The Book of Acts �?nbsp;
A Case Study in How to Be Born Again
by Irvin Baxter, Jr.
Included in this Bible Study:
In order to fully understand the Bible’s instructions on how to be born again, let’s look at how the Apostles acted on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Instead of wrestling over what we think the instructions meant, it is better to simply see what they did.
The book of Acts supplies several actual illustrations of exactly how people were born again during the Apostles�?time. The reason these examples are found in the book of Acts is because Acts is the history book of the founding of the New Testament church. This is why the book is called, “The Acts of the Apostles.�?It shows how the Apostles took the teachings of Jesus, as recorded in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and actually implemented them in the church.
Right now, as Christians, we, too, should be continuing the book of Acts. We need to continue to apply the teachings of Jesus Christ exactly as He intended for them to be applied.
Ephesians 2:20 states that the church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. In this spirit, let’s begin with Acts 8:12:
“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.�?
Philip was preaching the Kingdom of God, so he definitely had the correct message. The people believed Philip, and, in response to their belief, they were baptized. It is apparent that Philip was preaching to them that, if you are going to enter the Kingdom of God, you must be born again through repentance, baptism and the infilling of the Holy Ghost.
Proper response to belief was baptism
Again, take note. Proper response to belief is action �?baptism. There are some in the world today who teach that, after believing, baptism is optional. So far in our study, it does not appear that the Apostles shared this teaching.
Let us now continue with verse 13:
“Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.�?
There is a complicating factor in this story �?a sorcerer by the name of Simon. He believed and was baptized. But he was obviously still not saved. We will see this clearly later on. Right now, let’s learn another interesting principle.
Baptized believers do not automatically have the Holy Ghost
The story continues with verses 14-16:
“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)�?
The people in Samaria had believed and had been baptized. That should be enough, right? Not according to this biblical passage. The people had not yet received the Holy Ghost!
There are many people who have been taught that when they repent, or when they are baptized, or when they “believe�?on Jesus Christ, that they should simply accept the fact that they have received the Holy Ghost whether they know it happened or not. However, that is obviously not true according to this passage. Simple belief, repentance or baptism does not automatically mean that a person has received God’s Holy Spirit. This was not the Apostles�?understanding.
Evidence of the Holy Ghost
Continuing with verses 17-20:
“Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.�?
As Simon watched the people receiving the Holy Ghost, he thought that he could make a lot of money off of this! The Apostles were laying hands on the people and something was happening to them. The Bible does not describe the exact signs of what was happening other than they were receiving the Holy Ghost. But apparently something was happening because the scriptures says, “When Simon saw that through laying on of the Apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money.�?
It is fairly obvious that what was happening was the same thing that happened in Acts Chapter 2. When the Holy Ghost fell in Acts 2:1-4, they began to speak with other languages as the Spirit of God gave them utterance. This was a supernatural experience, and Simon saw it. And he was thinking of the money he could make if he, too, was able to cause people to speak other languages by just laying hands on them.
When belief and baptism are not enough
Let’s look at what happened next in verses 21-22:
“Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.�?
Can it be true? Simon believed and was baptized, and yet he was not saved! You cannot be saved when your heart is not right with God.
The fact is, belief and baptism are not enough. Simon had not repented. He had not died to self. Worse yet, he was trying to exploit the Gospel for financial gain. Peter instructed him to go back to that first step �?repentance.
Remember, we are born again by obeying the gospel of the Kingdom of God. We do this by accepting the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus through repentance, baptism in Jesus�?name and receiving the Holy Ghost. Simon was missing the death through repentance phase. You have to accept the death of Christ. You can’t pass up the death part; you’ve got to die to self if you’re going to be in the Kingdom of God!
In Acts Chapter 10, we find another account of conversion �?of being born again. This was an outstanding account, because it was the first time the gospel was preached to the Gentiles. Peter’s visit to the house of Cornelius is recorded in Acts 10:43-46:
“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.�?
Notice that things are out of order here. Peter had preached repentance to them and apparently they did repent. According to Acts 2:38, the next step should have been baptism, and yet while Peter was still preaching, the Holy Ghost fell on them. They hadn’t been baptized yet, but they were filled with God’s Spirit when they heard the Word.
