When Was Peter Born Again?

"But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren" (Luk.22:32)

These words, spoken by Jesus at the last supper, indicate that Simon Peter was not at that time converted. In fact, it was impossible for anyone to be converted, or "born again", during Jesus' earthly ministry, for "the Holy Ghost was not yet given" (Jn.7:39). Those who followed Christ prior to the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2) were considered faithful Jews, not born-again people. They were under the Old Covenant and stayed under it until Jesus brought that covenant to an end by his death, resurrection, and ascension to offer himself to the Father for our sins (Heb.9:24-26). "For a testament [covenant] is of force after men are dead; otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth" (Heb.9:17).

Some believe that Peter and his fellow disciples were converted during Jesus' earthly ministry, and that Peter somehow became unconverted when he denied knowing Christ, but Peter had not denied knowing Christ at the time Jesus said, "When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Note, please, that Jesus did not say, "When thou art re-converted." The word he used was, "converted". Others say that Jesus' disciples received the Spirit when Jesus "breathed on them" after his resurrection (prior to his ascension later in Acts 1). But this too, is another attempt by men to excuse their lack of the Spirit, for the Spirit was not given until Jesus was "glorified" (John 7:39), and Jesus was not glorified until he ascended up into the heavens where he then purchased the holy Ghost with the offering of his own blood (read Hebrews 9:3-18).

The truth answers these errors completely. One could not receive the Spirit prior to it being made available to man. And one can no more be born of the Spirit twice than he can be physically born twice. A man can be born only once, whether naturally or spiritually. A backslider can be forgiven and renewed in spirit, but not re-born. God gives His Spirit only once. As we receive our human spirit once, when we are born naturally, we can receive the Holy Spirit only once, when we are born of God.

Peter received the Spirit, and, so, was converted, at Pentecost, along with the other disciples. Altogether, about 120 men and women were admitted into the kingdom of God that day. During Jesus' earthly ministry, he continually stressed that the kingdom of God was "at hand", or "near", (Mt.4:17), even saying to his disciples, "there be some...that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power" (Mk.9:1). And on Pentecost morning it came, "For the kingdom of God is... righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Rom.14:17).

The baptism of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in tongues, places us into the kingdom of God, just as it placed the disciples into God's kingdom on Pentecost morning. There is no other way to be converted, despite what Christian ministers tell you. Let's get real with God dear reader, and seek an experience which Peter received, and the conversion that he received.

Jesus' disciples were not the only ones who were waiting to be converted into God's mysterious kingdom. Among others, "Joseph of Arimathea, an honorable counsellor, also waited for the kingdom of God" (Mk.15:43). Watching the Master ride triumphantly into Jerusalem, and thinking that his kingdom would be an earthly one, Jesus' excited disciples "thought that the kingdom of God should appear immediately" (Lk.19:11). Even after his resurrection, as Jesus instructed them to tarry in Jerusalem for the Holy Ghost, they desired and expected an earthly kingdom. They inquired, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6). They didn't know that by speaking of the Spirit, Jesus was introducing them to his kingdom. Until Pentecost, they didn't understand Jesus' words, Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom (Lk.12:32). This is conversion: citizenship in the kingdom of God. Spiritual conversion makes one a new creature in Christ Jesus, and makes real the biblical promise, "Behold, all things are become new" (2Cor.5:17). In Christ, one comes to know the perennial newness and freshness of eternal life, with its fadeless beauty and immeasurable joy.

Regrettably, many confuse conviction with conversion. The Apostle Paul, for example, was convicted on the Damascus road, not converted. He was converted three days later, when he received the Holy Ghost (Acts 22:16). Not everyone who is conceived (convicted) will be converted (baptized with the Holy Ghost). Many were truly conceived by the Word during Jesus' ministry; yet, only about 120 continued in his Word to be born again in Acts 2. Remember, Jesus said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples" (Jn.8:31). Many have been convicted of sin by the Spirit, but have not continued in that conviction, hungering and thirsting for righteousness. They were conceived, but not converted. No one is converted before receiving the Holy Ghost baptism. To say, "You must be born again" is to say, "You must receive the Holy Ghost". Conversion is another word for the new birth, or regeneration. This is the teaching of the Scriptures, and it stands unchangeable through all ages, for all people. That is why Peter himself was able to say after HE received this experience: "And we are his witnesses of these things, and so [is also] the holy Ghost whom God hath given to them that obey him" (Acts 5:32).

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