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Reaching forth...

By God's grace, still presenting the same message from the same Book...

Ye must be born again

This letter deals with our salvation and the way of our salvation. There are some thing hard to understand with this, and things not agreed on by all. What the Scriptures have to say is what I have endeavored to present here. The importance of the new birth, our being born of God is shown, and is presented as the way of salvation for all men of all time that are to be saved. With this, I present to you that works, water baptism or any other such thing is part of our being saved, and those are not part of salvation for any others that have ever been saved, or ever will be saved. Ye must be born of God.

"From the spiritual point of view the soul of sinful man is dead and estranged from God, for the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). By the miracle of regeneration the soul is revived, newly begotten and granted eternal life. Jesus described this experience as being born anew (John 3:3,7). It goes without saying that without this it is impossible for any man to be saved." (Taken from: "The Person And Work Of The Holy Spirit"; Pache, Rene; Copyright 1954, Moody Bible Institute of Chicago; Moody Press.)"

There has never been a person saved that was not born again. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ye must be born again.

There are some that say salvation by works, apart from regeneration, and apart from the taking away of sins; i.e., sins are not taken away. Myself, I flat out reject teaching that claims salvation by works, and salvation without sins taken away. 

I say one must be born again, and with that say none of the human race was ever saved or ever will be saved that is not born again.

To further explain my post, and hoping not to get off topic by mentioning dispensations, God has dealt with man various ways through the ages of time. There are some variations in how different people describe the dispensations, but this is generally my understanding and what I think the Bible has to say. 

From the creation till the fall, in the garden man was in a state of (1) innocence. Man by his will failed to live up to the glory of God and was banished from that paradise, and passed on to all mankind by the fall, a sin nature. 

God then dealt with men through their (2) conscience. This lasted till the flood and man failed, by their will, to live up to the glory of God. 

(3) Human government was established after the flood, and God dealt with man through this. Again men by their will failed. 

Next God gave the (4) promise to Abraham (Gen 12:1). Man failed by their will in this. 

The (5) law was then given and that method of God dealing with man found man falling short, failing. With the law were many terrible threats, yet still man failed. The main thrust of the period of law lasted till the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, the (6) age of grace or church age. 

(6) Now we are in the age of grace or church age. We are in this period now and we need only look around to see the miserable failure of man by their will. Man is a slave to sin. 

There is a future age coming, (7) the 1000 year Kingdom, when Christ will rule with a rod of iron, all the nations. This period will commence being with Second Coming of Christ.

There are those that say men are saved by works in the different dispensations, i.e., different periods of time and different ways God has dealt with men. Generally speaking, some say salvation is by works during the Old Testament periods, and during the Tribulation and the 1000 year Kingdom, when Christ will rule with a rod of iron. Again I say, I reject that teaching.

To explain more why I see the regeneration of all mankind as needful is shown in part by the following definition of regeneration. While all men must be born again, that by the Spirit, those men of the Old Testament did not have the privilege of being filled with the Spirit as those of us of this present age. Nevertheless, all that have ever been saved and all that ever will be saved must be born again, regenerated. Being filled by the Spirit during Old Testament times was not for all, but the Holy Spirit came upon certain men assigned to a special task. Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to dwell with and in all of faith, whereby power for service is for all. While not all have the same works, the promise is for all now. Hoping not to take this thread off topic, the point I am hoping to make clear is that all that ever are saved must be regenerated, born again. 

