NEW BIRTH

NEW BIRTH The first epistle of John sheds a remarkable degree of light on the doctrine of the new birth. In six different scriptures of this book, John uses the expression "is born" in reference to the new birth. In every case, he means one who is "already" born. In every scripture, he gives the characteristic of one who "is born." He claims that a person who "is born" is one who believes, loves, does not commit sin, overcomes the world, etc. Never does he say that a person who will believe will be born, or that a person who will love will be born, etc. The birth is always presented as the cause, not the effect, of the accompanying spiritual conduct.

Consider the six scriptures:1 John 2:29;1 John 3:9;1 John 4:7;1 John 5:1;1 John 5:4;1 John 5:18

A.T. Roberson, one of the greatest Greek authorities of all time, makes the following comments about certain of the above verses:

1 John 2:29-"Doing righteousness is proof of the new birth."

1 John 3:9-"The child of God does not have the habit of sin."

1 John 4:7-"...is proof that one ‘has been begotten of God.’"

1 John 5:1-"The Divine Begetting is the antecedent, not the consequent of the believing."

Hence, it is very clear that the Apostle John abundantly confirms the Old Baptist doctrine of the new birth; namely, that the new birth is the cause of spiritual activity. Such activity is not the cause of the new birth. I wish all who love Christ would carefully consider this. THE NEW BIRTH When the Holy Spirit applies the salvation that Christ procured upon the cross to the souls of God’s children, He places within that soul a new nature. That new nature desires fellowship with God. It longs for fellowship with God. It hungers and thirsts after righteousness. It also desires spiritual nourishment and food as Peter says in1 Peter 2:2. When that new nature is put within the child of God, it longs for spiritual food. It hungers and thirsts for spiritual food but not only that-that new nature also desires holiness- desires to please God.