New Birth

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:2-9

I. Spiritual birth is the foundation of the Christian life

A. Christians are born again through God’s eternal plan

B. Having been born as children of God, Christians must be like their Father

C. The Christian’s relationship to other Christians, the government, his family, and his friends must reflect Christ in us

D. Having been born of the Spirit, the Christian must put off sinful, fleshly deeds

E. The Christian must suffer like Christ did and share in His glory

II. What is the new birth?

A. Spiritual birth is the beginning of spiritual life in an individual

B. John 3:1-7 – New birth is mandatory for eternal life

C. Jesus makes it plain that spiritual birth is separate from physical birth The Holy Spirit has something to do with this new birth

D. God is the source of spiritual life

E. In the Garden of Eden, God breathed life into lifeless clay to make man. God breathes spiritual life into men who are spiritually lifeless

III. The role of each personality of the Godhead in the new birth

A. Father

B. Eternal plan of salvation reflecting God’s mercy, 1:3 (1:20) Glorified Jesus through resurrection to implant belief, 1:3-5, 21 Calls men through His grace and perfects us, 5:10

C. Son

D. Sprinkling of Jesus’ blood, 1:3 (1:18-20) Resurrection from death to give us hope, 1:3 Suffered and resurrected to save us, 3:18, 20-21

E. Holy Spirit

F. Sanctifies men (purifying for use in God’s service), 1:3 Preserves God’s children, 1:5 Revealed God’s plan to man, 1:10-12, 22-24

G. Summary

IV. Overall fulfillment of God’s plan for new birth

A. Eternal plan preceded the creation of the world - 1:3, 20

B. Ephesians 1:4-6 – Chose us in Him Romans 8:29 – foreordained those who would be like His Son

C. Revelation of the plan

D. Gospel plan gradually revealed through the prophets, 1:10-12

E. Genesis 3:15 – crush the head of Satan though He must suffer Isaiah 53/Psalm 22 – Prophecies of Jesus’ death Angels and prophets desired to know the plan but were not permitted

F. Fulfillment of the plan: the death and resurrection of Jesus

G. Matthew 1:20-23 – Jesus came to earth and lived as a man

H. 1 Peter 2:21-25 – He suffered unjustly to save us

I. John 10:17-18 – Died according to God’s plan not misfortune Hebrews 9:26-28 – Sacrifice atoned for sin

J. The Father resurrected Jesus

K. Victory over physical death – 1 Corinthians 15:53-57

L. Means of spiritual birth or resurrection

M. 1:3/3:21 – Birth by baptism through the resurrection of Jesus

N. Romans 6:1-7

O. Baptized into Christ’s death and resurrected to a new life The new life is not characterized by the old life of sin

P. Proclamation of the plan and obedience to it

Q. Spirit inspired the word of salvation—the gospel

R. James 1:18 – God’s will brings forth children through the word1:23-24 – We are born through the word

S. The Son and the Spirit declared the Father’s message of salvation

T. Jesus taught the gospel to the apostles and told them to take the message of salvation into the whole world, Mark 16:15-16 The apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit, revealed the message of God John 14:26; 16:12-15 – Spirit would declare all things to the apostles Ephesians 3:1-6 – Revelation of God’s plan

U. Word taught obedience towards salvation

V. Isaiah 53:10-11 – When we obey, His sacrifice produces seed—life John 3:5 – born of the water and the Spirit Titus 3:5 – washing of the water by the word/renewing of the Spirit1:3/3:21 – Birth by baptism through the resurrection of Jesus

W. Perfection of God’s children

X. Kept by God’s power

Y. Acts 2:38 – Given God’s Spirit at baptism2 Peter 1:4 – partaker of the divine nature1:5 – Kept by God for our eternal hope Ephesians 1:13-14 – sealed after believing to obedience2 Corinthians 1:21-22 – Spirit is a guarantee John 10:27-28– No one will snatch the believer from God; he can leave

Z. God’s word nourishes the growing child of God to completeness

A. 2:2 – Desire the milk of the word to grow2 Timothy 3:15-17 – Scripture completely equips us for service Hebrews 5:12-14 – Grow by learning God’s word and obeying it Ephesians 4:11-15 – Grow to completeness in Christ

B. Glorification of God’s children – 5:10

C. Romans 8:17-18 – Glorified when God is revealed from heaven1 John 3:2 – we will be like God

V. How should the new birth affect my life?

A. 1:13-14 – I should obey my Father

B. 1:15-17 – I should emulate my Father

C. James 4:8 – I should desire my Father’s company as He desires mine

VI. Born Again