Born Again...Through The...Word Of God

1 Peter 1:23-25 - For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.

Titus 3:4-7 - But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Isaiah 40:8 - The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."

Conclusions:

• The new birth comes about through the direct action of the Holy Spirit, but the word of God also plays an important role, for it presents the gospel to the sinner and calls on him to repent and believe in Christ
• In 1 Peter 1:23 the seed is doubtless the word of God, which is imperishable, living and enduring
• Salvation is not achieved by human effort or merit but comes through God’s mercy alone
• Washing of rebirth is a reference to new birth, of which baptism is a sign
• Washing of rebirth cannot mean that baptism is necessary for regeneration, since the New Testament plainly teaches that the new birth is an act of God’s Spirit and is not effected or achieved by ceremony
• Renewal by the Holy Spirit is also a reference to new birth
• The plans and purposes of the nations will not prevail

Application:

• Have you been called on to repent and believe in Christ?
• Is your salvation by God's mercy alone?
• Will your plans and purposes prevail?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible