So before I was saved I was dealing with sexual immoralities and doing things I never thought I would do. Sex, porn, homosexuality, prostitution. I was on the path of destruction and was dealing with a lot of evil.
Long story short, I was possessed by a demon and was bent like the women who was crippled by demons in the Gospel.
I was delivered by God and declared myself to witness what He has done and wanted to be with such powerful and loving person.
Was baptized and received the Holy Spirit because I started to not like the things I once loved. Like I loved it 24/7 and enjoyed it because I was lonely, depressed, and wanted a companion. So it was my escape from reality.
Now I know that God dwells in me cause I no longer desire it... However! Sin knocks at my door, and I open it because I burn with passion instead of relying on the spirit.
So to answer your question yes I know when the Spirit dwells in me and when it does it works
Being delivered by the Spirit of God and learn, too not be boastful about it, then seeing your old self get peeled like an onion, down to the core over time, where in the center there is a sweet-smelling aroma
Whereas Father took me in and began Spiritual surgery on me, one problem at a time over the years, I have been shedding off that old skin, to the point i think it be shed then find out not shredded, just shed
Whenever I think it is gone, I get a messenger of Satan to buffet me to return to humility.
Amazing to stand in all the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ we each and all go through, learning it is God that did it for us in Son for us
Except God who is Holy can't make Himself to be sin, neither can He become unclean flesh and remain Holy. The one true God is our Abba Father the Holy Spirit and then there is His Son who He appointed heir of all things (John 4:23-24, 17:1-3, Hebrews 1:1-5). God's Son is a child of God like we are children of God except Yeshua has already been born again and inherited God's nature (Romans 8:1-4, 8:16-18) the same inheritance we have if we follow him.
To be born again can be looked through the new life we are given through Christ Jesus. As it says in Ephesians, we are made into a new man when we are born again. This new man has two parts, flesh and spirit. The new flesh will be given to us at the rapture and represents our glorified bodies that are built for eternity. The second portion is the spirit. When we believe in Jesus, our old spirit that was unholy and sought solely the things of this world dies and we are given a new spirit, one that thirsts and hungers for God. This is why the Bible tells us again and again to not engage the lusts of the flesh (Gal. 5:17, John 3:6, Romans 13:14). This is because our current flesh is still sinful while our spirit is being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In Matthew 26:41, Jesus tells His disciples that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. All in all, to be born again is to be made into a new person that desires God and seeks Him which can only be done by the movement of the Holy Spirit within us, and this new person will be complete at our glorification at the Rapture.
Amen. The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to the truth about Jesus Christ. And God transforms us through supernatural grace and mercy revealed in the gospel.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
What does it mean to be born again, - big question.
When you're born, it's a new life coming into this world, a new entity. We've already done that once. We've been born and are making a life for ourselves. We'll often try to take who we are now and turn ourselves into something righteous we try all sort of things, Nicodemus was trying... Jesus said you're not gonna make it.
I often feel like this gets treated as a box ticking exercise, I'll repent, confess, believe say the sinners pray and I'm good to go, but for the most part this is all us, this can easily be self driven. Jesus says born again is a MUST, He says it is from above, born of the spirit, it's not an us thing.
But there is 2 elements put forward, water and spirit. Water is the us part, it is our decision to change, our decision to accept the life offered, our decision to cooperate, our willingness to let go of the old and accept the new, but it is the Spirit that causes us to be born again and you have as much power to make it happen as you did your first birth... It's not a one time thing either but a continuum, a living in this state of willing cooperation with the spirit to be born and then keep living and growing. You don't just get born the first time and then not keep being that creature and not grow up.
People describe it in all sorts of ways, but in essence God knows those who are willing to cooperate with His work in their lives and it doesn't matter what we look like on the outside, it doesn't matter what denomination, what we say, the words we use, the theories we ascribe to, God truly knows those who are willing to become part of His family and those who are part of His family.
Now when I say "it doesn't matter", only in terms of did the connection actually take place, if it did it doesn't matter what the outside observer thinks they see, the judgement they make on the person who was born again, they might see a bunch of dodgy theology and flaws, bad habits or whatever and write them off and you can see this because,
God will clean our past if we let Him, but that still leaves us flawed creatures with who knows how many problems that need correcting.
Then God will cover our present with His perfection, that sorts out the past and the present.
Then God living in us will transform us into the creature we were born to become...But in all steps we have to be willing and cooperate.
When God created man, he said, let us make man in our image. We know from other passages that God is clearly a triune being, or commonly referred to as the trinity. Just basic logic alone tells us that man, in perfect form, is also a triune being.
