The Power Of God’s Word Part 2

Welcome to The Power of God's Word, Part 2 lesson

Questions on John 3:3-8

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 saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

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.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: 

so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Questions on James 1:18

Of His own will begat He us with the Word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

1. To what birth is reference here made?

2. What is the generative agency?

3. What do those become who are thus begotten?

Overview

Probation has been granted to humans by the mercy and forbearance of God. Nevertheless, life has been forfeited by sin.

And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:1.

Death has been abolished and life brought to light through the Gospel.

Who (God) hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, 

but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

But is now made manifest by the appearance of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, 

and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:9, 10.

The Gospel is the power of God:

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:16, 17;

and the basis of which is His Word:

But the Word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you. 1 Peter 1:25.

This Word is life and when received as the Word of God it begets new life in the believer.

For this cause also we thank God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, 

ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, 

the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 1 Thessalonian 2:13.

Moreover, the Word is both spirit and life:

The Words that I (Jesus) speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63.

The new birth by the Spirit

It is the Spirit of God in its work upon the human heart. That regenerating power, which no human eye can see begets a new life in the soul.

Thus it creates a new being in the image of God.

This work is beyond the power of human to accomplish:

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:

Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12, 13.

Thus everyone in whom it is done is said to:

• know God - Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1 John 4:7

• be known of God - But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Galatians 4:9

• be born of God - Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God; We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; 

but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 1 John 5:1, 18.

The Spirit of knowledge and truth

And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the

 spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:2.

Moreover, God’s Spirit is given to guide us into all truth:

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; 

but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 16:13, 14;

Furthermore, He is superior to any merely human teacher:

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: 

but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 1 John 2:27;

Working through the Word:

When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19.

Moreover, witnessing to our acceptance with God  -  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. Romans 8:16;

by bringing the Word of God to our remembrance:

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. John 14:26.

To know God is eternal life

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:3.

Moreover, blessings are multiplied to us through this knowledge.

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2.

In this knowledge one may glory:

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercises lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: 

for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23, 24.

To know Jesus is to know the Father. Are you able to see Jesus as He is - your personal Savior? Thus we acquire the essential knowledge of God in Christ:

No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him. John 1:18.

Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify Thee:

As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. John 17:1, 2.

Thus the knowledge of God is eternal life, received only through Christ.

Christ is called the Word

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1.

In Him is the life:

In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:4.

For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; John 5:26.

Moreover in Him is the power to give life:

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening Spirit. 1 Corinthians 15:45.

We receive Christ by believing on Him:

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12.

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love; Ephesians 3:17.

Thus we have life - He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 1 John 5:12.

Furthermore, Christ Himself dwells in us - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. Galatians 2:20.

It is by His Word: 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. Colossians 3:16.

So we feed upon Him:

As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. John 6:57;

in studying His word - Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart; Jeremiah 15:16.

Thus the same Word, by which all things were created in the beginning, begets by the same power a new life in the believer.

Keep on learning:

Lessons On The Word Of God

• How Is God's Word Given

• The Power Of God's Word Part 1

• The Power Of God's Word Part 3

References:

1. Lessons on the Word - 1892

2. COL 160 - The Ellen G. White Estate

3. The Bible, King James Version (KJV)

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