Why Born Again
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Why Born Again?
God's Pathway to the Kingdom
A systematic approach
Matthew 7:13-14
"Enter in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate,
and broad is the way, that leads to destruction,
and many there be which go in there:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,
which leads unto life, and few there be that find it."
A systematic approach
Matthew 7:13-14
"Enter in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate,
and broad is the way, that leads to destruction,
and many there be which go in there:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,
which leads unto life, and few there be that find it."
Glossary* of Terms
Before God's grace can be received we must first recognize our state.
Recognizing and acknowledging our need is the first step.
When we respond to our need there is a logical sequence of events ordered by God.
The following terms and their definitions reflect what takes place in our life in that sequence.
1. Awareness: Ephesians 5:14
Wherefore he saith, Awake you that sleeps, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light. Ref. John 3:3, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 2. Confession: Romans 10:10 The word "confess" has the basic idea of "agree". It is not merely the recitation of a list of things we have done. It is in essence saying to God, "I agree with you, I have sinned and am by nature a sinner". 3. Repentance: Acts 2:38 Repentance means a change of mind, (to turn from one direction, walking sinful living, and go another, walking in Godly living). 4. Salvation: 1 Peter 1:9 Salvation involves the removal of guilt and the sentence of death required by personal sin. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus. 5. Justification: Romans 5:18 From the Wesleyan perspective, justification is an act of God whereby He declares the sinner free from the guilt and penalty of sin (Just as if I had never sinned). |
6. Regeneration: Titus 3:5
The inward quickening, (making alive) of the repentant and believing sinner from being spiritually dead to spiritually alive which occurs in Christian conversion, (Born Again, John 3:3-6). 7. Reconciliation: Hebrews 2:17 The restoration of a broken relationship, where there once was enmity it is replaced by a new relationship as a child of God adopted into his heavenly family. Reconciliation is the doorway to adoption. 8. Adoption: Romans 8:15 God's welcoming of the converted person into His family as one of His children. This occurs simultaneously with justification, regeneration, and initial sanctification. 9. Sanctification: 2 Thessalonians 2:13 Theologically sanctification means to make clean or holy in the ethical sense and be set apart in the practical sense. The work is twofold in that God cleanses us of the nature of sin and empowers us with the Holy Spirit, while we consecrate ourselves to Him for life and service. This is an ongoing, progressive, life-time process of growing in our relationship with Christ. Next: Vetted for Heaven * 2-9 Beacon Dictionary of Theology. Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City ©1983. |