Completing the Fourfold Process of Spiritual Birth

Feb 17, 2014

Devotional

Day 1: The Four Steps of New Birth: Repent, Believe, Be Baptized, Receive

Entering the Christian life is a process that mirrors physical birth, involving four essential steps: repentance, faith in Jesus, baptism in water, and receiving the Holy Spirit. Each step is necessary for a complete spiritual birth, just as each stage in physical birth is vital for a healthy baby. Skipping or rushing any of these steps can leave a believer spiritually underdeveloped, much like a car running on only two or three cylinders. The early church always led new believers through all four steps, ensuring a full and vibrant entry into the kingdom of God. [15:09]

Acts 8:12-17 (ESV)
"But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit."

Reflection: Which of the four steps—repentance, faith, baptism, or receiving the Holy Spirit—do you feel least familiar with or have not fully experienced, and what would it look like to intentionally seek God’s fullness in that area this week?

Day 2: The Importance of Using New Testament Language

The words and phrases we use to describe becoming a Christian matter, as they shape our understanding and practice of faith. Many common expressions today, such as "making a decision for Christ" or "receiving Jesus into your heart," are not found in the New Testament and can lead us away from biblical principles. Returning to the language of Scripture—repent, believe, be baptized, receive the Holy Spirit—helps us align our thinking and actions with the pattern set by the apostles and early church, ensuring that our faith is rooted in truth rather than tradition or imagination. [06:06]

Colossians 2:6-8 (ESV)
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

Reflection: What common Christian phrases or traditions have shaped your understanding of faith, and how might returning to New Testament language clarify or deepen your walk with God?

Day 3: Faith as the Key That Unites All Four Steps

While all four steps are necessary, faith is the thread that runs through each one—motivating repentance, giving meaning to baptism, and opening us to receive the Holy Spirit. True saving faith is not a passive belief but an active trust that leads to transformation in every area. The New Testament teaches that we are justified by a faith that repents, submits to baptism, and receives the Spirit, not by faith alone in isolation. This holistic faith is what brings us fully into the life God intends. [27:59]

Galatians 3:2-5 (ESV)
"Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?"

Reflection: In what ways does your faith actively lead you to repentance, obedience in baptism, and openness to the Holy Spirit, and where might you need to let faith move you into new steps of obedience?

Day 4: Conversion and Regeneration: Our Part and God’s Part

Becoming a Christian is both a human act and a divine work. Conversion is our turning—repenting, believing, being baptized, and receiving the Spirit—while regeneration is God’s action in granting repentance, faith, cleansing, and pouring out His Spirit. Both are necessary, and both happen together in a beautiful cooperation. This means that as we respond in obedience, God is at work in us, making us truly alive in Christ. [33:00]

Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV)
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

Reflection: Where do you tend to rely only on your own effort or only on God’s work in your spiritual growth, and how can you embrace both your responsibility and God’s activity in your journey today?

Day 5: Spiritual Birth Is a Process, Not Just a Moment

Just as physical birth is a process with several stages, so is spiritual birth. Regeneration is not an instantaneous event but a journey through repentance, faith, baptism, and receiving the Spirit, culminating in a fully alive Christian life. The goal is not merely to be "born again" but to be living and thriving in the kingdom of God, fully experiencing the new life that Jesus offers. [35:36]

John 3:5-8 (ESV)
"Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, "You must be born again." The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.'"

Reflection: Looking at your own spiritual journey, how have you experienced the process of new birth, and what step might God be inviting you to complete or deepen so that you are fully alive in Him?

Sermon Summary

To begin the Christian life is to undergo a process as profound and intricate as physical birth. Just as a newborn requires certain steps to be fully alive, so too does the spiritual birth demand a complete and careful process. Many struggle in their faith because their spiritual birth was incomplete or rushed, missing vital steps that would have set them on a healthy path. The way we begin our journey with God shapes the entire course of our Christian life, and it is crucial to ensure that the foundation is laid according to the pattern found in the New Testament.

The New Testament, especially the book of Acts, reveals a fourfold pattern for entering the kingdom of God: repentance toward God, faith in the Lord Jesus, baptism in water, and receiving the Holy Spirit. These four steps are not arbitrary or optional; they are the consistent pattern by which the early church led people into new life. Each step has its parallel in physical birth: repentance severs us from our old life, baptism washes us clean, and receiving the Spirit brings the breath of new life. This process is not about adopting modern euphemisms or shortcuts, but about returning to the language and practice of the apostles.

Different streams of Christianity have often emphasized one of these steps at the expense of the others—liberals focus on repentance, evangelicals on faith, sacramental traditions on baptism, and Pentecostals on the Spirit. Yet, to isolate any one is to miss the fullness of what God intends. All four belong together, and faith is the thread that runs through them all, animating repentance, baptism, and the reception of the Spirit.

Conversion and regeneration, often used interchangeably today, are distinct in the New Testament. Conversion is the human act of turning—repenting, believing, being baptized, and receiving. Regeneration is the divine act, God’s work in each of these steps. Both are necessary, and both unfold as a process rather than a single instant. The emphasis should not be on the moment of being “born again,” but on being fully alive in the kingdom, having completed the process of new birth. As we help others begin their Christian journey, let us ensure that all four steps are present, so that they may be truly alive in Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. The foundation of the Christian life is a fourfold process: repentance, faith, baptism, and receiving the Holy Spirit. Each step is essential, and neglecting any one can result in a stunted or incomplete spiritual life. Just as a physical birth requires certain actions to ensure a healthy baby, so spiritual birth requires all four steps for a vibrant Christian walk. [03:05]
2. The language and practice of the early church, as seen in the book of Acts, should guide our understanding of how to begin the Christian life. Modern phrases like “making a decision for Christ” or “receiving Jesus into your heart” are not found in the New Testament and can obscure the biblical pattern. Returning to New Testament language helps us recover the depth and clarity of the apostolic faith. [06:06]
3. Each of the four steps corresponds to a relationship with a person of the Trinity: repentance toward the Father, faith in the Son, baptism in the name of the Trinity, and receiving the Holy Spirit. This holistic approach introduces believers to the fullness of God from the very beginning, rather than leaving them to discover the Spirit years later. The early church’s pattern ensured a conscious relationship with all three persons of the Godhead. [17:22]
4. Conversion and regeneration are not synonymous; conversion is the human act of turning, while regeneration is God’s act of giving new life. Both are present in each of the four steps, and both are necessary for true spiritual birth. This cooperation between human response and divine initiative reflects the beautiful partnership at the heart of salvation. [33:00]
5. Spiritual birth is a process, not a single instant. Just as physical birth unfolds in stages, so does being born again. The goal is not merely to have a “born again” experience, but to be fully alive in the kingdom, having completed the process of repentance, faith, baptism, and receiving the Spirit. The emphasis should be on the completeness and vitality of new life, not on a momentary event. [35:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:26] - The Importance of a Healthy Spiritual Birth
[03:05] - Four Steps of Spiritual Birth
[04:55] - Parallels Between Physical and Spiritual Birth
[06:06] - The Need for New Testament Language
[08:14] - Understanding “Born of Water and Spirit”
[10:25] - Why the Book of Acts is Our Guide
[12:06] - The Limitations of the Gospels and Epistles
[13:16] - The Fourfold Pattern in Acts
[15:09] - Remembering the Four Steps: RBBR
[17:22] - Relationship with the Trinity from the Start
[20:39] - The Fourfold Pattern in the Gospels and Epistles
[23:35] - How Church Traditions Emphasize Different Steps
[25:50] - The Danger of Partial Truth
[27:20] - Faith as the Key to All Four Steps
[29:21] - Conversion and Regeneration: Distinctions
[33:00] - God’s Role and Our Role in New Birth
[35:36] - Spiritual Birth as a Process
[36:58] - The Movement from Human to Divine Action
[39:21] - The Essence of New Life in the Kingdom

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Four Steps of Spiritual Birth

Bible Reading

Acts 2:37-41

Peter’s call to repentance, faith, baptism, and receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

John 3:3-8

Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus about being “born again” of water and the Spirit.

Hebrews 6:1-2

The foundational teachings: repentance, faith, baptisms, and laying on of hands.

