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Those who followed Jesus (disciples) were first called Christians in Antioch. You will find this in the book of Acts in chapter eleven. If we were to re-examine this topic, we'd quickly realize that the underlying question should be, "How Does Someone Become Born Again?" After all, this was the topic of discussion between Nicodemus who was a ruler of the Jews, and Jesus who was Immanuel, which being interpreted is, "God with Us."

Nicodemus most likely came to Jesus by night for fear of being seen by others in his rank. He was a man of the Pharisees, a member of the Jewish sect known for strict adherence to Jewish traditions of the time. Nicodemus immediately gave honor where honor was due in recognizing that Jesus was a teacher who had come from God, for no man could perform the miracles that he did, unless God was with him.

Oh, Jesus could very well have replied, "Thank you Nicodemus; it pleases me that you realized this." Isn't that what common man does when we are given a compliment? Is it not the nature of man to glory in pride when praised by another? However; this is not what Jesus deemed important, nor was his focus on the praise of man. Instead, Jesus quickly shifted the focus to matters of life and death.

Jesus answered Nicodemus with these few words, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again: he cannot see the kingdom of God." Of course, Nicodemus' response was much like ours would be today. "How can a man be born when he is old?" "Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" It is impossible to see those things relating to the spiritual through our natural eyes; because they are spiritually discerned. Jesus again replied, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man is born of the water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

Jesus continued to expound his words more clearly. "That which is flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I say unto thee, Ye must be born again." "The wind blows where it will, and you hear the SOUND thereof, but cannot tell from where it comes, and where it goes: So is EVERYONE who is born of the Spirit."

In light of God's word then, I'd have to say that being born again of water and of the Spirit is of the utmost importance. Unless we are born again, we can neither see the kingdom of God (spiritual things) nor can we enter into the kingdom of God. This is the starting point of the work to be done within us. The Spirit which works in us, does the work; changing us from glory to glory. It is after we have been born of the water (baptized) and have received the gift of the Holy Spirit, that the nature of Christ; in time, is formed within us, thereby, we are called Christians. Without the Spirit of Christ, we are none of his.

"Marvel not that I say unto thee, Ye must be born again."

Learn more about this author, Crystal Dawn.
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