Peter had taken some of his Jewish brothers along with him when he went to Cornelius�?house. It was Peter’s understanding that the Gentiles were not supposed to receive the gospel. Yet God told him to go, so he went. But he apparently felt safer with a few witnesses! Peter and his Jewish friends observed these Gentiles receiving the same experience as they themselves had on the day of Pentecost. They marveled.
Still three steps to being born again, even if out of order
The house of Cornelius had repented and were filled with the Holy Ghost. Was their born again experience complete? Let’s see what happened next in verses 47-48:
“Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.�?
Peter knew the plan of salvation. Jesus had given him the keys to the Kingdom. Peter had opened the door on the day of Pentecost when he said, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.�?(Acts 2:38)
Holy Ghost filled believers were commanded to be baptized!
Notice that Peter did not say that since they already received the Holy Ghost, there was no need to be baptized. No! He commanded them to be baptized! This is because Peter understood Jesus�?instructions to Nicodemus �?that you must be born of the water as well as the spirit.
In Acts Chapter 19, Paul had gone on a missionary journey. He arrived at Ephesus in Acts 19:1-4:
“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.�?
Paul found these disciples, apparently good people. He joins himself to them and asks if they had received the Holy Ghost since they believed. These disciples had believed.
Believing with no Holy Ghost!
Let’s pause here for a moment. There are people today who say that if you believe, then you should accept the fact that you have received the Holy Ghost. Yet again we are finding in the book of Acts that this is not the case at all! Paul has found in Ephesus believing disciples without the Holy Ghost!
Incorrect baptism must be corrected
These disciples told Paul that they didn’t even know about the Holy Ghost. Paul investigated the matter. He asked them about their baptism. Maybe baptism was their problem. And it was.
When Paul understood that they were baptized unto repentance, he explained to them that John’s baptism was for a previous era. Now that Jesus Christ had come, they needed to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Some people may tell you that it doesn’t matter how you are baptized. Paul obviously did not share this opinion.
These disciples at Ephesus had been baptized. They did all that they knew to do. But when Paul determined that it was done incorrectly, ... well, let’s read verses 5-6 to see what happened next:
“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.�?
We are reading here in the Bible about wonderful people walking with God in all they knew, and yet there was more. When Paul brought to them further revelation, they gladly embraced it. They offered no resistance �?no complaining about having to be baptized a second time. They didn’t worry about what their friends or family might think. These were hungry truth-seeking disciples who were honored by God with more truth, and their response was one of joyful obedience.
It is so wonderful to find a person who hears the gospel and just says, “Yes, I see what you are saying to me.�?
All three elements are in every account
We have just studied the accounts of Simon the Sorcerer, the house of Cornelius and the disciples at Ephesus. The issue we looked at in each account was salvation through obeying the gospel of the kingdom of God. Our purpose was to carefully analyze how the born again process was applied by the Apostles in the Bible.
Peter received Jesus�?instructions on how to be born again. He shared his understanding of salvation on the day of Pentecost, recorded in Acts 2:38. Peter explained that the born again plan of salvation was to repent, be baptized in the name of the Jesus Christ, and receive the Holy Ghost.
We painstakingly analyzed every conversion account in the book of Acts to see if the instructions given by Jesus and Peter were followed. We discovered that they were. Notice that in every conversion account in Acts, the three elements of being born again were covered. It was always repentance, baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ, and the wonderful infilling of the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking with other tongues. In all of the accounts, the Apostles were faithfully executing the message of Jesus Christ.
When Jesus said that you must be born again or you cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3), the Apostles understood it �?loud and clear. We know this because everywhere they went, they preached this very message. Peter, Philip, Paul... all of them preached the same message; you must be born again. And so should we.
This is how you accept Christ. You accept the work of Calvary by accepting His death, His burial and His resurrection.
Let’s be like the Apostles. Let’s use their actions as our living examples of how to be born again!
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Peter, Philip, Paul... all of them preached the same message; you must be born again. And so should we. 
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