Observation Questions

In Acts 2:37-41, what four responses does Peter call the people to after they are “cut to the heart” by his message?
According to John 3:5, what two elements does Jesus say are necessary to enter the kingdom of God?
In Hebrews 6:1-2, what are the “elementary teachings” the writer says we should not have to repeat? How do these relate to the four steps discussed in the sermon?
The sermon describes how different church traditions tend to emphasize one of the four steps (repentance, faith, baptism, or receiving the Spirit). What examples did the speaker give for each tradition? [23:35]

Interpretation Questions

Why does the speaker insist that all four steps—repentance, faith, baptism, and receiving the Holy Spirit—are necessary for a healthy spiritual birth, rather than just one or two? [03:05]
How does the parallel between physical birth and spiritual birth help us understand the process of becoming a Christian? [04:55]
The sermon says that conversion is the human act of turning, while regeneration is God’s act of giving new life. Why is it important to recognize both human responsibility and God’s initiative in spiritual birth? [33:00]
What might be the consequences of starting the Christian life with an incomplete or rushed spiritual birth, according to the sermon? [01:26]

Application Questions

The sermon warns against using modern phrases like “making a decision for Christ” instead of New Testament language. Have you ever used or heard these phrases? How might returning to biblical language change the way you talk about faith with others? [06:06]
Think about your own spiritual journey. Were all four steps—repentance, faith, baptism, and receiving the Holy Spirit—present and clear when you began following Jesus? If not, how has that affected your walk with God? [01:26]
The speaker says that each step of spiritual birth connects us to a different person of the Trinity. How conscious are you of your relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Is there one person of the Trinity you feel less connected to? [17:22]
If you were to help someone begin their Christian journey, how would you ensure that all four steps are included? What practical things could you do or say? [03:05]
The sermon describes spiritual birth as a process, not a single instant. How does this perspective challenge or encourage you in your own faith journey? [35:36]
The speaker mentions that different church backgrounds often focus on just one step. Has your church or upbringing emphasized one of these steps more than the others? How has that shaped your understanding of what it means to be a Christian? [23:35]
Is there a step in the fourfold process that you feel you need to revisit or better understand? What would it look like to take that step more seriously in your life right now? [36:58]

End with prayer, asking God to help each person be “fully alive in the kingdom” and to walk in the fullness of new life in Christ.

Sermon Clips

“I have a burden. In counselling so many Christians, I've now learned something and it's not to discuss the problem they've brought to me at the beginning. I now say to someone who wants counsel, tell me how you began the Christian life. Just tell me about your conversion. And I listen very carefully to find out if they had a good or a bad midwife when they got converted, whether everything that should have been done for the baby was done, whether they've really been fully born again.”

“Birth affects life. A bad birth can produce a sickly, unhealthy baby, and a long, protracted and painful birth is to be avoided if possible. Yet looking back over my Christian experience, it took me seventeen years to get all that I needed that should have been done for me when I was converted. It needn't even take seventeen hours. It could even be done in seventeen minutes if you have an experienced midwife.”

“The way we begin steers a course for us for the rest of our time, and for most of us our conversion has been the biggest influence in our Christian life. Now I'm afraid there are too many rushed births, Christians who are badly birthed, badly delivered, and the amazing thing I've found is this, that if we go back and put the beginning right, the problem they've come with either gets reduced or they say, do you know, I think I can deal with that problem myself now.”

“There are Christians staggering along because they're not firing on all four cylinders. I have discovered, and here I'm telling you the heart of the teaching I'm going to give today, that there are four steps into life. There are four aspects to the new birth. There are four things that need to happen to every baby.”

“Just as all those things need to be done at a physical birth, their equivalent needs to be done at a spiritual birth. For example, cutting the cord and tying it off is equivalent to repentance. That brings the past to a conclusion. It cuts you off from that which ties you to your previous existence. Washing the baby, which is important to get all the remains of its previous existence washed away so that it starts clean, is equivalent to baptism in the new life.”

