Ye Must Be Born Again

"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."  John 3:3.  Nicodemus had confessed that Jesus had come from heaven.  But, Jesus instructed Nicodemus that faith only is insufficient to save.  One must not only believe that Jesus has come from heaven, but one must also be born again.  Jesus stated that this new birth is an absolute.  Jesus further explained to Nicodemus that this birth was of the water and the Spirit.  This birth brings the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation to God.  One is then given a place of residence in the kingdom of God.  The new birth translates one from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of heaven.  The new birth brings a new citizenship and a new allegiance.  When one is born of water (baptism) and the Spirit, a new identity is given.  One born of water and the Spirit has a new hope.  The new birth means being raised from water to walk in newness of life and raised to sit in heavenly places.  The new birth gives one access to the priesthood of Jesus Christ and all the blessings of heaven.  Ye must be born again.