at that time the disciples came to jesus, saying, "who then is greatest in the kingdom of...

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:1-3)

2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:1-3)

HOW DO WE HOW DO WE “BECOME AS “BECOME AS

LITTLE LITTLE CHILDREN”?CHILDREN”?

HOW DO WE HOW DO WE “BECOME AS “BECOME AS

LITTLE LITTLE CHILDREN”?CHILDREN”?

WE MUST “BE WE MUST “BE BORN AGAIN”BORN AGAIN”WE MUST “BE WE MUST “BE BORN AGAIN”BORN AGAIN”

John 3:1-7

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

John 3:1-7

2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."

2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."

John 3:1-7

3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

John 3:1-7

4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

John 3:1-7

5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

John 3:1-7

6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

John 3:1-7

7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'"

7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'"

HOW TO “BE BORN AGAIN”

Inasmuch as one cannot enter the kingdom of God without being born again, the lost must be told how to experience the “new birth.”

Inasmuch as one cannot enter the kingdom of God without being born again, the lost must be told how to experience the “new birth.”

WHAT BEING “BORN AGAIN” MEANS

Peter equates having “purified your souls in obeying the truth” with “being born again … through the word of God.”

Peter equates having “purified your souls in obeying the truth” with “being born again … through the word of God.”

1 Peter 1:22-23

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

1 Peter 1:22-23

23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever

23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever


When praying to the Father, Jesus said, “Your word is truth.”

When praying to the Father, Jesus said, “Your word is truth.”

John 17:17

17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."

17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."


Thus, “purifying your soul in obeying the truth” is “being born again … through the word of God.”

Thus, “purifying your soul in obeying the truth” is “being born again … through the word of God.”


One who has not purified his soul in obeying the truth has not been born again and is not in God’s kingdom; he is still an alien sinner.

One who has not purified his soul in obeying the truth has not been born again and is not in God’s kingdom; he is still an alien sinner.


Thus, being saved is having our souls “purified” “in obeying the truth,” which is being “born again … through the word of God.”

Thus, being saved is having our souls “purified” “in obeying the truth,” which is being “born again … through the word of God.”


So, one must obey the truth to be born again.

So, one must obey the truth to be born again.


He is then saved and given citizenship in the kingdom of God.

He is then saved and given citizenship in the kingdom of God.


Paul explains that “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” are the means of one’s being saved.

Paul explains that “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” are the means of one’s being saved.

Titus 3:4-5

But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,

But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,

Titus 3:4-5

5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit

5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit


Thus, when one experiences “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” he has been “born of water and the Spirit.”

Thus, when one experiences “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” he has been “born of water and the Spirit.”

WHAT ONE IS “SAVED” FROM

Jesus came to “save His people from their sins.”

Jesus came to “save His people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21

"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."

"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."


One is saved from his sins in that he is saved from falling short of the glory of God.

One is saved from his sins in that he is saved from falling short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of Godfor all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God


AND he is saved from the wages of sin, which is death.

AND he is saved from the wages of sin, which is death.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

HOW ONE IS “SAVED” FROM SIN

To be saved from our sins, we must have our sins forgiven.

To be saved from our sins, we must have our sins forgiven.


Shortly before His ascension, Jesus told His apostles,

Shortly before His ascension, Jesus told His apostles,

John 20:23

"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."


He had earlier told them,He had earlier told them,

Matthew 18:18

"Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven…."

"Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven…."


Therefore, whatever the apostles bound on earth, as to the forgiveness of sins, has been bound in heaven.

Therefore, whatever the apostles bound on earth, as to the forgiveness of sins, has been bound in heaven.


Thus, only those who have done whatever the apostles bound on earth, as to the forgiveness of sins, are saved or “born again.”

Thus, only those who have done whatever the apostles bound on earth, as to the forgiveness of sins, are saved or “born again.”

THE TRUTH ALIENS MUST OBEY

The apostles taught unbelievers that they had to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ in order to be saved or “born again.”

The apostles taught unbelievers that they had to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ in order to be saved or “born again.”

Acts 16:29-31

Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.

Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.

Acts 16:29-31

30 And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

30 And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Acts 16:29-31

31 So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."

31 So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."


The apostles taught believing aliens to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.

The apostles taught believing aliens to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.

Acts 2:38

Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."


This is the same as telling them how to be born again, for one is born again when his sins are remitted.

This is the same as telling them how to be born again, for one is born again when his sins are remitted.


Believing aliens who had repented and desired to be baptized were encouraged to confess faith in Christ.

Believing aliens who had repented and desired to be baptized were encouraged to confess faith in Christ.

Acts 8:36-38

Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?"

Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?"

Acts 8:36-38

37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

Acts 8:36-38

38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.


Saul of Tarsus was a penitent believer who had been praying for three days when he was told,

Saul of Tarsus was a penitent believer who had been praying for three days when he was told,

Acts 22:16

"And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

"And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord."


To have one’s sins washed away is to have them remitted.

To have one’s sins washed away is to have them remitted.

Matthew 26:28

"For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

"For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."


Sins are washed away by the blood of Christ.

Sins are washed away by the blood of Christ.

Revelation 1:5

…. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood

…. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood


But when are sins washed away by the blood of Christ?

But when are sins washed away by the blood of Christ?


Sins are washed away by the blood of Christ when one is baptized.

Sins are washed away by the blood of Christ when one is baptized.


One is “a new creation” “in Christ.”

One is “a new creation” “in Christ.”

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.


Thus, one must be “born again” to get “into” Christ.

Thus, one must be “born again” to get “into” Christ.


But water baptism puts one “into Christ.”

But water baptism puts one “into Christ.”

Romans 6:3

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

Galatians 3:26-27

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:26-27

27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.


Thus, one is “born again … of water and the Spirit” when he is scripturally baptized.

Thus, one is “born again … of water and the Spirit” when he is scripturally baptized.


He then becomes a new creation and is granted citizenship in the kingdom of God.

He then becomes a new creation and is granted citizenship in the kingdom of God.

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