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Henrik J.A Kiviniemi

A b u n d a n t B l e s s i n g s o f

t h e S p i r i t u a l R e g e n e r a t i o n


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Collection of writings concerning the basics of theChristian faith in the light of the Scriptures

Abundant Blessings of

the Spiritual RegenerationCollection of writings concerning the basics of the

Christian faith in the light of the Scriptures

Henrik J.A Kiviniemi 2010

Second, extended version 2011

Memorial verse:

Because of His mercy, God saved us by thewashing of regeneration and renewing of the

Holy Spirit which He shed on us abundantlythrough Jesus Christ our Saviour

Titus 3:5-6

All rights reserved in accordance with international copyright laws

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by anymeans,

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electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or by any informationstorage andretrieval system, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, withoutpermission inwriting from the publisher/author: [email protected]

Most of the Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, unlessotherwise stated.Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English StandardVersion, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of GoodNews Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Front cover design by Marko Lind

Index:

0.1 Foreword0.2 Preface to the second, extended edition1. Why we need God and why we need regeneration?

2. How I found God3. What does it mean to be born again?4. What does it mean to be holy?

5. The infilling of the Holy Spirit: Empowering afterregeneration6. Power of the Holy Spirit in believer7. Transforming the hearts by the power of the Spirit8. Healing our inner wounds through the fruits of theregeneration9. What are the benefits of the water baptism?

10. How to become an intimate friend with Jesus11. Basis of Christian moral values12. Growing in the Christian integrity and identity13. What is the Kingdom of God?

Appendix:

- My Christological Creed- My worship psalm

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- Sinners Prayer- Anti-drug exhortation- About the author and contact information

0.1 Foreword

I have gone through many painful and wonderful events in life, which have taken me to

this point where I feel ready to represent and testify some of the glories of the Living

God. Ever since I was saved, I submitted myself to the service of the Lord. I said to Him:

Lord Jesus, if you want to save meand heal me, I will serve You in any way You see fit.

And then on the opportunities have appeared.

Thanks be the God for the fact that I have learned the profound truth in the words of the

Lord:

The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

(John 4:14b ESV).

I feel that the thankful heart of a thankful and saved sinner is something God loves. He

likes us to hear us offering thanks to Him with our lips (Hos.14:2). This is not merely

praying in secret or not only worshipping and praising in congregation which both are

good, but also to do it in such manner by which may reach the unsaved people.

Thus it seemed valid to write about the goodness and mercy that had come to me from

God. This booklet is not an autobiography though I will present some personal

experiences in a general manner. Even so, I have

written in order to present the spiritual blessings I have received from the Living andTrue God, in the light of the Scripture and sound doctrine.

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It is my sincere belief that by giving yourself entirely into the hands of the merciful

Saviour Jesus you may have abundant and exciting life. This work of mine I have

intended to be used not only as a witnessing tool for

unbelievers, but rather as and exhortation to sincere seekers who have not yet found

their peace in the Lord's Spirit, and also to my born-againbrothers and sisters, who may

feel the clouds of depression and apathy entering into their spiritual life. Hopefully thishumble presentation may

serve at least someone in their journey towards the New Jerusalem.

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with

joyful lips

- Psalm 63:5 ESV

Henrik J.A Kiviniemi,

Finland, 22th April 2010

0.2 Preface to the second, extended edition

Having received some encouraging reception from people who read this little book of

mine, and having in meantime grown in my own understanding, I decided to edit and

extend this work slightly to be more precise and thus more helpful. My vision is that this

booklet will be a life-long project and as such, able to grow even as I grow as a person

and a disciple of Jesus.

I want to underline especially the utmost need for the constant infilling of the Holy

Spirit, which is only possible if we have a living relationship with our Lord Jesus. Living

relationship with Jesus, in my understanding, is another term for saving faith. It is

written, without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). If with this work I

can be a co-worker of God in bringing at least someone into the saving faith in Jesus, my

work is not vain. From this hope originates the need to upgrade this booklet and try to

make it available to many, particularly to the mission field.

I have changed the order of some of the articles and added chapters 1, 5 and 10. I alsoremoved a short chapter named Relationship between conversion and regeneration as

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basically unnecessary repetition of things already said. Some minor changes have been

done also to other chapters.

Much more could have been done, and I am open to suggestions and critic, and also

welcome co-writers to join me in future edition, or translation to other languages (their

names mentioned upon request).

In the time I am writing this, I am already working on a third edition of this book, whichincludes chapters about Gods election and the trustworthiness of the Bible. Email me to

enquire about the availability of the new editions, as well as possible versions in other

languages.

(Finnish version, which currently differs slightly from this second, english edition, is

available currently).

I, the author, can be contacted through email: [email protected]

27th of May 2011,

in Finland,

Henrik J.A Kiviniemi, B.D.

1. Why we need God andwhy we need regeneration?

By definition, God is a supernatural being. That means something that surprasses human

understanding. Even though atheism seems a triumphing world-view in some academic

circles, the fact remains most people in the world believe there is something greater than

us. Scientists claim they have even found a gene that make us religious!

Whatever the final truth about God-gene, human history and experience shows, that

there is a great desire to find an answer to the big questions of existence, purpose of life,

what happens after we die and so on.

For me, the author, it seems reasonable to come up to conclusion, that everything we seein the nature and universe must have an Intelligent Designer. I hope to find time to write

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about the reasons why I find Judeo-Christian world-view to be both logical and true

explanation for our existence.

There is a gigantic amount of apologetical Christian literature available to those, who

want to check the facts about issues like reliability of the Bible, existence of God and the

Messiahship of Jesus of Nazareth.

(I plan to write another book on these subjects sometime in the future. Those interestedto learn more about these issues, I invite to enroll to a free Study Course on Bible, or

otherwise corresponde with me, the author: [email protected]).

Now that we start to search the Scriptures to study the topics of this book, please

check everything from your own Bible, as the noble Bereans did (see Acts 17:10-11).

Remember that everything (including this book), must be weighted on the basis of the

Word of God. (If you do not have your own Bible, please contact us

[email protected], so we can do our best to help you to get one!)

The most compelling evidence for existence of God and that Jesus of Nazareth is His Son,

alive today, is the fact that Jesus saves people even today. Many have been saved from

literal peril, even more have been saved spiritually. I have experienced both sides of

Gods saving power, of which I will give testimony in below.

Now I want to discuss, why we need to be saved at first place. First of all, few disagree

that there is, and has always been, a great amount of misery in human life on this earth.