Regeneration, from The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary, Copyright 1967 Zondervan Publishing House, Twenty-first printing July 1978.
Regeneration (Gr. palingenesia) Regeneration has as its basic idea, "to be born again," or "to be restored." Though the word is actually only used only twice in the NT (Matt 19:28 and Titus 3:5), many synonymous passages suggest its meaning. Related terms are: born again (John 3:3,5,7); born of God (John 1:13; 1 John 3:9); quickened (Eph 2:1,5); and renewed (Titus 3:5 and Rom 12;2).
Regeneration is, therefore, the spiritual change wrought in the heart of man by an act of God in which his inherently sinful nature is changed and by which he is enabled to respond to God in faith.
This definition grows out of the nature of man's sinfulness. As long as man is in sin, he cannot believe in God. If he is to believe, he will do so only after God has initiated a change by which he may be released from the bondage of his will by sin. Regeneration is that act of God by which he is thus released, and from which he may exercise the dispositions of a freed nature.
Regeneration is basically, therefore, an act of God through the immediate agency of the Holy Spirit operative in man (Col 2:13), originating in him a new dimension of moral life; a resurrection to new life in Christ. This new life is not merely a neutral state arising out of forgiveness of sin, but a positive implantation of Christ's righteousness in man, by which he is quickened (John 5:21), begotten (1 John 5:1), a new creation, (2 Cor 5:17) and new life (Rom 6:4).
Regeneration involves an illumination of the mind, a change in the will, and a renewed nature. It extends to the total nature of man, irrevocably altering his governing disposition, and restoring him to a true experiential knowledge in Christ. It is partaking of the divine nature (2 Pet 1:4), a principle of spiritual life implanted in the heart.
The efficient cause of regeneration is God (1 John 3:9) acting in love through mercy (Eph 2:4-5) to secure the new life in man through the instrument of His word (1 Pet 1:23).
In regeneration, the soul is both passive and active: passive while it is still in bondage to sin, and active when it is released. The regenerating work of the Holy Spirit is not conditioned by a prior acquiescence of the soul, but when the soul is released from sin, regenerated, it voluntarily and spontaneously turns toward God in fellowship.
Clarence B. Bass from The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary

Being taught of God has to do with being born again, regenerated, or as it is said, renewed. While some have a more complete revelation of the person of Christ Jesus, apart from Christ, there is no salvation. Jesus Christ is the salvation of God.

Luke 3:6
6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Job 19:25-27
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Taught of God

John 6:45
45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Eph 4:21-24
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Isa 54:13
13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

Matt 11:27
27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

John 6:65
65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

All men of all time must be born again

To further explain why I say all men of all time that are to be saved must be born again, the very nature of fallen man precludes salvation by works. The blood of Christ is demanded for our peace with God, our salvation from sin. In due time, Christ died for us. The wages of sin is death. The death of death is achieved by the death of Christ. We look back to the very cross those of old time looked forward to by faith, having heard the promise (Job 19:25-27; Gen 3:15; 12:3).

Job 19:25-27
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Genesis 3:15
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Genesis 12:3
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9). Man in his fallen state is said to be an enemy of God (Rom 5:10). But God commendeth His love toward us while we were yet sinners (Rom 5:8). Salvation is not by works of righteousness which we have done (Tit 3:5-7). When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly (Rom 5:6). You, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled (Col 1:21). Ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Eph 2:13; Col 1:20). When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son (Rom 5:10; Eph 2:16; Col 1:21-22). Lord Christ, a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, in due time made reconciliation for the sins of the people (Heb 2:17). God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them (2 Cor 5:19). Man by his works, personal merit, could never be saved (Romans 5:6). All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Salvation is of the Lord (Prov 2:13-19; Isa 32:6; Jonah 2:9). No man can come unto Christ, except it were given unto him of the Father (John 6:44, 65). For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Eph 2:8-10). Ye must be born again (John 3:1-7). To come to Christ, to believe that Jesus is the Christ, ye must be born again (John 6:44-45; 20:31; 1 John 2:22; 5:1, 5-6).

Jonah 2:9
9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.

Romans 5:6, 8, 10
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

2 Cor 5:19
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Eph 2:13, 16
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Col 1:20-22
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

Titus 3:5-7
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Heb 2:17
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

Prov 2:13-19
13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

Isa 32:6
6 For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.

John 6:44-45, 65
44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

Eph 2:8-10
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

John 3:1-7
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 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.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 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.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

John 20:31
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

1 John 2:22
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

1 John 5:1, 5-6
1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

Our nature is what makes us sinners. This nature is found within every part of man, so refraining from external acts of sin is not enough to entitle us to salvation (Lu 18:11). Men break the commandments of God by harboring evil thoughts (Mt 5:21-22, 27-28; Eph 2:3). Infants bring this innate corruption from the very womb (Ps 51:5). Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child (Pr 22:15). The whole nature of man is a seedbed of sin (Gen 6:5; 8:21; Job 9:20; Ps 14:2-3; 36:2; Eccl 7:20; Jer 17:9; Mt 15:19; Ro 3:10). This evil principal or corruption is labeled a `root' (De 29:18) and is said to bring forth fruit unto death (Ro 7:5,24). These evil works of the flesh are of the same root, yet are divided and contrary one to the other, and are not all necessarily displayed or always displayed. This sin nature is in every man (Rom 3:9-18,23). Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil (Jer 2:22; 13:23; 17:9; Prov 27:22).

