John 3 Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. "   John 3:7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'   1 Peter 1:23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. EVERY PERSON IS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET RIGHT WITH GOD For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son (Jesus Christ), that whoever believes in Him (Jesus Christ) shall not perish (die and go to hell) but have eternal life. John 3:16   EVERY PERSON IS SINFUL AND SEPARATED FROM GOD. For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23   For the wages of sin is death Romans 6:23 EVERY PERSON HAS BUT ONE WAY TO REACH GOD. Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father (God) except through me." John 14:6 Christ died for our sins... Jesus was buried... He was raised on the third day, according to the scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 EVERY PERSON IS CALLED TO MAKE A PERSONAL DECISION TO RECEIVE AND ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND SAVIOR. But as many as received Him (Jesus Christ), to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. John 1:12 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, that no one should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 EVERY PERSON MUST INVITE JESUS CHRIST INTO THEIR LIFE. AND ACCEPTING JESUS CHRIST MEANS REPENTING and TURNING TO GOD. "Behold, I (Jesus Christ) stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him..." Revelation 3:20 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." — 2 Corinthians 5:17   A. Jesus commanded his followers to baptize people (new converts/disciples). During Jesus' ministry on earth, his disciples baptized people.   In many ways, this practice of baptizing people, in obedience to Jesus' command, in Matthew 28:19, is no different than what was done previously, when the original 12 apostles were baptizing people, under the Jesus' command. John 3:22, 26; 4:1-2 - Jesus' followers (the disciples) performed the act of baptizing others. But since it was under his (Jesus') command, it can also be said that Jesus baptized them. [It seems that the apostle Paul also followed this practice, to some degree. Compare with 1 Corinthians 1:13-17a.]   After the resurrection, the practice continued: new disciples were to be baptized. Matthew 28:19; Mark 16 [in some translations]; Acts 2:38; 10:48; 22:16 - It was commanded or stated as necessary. Acts 2:41; 8:12-13, 16, 36, 38; 9:18; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:5 - The command we . In (or into) whose name are we to be baptized? "NO" - Who NOT to be baptized into: 1 Cor. 1:13-17a - Not in/into the name of some church leader (such as Paul).   "YES" - Who to be baptized into: Matthew 28:19 - In (or into) the name of the Father/Son/Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5 - In (or into) the name of Jesus [Jesus Christ / the Lord Jesus]. The focus isn't on a specific word-order, but on who we are being baptized into. To say "Father/Son/Holy Spirit" makes a general statement that all three are involved in our salvation. To say "Jesus Christ" (or a similar statement) emphasizes the specific work that Jesus had in our salvation. Both ways seem to have been considered acceptable.   What does this mean? A person's name represents the person. [In the days of the Bible, the meaning of a name or title could also have a special significance. Being baptized "in/into Jesus' name" symbolizes being united with (or joined to) Christ Jesus. We are "in" him (and he "in" us). Some of the significance this has for us will be mentioned later in this study. But, among other things, it shows a very close relationship between Jesus and his disciples. He is our leader; we want to follow him and learn from him. He has first place in our lives. We are not to become followers of some religious leader - whether from the past or alive today - even if that leader is held in high regard by most Christians. We can also say that we are "one" with God (Father/Son/Holy Spirit as mentioned in Matthew 28:19). But this is true only because of our union with Christ. Many things are now true for us, because of our new relationship with Christ.   You, too, can accept Jesus Christ this moment and become born again in Christ.