Conversion, or the New Birth

Necessity of Conversion

How did Jesus emphasize the necessity of conversion?

And he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3.   

In what statement did He [Jesus] teach the same truth?

In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of heaven unless he is born again.” John 3:3. 

How did He [Jesus] further explain the new birth?

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” Verse 5.

With what comparison did He [Jesus] illustrate the subject?

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from and where it’s going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” Verse 8.

Agency of the New Creation

What takes place when one is converted to Christ?   

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. (See Acts 9:1-22; 22:1-21; 26: 1-23.)

What is the value of merely outward forms?

“Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.” Galatians 6:15.  

Through what was the original creation wrought?

“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.” Psalm 33:6.

Through what instrumentality is conversion wrought?

“For you have all been born again, not of perishable seed, of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” 1 Peter 1:23. 

Results of True Conversion

What change is wrought in conversion, or the new birth?

“Made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgression – it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:5.

What is the one evidence of this change from death to life?

“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.” 1 John 3:14. 

From what is a converted sinner saved?

“Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover a multitude of sins.” James 5:20. (See also Acts 26:14-18.)

To whom are sinners brought to conversion?

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51: 10-13.   

In what words to Peter indicate the kind of service a converted person should render to his brethren?

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you Simon that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22: 31,32.  

What other experience is associated with conversion?

“For this people’s hearts has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn and I would heal them.” Matthew 13:15.

What gracious promise does God make to His people?

“I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.” Hosea 14:4.

By what means is this healing accomplished?

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:5.

What are the evidences that one has been born of God?

“If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.”  “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 2:29; 4:7. 

What indwelling power keeps us from sinning?

“No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.” 1 John 3:9. (See 1 John 5:4; Genesis 39:9.)

What will the evidence of those born of the Spirit?

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  Romans 8:1.

Believing and Beholding Jesus

What is true of everyone who believes in Jesus?

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves their father loves his child as well.” 1 John 5:1. 

What change is wrought by beholding Jesus? 

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 3:18.

Note – We are slaves to sin, Jesus came down are suffered with us and for us, and delivered us. As we behold Him in His Word and in prayer and meditation, and serve Him in the person of others, we may be changed more and more into the glory of His likeness; then, if faithful, we shall someday see Him “face to face.” 

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