Author: Jim

Confess(ing)

Image result for confessing sins

The word “confess” is the Greek word ekzomologeo, a word that means {to declare, to say out loud, to exclaim, to divulge, or to blurt}.
Just what is CONFESSION; when and how are we to do it?  The Roman Catholic teach that it is a sacrament and that sacramental reconciliation is required only for grave or mortal sins—but it is required.
It is taught in Christian Churches that to be saved you must REPENT and BE BAPTISED and then you must confess your sins (daily?) or as often as you commit them(?) It is also taught the sinners prayer is required for salvation, where one must confess he is a sinner and beg God to forgive and save him!
Now what exactly does the Scripture teach about confession and salvation?
The Lord Jesus speaking to Jews said:
Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
But many Jews, even though they believed that Jesus was Lord and the Son of God, were afraid to publicly confess Him.
John 9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
Now Paul, appearing before Felix, the Governor, confessed (not his sin but his belief):
Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
And Paul’s mission (after he was saved) was to go to the Gentiles:
Romans 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
Paul told gentiles (and Jews) just what we are to confess to be saved:
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
That Jesus is God, and we can do it now and be saved or later (after death, when it will be too late to be saved).
Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
James, writing to Jewish believers (1:1-2), is still living UNDER THE LAW.
And following the Law he exhorts them to confess their faults (sins) to each other (James 5:12-16)
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
John, likewise writing to Jewish believers, was still living UNDER THE LAW.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Note that John exhorted that they (Jewish believers) are to confess Jesus is their Messiah:
1 John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

And last of all The Lord Jesus will confess the name of all believers in heaven:

Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Image result for clothed in white raiment;
⇛ checkout List of Topics

Saints

Image result for bible halos

A definition of Saint: a person acknowledged as holy or virtuous and typically regarded as being in heaven after death.

Just how do you become a Saint? According to one group there is a 5 step procedure.
  1. Step one: Wait five years – or don’t. The process to make someone a saint cannot normally start until at least five years after their death.
  2. Step two: Become a ‘servant of God’.
  3. Step three: Show proof of a life of ‘heroic virtue’.
  4. Step four: Verified miracles.
  5. Step five: Canonization.
But let’s see what the Bible has to say. Looking into the words recorded in ACTS; Jews who believed that Jesus was the Messiah, were called SAINTS.

ACTS 9:13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
ACTS 9:32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
ACTS 9:41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
ACTS 26:10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

Then as the Apostle Paul went to the Gentiles and gave them the Gospel

(1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and when they believed (Romans 10:9-13) they became saints.

Be sure to read all scripture in context for further understanding.

⇛ continue reading Saints Part 2
⇛ checkout List of Topics

The Greatest Commandment

Two Commandments

Matthew 22:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
(Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD.)
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
(Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.)

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

  1. Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.
  2. Matthew 19:19 Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
  3. Matthew 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
  4. Mark 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
  5. Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.
  6. Romans 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
  7. Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
  8. James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

  1. John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
  2. John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
  3. John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
  4. Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
  5. 1 Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
  6. 1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
  7. 1 John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
  8. 1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
  9. 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
  10. 1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
  11. 1 John 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
  12. 2 John 1:5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.)

⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛

And this is how you love one another➔ as Jesus did!

Image result for love one another

Altar Observations

Image result for altars in old testament
Altar(s) appear in the Holy Scripture about 1628 times.
There are 3 Hebrew words and 2 Greek Words translated Altar(s):
  • Ari’eyl             the Altar of the Temple (3 times)    Ezekiel 43:15, 16, 18
  • Madbach        a sacrificial Altar  (1 times)    Ezra 7:17
  • Mizbeach       an Altar  (1600 times)
  • Bomos             an Altar  (1 times)     Acts 17:23 (false Altar)
  • Thusiaster     place of sacrifice & Altar  (23 times)

From Adam to the Flood (1656 years) the word Altar is NOT found in the Scripture. Offerings were made to God (Cain and Abel) and an Altar is assumed but not named.