Luke 18:11
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28
21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Ephesians 2:3
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Psalms 51:5
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Proverbs 22:15
15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

Genesis 6:5
5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Genesis 8:21
21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

Job 9:20
20 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.

Psalms 14:2-3
2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Psalms 36:2
2 For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.

Ecclesiastes 7:20
20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Jer 17:9
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Matthew 15:19
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Romans 3:10
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Deuteronomy 29:18
18 Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;

Romans 7:5, 24
5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Romans 3:9-18, 23
9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
17 And the way of peace have they not known:
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Jer 2:22
22 For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.

Jer 13:23
23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.

Prov 27:22
22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

By the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? There is no other gospel for justification. 

Gal 3:5-11
5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Enoch told of the Second coming. However much Enoch understood of our Lord, or knew of His person, Enoch told of the Second coming. 

Jude 14
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

Adam, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahaleel, Jared, Enoch... 

We see here reference to men calling on the name of the Lord. Unless a man is renewed, born again, the Scriptures say they will not seek the Lord, and there is no fear of God with them, the things of God being foolishness (Rom 3:10-28; 1 Cor 2:14).

Gen 4:26
26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.

Romans 4 is clear enough. 

Rom 4:1-5, 23-25
1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. What he believed for justification is the main point. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. The Scripture is open and clear about the one that died for us, Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification (Rom 4:25). Neither is there salvation in any other. 

A man spiritually dead, not born again, is said to hate God, finding the things of God foolishness. I'm interested in having words about a different way of meriting salvation. 

For now I don't want to get into a discussion of dispensations. As a side note, I'm not wanting to discover the identity of Christ. I've found the saviour. I'm not confounded wondering if Jesus is the Christ, or wondering if there is some obscure formula I must discover that I could be saved or tell others how to be saved. Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one. If you have come to Christ you have come to God. Those that wonder about the identity of Christ become muddled wondering if Jesus is the Christ, separating Jesus from His office as Christ, and go about looking for salvation apart from having eyes to see. The end of such things is that they will say here is Christ, or there (Mark 24:23). Some hold forth the Bible or search the Scriptures thinking in them they have eternal life, but they will not come to Christ. The necessity of the new birth is because the natural man is absolutely blind to spiritual truth. The kingdom of heaven is distinguished from the kingdom of God. The kingdom of heaven is the thousand year visible reign on earth. The kingdom of God is entered by the new birth, and is universal, with all the saints, all that ever have or will be saved from all dispensations. 

Indeed there are hard things for a saved man to understand, in the Scriptures, but a lost man is completely blind, separated from the life of God, not understanding the things of God and is an enemy of God, hating God.

The new birth is shown with the person being drawn to Christ, coming to Christ, and apart from a man coming to Christ there is no salvation. Those of the old times came to Christ, and any that were saved from the time of Adam and every man that has ever been saved or ever will be saved will come to the savior. That coming to Christ, that discovery is through the new birth. 

How did they of old time come to Christ when he had not even been born nor crucified and shed his blood?

John 3:7
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Those of old time came to Christ same as any that ever have been or ever will be saved. (John 3:7). Neither is there salvation in any other.

Acts 4:11-12
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Ps 2:12
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Mic 5:2
2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

1 Peter 1:8, 11
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

Reference to being born again, born of God:

Ps 80:17-19
17 Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.
18 So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.
19 Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Ps 119:49-50
49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

Ps 119:88-89
88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Ps 119:93
93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.

Ps 119:155
155 Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.

Ps 119:159
159 Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.