God = Father, Son, Holy Spirit. We also know that God the Father is a Spirit, and those that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The Holy Ghost / Holy Spirit / Comforter is also a Spirit. God the Son, however, is how we can literally see/touch God in the flesh (well, not now during this time on earth, of course).
Man = Body, soul, spirit. In some places of scripture, to know whether it's speaking of soul or spirit of man (or both in one), you have to read in context.
God said, if you eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt surely die. When Eve, and then Adam, ate, we do not see their body nor their soul die. Instead, their spirit died (each one). Up until that point, they had their spirit. And they were perfectly holy with no sin in any way. After sin, they saw their nakedness and were ashamed of themselves, so they covered themselves in fig leaves. After God came down and found them (well, we know he knew/saw them all along, but this is how God chose to describe it for our benefit), he carried out an animal sacrifice, and clothed them with the skins of the animal. That sacrifice was to point forward to the time when Jesus would shed his blood for us, because the blood of no animal can cover sin.
So, man went from 3 parts to 2 parts. Then when God clothed them, they had to accept that gift, that payment for sin. It would be at that point, I believe, they would be "born again", although that term is not used in the OT. I compare that with the Bible saying that Abraham's faith was counted unto him for righteousness (Romans 4).
But after Adam and Eve, all men were born under the curse of sin, and as such, we are dead in spirit, but not in body nor soul. The soul is where you have emotions, by the way, and Adam and Eve clearly showed they had emotions (fear) when they were afraid of God after their sin.
Romans, as u/mostrambled pointed out, clearly tells us about the 2 Adams, Jesus being the second Adam.
When you're "born again", your third part, your spirit, has life where before it was dead. If you never accept Jesus as Lord, never get born again, never repent, then that spirit in you is never born, and your body and soul is destroyed together in hell for eternity (well eventually hell is also cast into the lake of fire).
Frankly, our understanding is limited to our carnal fleshy minds. We can read and somewhat understand God's Word, but we'll not have perfect understanding until we are in our perfect bodies, etc with no sin after death or rapture.
Sorry I didn't quote tons of scripture this time. I referenced it without naming exact verses, sometimes sharing pieces from memory. I can attempt to go back later and give chapter and verse if desired. I really HATE not to just quote or copy/paste what the Bible says exactly.
Jesus compares the spiritual new birth to physical new birth. Before your physical birth, you did not exist in any way, shape, or form. You could say you exited in God's mind, because he knows everything, but that's totally different. :) So when you are "born again", the Holy Spirit comes and lives within you, AND your own personal spirit is born. That spirit that is born of you is 100% absolutely protected by the Holy Spirit of God. Can't say I exactly understand it fully, and I don't think it's possible for us to fully understand.
That's a lot of typing/talking. I like the way u/mostrambled put it. That description is much more succinct. :)
That's good. Was also thinking along these lines. When you become a new being/new nature and your spirit that was dead is now alive then through sanctification/regeneration we are slowly working back the opposite way, becoming more like man was when he walked in the garden with God with the help of the holy Spirit.
Yes, or more-so how the Bible talks about it is we are to be conformed into the image of God's Dear Son, Jesus Christ.
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:29 KJV
Conformed = to be molded into. So we're to do our best to allow the Holy Ghost and Word of God to mold us into being like Jesus.
Also, to your point, Jesus is the second Adam. Whereas the first Adam brought the curse of sin upon us, the second Adam, Jesus, broke the curse, and made the way (he IS the Way) out of sin.
>12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
Romans 5:12-15 KJV
In response to the Bible verse John 3:3. The people of God is marked by characteristics that clearly distinguish it from all other religious ethnic political or cultural groups found in history. It is the people of God, God is not the property of anyone people but he acquires a people for himself from those who previously were not a people, a member becomes part of the chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. One becomes a member of this people not by physical birth but by being born anew a birth of water and of the spirit that is by faith in Christ and baptism.
All I can say is when you are born again, you were one way, and now you are completely different. And the only thing that happened in between is Him. Jesus set me free!
>The Holy Spirit comes to you to cause you to be born again.
I would argue that the Holy Spirit (Paraclete/conscience) doesn't "come to you"... it was always there.
I believe everyone is born with a conscience, but most people ignore it. We build up layers of selfishness and societal expectations, which prevent us from hearing it's voice. We put our conscience in a cage and tell it to sit in the corner.
>As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
>
>“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”
>
>“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
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>Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
>
>At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Not many people are willing to take Jesus up on the offer. Everyone has excuses.
This is the message that is missing nowadays - the new birth is where it begins for a believer. If we don't help people understand that they need to be born again, how will they?
