If I may make a suggestion....
When We Receive Christ, We Experience a New Birth: (READ John 3:1-8)
Of course I read the passage that you indicated and I didn't come to the conclusion you drew.
"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." [John 3:5]
The Sacred Scriptures and the teaching of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church of Christ are in complete agreement. Our new birth occurs at Holy Baptism, which consists of BOTH water and Spirit.
So you might consider altering your message so that it clearly articulates that "receiving Christ" by faith does not accomplish our rebirth. It is only the first step that directs us to want to take the next step, which is to accept Holy Baptism.
One Lord, one faith, one baptism, [Ephesians 4:5]
Now there is only one true baptism, and that is only to be found in Christ's true Church, the Holy Orthodox Catholic Church of Christ.
Other baptisms in Roman Catholic and Protestant sects are water baptisms, but are bereft of the Spirit which must accompany said baptism.
Cyprian |
