-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
1/54
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
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
2/54
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,
2
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
3/54
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
3
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected] -
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
4/54
- 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.
4
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
5/54
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
5
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
6/54
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
6
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected] -
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
7/54
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.
7
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected] -
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
8/54
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.
8
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
9/54
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
9
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
10/54
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:
10
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
11/54
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.
11
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
12/54
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
12
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
13/54
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.
13
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
14/54
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.
14
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
15/54
~
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!
15
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
16/54
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
16
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
17/54
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.
17
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
18/54
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:
18
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
19/54
"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
19
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
20/54
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
20
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
21/54
"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
21
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
22/54
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.
22
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
23/54
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:
23
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
24/54
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.
24
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
25/54
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
25
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
26/54
~
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
26
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
27/54
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?
27
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
28/54
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
28
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
29/54
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
29
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
30/54
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
30
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
31/54
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?)
31
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
32/54
"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
32
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
33/54
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:
33
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected] -
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
34/54
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:
34
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
35/54
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
35
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
36/54
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
36
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE
37/54
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.
37
-
7/30/2019 Abundant Blessings EXTENDED - Print Ready A4 Economic - MOST UPDATED FILE