This is also why some people refuse to believe in God. Because of the physical,emotional, psychological and spiritual corruption mankind has fallen into, which we can

verify to ourselves by watching the news, we need to be saved. Indeed we need a

Saviour.

Biblical story tells us, that God is the Creator behind everything. He created all things

and all of it was good (see Genesis 1:31). This was the original situation.

Then there came sin. Sin means everything that is against and contrary to Gods

purposes. What makes sin possible, is the fact God gave to His intelligent, self-conscious

creatures a free will to choose whether they wish to obey Him or not. This doesnt mean

God pushes anyone to sin (see James 1:13-14). God loves His creatures and wants them to

serve Him out of love.

First person that choose to serve himself rather than God was an angelic being (non-

corporeal spirit creature) commonly called Lucifer (see Isaiah 14:12 KJV). He became to

be full of pride and wanted to have for himself the worship and admiration that is

reserved solely for the God (see Ezekiel 28:12-17). Later this rebellious angel becameknown as Satan, that is an Accuser in Hebrew.

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Because of this rebellion of Lucifer, sin and suffering entered into the universe. Bible tells

us that this renegade angel incited other angels to join his rebellion. These beings became

thence forth to be known as demons.

Modern science accepts the fact that all men and women alive today are descended on

one male and one female. Biblical, Judeo-Christian tradition is, that this first couple wereknown as Adam and Eve (see Genesis 1:27; 2:7-8). Originally God created them to live in

perfect conditions on earth. They were meant to live in a beautiful garden known as

Eden (see Genesis 1:28; 2:8, 15).

But Satan was envious for God because of the worship these new creatures, human

beings gave to God. He wanted human beings to worship and serve him rather than God

(see Matthew 4:8-10, Psalm 106:36-38, 1.Corinthians 10:20). It could be, that he was also

bitter because of his pride, for his appointment to be a servent of Adam and Eve in the

garden he was originally in charge for (see Ezekiel 28:13, Hebrews 1:14).

Whichever the final reasons for his rebellion, Satan disguised himself as a serpent (see

Genesis 3:1, Revelation 20:2) and seduced Eve, and Adam through her to break the only

commandment God had given the first human couple, that they should not eat from a

certain tree in the center of the garden of Eden (see Genesis 3:1-15).

Breaking the law of God brought sin into the world and thus death and suffering. Bible

tells us of this:

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon

all men, for that all have sinned Romans 5:12.

God could have destroyed the original rebels first-hand, and many people have

wondered throughout the ages why He didnt. There are no easy or final answers to this

questions in this world, but there are some things worthy to consider.

First, to have a freedom of choise, freedom of will is a first and foremost quality one must

have to be an intelligent being that is conscious of its existence. God created human

beings in His image (see Genesis 1:26-27). To be something like God means to be able to

make personal decisions and be creative. To be able to love out of their free will,

intellingent beings must have an ability to choose not to love God.

So it is, that God created angels and men to have an ability to choose whether or not to

love and obey Him (see Deuteronomy 30:19, Joshua 24:15, Proverbs 1:29, Isaiah 7:15).

Unfortunately, as we have seen some chose to follow their own ways instead of Gods.

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Now, besides that Satan seduced our foreparents and a multitude of the heavenly host to

rebel against God, he also claimed that people would serve God only to have personal

benefit from Him, and not out of love. In the case of Job, he truly shew his character as an

accuser of brethren (see Rev.12:10, Job 1:9-11). He said that Job, a wealthy man served

God only because of the blessings and protection God gave to him, but that he would

forfeit his faith if only God would withdrew His protection.

In the case of Job Satan was proven wrong. Even more so was he proven wrong in the lifeof Jesus the Messiah, who never sinned against the God (see 2.Corinthians 5:21,

Philippians 2:8) .

Now, because of the sin that entered into the world of men, all people are under the

curse of sin (see Romans 5:12,17, Genesis 3:16-19). God warned Adam of the dire

consequenses of disobedience:

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely

eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that

thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Genesis 2:16-17.

Bible underlines the seriousness of sin elsewhere and says that sin brings penalty of

death:

The soul that sinneth, it shall die! Ezekiel 18:20.

the wages of sin is death Romans 6:23.

I have found there to be three attributes in the death sentence God gave to Adam and

Eve for their disobedience. First is the physical death: Adam and Eve would not have

needed to die lest they had sinned, because God had created also the Tree of Life whereof

they could have had eaten if only did theyd be proven obedient (see Genesis 3:22).

Second is the spiritual death: the Spirit of God fled from the sinners and left them

spiritually blind and dead (see Ephesians 2:1, 2.Corinthians 1:9-10; 5:14). Thirdly, there is

also a sinister warning of an escatological, second death that is reserved for those who

persist in their rebellion against God, and which is executed in the Last Judgement (see

Hebrews 10:27, 2.Peter 2:9; 3:7, Revelation 20:6, 13-14).

In this book we shall concentrate in the spiritual death that is upon mankind. We shall

summarize that because mankind is subjected to spiritual death, which was not its

original state before the Fall, there is a need for spiritual revival, a regeneration.

It is implied in the Bible, that Satan also wants people to believe that God is a tyrant, who

will not deliver them from the curse God inflicted upon them (see Job 4:17-18). There are

many faces of this lie: one says we have to earn our own freedom, other maintains there

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is no need for deliverance, while some say God simply will not interfere in our lives. This

is a lie and in contrarary to the promise God made to our foreparents:

I will put enmity between thee [the Serpent] and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed;

it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Genesis 3:15

[Note that it was womans seed and thusly the Messiah Jesus was born of a woman

without physical father, see Matthew 1:23].

Later God promised to Abraham that this bruiser of the Serpents head would become of

his seed:

In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Genesis 22:18.

How did Abraham obey God? Because he did not deny his son, but was ready to sacrifice

him because of Gods commandment (read Genesis 22:11-16). He shew extraordianary

faith in the power of God. It is said:

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises

offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received

him in a figure. Hebrews 11:17-19.

This was a typology of God the Father and Messiah Jesus. God did not deny His Only-begotten Son to be sacrificed for the sins of the world, and the Son willingly obeyed.

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. John 3:16.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. - - Therefore doth my

Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me,

but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This

commandment have I received of my Father. John 10:11, 17-18.

Abraham shew faith in God answering to Isaacs question where the sacrifice is: My son,

God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering (Gen.22:8). When John the Baptist saw

Jesus he said: Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29.

So it was Gods plan to raise up a seed from among the mankind, which would be among

His chosen people, that came to be Israel. Jesus is the ultimate representator and goal of

that seed. Bible says:

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Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many;

but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Galatians 3:16.

Why then is it so, that the promised Messiah had to die?

Bible tells us that sin of Adam brought death upon us:

For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of

grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.Romans 5:17

Through Adam we inherit spiritual death. Our innermost being, our spirit if you allow, is

in the state of death, and as we shall see in later chapters, Gods Spirit can regenerate it.

But there is yet more to be dealt with as we discuss the death of Christ.

Satan had claimed that no-one would succeed keeping Gods laws. God had given His

law to the sons of Israel as a testimony of His will (see the peak of His law, the Decalogue

in Exodus 20:1-19, see also Romans 3:20). Both the New Testament and Rabbinic Judaism

maintain, that breaking one commandment of the law is tantamount to breaking the

whole law:

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

James 2:10

Now Jesus kept the whole law and died in sinless state:

For he [God] hath made him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made

the righteousness of God in him. 2.Corinthians 5:20

And being found in fashion as a man, he [Jesus] humbled himself, and became obedient unto

death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:8.

Because Jesus kept the law of God, He was proven to be righteous. His obedience

proofed Satans claims to be without credence.

The divine death sentence which belongs to us, was carried by Jesus on our behalf. To

make more clear what Jesus did for us and why, consider this: There was a case in Nazi

Germany, that there was a Catholic Priest in concentration camp. Now a Jewish man was

chosen to be killed, but the priest volunteered to be killed instead of him and thusly was

killed.

In this the priest imitated Jesus' sacrificial love. Jesus died for us, so that we would not

have to be spiritually dead anymore, and that we would escape the terrible fiery

perdition and live forever in His glory in the New Heavens and the New Earth as weshould have lived lest the Fall had happened.

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Bible tells us about the work Christ did for us in the Calvary:

God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them

2.Corinthians 5:19.

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them thatbelieve: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being

justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set

forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission

of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God Romans 3:22-25.

In His law He gave to children of Israel, God had ordained that the innocent animals

would have to be sacrificed instead of the sins of people. Because He had ordained and

told in Eden, that those who sin shall die, then it is logical to understand that blood hasto be shed to have any hope for the remission from sin. We read:

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no

remission. Hebrews 9:22.

It became obvious that no-one could keep the whole law, because of our inherent sin. But

the law is good! This is to make us understand that we simply cant satisfy Gods justice

by our own deeds. So, in a way, the law became a curse that shew our faults. This is

how Jesus became also solution for this.

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written,

Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree Galatians 3:13

For Christ is the end [fulfillment] of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For

Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things

shall live by them. Romans 10:4-5.

There is yet another aspect of the work of Christ in Calvary. By laying up His life, Hepaid ransom for us. Bible says:

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave

himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. -1.Timothy 2:5-6.

Ransom means a corresponding price. Adam is our forefather. He sold us into bondage

of sin (see Romans 5:12,17). Adam was created in the image of God and is called a son of

God (see Luke 3:38). Now Jesus was an unique, Only-begotten Son of God even prior

His incarnation. But He became a man, was born fully human, just without sin, like

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Adam was in Eden prior to his fall. Adam fell, Jesus did not, though He was tempted in

every way like the Bible testifies:

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but

[Jesus] was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15.

How did Jesus pay this ransom, the wages of sin? By dying for us. This was prophesiedhundreds of year before He was born:

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten

of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our

iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. - - 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. Isaiah 53:4-5, 10.

Mankind needed a new legal father (in Gods jusitice system) instead of Adam who fell.

It was prophesied that the Messiah would be this new father of mankind (see Isaiah 9:6;

53:10). The divine revelation (Bible) gives us more insight on this:

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. - - And so it is written, The first

man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

1.Corinthians 15:22, 45

Because Jesus died and is risen from the grave, we are now able to become adopted to

His family, the family of Israel and its royal Davidic line, but even unto the family of

God (see Galatians 4:5, Ephesians 1:5, 1.Peter 2:9, Revelation 5:10)!

Bible tells us how gentiles (those who are not of Israel by the physical descendence) are

reconsiled to Israel through the Messiah:

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For

he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition

between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in

ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace. And that he might

reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. Ephesians

2:13-16.

Thusly we have all the spiritual rights of Israel. In the Kingdom of the next Age we will

also inherit the earth and be kings and priests in it because we participate in the family of

David through Jesus, to whose family was promised perpetual kingship.

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Physical Israel is also reconciled to their Messiah through His sacrificial death, and

eschatologically we anticipate the removal of the veil from their eyes so they will receive

Jesus as their Messiah. (Let it be said as a side notice that there is only one New Covenant

between God and men, and that Jews and non-Jews alike are accepted in it only through

faith in Jesus Christ).

Resurrection and ascencion of Jesus made the Holy Spirit available for all. Thus after thefirst Messianic Pentecost countless multitude of people have been regenerated as New

Creatures through the ministry of Holy Spirit.

To summarize the message I have meant to deliver in this chapter, let us yet briefly make

short narrative:

Gods plan for salvation is a wholistic plan. God allowed rebellion, because He is Love

and does not want to force anyone to serve Him. He has given Satan and mankind time

to wander in their own paths.

God had a plan for the salvation of mankind through the promised Deliverer, Messiah.

First, God saved Noah and his family and gave them outlines of His will in the so-called

Noachide (or Rainbow) Covenant. Then God chose Abraham and his son Isaac, and his

son Jacob to be a vessels and types for the promised seed. Later God chose David as

king of Israel.

Of the root of David came Jesus, who was the Son of Man and the Son of God, both in

one person. Jesus paid the wages of sin in the cross and was risen from grave on the thirdday.

Through the faith in Jesus we can be absolved from our sins and be reconsiled to God

and adopted to His family. In future, Jesus will come back to this earth with His saints

establishing His Kingdom and regenerating this planet into original, Edenic condition.

Adoption into the family of God opens the divine treasury of spiritual blessings even in

this life and everlastingly in the world to come. It is the only solution for the problem of

spiritual death, (and indeed to all of our problems).

In the next chapter I will give details how I, the author became adopted into Gods

family.

There is yet questions left. Most are answered in the Holy Bible. Some will be answered,

(with the Bible), in the chapters below, all are answered in the Age to come.

