New Birth (Born Again)

The Bible teaches that mankind must be born again in order to see the kingdom of God. Jesus explained his to Nicodemus in John 3: 3-5 that a man must be born of water and of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. There are three steps to your spiritual birth:

• Repentance- The Apostle Peter stated to the Jews in Acts 3:19 to repent and be converted that your sins may be blotted out. Repentance is the act of professing godly sorrow for something done wrong or left undone.
• Justification- is the peace with God brought by repentance. Romans 8:30 states that whom he called he justified and whom he justified, then he glorified. Additional reading is found in Titus 3:7 and Romans 5:1-9, 18.
• Regeneration- is the process of remaking or rebirth and becoming a new creature in Christ. Scripture References: Titus 3:5; Ephesians 1:13-14; Psalm 51:10.

Sanctification
Sanctification is the second work of grace wrought by the blood of Jesus Christ, which purges us from the nature of sin. Due to the fall of Adam, all mankind is cursed with sin. Scripture References: Psalm 51:5; Hebrews 9:13-14; Hebrews 10:1-2.
 

Water Baptism
Water baptism does not wash away sins, but it is an outward sign of the repentance and born again experience inwardly. Scripture References: John 3:21-23; Matthew 3:13-17. Philip shows the necessity of water baptism by baptizing the eunuch in Acts 8:27-39.
 

Holy Spirit Baptism
After believers have been cleansed (sanctification) they are ready to receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Peter states in Acts 2:38 to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remissions of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy SPirit is a gift from God. Scripture References: Acts 1:5-8; John 7:38-39.
 

Fruits of the Spirit
The Bible states in Galatians 5:22 that the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. If you are a new creature in Christ, then these fruits will be evident because every tree is known by the fruit it bears. Scripture References: Matthew 7:15-20; II Corinthians 5:17.


Gifts of the Spirit
The Bible declares in Ephesians 4:8 that when Jesus ascended on high, he gave gifts unto men. These gifts are available to individuals for the edification of the body of Christ. There are nine spiritual gifts listed in I Corinthians 12:1-10. Read I Corinthians 12:30-31.

Gifts of the Ministry
Proverbs 18:16 states that a man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men. The gifts given in Ephesians 4:11 are for the perfecting of the saints and the edifying of the body of Christ. Scripture References: Psalm 68:18; Proverbs 17:8.

Birth, Death, and Resurrection of Christ
God sent his only begotten son (born of a virgin) in the likeness of sinful flesh to suffer death upon a cross and be raised (resurrected) the third day. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary according to Luke 1:26-31 and died and rose again based on Romans 14:9. Scripture References: Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 12:40; Matthews 28:17.

Second Coming of Christ
Jesus Christ entered the world the first time through his mother, Mary, but he will return a second time according to Acts 1:9-11. Jesus was asked in Matthew 24:3 what shall be the sign of thy coming? He replies by saying in verse 30 that he shall be seen coming by all the tribes of the earth. Scripture References: Titus 2:13; Revelations 1:7; Hebrews 9:28.

Sowing of Seeds
A seed can be any thing that you have in your possession that God has blessed you with that can be used to bless others as well as the house of the Lord. Money can be a seed, but it is not the only seed you can use to sow with. II Corinthians 9:6-7 states that whoever soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly. God's will is that you will have sufficiency in all things according to verse 7. If you want your seed to multiply, read verses 9-11. How and where you sow your seed determines what type of crop you will harvest. Scripture References: Genesis 28:22; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 22:17-21; Matthew 23:23.

Divine Healing
Healing is one of the benefits given to believes that exercise their faith according to Psalms 103:2-3. Divine healing is a provision from God provided for  in the atonement of Jesus. Isaiah stated that with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5). Also the Bible declares that the prayer of faith shall save the sick. (James 5:14-16).

Feasts of the Lord
God declares in Exodus 23:14-17 that three times thou shall keep a feast unto me in the year. Here are the three feasts: Passover (Unleavened Bread) Luke 22:1 & Mark 14:12-18, Pentecost (Harvest) Acts 20:16, Tabernacles (Ingathering) Deuteronomy 16:13-17, Zechariah 14:16, and John 7:1-2, 14.
The feasts are a part of God's restoration program in the last days when many things will be restored back to the house of the Lord.