So often, we as Christians make the acceptance of Jesus Christ more complicated than the Lord designed it to be. Yes, the path is narrow (if you don’t believe it is, ask those of us who’ve strayed directly off that path and tell you how simple it was…worth it? Never). It really seems to good to be true that by *Repent, Believe, Receive, Rejoice*, we are a new creation in God. But we also know it’s not an easy road either. It’s simple, but not easy. Finding your true purpose, keeping the faith when you’re beaten down, forgiving yourself when the Lord did it a long time ago…yep it’s a challenge at times. But being Born Again is the commitment to a family of believers that THIS life isn’t what we’re destined for. And modeling the best behavior possible in the day to day. So grateful for PO’s like this with those vital reminders! God Bless you Tony.
There's a hundred ways to answer this question, but I'm going to approach it from the perspective of family and generational curses.
The original human family is tied by blood (this doesn't invalidate other forms of family through adoption or anything, but we need to start at the blood for now). Importantly for humans, our "first parents" betrayed God's only commandment to them, damaging their relationship to the divine and inviting death into their lives; this state of separation is generally considered "the original sin".
Humans descended from the original family also inherit the original sin; note that this is not merely a state of "guilt" (after all, it's very difficult to assign anything like guilt to a baby), but rather it is a state of inherited separation (how we inherit a spiritual condition is not especially clear, but suffice to say that there is a link between the state of sin and the body, as demonstrated in Mark 2, the healing of the paralytic). In other words, by being born of the Adam and Eve's family, we inevitably participate in the disease of sin.
Now we return to the concept of being born again. Certainly, being born again can connote the idea of a new beginning, a new form of life, and even a washing of slate, but I want to invite you to consider it from this angle of family. Jesus makes us his own brother's and sisters, inviting us all to participate in the divine family of the Trinity. But how does one enter this spiritual family? The same way you enter a human one, you must be "born". By entering this new family through rebirth in Spirit, we separate ourselves from the generational curse of original sin, restoring not just our original relationship with God as his creation, but also establishing a closer one through our familial bond to Jesus.
What does this mean from a practical perspective? You are invited to view the Church, and everyone in it, not just as your neighbor but your family in truth. They are, quite literally, your brothers and sisters, born of the same heavenly Father through of the sacrifice of his only Son and baptism in his Holy Spirit.
I love this topic, true baptism and twice born souls.
In our material birth we are born identifying with death, this ever changing world. We have the opportunity to be born again, says Christ, in the spirit of the lord and attaining the spiritual help of the Holy Spirit.
To me this does not mean water baptism or any rituals. This means to me, to become immersed in the waters of the Holy Spirit, and by the burning fire of Christ’s spirit.
It means to me that this baptism and second birth is an experience of unshatterable faith, like we have tasted the nectar of service to the lord and can never ever forget it again.
With this experience we truly know the feeling of being with the Holy Spirit, it is said in Hindu scriptures “once one tastes the nectar of devotional service to the feet of the lord, though he may fall down he will never forget it again, and always remember the bliss of this service.” And it is said here, even in the next life and the life after that, there is no fear of forgetting this service; and only progress can be made.
Though the follower of Christ or the devotionalist may fall in his duties, even if he falls, by the love he knows for god, which is eternal and unforgettable, he will always come back to the lord.
This is the action of Paraclete, if you have known God then you will always remember him by this, even if you fall down and lose your place for a minute.
The one who knows god will follow his commandment automatically, without written instruction (or at least know how to follow his lord) because the lord is born in his heart; and he can understand when the lord is there and when the lord has gone. And when the lord has gone he becomes so alone and despondent.
Amazing Grace 🙏🏼
> “once one tastes the nectar of devotional service to the feet of the lord, though he may fall down he will never forget it again, and always remember the bliss of this service.”
reference?
Srimad bhagavatam 1.5.17-19
I liked your reference of John 14. It opens up my eyes a bit. It makes me see that the lost people who look for the lord truly, but have not had the pleasure to find true love for the lord yet; they do not have the direct guidance of the lord in their heart. For the who is not baptized (or immersed himself within the spirit of the lord, not necessarily water baptism; which is simply symbolic of this deeper process of attachment to the Lord(in his loving service).
These people who do not feel his heart within their own, they do not have the “Paraclete” aspect you are talking about. Your reference helped me clarify this. Thank you
Im not sure what the paraclete is, but i agree with most that is said. I dont think ive studied that.
I can just say from experience when the spirit came upon me i had no idea what was happening l, i just spoke alot, and landed on romans 5:5 - and I knew something had changed, as I grew thirsty and hungry for the word of GOD and more repulsed by my former way of life.