It is my sincere desire that some would be touched by the Holy Spirit through my

ministry and this book.

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~

2. How I found God?

Though I will not go into my life, past and present in full detail at this time, I feel that

this book would indeed not be

so profound without any testimony in my part. So let us see what happened to me and

what I went through to find God.

When writing this, I am 27 years young (in 2010). I have known the biblical stories since

my childhood in some what religious home. My parents tried their best to raise me as amoral person. I even made a knowing decision to follow Jesus at the age of 12, after

reading the New Testament the Gideons gave us at school.

Even so, I found the world a very hostile and unjust place to live even at a young age.

Like Moses who killed the Egyptian, I chose the wrong methods to fight the numerous

faults and injustices of the world. So I rebelled against

the rules and laws and eventually found myself being a part of the problem of the

world's all evil myself.

This was not because I would not believe in God or that He wants men to lead a moral

life. It was because I lacked the true knowledge of Him and that I did not know how to

truly let Him to live in my heart.

I had slowly transformed from a nice and good intended boy into a violent and hateful

person. I committed many sorts of crimes, mostly involving physical violence, guns and

drugs. I went to prison a few times. I remember that always when I was either in jail or in

prison, I sought God and read His Word. Boy did I read it, yes I read the Word

Very thoroughly and with the help of many translation and other tools during myimprisonment.

Despite that, I did not truly know the Lord and could not submit myself fully to Him.

Thus I failed to receive the New Spirit from Him, but had to went through many horrible

events in my life.

But God in His Omniscience saw my heart's desire and hunger to know Him. He sent His

angels many times to save me from certain death.

One particular event that made me think about life and it's meaning was after I played

the Russian Roulette - pointed the revolver with one cartridge inside it at my own headabout fifteen times. Last time the cartridge was there, but the bullet just didn't fire!

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May the reason be whatever, to me it was and still is a clear sing of God's mercy and

benevolence to me. This was certainly not the first or last case something like that

happened to me, but I save the rest for perhaps to another occasion.

So I wandered the world wreaking havoc in my own life and that of others. Then I

reached a point when I was utterly exhausted physically and emotionally. I felt I was

coming in to end of my life. I was living in a world of constant presence of the death. Iknew I had not used the gift of life as it was meant and I felt sorry for it. I did believe

already in God and in Jesus, and knew that Bible was the Word of God, but for some

reason I had not had the power to give up the sin. Therefore I was very disappointed in

myself and in religion. So I just gave up and prayed one night at my own chamber

something like this:

Lord Jesus, if you want to save me and give me power to live life as God has meant men to live it,

I want to believe You can. I'm giving up everything to You and if You show me mercy, I will

serve You on Your conditions the rest of my life.

The next morning I woke up I found my conscience clear as crystal and white as snow. I

felt like I had recovered from a life-long spiritual death.

That was the beginning of my life as a New Creature. Hallelujah!

~

3. What does it mean to be born again?

This is one of the very first issues I faced as a New Creature. The funny thing was, that at

first I was so much influenced by High Church theology (that is, Christianity that was

transformed into a state religion) that I failed to understand I was in fact regenerated by

the Spirit. Even though this had happened de facto I did not understand it before certain

brother hinted me to look at at John chapter 3.

So I did and soon I wrote this article.

KEYVERSE:

"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." - John 3:3

Here Jesus was speaking to the pharisee named Nicodemus. These words of the Lord

Jesus are quite clear. However the interpretation of the issue in Scriptures is varied. As

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the true seeker seeks thereal truth, instead of picking doctrine there, abandoning one here

just on the basis os his or her personal amusement, one of

the honest heart ought to seek the God's truth.

The issue of Christian rebirth should not be taken lightly, as we read the Lord's words.

To be born again means to be assured the entrance and inheritance of the Kingdom of

God. It is written:

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of

adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we

are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so

be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." - Romans 8:15-17.

Thus we are assured by the Living Spirit of God, who dwells in us, that we are the

children of God, when we have been saved, we have taken Jesus Christ as our Savior andgiven our whole life totally to God. It is also, as we read, the testimony of the Scripture.

How then, is one born again? Some say that it happens when the priest sprinkles (or

pours) water three times to the forehead of baby child (doctrine ofbaptismal regeneration).

But that custom tends to give suggestion that it is up to parents and priests to assure one

of spiritual rebirth. It may even bring people to false sense of being under the mercy of

God. Lord said:

"Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.- -Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall

enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." -

Matthew 7:17,20-21

So, if the sprinkling of babies brings the assurance of salvation, then most of the people

even today in Christian world ought to bear good fruit. Is it so? What do we see in news?

Prisons and brothels are full of people who have been baptized as a child. Does their

behavior testify

they have been Born Again from above? Surely not. True and genuine rebirth includes

things and brings the fruit which is written by Paul:

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living

sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to

this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that

good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." - Romans 12:1-2.

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How then do we achieve this? Is this salvation by works?

The real and factual event of Rebirth takes place, when one truly takes Jesus for his or her

personal savior. This includes, as I wrote before, that we give the fullness of ourselves to

the LORD. Accepting the atoning work of Christ as a substitute Lamb for our sins makes

us

righteous before the eyes of God the Father. Thus we also receive the Holy Spirit, when

we take Jesus.

Rebirth is "from above", it is the miraculous work of God and not of man. We cannot

choose to be born again, but ought to expect it, if we give ourselves to Him. God makes

us New Men. Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, made it very clear that it is

not something we can achieve through rituals.

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor

uncircumcision, but a new creature." - Galatians 6:15

Let us now consider what else Jesus said to Nicodemus:

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. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is

born of the Spirit is spirit." - John 3:5-6

Now, those who over-emphasize the sacramental aspect of the baptism may say that here

Jesus clearly institutes the sacrament of baptism, by which the rebirth occurs. The context

and the whole of the Bible does not allow this kind of interpretation. Jesus also said, aswritten down by the same apostle John:

"Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee,

Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." -

John 4:10

Jesus was speaking to a Samaritan woman, who was did not yet believe in Him. Thus he

used the symbolism of water as that of the truth about salvation trough Him. Jesus is

giving us the Living Water, the faith which brings the Spirit of God also to us. Thus it

seems normative in the light of the Scriptures that one takes the Christian water baptism

after he or she has been Born Again. As such, the baptism serves as an outward sing of

the fact one is

already saved, and gives assurance of that, as we testify our salvation by the outward act

of baptism to ourselves, the church, the world and to the invisible powers.

