Born Again: What Does It Mean? (Part 6)
by Jody L. Apple

The Steps Of The New Birth-Part 'B'

In our last article we introduced the first of two charts designed to help us grasp an overview of all that is required of us in order to be born again.

The first chart, which listed the great commission as given by Matthew, Mark and Luke, compared these accounts to the message of Peter that was given on the day of Pentecost. By examining that chart it was easy to see that the message preached by Peter was faithful to the commands given by Christ as the gospel writers recorded it.

In the second chart (Obeying The Great Commission) included along with these articles an overview is presented of numerous cases of conversion in the book of Acts and in several of the New Testament letters. This chart begins where the other one ended-with Acts 2.

Acts 2 is the fulfillment of the commands of Christ as seen in Matthew's, Mark's and Luke's account of the great commission, but it is also the beginning of a long chain of conversions to Christ as a result of the preaching of the message left to the apostles.

By studying this chart you can very easily see that the basic teachings of the great commission are found in every conversion listed.

Brief List of Chart Comparisons

(1-A) In our first chart we learned that Jesus commanded the apostles to make disciples by teaching and preaching the gospel.

(1-B) In this chart we see (under the heading "hearing") that the gospel was preached to, and heard by, all those who became Christians.

(2-A) In the first chart we saw that Jesus commanded the apostles, and all Christians, to preach.

(2-B) In this chart we learn that the apostles, as well as others (Philip, Barnabas, etc.) did just that.

(3-A) In the first chart we see that all nations and all creatures are to hear the truth of the gospel.

(3-B) In this one we can see that the gospel was preached first to the Jews, and then later to the Gentiles (Acts 10-11).

(4-A) From the first chart we found out that the gospel was to be proclaimed first in the city of Jerusalem, as the prophets of the Old Testament declared it would be, and then to all the world.

(4-B) In our present chart we see that the gospel did, indeed, begin to be preached in Jerusalem, and then spread to the rest of the world.

(5-A) From our first chart we can see that the gospel was to be preached when the promise of the Father, that is the coming of the Spirit, was fulfilled.

(5-B) In the current chart we see that the coming of the Spirit in Acts 2 was concurrent with the first preaching of the gospel of the kingdom by the apostles.

(6-A) From the chart on the great commission we learn that Jesus instructed the apostles to preach about the necessity of faith, repentance for the remission of sins, and baptism in the name of the Father, the Son and the Spirit.

(6-B) In our present chart we see that Peter preached aboutthe necessity of faith (or belief), repentance for the remission of sins, and baptism in the name of Christ.

(7-A) In the first chart we learned why these things were to be preached. They were taught so that people could be saved, that they might have the remission of sins. This occurred in connection (i.e., simultaneous) with the beginning of the church, the kingdom of God.

(7-B) In this chart we see that Peter told his audience that they were to obey his commands (as they came from God) in order to receive the remission of sins, or salvation. Those who obeyed were added, by baptism (v.41), to the church by the Lord himself (v.47).

You are encouraged to examine these two charts and to ask yourself if you have been born again in harmony with these teachings.

Related links:

Chart: The Great Commission
http://www.TheBible.net/articles/chart-greatcomm.pdf

Chart: Obeying The Great Commission
http://www.TheBible.net/articles/chart-obeygreatcomm.pdf

See also:

TheBible.net: Born Again: What Does It Mean? (Part 1)

TheBible.net: Born Again: What Does It Mean? (Part 2)

TheBible.net: Born Again: What Does It Mean? (Part 3)

TheBible.net: Born Again: What Does It Mean? (Part 4)

TheBible.net: Born Again: What Does It Mean? (Part 5)

TheBible.net: Born Again: What Does It Mean? (Part 6)

TheBible.net: Born Again: What Does It Mean? (Part 7)