When the Holy Spirit came into this upper room, there was an appeal to the eye and to the ear!

Any "baptism of fire" is for all those who reject Jesus Christ as their Savior and is a sign of "Judgment"!

BUT, For God to reveal Himself by resembling fire was not unusual and these Jews had seen this in the Word of God, such as Moses and the burning bush that would not burn up.

On this day of Pentecost this "sign" showed "these 120 Jews" that God was present in the room with them!

This "sign" also indicated that God was approving the beginning of the Church Age!

Fire is also a "sign" of Judgment and all those that refused the message of Peter that day would be judged for their unbelief which is the only sin that will send you to Hell!

These in that upper room were to be Baptized with the Holy Spirit and not with fire!

Jesus said:

Joh 16:9 Of sin, "because they believe not on me";

All other sin can be forgiven except the "Sin Of Unbelief"!

*****Act 2:4 And they were filled with the Holy Ghost, "and began to speak with other tongues", as the Spirit gave them utterance.

You see the Church has "no power" until the believer is filled with the Holy Ghost and Only God can baptize us with His Holy Spirit!

This filling for salvation can only happen "One Time"!

Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, "by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost";

Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

And is given at the very moment of salvation:

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: "in whom also after that ye believed", ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

BUT, we need to pray for a constant filling to do our work for God!

Act 4:31 "And when they had prayed", the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

A study of this Book of Acts will reveal that biblical tongues were always languages.

It will also reveal that the tongues of Acts and Corinthians are the same.

It will also reveal that tongues are a gift of the Holy Spirit and actually a lesser gift than the gift of preaching, teaching, and witnessing.

And it will also reveal that tongues will one day cease when their usefulness was complete and this gift ceased to be given by the Holy Spirit when the Apostles had all died.

Tongues were a "sign gift" belonging only to the early Church and used only for the Jews and not the Gentiles:

1Co 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

1Co 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: "but when I became a man, I put away childish things."

What is the truth of tongues?

1Co 14:22 Wherefore tongues "are for a sign", not to them that believe, [but to them that believe not]: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

We should be clear in this matter!

What we need to realize is that on this day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit also began His work of holding back "that Wicked" so the Church would have time to do the work of Our Lord:

2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

We use this verse a lot to show us that this work of the Holy Spirit will cease at the "Rapture" of the Church!

*****Act 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

As we said earlier many people had come from everywhere for not only for the Feast but to see the Resurrected Christ and the Raised Lazarus.

But there were also many devout Jews that had made their homeward journey back to Jerusalem after their ancestors had been scattered out for so long.

It can be said that this proof that there are no lost tribes of Israel!

*****Act 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, [because that every man heard them speak in his own language].

That word "noised" is the Greek word "phone" which means they used their voices to broadcast this message!

No one spoke in some angelic language and no one heard some angelic language!

People heard the Word of God spoken in their own language and even in their own dialect!

There was no one that did not understand that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was being spoken that first day of the early Church!

What can be said is that this day of Pentecost was a reversal of that day at the Tower of Babel!

At the Tower of Babel and at God's presence and at His "Judgment" people were scattered by the different languages because they could not understand each other "but at this Pentecost" believers were united by languages because they understood the Word of God and that it was for all people and all nations!

What was that message they heard?

*****Act 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Act 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

Our lesson did not cover verse 21 but it needs to be mentioned also. The Apostle Peter was referring to the prophecy of the Book of Joel 2:32.

Joe 2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

This prophecy has not been fulfilled even up to the time of our day. This will take place near the end of the Great Tribulation when the Lord will call out His remnant of the Jews.

Zec 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

This same verse is mentioned by Peter and also by Paul:

Rom 10:13 For "whosoever" shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

This verse shows us that from this day of Pentecost, that "whosoever" (no matter where they come from) calls on the name of the Lord, "Shall Be Saved up until the Day of Judgment"!

The Church Age did not begin until the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit.

It is this day that believers were introduced to the Body of Christ!

Vs 22)

We have already said that the main reason that Jerusalem had its greatest crowd this day was because they had heard of all the things of Jesus Christ.

1.) They had heard of Jesus of Nazareth, a fulfillment of prophecy.

2.) They had heard that Jesus was the Messiah, a fulfillment of prophecy.

3.) They had heard of all the miracles and wonders, a fulfillment of prophecy.

4.) Many that were at this gathering had been "eye witnesses" to most all of these things, including those 120 that had been in the upper room.

5.) Peter was preaching the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

6.) And it is the truth that "makes" not "sets", us free!

If you are only set free you may be caught again But when you are MADE FREE, you are indeed free forever!

*****Act 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel [and foreknowledge of God], ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

We must believe that none of these things that had happened were outside the "Will of God".