Now, to summarize the work of the Lord, who gives the salvation to us as a free gift,

which we can take or abandon let us read:

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"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that

believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of

man, but of God." - John 1:12,13.

By the will of God, we are born again and can call God Abba, our Father. In perfect love

there's no fear, like John wrote later on. We are New Creatures in Christ. Thus we are His

joint-heirs waiting to receive from Him all which He has. This includes a new body at theDay of His Coming (Romans 8:11, 1.Corinthians 15:14-54, 1.Thessalonians 4:13-17.).

This is beautiful and joyful hope of the Christians.

~

4. What does it mean to be holy?

As the Lord's elect, the Church, or the Ecclesia (called-out ones) is set apart from the

world and sin. The very word "kadosh" in Hebrew, which is translated holy, means "set-

apart". Jesus himself said: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is

perfect." (Mat.5:48).

Of course we cannot become sinless and thus perfect in every sense of the word. That iswhy we have to examine what are the prerequisites of becoming holy in the eyes of God.

This subject is very closely linked to the whole of salvation. First step to holiness is to

become righteous. This is recorded in the Scripture:

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every

one that believeth"

- Romans 1:16a

Thus God saves us through our faith in Jesus Christ. He sees us holy, because Jesus was

holy and sinless.

"And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,

even death on a cross.

- Philippians 2:8 ESV

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name [than that of Jesus] under

heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."- Acts 4:12

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How can we achieve this position in the eyes of God? How can we take

Jesus? Bible tells us:

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. " -

Romans 13:14 ESV

It is clear that we must clothe ourselves with Lord Jesus. This is not merely calling HimLord and claiming namely His Lordship. We read this in His words:

"Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me

will be loved by my Father, and I will love him andmanifest myself to him" - John 14:21 ESV

It is not about our fleshly strength that we can obey God's

commandments, but through the power of the Holy Spirit. We receive this power, when

we are Born Again. Even so, we have to choose obeying, instead of rebellion. But the

power by which this is achieved is given by God.

"Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receivewith meekness

the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." - James 1:21 ESV

For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth,

despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit."

- 1.Thessalonians 4:7-8

It is a testimony of the Holy Spirit in us, that the commandments of God are not burden

for us. As New Creatures, we desire to do God's will willingly, out of love. This is said

also in the Scripture:

"for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love. I will lift up my hands toward your

commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes. " - Psalm 119:47-48 ESV

It is an outward sign of testimony about us being saved, when we delight in the LORD's

statutes and keep them. Jesus said that they become to us a Law of Love. Thus the world

knows we are Lord's, when they see we are holy, set-apart from the world. No longer

does the flesh rule over us!

For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in

our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are released from the law, having died to that

which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the

written code.

- Romans 7:5-6 ESV

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"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also

are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for

one another." John 13:34-35 ESV

~

5. Infilling of the Holy Spirit: Empowering after regeneration

Now that we have concluded what is to be born again, (i.e to be regenerated) in the

chapter above, we will consider another work that the Holy Spirit is willing to do in our

hearts. I have achieved understanding from the Scriptures, backed up by experiences,

that the infilling, also called baptism of the Holy Spirit is a work distinct of the

regeneration. Baptism in the Spirit is a means of God to empower a believer, subsequent to

his or her salvation, to the work of God.

To present this issue in a short, easily comprehensible and biblical manner, we will thus

commend by considering the twelve disciples. They were all saved, born again believers in

Jesus. But before their initial baptism in the Spirit they lacked the empowering to work

efficiently for the Lord.

Peter, for example, was eager to follow Jesus, but when the real thing came, denied Him(see Matthew 26:69-75).

Shortly before this, Jesus had promised to send a divine Comforter to the disciples (see

John 14:16,26) and that He would not come before Jesus Himself would go away (John

16:7).

Just prior to His ascencion, Jesus instructed His disciples concerning the coming of the

promised power/Comforter:

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem,

until ye be endued with power from on high - Luke 24:49

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from

Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John

truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. - -

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses

unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the

earth. Acts 1:4-5,8

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We see the great in Peters profession of faith prior and after his infilling of the Spirit. Let

us consider his weakness in the High Priests palace:

Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with

Jesus of Galilee.

But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out

into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was alsowith Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a

while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for

thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And

immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him,Before

the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:69-

75.

Jesus had predicted the weakness of His disciples (Mat.26:31). The Lord knew Hisdisciples did not yet have thepower to boldly stand for Him. That is why He instructed

them just prior to His ascencion: He commanded them that they should not depart from

Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father (Acts 1:4).

He had told about the Promise of the Father already many times. Maybe at this point the

disciples started to anticipate the Spirit actively. Jesus had said:

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your

heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? - Luke 11:13.

The Lord Jesus knew that the Spirit would not be poured upon the believers til He was

on this earth. Many times did He speak of the future outpouring, so that the disciples

could anticipate it:

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living

water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy

Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) John 7:38-39.

Now that He was about to ascend to the heavens of God, He told the disciples wait just

for a little while. Then the promise would be fullfilled, and disciples would be filled in

the very essence and presence of God YHWH.

Of this event we read from the book of Acts:

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And

suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house

where they were sitting.

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And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And

they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave

them utterance. Acts 2:1-4.

Let us now consider the change and impact the Holy Spirit made on Peter. Not very long

ago he had denied his Master. Though he was willing to follow his Lord even unto death,

he didnt have the divine empowering to actually achieve that. Now that he had receivedthe infilling, let us see the power that abided in him as he started his apostolic ministry:

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of

Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For

these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that

which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will

pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your

young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and onmy handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: - -

This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of

God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth

this, which ye now see and hear. - -

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye

have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

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?

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. 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.

And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this

untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day

there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

- Acts 2:14-18, 32-33, 36-41

Now there was the divinepower in the words of Peter! People were pricked in their

heart and three thousand people were baptized and added to the community of

believers. What a difference! What a power!

Let us all pray for this same power, so that many would be saved even through our

ministry! God is still using His people in the way He used the apostles. We just have to

diligently ask Him to infill us and empower us to His ministry.

Later on, this power continued in Peters ministry and others received the Spirit same

way he had received:

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And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then

remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall

be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Acts 10:15-16.

