Course 1 - Lesson 4: The New Birth

Have you ever wondered why there are so many Christian denominations? According to some sources, there are nearly 45,000 different “Christian” denominations. According to biblical writers such as the Apostle Paul, there is only “One Lord, on faith, and one baptism.” (Eph 4:5) Of the 45,000, who is right? The answer to that question is, the Bible. In it are the important truths about God and how to be saved. It is a book that can be understood and applied. There are many ways to apply the scriptures, but there is only one interpretation of them.

What does it take to be saved and go to heaven? Many of the modern denominations today have their own “spin” on this doctrine. That should be alarming to us, particularly because it deals with our eternity and we only get one opportunity to get it right. If we get the message of salvation wrong, nothing else matters. Jesus clearly taught that MANY people will arrive at judgment believing they got the answer to salvation correct. But he said only a few people will bother to look for that small gate and that narrow path to salvation.

Matthew 7:21-23 KJV  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

What is sin? Sin is defined in I John 3:4 as “the deliberate breaking of God’s law.”

1 John 3:4 KJV Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Transgression: To break a law or command; go beyond the limit. In the New Testament, the word specifically means a deliberate breach of the law. God is righteous and His law is righteous. Therefore “all unrighteousness is sin.” Thus, if we engage in unrighteous acts contrary to His law, we have sinned.

1 John 5:17 KJV  All unrighteousness is sin:

Crucifixion is one of the most horrific and humiliating executions ever. During Roman rule, it was reserved for those to whom the government wished to use an example to others. This shameful form of torture was used and perfected by them for over 500 years.

Mark 15:12-15 KJV  And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?  (13)  And they cried out again, Crucify him.  (14)  Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.  (15)  And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

It began with the victim being completely disrobed and tied to a pole. An excessive scourging took place which weakened them and caused excessive bleeding. Soldiers often used this time to taunt the victim and add their own personal forms of brutality. They were then forced to carry their own cross to their place of execution. Often, they would not die immediately. It could take from 3 hours to 4 days before they perished.

To investigate crucifixion (without actually killing anybody), German researchers tied volunteers by their wrists to a cross and then monitored their respiratory and cardiovascular activity in the 1960s. Within 6 minutes, the volunteers had trouble breathing, their pulse rates had doubled, and their blood pressure had plummeted, according to the 1963 study in the journal Berlin Medicine (Berliner Medizin). The experiment had to be stopped after about 30 minutes, because of wrist pain.

That said, victims could have died from various causes, including multiple-organ failure and respiratory failure. Given the pain and suffering entailed, it's no wonder that crucifixion spawned the word "excruciating," which means "out of the cross." (Live Science – April 19, 2019)

Our present world is full of skepticism and unbelief. People have been deceived by so many that they find it difficult to put their complete trust in anything or anyone. If trust is extended, it is in a very measured way. It’s as if we put forth a bit of faith expecting to be disappointed or deceived. The result is equal parts doubting and believing. This is the recipe for unbelief.

This mindset greatly affects our ability to fully believe in God. Too often, prayers are being made about a situation, and at the same time, a plan B is being formulated. When we say we believe God, what do we mean exactly? Certainly, we can relate to the man who petitioned Jesus to heal his son.

Mark 9:23-24 KJV  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.  (24)  And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Baptism is a subject that is seen both in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. It is seen throughout the Old Testament in types and shadows. In Genesis 1 the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the water and new life began. The children of Israel passed through the Red Sea after leaving Egypt. It is taught as an early church doctrine for the purpose of “remission of sins.” Humanity is born in sin and separated from God. In order for us to be saved, we must have our sins remitted.

What is the Holy Ghost? Paul said it is Christ in us, the hope of Glory. God had hidden this great mystery from the ages and from generations. But now it is manifested to His saints. Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles thus signifying that the infilling of the Holy Ghost was not just for the Jews, but to us as well. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is an important Bible doctrine and is essential for salvation. When John the Baptist was baptizing with water, he prophesied that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would come and baptize with the Holy Ghost.

Luke 3:16 “John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.”