THE DOCTRINE OF GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION
MEMORY VERSE JOHN 3:3
Articles VIII through XII are all definitely related, since they all deal with some aspect of salvation. In our last lesson we studied about “The Atonement For Sin.” Without the atonement by the blood of Jesus Christ, the new birth or new creation would not be possible. We will find a similar relation between the other articles on salvation.
I. THE NECESSITY OF THE NEW BIRTH.
“We believe (a) that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again.”
1. This doctrine was taught to a religious man. John 3:1-3
2. Many religious people are like Nicodemus–ignorant of the new birth. John 3:4
3. Without the new birth a person cannot see or enter the Kingdom of God.John 3:3-5
II. THE RESULTS OF THE NEW BIRTH.
“We believe. . . [b] that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus.”
“We believe. . . [b] that the new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus.”
1. Being born again, we are in Christ.(b) II Cor. 5:17
2. Being in Christ, we are new creatures.
a. “Creature…from create…]. that which is created anything created, animate or inanimate.” Webster
b. In the Scripture “Create, Creation, Creator and Creature” all come from the same Greek word. In N.T. only God creates. It is used both of natural and spiritual creation. See Eph. 2:10,15; 4:24; Col. 3:10; Gal. 6:15 and 11 Cor. 5:17.
3. Being in Christ marvelous changes are wrought. Note the “old things” and the “new”. (b)-1 II Cor. 5:17.
III. THE SUDDENNESS OF THE NEW BIRTH.
(c)….”it is instantaneous and not a process.”
1. A sinner may have heard the gospel once or many times, before believing and being saved.
2. It is not through a process of works, but through believing the message as God speaks to the heart. See all of the Scriptures under (c). Luke 5:27,28; I John 5:1; John 3:6,7; Acts 2:41 and Acts 16:30-33.
IV. THE BLESSINGS OF THE NEW BIRTH.
1. The spiritually dead, receive life.(d)-3 Eph. 2:1; (d)-5 Col. 2:13
2. Trespasses and sins forgiven. (d)-1 II Pet. 1:4; (d)-4 II Cor. 5:19; (d)-5 Col. 2:13
3. Eternal life received as a gift.(d)-2 Rom. 6:23
4. Made partakers of the divine nature.(d)-1 II Pet. 1:4
V. THE MYSTERY OF THE NEW BIRTH
1. The new birth not produced by culture, character, baptism, church membership, keeping of the law, nor by the will of man.
2. The new birth cannot be explained by human wisdom. (e)-1 John 3:8
3. The new birth brought about by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth. (e)-2 John 1:12,13
VI. THE EVIDENCE OF THE NEW BIRTH.
CONTINUED