Let us yet briefly see what apostle Paul wrote, divinely inspired, about the infilling of the

Spirit:

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. 1.Cor.12:13

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to

yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to

the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord

Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God Eph.5:18-21

The whole book of Acts is actually a wonderful (and true) record of the work of the Holy

Spirit in the building of the early Church of God, through the apostles (emissaries,

ambassadors) of Jesus. From it we read about the boldness in which the believers

testified of their risen Lord Jesus, defying death and imprisonment. Let us consider

Stephen for example:

And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of

the Holy Ghost - - And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among

the people. Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of theLibertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with

Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. - - But he,

being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus

standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of

man standing on the right hand of God. - - And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and

saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay

not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 6:5a, 8-10, 55-56,

59-60

Stephen became the first martyr of the Christian Church. He was so full of the Holy

Spirit, that even during his brutal and unjust execution he interceded for his murderers:

Lord, lay not this sin to their charge..

Not all of us will have to pay the ultimate price of following Jesus. Some of us may. With

the Power from on High we can fight the good fight.

Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for

the battle is not yours, but God's. 2.Chron.20:15.

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Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole

armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not

against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the

darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. - - And take the helmet of

salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer

and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for

all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to

make known the mystery of the gospel. Eph.6:10-12, 17-19.

The gift of the Spirit is reserved for all of us, all that have been regenerated by the power

of God. There is much more that could be said about the infilling of the Spirit. I will

summarize some issues that usually confuse believers when they consider this subject:

-

The infilling of the Spirit is subsequent and distinct phenomenon from the regeneration.Sometimes the infilling may take place immediately after the regeneration, but never

before it. (See Acts 10:44-47; 19:4-6).

- The infilling of the Spirit is important aspect of the Christian life, but it does not add any

extra merit to the salvation that is already achieved by the sovereing grace of God. We receive

the Spirit of God in our regeneration, though we may not be yet infillied with Him. We

will need the constant infilling, so that we may be spiritually awake to anticipate the

return of the Lord(see Matthew 25:1-12), but the infilling in itself does not add

anything to our salvation, which is solely invested on us through faith in thesubstitutionary death of Jesus.

- Only this understanding of the subsequent infilling will make the book of Acts make sense to

us. With our understanding on the subject of regeneration, combined with the

understanding of the subsequent infilling in the Spirit, we will find the Bible a

consistent book, especially considering its soteriology (that is, the things conserning

salvation) and pneumatology (that is, the things conserning the Holy Spirit).

Now that we have peeked in the subject of the infilling in the Spirit, let us start praying

God, so that He would send His Comforter on us. The Spirit will empower us to follow

Jesus, serve and worship God, live a full and meaningful life, thus letting us to reap the

fullness of the abundance of the blessings of the regeneration! Holy Spirit is available for us

24/7. Let us desire Him. Let us plea Him for us. Let us live in Him.

For in him we live, and move, and have our being.

Acts 17:18a

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~

6.Power of the Holy Spirit in believer

As Christians we have 24-7 instant access to the most large

power source of the Universe. As we were born again and as we are daily renewed and

infilled by the Spirit, we have the Almighty God living inside us through His Holy Spirit

(see John 14:16). That makes us vessels of the most noble Being in the Universe and

beyond! That gives us sweet assurance and inner affirmation ofEternal Life which we

already have started to live.

Unlike earthly and humanly power sources, the communion with the Spirit does not

slow and will not cease by any reason aside if we personally quit the contract with Him. I

have prayed many times, Oh Lord, make me a better vessel to carry You Spirit. Make

me able to shine Your Light. That He does, but we have a free will to let or not let God

change and transform us daily more and more into His image.

The Spirit works through the Word. He reminds us of the Word of God and never does

He tell us anything with is not in accordance with the Bible. But in the Word we have life,

because the written Word is all about the Ever-living Word the Son! Here lies the secret of

the true authority of the believer. Not that we move the Spirit, but that the Spirit remindsus of the Words of God the Father and of the Son. Of this the Lord Jesus said:

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall

teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

(John 14:26).

This is closely linked to what Jesus told in the same speech:

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. (John 14:14). If we live in accordance with

the Spirit, we will not ask God to satisfy our selfish desires, but to glorify Himself in us

and through us. Jesus continued: If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15). Also

He said in another occasion:

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal

shall we be clothed?

(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have

need of all these things.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be addedunto you. - Mat.6:31-33

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Here we have the truth about the earthly success. We indeed are promised to be

supplied all we need, but surely a born again child of God does not need all the material

luxuries that this world seeks. Rather we must direct our heart's deepest desire towards

the aims of the Kingdom.

When we came to faith and grow in it, theperson of the Holy Spirit becomes familiar tous. Our relationship with Him becomes intimate and profound. Indeed I did not

understand that the Spirit is a person. I even did not understand that I had a separate

part in my being, that is my spirit. Only when the Spirit of God came upon me and began

live inside me, did I come aware of these awesome truths fully. Surely a person who does

not know personally God, cannot appreciate or truly comprehend His person. Even so,

we children of God have an eternity to learn about our God. That is the true power of

Him that has saved us!

~

7. Transforming the hearts by the power of the Spirit

Cradle of life came to earth in human vesture. He took upon Himself the genome of

human. Apparently He had to change the genetic formula of man to do this. Thus the

Divine merged with the corporeal, beginning the salvatory work of Incarnation. What awonderful mystery it is that is revealed to us in the Bible! And knowing and believing that

Jesus died as a sacrificial Lamb for our sins and then was resurrected and ascended to

heaven, now is living

eternally and we with Him!

After His ascension He sent His Spirit to us to lead us to all truth. We read: Thus it is

written, "The first man

Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving

spirit. (1.Co.15:45).

Now, if you believe this and have been regenerated, you can easily imagine yourself as a

God's vessel. You are the vessel of the Holy Spirit and therefore also a messenger of God:

You are invested with a power and will to proclaim the Good News! Isn't it the greatest

privilege imaginable to be a vessel of God and see the most powerful force in the universe

to quicken the spiritually dead people? Isn't it the most profound longing one can have,

to be an instrument of the Regenerating Spirit and see the Cradle of Life to

establish Himself in fellow men and women?

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It is my sincere belief that every person who is born again receives the will and power to

pass on the life-giving knowledge of the Gospel.

Willyou let others to know about the grace you have received? Will you carry the torch

of Eternal Light in this world of darkness?

Lord said that a city found on a hill cannot remain hidden. So it is with people of God.

Our salvation willbecome manifest! If we only follow the calling we received, we will

daily see miracles, small and great in our lives and in the lives of those we encounter.Then and only then we will see the true power of God which moves mountains!