John 5:21
21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

John 6:63
63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Rom 4:15-17
15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
17(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Eph 2:1-2
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Eph 2:4-5
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Col 2:13-14
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Deuteronomy 10:16
16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

Deuteronomy 30:6
6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

Ezekiel 36:26
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Psalms 51:10
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Works for salvation? No. The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

2 Cor 3:6
6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

The new birth does not remove anything from the sinner, and does not change anything in the sinner, but instead imparts the new nature, the divine nature, that they will give heed to the testimony of Scripture. Before they are born again, any of the race of Adam, they are the enemy of God, without strength, hating the things of God, and without understanding.

1 Corinthians 2:14
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Isaiah 64:4
4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

The wicked count the things of God foolishness, but the righteous will call upon His name (Ps 80:18), love His precepts (Ps 119:49), and hope in the promise of God (Ps 119:159).

2 Peter 1:4
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

1 Corinthians 2:10
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

1 Corinthians 1:29-31
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

I have said clearly that any saved must be born again, and that does not include works. I don't believe in works for salvation, so find such discussions as come from that foundation to be unprofitable. I don't believe in that. The foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God (Heb 6:1) must be received, then other matters will start to fall in place. Salvation is of the Lord.

Hebrews 6:1
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

I will try to answer about the difference between being born of the Spirit, and being filled by the Spirit. Those are two distinct things, different. There are none and never have been any saved apart from being regenerated by the Holy Spirit. That is true of Old Testament believers and New Testament believers, all from the time of Adam to the last man that ever will be born. As Jesus said, Ye must be born again. In that sense all that have been saved have had the work of the Holy Spirit in their life, being born of God. One is born again by the Holy Spirit, that is, brought to a vital saving relationship with Christ and there is where faith enters. There is not faith before there is the new life within. Salvation is of the Lord.

Being filled with the Spirit for service was not for all the saved, till Pentecost, and is not the same as being born again, indwelt by the Spirit. The emphasis I will mention is on service to Christ. By the Spirit being given as at Pentecost there is power for service, and that receiving of the Spirit is called being filled with the Spirit. 

In the Old Testament the reference of David about the Spirit could be considered at least two ways. 

Psalms 51:11
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

David made that plea that the Spirit would not be taken from him, perhaps having doubts of his salvation, in one sense I think, that the Spirit that indwelt whereby he had the new nature would not be taken, (and that would not have happened for we receive life everlasting), and the second sense, he could have been asking that the fullness not be taken from him, as that fullness gives power for living a godly life, and so assurance (Isa 32:17).

The first sense, by the Spirit, the new nature is imparted to a man, the man being born of God, by the Spirit. That man, born again, also has the heart that is desperately wicked and working within, side by side with the new nature. The flesh wars against the spirit. 

In the second sense, the fullness of the Spirit, that is, the Spirit is being given in the sense that a man is filled with the Spirit for service, that fullness given to the saved man, the man that is already born again. 

Sin is evident to a saved man, and assurance of salvation can be lost. Indeed, sin is not really a problem to a man till he is saved. Keep in mind, the closer one is to the Lord this side of glory, they might very well be more aware of their own sins, though the sins don't manifest to others seeing you. 

The fullness before Pentecost was transitory, coming and going as the Lord saw best, and that fullness did not come on all. Since Pentecost the fullness is for all, but not all partake that. The Spirit can come on a person and influence even those not saved, but that is another matter I mention now only to show the difference between being born again, and having the Spirit come on a person in fullness (Eph 5:18).

Eph 5:18
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Being born again is the impartation of new life, but being filled is to be empowered for service. Those born again have everlasting life. A person is saved once, and that is eternal life, but a person can lose the fullness of the Spirit, and so needs to watch and pray. We are told do not grieve (Eph 4:30) and do not quench (1 Thess 5:19) the Spirit. The Old Testament saints did not have the privilege we have, and those of the tribulation time will not have the privilege but the Spirit will be working, and surely the fullness will be on some as there will be some very much on fire for the Lord. But others will be saved and not have assurance, though they are mentioned for their good works. The works do not save. Ye must be born again.

Salvation during the tribulation

For years I have heard some say those that have previously heard the gospel, prior to the rapture, but that have not been saved will not be saved if they enter the tribulation. To be saved, so some say, one that hears the gospel prior to the rapture and prior to the tribulation must be saved prior to the rapture and tribulation, for those hearing but not saved before will not be saved during the tribulation, but are damned for all time.