The 1st mention of an Altar is after the flood.
Image result for noah's altar

Genesis 8:20 – Noah built an Altar and offered sacrifices three hundred and seventy five plus years later, the Altar is mentioned again after the call of Abram.
Genesis 12:7 – Abram arrives in land of Canaan and builds an Altar when God appears to him. After Lot separates to Sodom and Gomora, Abram moves to Hebron.
Genesis 13:18 – Abram builds an Alter (2nd) 30+ years later
Genesis 22:9 – Abraham builds (3rd) Altar to offer his only son Isaac as sacrifice.
— Eighty five years pass during which Abraham dies.
Genesis 26:24 – Isaac builds an Altar after God reaffirms the Abrahamic Covenant.
— Sixty nine years pass before Jacob has stolen blessing from Esau and fled to Uncle Laban.
Genesis 33:20 – Jacob builds (1st) Alter after serving Laban 20 years and before seeing Esau. Returns to Bethel from Haran.
Genesis 35:1-7 – Jacob builds (2nd) Altar.
— Six Hundred and 10 plus years pass.
Exodus 17:15 – Moses (80 years old) leads Israelites out of Egypt and builds an Altar.
— Forty years of wilderness wanderings pass and the Altar is established as part of the Tabernacle and an orderly worship of God is established.
Joshua 8:30 – Joshua builds an Altar after the defeat at Ai.
— Thirty plus years spent possessing the land. Tribes of Rueben, Gad & ½ Manasseh return to other side of Jordan.
Joshua 22:10 – And they build an (great) Altar, which causes much concern for Israel.

200 years later the Altar is mentioned again

Judges 6:25 – Gideon builds an Altar unto the Lord (after tearing down father’s false Altar).
Judges 21:24-25 – plays an important part in the next Altar that is built.
Judges 21:4 – The people of Israel build an Altar.
Samuel is Judge, people want a King.
1 Samuel 7:17 – Samuel built an Altar in Ramah.
Several years pass and Saul is the King of Israel.
1 Samuel 14:35 – Saul built an Altar (1st) unto the Lord.
Samuel has died, Saul and Sons are killed.
2 Samuel 24:25 – King David builds an Altar to avert a plague.
David turns kingdom over to Solomon, who serves 4 years and then spends 20 years building Temple/Palace.
1 Kings 9:25 – Solomon builds an Altar unto the Lord.
Solomon dies. Kingdom turned over to Rehoboam who sets high taxes and total dictatorship.
Israel rebels and follows Jeroboam.  Judah follows Rehoboam.
1 Kings 12:33 – Jeroboam builds an Altar in Bethel (not unto the Lord).

There are still many references in the Old Testament to Altars being used, torn down or built up unto the Lord as well as False. The New Testament, other than references in Revelation, refer to the Old Testament.

Matthew 5:23,24; 23:18-20,35,  Luke 1:11; 11:51,  Acts 17:23
1 Corinthians 9:13; 10:18, Hebrews 7:13; 13:10, James 2:21

It would appear that the Altar is currently in Heaven:
Revelation 6:9; 8:3,5; 9:13; 11:1; 14:18; 16:7.

It also appears that the “Cross” is the final altar (Hebrews 13:9-16).
Remember the final words the Lord said, “IT IS FINISHED” (John 19:30).

Checkout Alter in the Church (under CHURCH)

Image result for god's altar


⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛

Noah’s Ark

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah’s Ark .

  1. Don’t miss the boat.
  2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.
  3. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.
  4. Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
  5. Don’t listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
  6. Build your future on high ground.
  7. For safety sake, travel in pairs.
  8. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
  9. When you’re stressed, float a while.
  10. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
  11. No matter the storm, when you have faith, there’s always a rainbow waiting.


⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛

Bible Timeline

DATE    EVENT

Undated         God Created the Earth
Undated         Adam & Eve sin
Undated         God sends the flood
Undated         Job suffers
2160 bc         Birth of Abraham
2090 bc         Abraham enters Canaan
2060 bc         Birth of Isaac
1898 bc         Joseph sold into Slavery
1446 bc         Exodus from Egypt
1445 bc         Ten Commandments given to Moses
1400 bc         Israelites enter Canaan
1367 bc         Othniel becomes Israel’s first judge
1105 bc         Samuel’s birth
1075 bc         Samson becomes judge of Israel
1050 bc         Saul becomes Israel’s first King
1010 bc         David becomes King 
 971 bc         Solomon becomes King
 959 bc         First Temple Completed
 930 bc         Rehoboam becomes King
 930 bc         Kingdom splits
 740 bc         Isaiah’s ministry begins
 722 bc         Fall of Israel
 627 bc         Jeremiah’s Ministry Begins
 605 bc         Daniel exiled to Babylon
 586 bc         Fall of Judah
 538 bc         First exiles return to Jerusalem
 536 bc         Rebuilding of Temple begins
 516 bc         Second Temple is completed
 479 bc         Esther becomes Queen of Persia
 458 bc         Ezra returns from exile to Jerusalem
 445 bc         Nehemiah returns from exile to Jerusalem
 433 bc         Malachi begins ministry
   6 bc         John the Baptist birth
   6 bc         Jesus’ Birth
   4 bc         Magi visit Jesus
   6 ad         Jesus (the boy) visits the Temple
  24 ad         Jesus Baptized
  27 ad         Jesus Death
  34 ad         Saul’s (Paul) conversion
  46 ad         Paul’s first missionary journey
  49 ad         Jerusalem Council
  50 ad         Paul’s Second missionary journey
  53 ad         Paul’s third missionary journey
  59 ad         Paul’s journey to Rome 
  70 ad         Temple destroyed
Dates are best guesstimates

⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛

12 Spies


Twelve men to search out the land of Canaan.