Becoming doers of the word and not only hearers shall we partake in the radical process

which the Spirit is making in transforming the

hearts of all who are willing to receive God's salvation in Jesus Christ, freely because of

His grace.

We must daily renew our covenant with God and Jesus. That is the secret of success in

our spiritual life and it's development. This is the secret longing in the hearts of every

living human being.

~

8. Healing our inner wounds through the fruits of Spiritual regeneration

Usually some of our inner wounds are healed when the Spirit of God regenerates us,

(that is, when we are saved). So the paranoia, hatred, jealousy and other issues maybehealed completely or partially when our personal cosmology and our priorities have

transformed from self-centered to Christ-centered.

I am not now saying that this is a rule that always follows,

but rather it is something I have seen both in my own life and the lives of many others.

(At the same time we should not try to put Gods work into patterns. Some people are

healed completely, some partially, some instantly, some gradually, while some may not

find themselves healed in this Age. Still all of these may be just as spiritual as the other).

Before the regeneration had happened, we actually knew only our body and our soul

(psykhe), but didn't truly know our spirit. Our spirit is what interacts with God and thirsts

God's presence. That is why we didn't know ourselves truly before we came to know the

Lord. So it is written "For in him we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:28a).

As our innermost self, our spirit is regenerated, it starts radiating to our psyche and even

our bodies. Thus we may be instantly or slowly healed, or both. This cures some of our

trauma. Also this affects to the timely consequences of romantic and sexual trauma and

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other damage in this area. This helps us to grow spiritually and be vessels to carry the

Holy Spirit to others.

This all is started in our Regeneration by the Spirit. This is even so a continual, ongoing

process also that takes place daily, as we daily take our cross and follow Jesus. Even so,

our spiritual regeneration was a one-time event that we confirm daily in our lives. This is

pure cure to our wounds, our bad habits and fleshly desires that try to rule us instead ofChrist.

Many times secular life-management and self-help guides center on our problems. Jesus

shows us that whatever our problem is, He is the Solution, the Final Solution of God.

That is why the true Christianity centers always on the person, work and teachings of

Jesus Christ and so it is a solution-centered "life philosophy" - (Actually being rather an

Ultimate Manual to success from the Creator of everything).

Our new birth to new creatures in Christ is both a one-time

phenomenon and also an ongoing process which we must confirm daily, as we lead the

Christian life in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As we so walk in the glorious light of the

glorious Majesty, we may own the comforting words:

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans forwelfare and not for evil, to give

you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV.

~

9. What are the benefits of the water baptism?

As we have seen in the chapter "What does it mean to be born again?", spiritual regeneration

does not come at the moment of baptism. Rather, it happens when we acknowledge and

accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and personally submit to the will of God (1.Peter 4:2).

Faith brings regeneration by the Holy Spirit and also

causes the Holy Spirit to indwell us.

"Of his own will He begot us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his

creations." - James 1:18 ESV

"That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might

receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." - Galatians 3:14 ESV

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I haven't found anything in the Bible, that allows the interpretation that we are

regenerated through the sacrament of baptism in itself. It is true that immediately after

the Lord Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove

(Matthew 3:16). It seems clear that it had to be a sign of the Father's favor to those who

saw it, since surely our Lord as both God and man had to have the Spirit in Him even

before baptism. We read in the Gospel according to Luke that he was conceived by the

Holy Spirit (Luke 1:31-35).

Also it is believed by many sacramental/liturgical churches and others, that infant

baptism brings salvation from the Original Sin. The Holy Scriptures say however, that

the blood of Christ gives salvation from sin, original and personal (Revelation 1:5), not

the baptism.

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the

blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin." - 1 John 1:7 ESV

Baptism means to ask a pure conscience from God (1 Peter 3:21), that is it's "sacramental"

dimension. But the actual baptism is outward sign of the salvation which is already

achieved through the Holy Spirit as a gift from God which comes to us by faith

(Ephesians 2:8).

Accordingly then, baptism is an act of obedience to God. As a person becomes a child of

God, he or she will have the desire to keep God's commandments out of love and

appreciation (John 14:15).It is written:

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not

grievous." - 1 John 5:3 ESV

It is a clear commandment of the Lord Jesus, that we baptize believers:

"Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of

the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have

commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

- Matthew 28:19-20 ESV

So it seems obvious that the person who takes Jesus as his or her personal savior, ought

to have an appreciative and obedient heart, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thus one

will seek to do the Lord's will.

As we read in the Scriptures, baptism is one such commandment directly from the Lord.Even though baptism itself does not bring the salvation, it is nevertheless taught by the

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Lord that we should be baptized and so the actual act of baptism is a sign and testimony

of our salvation, both to ourselves and to the world and even to the powers of darkness

(Mark 16:16)!

It is promised that doing God's will brings also His blessing (Revelation 22:14). And to

the born again son or daughter of God, it is

natural to want to please our heavenly Father. Obedience itself is themost valuable blessing.

To summarize some of the fundamental benefits of baptism, they are:

- Pure conscience which God gives us (through the faith in Jesus, which includes keeping

his commandments, baptism being one of them) (1.Peter 3:21)

- Joy which is given by the Holy Spirit for following God's

commandments (Romans 15:13)

- Knowledge that we are saved which thus becomes more affirmed, since it is written so

(Mark 16:16)

Let us then briefly examine some of the "symbolism" in baptism. Simultaneously it raises

the question of the form of the baptism - is it by sprinkling or pouring or rather by

immersion.

It is written in the Scriptures about the meaning of baptism:

"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from

the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

- Romans 6:4 RSV

"Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the

operation of God, who has raised him from the dead." - Colossians 2:12 ESV

It is clear from the above Scriptures, that this symbolism can be properly achieved only

by immersion in water - symbolizing our old self buried in Christ's death - and raising

from the water symbolizing regeneration in the new life in Christ and promise of the

resurrection to immortality. Also, it is interesting to note, that all the baptisms of the New

Testament were done in the water, (not only with the water).

"And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and

they came, and were baptized." - John 3:23 ESV

(Note: why baptize there, if only a mug full of water would be sufficient?)

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"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water..." - Matthew 3:16a

ESV (Note: Jesus came out of the water, it was no pouring or sprinkling)

"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? - - And when they were come up out of the water, the

Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip..." - Acts 8:36,39a ESV (Note: they came to the spot of

natural water, a pond perhaps. They came out of the water)

There are also ample evidences that the original Greek word used in the New Testament

for baptism, that is "baptizoo", means "to dip in", "to immerse". It is easy to find more

information about the exegesis and linguistic evidence, if you do not find this sufficient

evidence.

