Introduction

“Well done, good and faithful servant” or “Depart from me, I never knew you”
We all joined the Christian church by water baptism. Did the Spirit baptism occur prior to, immediately afterwards, some time afterwards or are you still waiting?
We must receive the former rain (born again) before we can receive the latter rain. LDE Page 195

Overview

Define Salvation
Nicodemus interviews Jesus
What do we receive at our rebirth? What’s in it for me?

Testimony

Baptized August, 1982
SDA doctrine lined up with the Bible
Two families accepted my family as part of their family. Relationships were established!
Growth as an Adventist began.
My world turned upside-down in1996.
I was born again 14 years after my water baptism.
Born Again = Converted (Luke 22:32) = Justified (Galatians 2:16)
God’s Word came alive!
I wanted to be with Jesus all the time!
Should this have been my experience at my 1982 water baptism?

Salvation = Justification + Sanctification {NL 3}

Justified – by faith {Ephesians 2:8} and accepting Christ {John 3:16-21}

Sanctified – by faith and obedience {James 2:14-26}

What do we learn from Nicodemus’ interview with Jesus in John 3?

You must be born again to enter into heaven. John 3:3, DA Page 171

The Greek word used for “again”, anōthen is interpreted as “from above” in John 3:31 and John 19:11.

Jesus defines the rebirth as being born of water and the Spirit. John 3:5, DA Page 171

What does the water baptism symbolize? DA Page 172

Repentance - Matthew 3:6
Wash Away Sins - Ephesians 5:26
Death / Resurrection - Romans 6:3-11

What does the Spirit baptism symbolize? DA Page 174, Galatians 2:20

The rebirth is invisible to the naked eye. John 3:8-13; 1Corinthians 2:14, DA Page 172

Jesus defines salvation as believing in His name and that He is the Son of God. John 3:14-17, DA Page 175

What does it mean to “believe”? John 1:7, 12, 3:16; SDA Bible Commentary vol. 5, pg 899 (Believe. This word appears in the Gospel of John more than 100 times, stressing the vital importance of a positive response to the voice of God.)

Is there a relationship between believing and coming to the light? John 3:18-21

The results of being born again

God’s Holy Spirit comes to live in your heart. John 14:15-17, Acts 10:44-47

When do I become a “new creature” as described in 2 Corinthians 5:17? Acts 2:38

Our bodies become the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

What gift do we receive when we accept Christ as lord and savior? Galatians 5:22-23

Our names are written in the Lambs book of life. Revelation 3:5, 20:12

We overcome the world. 1 John 5:4-5

Those who have experienced the rebirth will also get the victory over sin. 1 John 3:8-9

Choices

Is a partial surrender of our will sufficient to receive the rebirth? Luke 18:18-23; COL Page 327; DA Page 519, DA Page 523; 2 Corinthians 3:18

God expects us to surrender ALL know choices to Him. MH Page 455, GW Page 113
Individuals are in different phases of their understanding of truth. This principle is seen in the parable of the Faithful Steward. Luke 12:42-47
Those with more Biblical understanding have a greater responsibility. Luke 12:48

READ COL Page 419