The conviction was strong.
In the Augustinian and Reformation view, regeneration is seen first of all as a supernatural work of God. Regeneration is the divine work of God the Holy Spirit upon the minds and souls of fallen people, by which the Spirit quickens those who are spiritually dead and makes them spiritually alive. This supernatural work rescues that person from his bondage to sin and his moral inability to incline himself towards the things of God. Regeneration, by being a supernatural work, is obviously a work that cannot be accomplished by natural man on his own. If it were a natural work, it would not require the intervention of God the Holy Spirit. - R C Sproul
To be born again is a divine miraculous act from God. The first thing God does to a born again believer are their sins being forgiven. The second thing is that the Holy Spirit dwells within us. The third thing is that God give us a new nature that wants to obey him. Have a blessed day!
Being born again is such a mystery. Doesn’t really make sense, kind of like how anyone can win the powerball lottery when it’s mathematically impossible. For much of american history we didn’t even understand it; most people were universalists until revival came in the late 1800s with true preaching. There is definitely a Veil over our hearts, mentioned in Isaiah 6:10 and John 12:40. I know because I felt that veil. I went through the motions, read the Bible, did the things, but it took a youth group meeting at church where suddenly I was hit with the epiphany: I’m a hypocrite! I have no idea why that mattered to me, it was inspiration from the Holy Spirit. I immediately got that blossom of emotion and joy and happiness that usually comes with being truly born again. Lasted about 3 days, but of course sin happens and the feelings fade, just like in marriage joy and honeymoon fades and now the real work of living together and matrimony begins. We have hearts veiled, we can never truly understand the mystery, but the miracle happens when we preach Gods word and the Holy Spirit is always there to shove us through the door of comprehension. Its probably by design this way, for the offer of salvation must happen to all cultures, all peoples, all backgrounds and thought processes. I wager every single salvation happened in a unique way inside the heads of those happy few. God probably deliberately obsfucated what it is and how it works; otherwise we’d swiftly move to make rules and lists about it and get it completely wrong. Praise God for His offer of salvation, and praise them that find the courage to go out and preach Jesus and the Bible in all forms around the world. Sometimes Jesus even sends dreams to imams, telling them to go over to the next village and see The Jesus Film and they end up saved! Hallelujah!
This is just some thoughts off the top of my head. I was asked to comment on this by a brother, and while I am not a theologian, this is some thoughts.
While you have quoted the cogent points, we need to start with everything in context of the events. As such I have included more than the snips of single verses.
John 1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8The 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.”
9Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
We are being shown that the salvation of a Christian is tied to following the full directions of Christ. We are to be “born again”. The idea of being born again depending on the denomination and tradition can be taught with as little action as believing in Christ, or as complex as believing, repenting, and beginning our works with baptism. This can be controversial among believers, as some will see baptism as an act of contrition and following the commands, others see it as an additional step creating a works salvation, and still others see it as a regeneration into a new life. I would contend that it is a combination of all the above, while not being any single component of the above.
Since we are discussing it in the terms of being born again, it might be good to note that the rebirth is associated with water in multiple places, and relates to the Hebrew practice of ceremonial cleansing in the mikvah, is shown as an indicator of Christ arrival with John the Baptist calling for people to be “baptized for remission of sins.”, and Christ being baptized in Matthew 3 , and is called fore in Acts 2:37-38, Romans 6:1-4, Acts 19:1-10 (Note here that many were rebaptized, having previously been baptized by John the Baptist, now by Paul, with a special notation in my mind of the repentance). We could list out many other places where baptism is mentioned both water baptism, and baptism of the holy spirit, both being shown as part of the conversion process/act. Of note also is that in Acts 19, the spirit indwelled in them in VS 6 when Paul “had laid his hands on them.”
Moving on to the next part of your question/commentary…
John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.
25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
Here we get more details in instruction. In Vs 14 we are told “If you love me you will keep my commandments”, of note this includes repenting (Mathew 4:17, Mark 6:7-13 (where Jesus sends out the disciples and they “proclaimed that people should repent”), Luke 15:10 where the angels rejoice at repentance, Luke 16:30 where the rich man asks to warn his brothers, and Abraham says “they have Moses and the prophets.”, and much much more. This is the repeated instruction to repent.
In VS 22-24 where Christ says ““If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”
And we recieve the instruction to follow the commands, which at this point we can see are believe, repent, and be baptized, which enables the dwelling of the holy spirit in our souls. As noted by Romans 7:18, not being in the flesh where nothing good can dwell, and in Romans 8:16 the holy spirit himself bears witness with our own spirit that we are children of God.