Should we then baptize infant children? Scripture says about baptism:

"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the

name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." - Acts 8:12 ESV (Note: the

people heard and obviously understood the Gospel of the Kingdom, and then they were

baptized. Little children do not yet understand the Gospel).

"He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned." - Mark

16:16 ESV (Note: this Scripture shows us that faith has to precede the baptism. Also we

see that baptism gives us the assurance of salvation)

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added untothem about three thousand souls." - Acts 2:41 ESV (Note: Is an infant child gladly receiving

the word?)

Infants are saved by the blood of Jesus. The blood of Jesus is sufficient to save the world

from the punishment due to the Original Sin (Revelation 1:5). Also, little children have

not yet committed any personal sins which need to be reconciled with God.

"And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked

those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them,

Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."

Mark 10:13-14 ESV

More so, as Christians we can have even greater assurance that our little children are

saved through our faith, since it written:

"For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by

the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy." - 1 Corinthians 7:14 ESV

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Dear brother or sister in Christ. If you have been "baptized" as a child, please consider

the Scriptures given above and search your Bible

about the topic. Read the Acts of the Apostles with a pure heart and then say you do not

need to be immersed, have a Biblical baptism.

Yes, you are right thinking that the salvation does not come from works; not by our act of

baptism or that we should "play" God by "saving" children by baptism.

The author has had many spiritual benefits and Joy of the Spirit after having Biblical

baptism by immersion, after first becoming a child of God, adopted to the household of

God, family of kings and priests of our God. Examine this issue from your Bible and ask

the Lord that He may enlighten your path. If you become aware of the true joy which

comes from obedience, you will be glad to get baptized!

(If you wish to be baptized you may contact me, the author, and I can baptize you, or I

can help you to find a church and/or minister who will baptize you biblically).

Contact: [email protected]

10. How to become an intimate friend with Jesus

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my

friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have

called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring

forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my

name, he may give it you.

These things I command you, that ye love one another.

John 15:13-17

When we are regenerated, indeed when we become born again, we are adopted to the

family of God (see Ephesians 1:5, Romans 8:15). Jesus is our brother (see Hebrews 2:11).

Much of the growing in the Christian faith and in relationship with our Saviour is

actually to achieve a deeper understanding of these facts.

Our father Abraham was also called a friend of God. We read:

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And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him

for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. - James 2:23

Here we find the basis of the relationship: We must believe in God. This is in accordance

with another Scripture:

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

We must also believe God, believe what He says. Everything Jesus says, is what God says

(John 5:30; 7:16; 15:15), that is why Jesus speaks with authority, and calls us His friends

if we do whatsoever He commands us (John 15:14).

This is rational way even in earthly relationships: If we love someone, well try toplease him/her. Of course we dont earn Jesus love by obeying His commandments. On

the contrary, the love He invests in us through the Holy Spirit, compells us to love Him

back (see John 14:23, 2.Corinthians 5:14).

Best way to practice the love of God, and thus grow in our daily relationship with Jesus

is to love our brothers and sisters of faith. This is exactly what Jesus Himself told:

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:12

Later on apostle John, under inspiration of the Spirit, expands this thought:

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that

loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

1.John 2:9-10

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother

whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

1.John 4:20

By living with this standard of love, we are imitators of Christ. The people you are

around with will shape you to their likeness. Likewise, keeping company with Jesus and

the Holy Spirit will keep us near God and shape us into their likeness. Scriptures say:

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Proverbs 13:20

Who is the wisest? Isnt it Jesus? Bible says:

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Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and

honour, and glory, and blessing. Revelation 12:15

And also:

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

To walk with divine wisdom, thus growing to appreciate more deeply our personal

relationship with Jesus, is to seek the company of others who profess their faith in Him.

Bible tells us:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one

another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.Hebrews 10:25

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another

in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And

whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and

the Father by him. Colossians 3:16-17

In the Biblical, Christian assembly we will sharpen each other spiritually. In the

practical daily life, especially in ecclesial life our faith and submission to Jesus are tested

in practice.

This also is why Jesus gave the office of elders (presbyters) to His church. By submitting

to the authority of the elders of a local, biblical church (be it whatever denomination or

non-), we are following the ordinance of Jesus. The elders/pastors are given us as

examples of Christian walk. Bible tells us of them:

And he [Jesus] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,

pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying

of the body of Christ Ephesians 4:11-12

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as

they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is

unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17.

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another,

and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

1.Peter 5:5

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And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after

that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 1.Corinthians

12:28

How we treat other people is how we treat Jesus. This is very practical and profound

teaching of Jesus. Following this teaching is the best way to grow in our relationship withHim. Jesus said:

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a

stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in

prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee?

or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it

unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:35-40

Bible continues:

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows

in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give

them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? James 2:15-16

For me it has been practically helpful to grow in my faith to (almost literally) imagine

Jesus walking, sitting and eating with me. If I believe in Him, I know He sees everything I

do. Why should I behave in way different, than if I would see Him daily with me, with

my eyes?

It goes almost without saying, that praying and reading the Holy Scriptures is vital to a

healty and vivid relationship with God and His Son. Bible testifies of this:

So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Romans 10:17,American Standard Version

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that

ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That

ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and

increasing in the knowledge of God Colossians 1:9-10

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Jesus, in His Revelation appeals to us:

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come

in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20

There are also some helpful tools Bible supplies us with, which very effeciently help us togrow in our relationship with Jesus. Let us read these:

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest

unto your souls.

Matthew 11:29

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,

and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it,Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the

prophets. Matthew 22:37-40

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for

this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 6:12

To summarize the things said, I will list some helpful steps one should take in

order to grow in ones relationship with Jesus:

-Make it an active, daily habit to pray

- Read the Word of God, Bible, every day

- Meditate on the work of Christ, learn to appreciate what He did for you

- Try to imagine Jesus, in person, with you daily as you do your things

-

Try to see Jesus in every person you know and encounter and treat them accordingly!

Finally, remember, it is all about Gods grace! We cannotforce ourselves to love Jesus. We

just can beg for His mercy and submit ourselves fully, wholly to Him.

Jesus is the one true sacrament!

We fulfill His ordinances eagerly, because of the love and the Spirit within us that intices

it tenderly. We do not serve our Master with contempt or with feeling of being forced,

but out of our own free will.

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