In John 3:1-7 explains how Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus privately to inquire about all the miracles he saw Jesus do, where he understood that v.2 “...God be with him.” This is how Jesus responded:

• v. 3 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus wondered how he could be born again and enter into his mother’s womb being as old as he was. Jesus then answered the following:

• v. 5 “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water

  and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Jesus was laying out the plan of salvation for all, but it wasn’t possible to follow this plan until he ascended into Heaven. He explained to his disciples in John 14:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Right before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He spoke to all those assembled together and “...commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” (Acts 1:3-4).

Jesus further explained the power that was in Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:8 that the disciples needed to wait in Jesusalem until they were endued with power from on high. Acts 2 explains there were 120 in an upper room in Jersusalem praying and waiting for this power from on high:

• “v. 1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. v. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. v. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. v. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

The “water” part originates in John’s baptism of repentance that was required for the remission of sins.Speaking in tongues (speaking in another language you never learned) is the outward sign of the believer receiving the Holy Ghost. This is the “Spirit” part of being born of the water and the Spirit. As those who surrounded the upper room responded to hearing this united group of disciples speaking in tongues, Peter explained how they (the Jews) crucified Jesus Christ and were inquiring of Peter and the rest of whom we should now call apostles (those that are sent forth to establish the church):

Acts 2:37-39 states “v. 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

• v. 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

When you are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are remitted and you take on the Name of Jesus and all the authority He has given to you as you become a part of His royal family. Receiving the Holy Ghost signifies Jesus’ Spirit is indwelling within you as a believer and you have been given all of His power. Repentance, however, is first key in receiving the gift of salvation. Repentance is a turning away from sin and turning towards God in humility, acknowledging with your lips that you are a sinner and confessing your sins to Him. 1 John 1:9 states “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The book of Acts was the start of the dispensation of grace, otherwise known as the church age. We are still in the church age until Jesus comes back. Everything that the Word says about being born again of the water and the Spirit is still applicable to this day. Acts 2:39 states “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” We are those that are afar off, and He is still calling!

The plan of salvation is frequently misunderstood, where we hear many churches misusing Acts 16:31 “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” We, as believers, must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved, but it’s more than this. We must be born again, as Jesus and Peter said.

Romans 6:3-7 explains how we are likened to Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. “v. 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? v. 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. v. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: v. 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. v. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.”

When we obey the gospel to be born again of the water and the Spirit after repentance, it offers us entryway into the Kingdom of God. But we can’t stop there. Jesus wants relationship with us, but we have to obey these 3 steps:

• The first step is death: repentance

• The second step is burial: baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins

• The third step is resurrection: receiving the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in other tongues

We would like to help you in your journey. Please contact us below if you would like to know more about how to enter into the Kingdom of God or are looking for a church that can help guide you in these steps. God bless you in the most important journey of your life, the journey from now unto eternity with Jesus Christ, our precious Lord, Savior, and Friend. Act now and don’t wait. Jesus is coming back soon!