ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Monday February 27, 2017

“The process of becoming a Christian”

So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. - Matthew 19:28

not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit - Titus 3:5

Born Again – The Doctrine of Regeneration

In yesterday’s devotional, it was mentioned that the word regeneration appears only twice in the New Testament. The two verses are our texts for today’s reading. Matthew 19:28 looks ahead to the day of judgment and regeneration refers to the new heaven and a new earth. The second verse is Paul’s letter to Titus, where regeneration appears to deal with the symbolism for baptism.

However, although the word regeneration does not appear to be well used in the Gospel or in the early church, the concept of a new life is in every discussion of the experience of the Christian.

Sometimes, regeneration is taken to mean the whole process of becoming a Christian, and is understood as a comparatively broadly based term. We will take regeneration to refer to the fundamental imparting of a new life by God which lies at the heart of being a Christian.

 This Day in Christian History:

February 27, 1838 - BIRTH OF HYMNIST WILLIAM J. KIRKPATRICK in Duncannon, Pennsylvania. He wrote the tunes to many favorite hymns, among them “Jesus Saves,” “‘Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus,” “Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It,” and “He Hideth My Soul.” His studies of composition enabled him to make his music fit fluidly to lyrics.

Memory Verse:

Pea tali ‘e Sīsū, ‘o ne folofola kiate ia, Ko au ē, ko au ē, ‘oku ou tala atu, ‘Ilonga ‘a ia ‘e ‘ikai fanau‘i fo‘ou mei ‘olunga, ‘e ‘ikai te ne lava ke mamata ki he Pule‘anga ‘o e ‘Otua. – Sione 3:3

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – John 3:3

Bible Reading Plan: (52 weeks; 5 days a week)

Week 9 – Leviticus 26-27; Psalm 112; Hebrews 10