These are my notes in preparation for our 2/13/2011 church meeting.
Leader: Raymond Harris
Assignment
Let's study what is meant by, "born of the Spirit." Check your concordance and find other scriptures. Here are a couple: John 3:3-8; John 1:9-13.
Notes
This phrase is only used a few times in Scripture. In addition to the passages above, the phrase is used in Gal. 4:28-31:
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.
However, the concept is seen throughout the Bible.
For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
(Rom. 8:13-15 NKJV)
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
(Gal. 4:4-7 NKJV)
This was prophesied in Joel 2:28 and fulfilled beginning in Acts 2 (see v16-18):
“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
It is my belief that being "born of the Spirit" refers to the rebirth of our spirit which occurs by the power of the Holy Spirit when we come into contact with the blood of Jesus, which occurs in the watery grave of baptism, according to the eternal purpose of GOD (Father, Word and Spirit).
Others' Notes
- Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. (Jam. 1:18)
- having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever (1 Pet. 1:23)
- For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3-7)
- This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one...We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. (1 John 5:6-8, 18)
- And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him. (Acts 5:32)
Lord's Supper
Today we shared the most significant or special moment from the events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion. It was a most effective means of centering our minds upon the cross and properly remembering our Savior and His sacrifice.