One from each tribe, a leader in their tribe, heads of Israel. Numbers 13:2-3
Their commission: be of good courage! Numbers 13:18-2

Their job: (1) See the land, what it is. Good or Bad. Fat or Lean. Wood therein or not. Fruit, bring some back. (2) See the people who dwell therein: Strong or Weak. Few or many. (3) See the cites. Camps or Strongholds.

They spent 40 days searching out the land. Numbers 13:25
Their Report: Numbers 13:26-29

  1. The land floweth with milk and honey, very fruitful. Numbers 13:27
  2. The people are strong.  Numbers 13:28
  3. The cities walled and very great. Numbers 13:28

Summary: Caleb said “Let us go up at once and possess it”. Numbers 13:30 Joshua agreed. Numbers 14:6 But the other ten said “We are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger then we.” And the congregation (Children of Israel, 11 days out of Egyptian Slavery) cried “Would God that we died in the land of Egypt!” Numbers 14:2  “… and let us return into Egypt.” Numbers 14:4 But all the congregation bade stone them. (Caleb and Joshua) with stones. Numbers 14:10

Who were and what became of these 12 leaders, heads of the tribes of Israel, who searched out the land?

Numbers 13:4-15 And these were their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur. Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori. Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.  Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph. Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun. Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu.  Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi. Of the tribe of Joseph, namely, of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi.  Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli. Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael. Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi. Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.

  • Shammua the son of Zaccur.     He voted NO
    Name means renowned, heard-about
  • Shaphat the son of Hori                He voted NO
    Name means God judges
  • Igal the son of Joseph.                    He voted NO
    Name means God redeems.|
  • Palti the son of Raphu.                   He voted NO
    Name means delivered.
  • Gaddiel the son of Sodi.                 He voted NO
    Name means fortune of Gad.
  • Gaddi the son of Susi.                     He voted NO
    Name means fortunate.
  • Ammiel the son of Gemalli.          He voted NO
    Name means delivered.
  • Sethur the son of Michael.           He voted NO
    Name means hidden.
  • Nahbi the son of Vophsi.               He voted NO
    Name means concealed, hidden.
  • Geuel the son of Machi.                  He voted NO
    Name means majesty of God.
  • Caleb the son of Jephunneh                              He voted YES
    Name means dog.
  • Hoshea the son of Nun.(Oshea, Joshua)     He voted YES
    (see Life and Times of Joshua)

Hoshea, Oshea means deliverer, salvation. Joshua means Jehovah is salvation.

Numbers 13:16 These [are] the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua.
Deuteronomy 32:44 And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun.

Other than Caleb and Joshua, there is very little said of these 12 men. They were leaders of their respective tribes, their names had Godly meanings and they were the HOPE of Israel. But they came to a sad end.

Numbers 14:37-38 Even those men who did bring the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD.But Joshua, the son of Nun, and Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, who were of the men who went to search the land, lived still.

⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛

Rewards and Losses

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

     Psalm 118:22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.          
     Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
     Romans 14:10-12 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
     Judging  Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
     1 Corinthians 2:13-16 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
     2 Corinthians 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
     Malachi 4:1  For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

     Malachi 3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4
 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
    Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:
    Ephesians 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
    Romans 10:9-13  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

⇛ checkout List of Topics

An Invitation

To Hear…
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 
The word of God…
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
2 Timothy 3:16,17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Rightly Dividing…
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
So we can understand God’s Message for this Age (of Grace)
The total depravity of Man:
Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 
Romans 3:10 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  Romans 3:23
The all-sufficiency work of CHRIST on the Cross:
Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, …Christ died for the ungodly.
Romans 5:8-9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, …
1 Timothy 2:5,6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.3. The simple means of salvation:
The simple means of salvation:
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
The Assurance of Salvation:
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛

Babes in Christ

John 3  There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 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. 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. 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? 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.That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.  Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

The Apostle Peter reminds his fellow Jews of this truth:
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

The Apostle Paul also reminds the Jews of this:
Hebrews 5:12-13 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

And he also writes to the Churches they are babes after salvation:
Romans 2:20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
1 Corinthians 3:1-2 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

But we are NOT to remain babes, drinking milk. We are to grow, and eat the meat of the word. We are to become of full age.

Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛

Image result for baby to adulthood