God's Holy Fire: 'Only the Holy Spirit Gives Birth to Spiritual Life'

Ten times in five verses in the Bible's first chapter we are told that each living thing produced according to its kind (Genesis 1:11-12; Genesis 1:21; Genesis 1:24-25). In today's verse, John reminds us that this principle is still true: Human beings can produce only human life; they can't give birth to true spiritual life. The power to give birth to spiritual life comes only from the Holy Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit is essential to true conversion (Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Titus 3:3-7). When folks were baptized in New Testament times and the Holy Spirit wasn't involved, they were taught more fully about Jesus and were baptized again with a recognition of the Spirit's involvement (Acts 19:1-7). When there was a question of whether to include Gentiles into the family of God, the work of the Holy Spirit in their conversion was crucial to their acceptance (Acts 10:44-48; Acts 11:15-17; Acts 15:8-9). For us to be reborn into God's family, for us to be true followers of Jesus, and for us to be cleansed and made holy, the Holy Spirit must be involved. Only "the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life"!