“Born Again and Filled with the Holy Spirit”

Pentecost Sunday

John 3

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 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.

4 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?

5 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.

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

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

2 Corinthians 5

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

In Acts 2 we observe the great difference in the lives of the disciples when they had been filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The change was clearly evident.

In John 3: 1-7 we read about Nicodemus who came to Jesus at night, as discreetly as possible, probably because of “peer pressure”. He was nervous. Jesus pointed out Nicodemus’ lack of basic understanding about the faith despite his advanced education. Also, Jesus refused to be drawn into the discussion that Nicodemus was trying to initiate and instead, pointed him to what really mattered – being born again. Being born of water can refer to cleansing but there has to be a walk with God after that. A complete change that is so radical that it is being “born again”.
Think of a new-born baby. It is totally dependent on its mother for all nourishment. Do you receive all your sustenance from Christ?

The old life of sin has to be dealt with so that we can experience the gift from above – being filled with His Holy Spirit.

We cannot depend on tradition or the church we attend, but only on Christ. Then, we receive a new direction in life, from Heaven. Pentecost must mean that we are born again and filled with His Holy Spirit who lives His life in us.