Now some that have said that have stopped saying that. But here is why some say that. 2 Thessalonians 2:10, 12 are referenced in defense of that, by those with that understanding. 

2 Thess 2:10-12
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Will all the elect that enter the tribulation never have heard the gospel before? What of the elect, those chosen to salvation? Will all the elect have heard and been saved prior to the rapture, and so none of the elect, yet unsaved, will enter he rapture? Then what of those saved during the tribulation? I say none will ever be saved or ever have been saved but the elect, and none will be saved apart from being born again.

First, for explanation, I understand the rapture takes place, all the saved to meet the Lord in the air, then comes the tribulation period for those left on earth, the tribulation then ending at the second coming (Jude 14).

I think careful consideration is needed before deciding a person is without hope. I find no reason to publish a message that tells people to abandon all hope. Is one without hope, that has heard the gospel previous, and is not saved, yet is left after the rapture? Should one that comes to their senses in such a case reject thoughts of hope, if they heard the words of the gospel previous? 

I conclude if one has breath, there is reason for hope. Yet, I find no excuse for sloth in attending to the things of God.

Were you saved the first time you heard the gospel? What of the distinction between hearing with the ear alone (Isa 64:4; 1 Cor 2:14) and those saved through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth? 

Isaiah 64:4
4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

1 Corinthians 2:14
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

There is certainly a difference. In the one instance man is without strength, the message foolishness, and in the other the call is irresistible.

2 Thess 2:13
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

1 Peter 1:2
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

1 Corinthians 2:10
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

Titus 3:5
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Those that are saved will be raptured and not enter the tribulation, but many will be saved during the tribulation. Hope in God (Psalms 43:5). Repent of dead works, with faith toward God (Heb 6:1). The testimony of the Scriptures is of repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21).

Revelation 7:9-14
9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

The fullness of the Spirit

What of the fulness of the Spirit in our lives, now? I stress this for service.

Acts 1:8
8 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.

The promise is for all that are saved now, 

Acts 2:39
39 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.

But there is another sense of fullness, a very important sense, with the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost. The local church is the habitation of God through the Spirit. That is distinct from individuals being filled. The glory was present visibly with Israel in old times, but now there is the fullness with the churches Jesus founded, those churches He organized. The local church has been given the great commission, and the church that Lord Christ founded and organized is alone the organization that has the promise of His presence, in the sense of His fullness, in the building fitly framed together, as regards the giving of the Spirit at Pentecost (Matt 28:20; Eph 2:20-22).

Matt 28:19-20
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Titus 2:11-13
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Eph 2:20-22
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

This world, as we know it in a sense will end, among other things the rapture taking all the ones that are saved along with the church, but not those that are not saved. There will be churches left, but they will be empty shells, clouds without water. Then is the tribulation.

The millennial reign of Christ on earth

And what of the millennial reign of Christ on earth? All the promises revolve around the cross. But generally, different periods of times, dispensations, can be identified. In all periods, apart from repentance of dead works, with faith toward God there is no salvation. Ye must be born again. But God has indeed different dispensations but that does not deal with salvation. Ye must be born again. Generally speaking, there was the period of the law, then the church age, there will be the rapture and then the tribulation, the tribulation ending with the second coming, the sheep being separated from the goats. The sheep alive at the end of the tribulation enter the visible kingdom, the millennial reign of Christ. During that time the whole earth will be filled with His glory, the fullness of the Spirit. There will be babies born on earth at that time, and some will be saved, and some will be lost. Ye must be born again. Fullness of the spirit, the coming of the spirit in the sense of the giving of the Spirit at Pentecost is distinct from being regenerated by the Spirit. Ye must be born again.

But what is the fullness of the Spirit? Christ present with the believer. That is an important thing to realize. When Christ was here bodily two thousand years ago, He said when He left to be with the Father that another Comforter would come dwell with believers. And that Comforter was not to be unlike Christ, but is said to be His Spirit. The trinity is at work. Romans 8:9 makes it clear, Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. Those that walked with Jesus had the power of His presence, and now we are commanded, Be filled with the Spirit, that is, walk in the immediate presence of the Lord.

Come and hear, all ye that fear God,
and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Psalms 66:16

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