HOW TO BE BORN AGAIN AND BECOME A CHRISTIAN.
Have you ever wondered what the phrase "born again" means? The Bible records that Jesus used the phrase in a conversation with a man named Nicodemus. Nicodemus approached Jesus at night. He was curious about Jesus and the kingdom of God.
Jesus told him: "No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" (John 3:3). Nicodemus responded, "How can a man be born when he is old?" (John 3:4)
Nicodemus was a highly moral man who obeyed God's law. He was a respected leader of the Jewish community. No doubt he was a fine man. Yet something was lacking. Like Nicodemus, many people today confuse religion with new birth in Christ. Phrases like "I pray regularly" or "I believe there is a God" often are confused with a real new-birth experience.
New birth begins with the Holy Spirit convicting a person that he or she is a sinner. Because of sin, we are spiritually dead. For this reason, spiritual birth, as Jesus described it, is necessary. God loves us and gives us spiritual birth when we believe in Jesus and ask Him for it.
The Bible says all persons are sinners (Romans 3:23). God's Son Jesus died on a cross and was raised from the dead to save sinners. To be saved or born again means that a person admits to God that he or she is a sinner, repents of sin, believes in or trusts Jesus Christ, and confesses Christ as Savior and Lord. Jesus told Nicodemus that everyone who believes in (places faith in) God's only Son will not perish but will have eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus is the only One who can save us (John 14:6).
To believe in Jesus is to be born again. Confess your sins and ask Jesus right now to save you. "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Acts 2:21). After you have received Jesus Christ into your life, share your decision with another person, and following Jesus' example, asked for baptism by immersion in your local church as a public expression of your faith (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:6).
If you live near Lakewood, Washington, Trinity Baptist Church of Lakewood would like to be your church. If you have any questions about your salvation, baptism, church membership or request prayer, please contact Pastor Young. His e-mail address and our church phone number is on our home page.