This had been God's plan all along! This is the same plan that Satan had tried, to no avail, to stop ever since his attack on Adam and Eve!

Isa 53:10 Yet "it pleased the LORD" to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

*****Act 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: [because it was not possible that he should be holden of it].

It was an incredible thing that Jesus, The Son of Man, should be defeated by death!

To some this was a terrible crime!

BUT in reality it was God's victory!

The Greek word "odin" translated "pains" means "birth pains"!

In other words that "tomb" where they laid our Lord Jesus was more a "womb" out of which Jesus was "born" into Resurrected Glory!

Act 13:33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, [Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee].

And what was the importance of all this to the Jew and to the Church?

*****Act 2:36 [Therefore] let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

"Jesus" was His human name and as Savior, He was ordained of God Himself!

Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

"Christ" which means "Messiah" the "Anointed One", is the title representing His threefold office as "Prophet", "Priest", And "King"!

First to Israel and "then to all nations on this Earth"!

"LORD" to "whosoever" will call on His name for salvation!

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth "the Lord Jesus", and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Thus His full name "The Lord Jesus Christ"!

*****Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men "and brethren", what shall we do?

The "convicting" work of the Holy Spirit is shown in this verse:

1Co 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, "it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe".

Holy Ghost conviction is at work here:

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, 'and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart'.

So what can we do?

*****Act 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.

Repenting is not just saying "I'm Sorry"!

Repenting is a Complete Change Of Mind:

Php 1:27 "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ": that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Php 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

Both Repentance and Baptism must be done in the name of Jesus Christ!

Repenting is the "coming" to Christ, and Baptism is the "evidence" of repentance!

Act 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; [what doth hinder me to be baptized]?

Act 8:37 And Philip said, [If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest]. And he answered and said, [I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God].

If we do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, The Messiah sent from Heaven, then we are not believers and therefore cannot be saved!

We can take as many dunks in the water as we want but we are only washing the skin and "not cleansing the soul".

*****Act 2:39 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.

The "Gospel Message" is for all nations and "not just for the Jews"!

I am so glad I was one of those that was included in those that were "afar off"!

This verse is also an encouragement to parents. It shows the gradual progress of the Holy Spirits work, beginning with each individual, extending to the family, and then to the uttermost parts of the world.

The call of the Gospel is not confined to one nation, nor to one age, while we are still in the Church Age!

Psa 85:9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

Psa 85:10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Psa 85:11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

Psa 85:12 Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.

Psa 85:13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

The message then and the message today is verse 40!

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

There can be no doubt the intent of this verse. We are to get away from all false religion and all unbelievers and cling to the Lord Jesus Christ!

"Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded"

We must focus on the Lord and make the right choice!

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

We must completely separate ourselves from the world we live in!

Not to be a hermit but to be mentally separated by the Word of God.

Pro 9:6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

We must quit being foolish and trust in the truth of the Word of God.

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

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

What is the first thing we notice here?

When those 3000 were saved they did not just step back into the world but they stayed in the church under the preacher and were taught the truth of the Word of God.

They knew there was real a need to know the Word of God!

That word "fellowship" did not just mean associating with the Apostles and the other disciples.

To the early Christian it included having all things in common!

Rom 15:26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

To be a Christian in this day of the early church would mean excommunication from the Jewish religion and also the Jewish way of life and there was a great need to share in order to survive.

"Fellowship" today is to be understood by every believer as to break down the barriers that exist between all peoples.

It is a truth that the word "race" came from the teachings of Evolution.

God never uses any such thing in His Word!

There are only Jews and Gentiles!

Red and yellow, black and white, they are "all" so very precious in His Sight!

In God's sight there is "no human" that is "Common"!

Heb 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

So what are the signs of the true church:

1.) A true church will continue stedfastly in the "Apostles Doctrine"!

Not some new man-made interpretation but the correct doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Heb 1:2 "Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son", whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

2.) There must be true "Fellowship"! A sharing of all the things in Jesus Christ!

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

3.) There will be a breaking of bread.

This more than just going through the ritual of The Lord's Supper.

This means a true relationship with The Lord Jesus Christ!

1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

1Jn 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

4.) The true Church will always be a house of prayer!

Mar 11:17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations "the house of prayer"? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

*****Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Act 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

To these of the early church it was not enough for them to meet only once a week.

They met daily!

They cared daily!

They witnessed daily and souls were added daily!

Their Christian faith was a day-by-day reality not a once-a-week routine!

It was by the Resurrection Power of God and the filling of the Holy Spirit and Faith in the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that formed the early church and it is only by these things "and MUCH Prayer" that the Church can do a work in the name of Jesus Christ Our Lord!

Questions?

Let's Pray!