“When we get away from Bible language, it usually means we're getting away from Bible principles and Bible thought. So we've now got into the habit of a whole lot of euphemisms which we use instead of biblical phrases. For example, we talk about people making a decision for Christ. We talk about people making a commitment. We talk about people opening their hearts to Jesus. We talk about people receiving Jesus into their life. None of that language is to be found in the New Testament.”

“If we're not careful, we take texts out of context and make them a pretext for our own thinking and the way we do it. I'm going to take you back into the New Testament accepting what it says and what they did to help people to become Christians.”

“We can actually watch the Apostles on location in the book of Acts. We can watch them doing evangelism. We can hear what they said to inquirers, so it's with the book of Acts that we must begin when we ask the question, how do you become a Christian?”

“In these two passages that they carefully took enquirers through four simple steps, and in the same order on both occasions. And the steps were, repent of your sins toward God, believe in the Lord Jesus, be baptized in water, and receive the Holy Spirit. And here are the four subjects I'm taking today. Together they make up what the New Testament understands by being born again, or becoming a believer, or entering the kingdom, or having eternal life.”

“If you put all the accounts together, there is no exception to these four basic steps. There is nothing ever added to these steps, nothing ever taken away from these steps. This is how they became a Christian in the early church. They repented of their sins to God, they believed on the Lord Jesus, they believed on the Lord Jesus, they were baptized in water, and they received the Holy Spirit.”

“One of the most striking things that you notice about this is that they began the Christian life in a personal relationship with three persons in the Godhead. They knew from the very beginning that God was a Trinity, whereas many Christians have started their Christian life today with no relationship with the Holy Spirit, no conscious knowledge of him, and sometimes they wait years before they get into that relationship.”

“We should introduce people from the very beginning to all three persons and say, repent toward the Father, believe in the Son, and receive the Spirit.”

“If you see all fours belonging together, you are thinking more like the apostles in the New Testament. Of course, of the four, faith is the most important, and it's the one that receives the greatest emphasis. But it lies behind the other three.”

“We need to see all four as parts of faith when we say we are justified by faith alone. That doesn't mean faith without repentance. It doesn't mean faith without baptism. It doesn't mean faith without receiving the Spirit. It means the kind of faith that encompasses all four.”

“It's very dangerous to say we are saved by faith alone if it means cutting out those other three. We're saved by a faith that repents, a faith that submits to baptism, and a faith that receives the Holy Spirit.”

“Conversion is a human act and has four stages to it. I convert when I repent, when I believe, when I'm baptized, and when I receive, and I'm facing the other way. So that all four are acts of men.”

“But now comes the surprising thing. In the New Testament, all four are also acts of God. It says God grants us repentance. It says that faith is not of ourselves, it is a gift of God. It says that it's God who washes my sins away in baptism. It says it's God who pours out the Spirit upon me.”

“It is a beautiful cooperation between God's activity and my activity. When I repent, God is giving me repentance. When I believe God is giving me faith. When I get baptized, God is going to wash me clean. When I receive the Spirit, God is pouring out His Spirit upon me. It's both. It's both conversion and regeneration.”

“We've got stuck with the idea that regeneration, being born again, must happen in an instant. Now if that is true, you have to look at the four steps and say, at what point in that process is the instant of regeneration? The Calvinist says it comes before number one, because you can't do the other four until you're born again. The Arminian says it comes between two and three. It comes after you believe and before you baptize. The Catholic says it comes at the moment of your baptism, even if that happened before the others. They're all wrong because they all assume that regeneration is an instantaneous miracle. But you study the word regeneration in the Bible and you'll find it always refers to a process of a number of stages which needs to be completed. It is not an instantaneous event. It is a process, as physical birth is a process.”

“We should be far more concerned about getting Christians alive than getting people born again. Do you understand what I'm saying? Because birth is only the beginning of life. The most important part of being a Christian is not to have been born again, but to be living, to be alive in the kingdom and alive in the Spirit.”

“As you go through this whole process of being born again, there's less and less of you and more and more of God in the process. This is why the texts on conversion are mostly about stages one and two, and the texts on regeneration or being born again are mostly about three and four, which is why Jesus said, you're born again of water and Spirit.”

“The beginning of new life, that's the end of your old life and this is the beginning of your new life, and that's the essence of birth. It's a change.”

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