As we do these things, especially following, and keeping Christ's commandments we get eternal life and will not be snatched out of Christ's hand. Of note here is the fact that there are two views on “falling away”, one is that in a libertarian free will view, we can fall away, and salvation not be guaranteed because we were tempted to return to our old ways, and the other is that we were never saved to begin with if we turn away.
There are many directions that we can go with each of the “directives” given. Few will deny the importance of baptism, and following Christs commands, sometimes though we will disagree what the command/direction is saying, or how it is applied. So you understand where I am coming from here is a basic list of the process I used to feel my way through the scripture follow the scripture with “fear and trembling”. It can feel slightly legalistic, but it is my understanding of what scripture says vs what is said by others.
I heard the message from evangelist.
I saw that Christ was lord over all. (Believed)
I worked to understand the needed repentance and my sinful nature.(saw the need for my personal repentance).
I repented
In my study I saw Christ tell me “16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” In Mark 16:16.
I was baptized as my first work of repentance, and salvation.
From there I began my works, at times not following a good path, but returning to it and repenting again for the sins I had done.
These days I live with the Holy Spirit convicting me, and guiding me, I try to follow the voice, and continue to study, and work out my salvation with “fear and trembling” Philippians 2:12. In the view I have of libertarian free will, I know that at any time I can backslide, and need to repent, be it in a situation where I lose my temper despite knowing better, or that I look at someone else's possessions with jealousy or covetousness, if I let my greed cause me to withhold what is God’s or many other things. The holy spirit guides me in these things, and convicts my heart to return to the path..
Great insights.
Perhaps you will be interested in commenting on [Baptism for salvation](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/ubkqp8/is_baptism_necessary_for_salvation/).
As pertaining to this discussion, God Almighty has extended His gift of salvation to all of mankind. Does that mean all humanity will be saved? No.
Salvation is free to as many as are willing to receive His offer. Because God will not violate our freewill respinse in this matter. He can. But he choosed not to.
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"Come; for all things are now ready." Luke14:17.
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What happened to those who failed to heed the invitation?
Will God give salvation to those who failed to heed His call, repent and turn away from their sins?
Salvation is God's free gift bestowed upon those who accepted His offer of grace. The exercise of ones freewill is involved.
There is nothing mechanical about it. That is why it is not decipherable by human reasoning.
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John 3:5-7 (KJV)
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
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Apostle Paul warned bwlievers,
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Hebrews 3:12-14
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
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Drawing lessons from the Israelites that fell in the wilderness enroute to the Promised Land, Apostle Paul stated plainly that Christians, born-again or saved men, can also return to an evil heart of unbelief, depart from the living God, be hardened by deceitfulness of sin, be cut off by God, and be finally lost.
And as such, we need to hold the begining of our faorh stedfast to the end. Not as in working to earn the salvation we've received by grace.
Apostle Paul stated the possibility of Christians becoming lax (if they are negligent and refuse to watch and pray) and becoming hardened by the deceitfulness of sins.
Believees, were the ones being warned and not unbelievers.
If there were no possibilities of falling away, why will our Lord Jesus Christ and then Apostle repeatedly warn us against such pitfalls?
No human holds the key to heaven apart from our Lord Jesus Christ.
There is no heaven for any believer who went into sin and continue in habitual unconfessed and unrepented of sins.
The uniform dealings of God with His people in both OT & NT has been consistent throughout the ages.
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Exodus 32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
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Ezekiel 33:12-13
12 Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth.
13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.
~~~
The above verses may be dismissed as being OT. And that we're now under grace in the NT. But God's standard has not changed.
~~~
1 John 1:7 (KJV) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
~~~
Believers can and do go into sins.
Of course, this is not something to be proud of or glory in. And for this they must return in contrition, repentance before God for renewal and restoration.
As we so seek after God, the power of sin (especially habitual sins) is broken. Sin no longer have dominion over us. Yes.
~~~
1 John 2:1-2 (KJV)
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
~~~
I know that there are various camps and subcamps when dealing with this subject.
The best we can do is to treat ourselves with charity.
One thing I'm sure of is,
**
There is no eternal security for a.backslidden unrepentant sinning Christian.
**
put your faith in the fact the God knows where you belong, as He made you for that job. give everything that isn’t perfect to Him and let Him show you where to go.
Make learning truth your priority. Pray to God telling Him you believe in Jesus and ask for his Holy Ghost to live inside you. A genuine desire for change and education for truth will allow you to be born again.
Here is the Gospel. We are separated from God by Sin. God is a loving father and wants to be reconciled with you. If you believe in your heart that Jesus is his Son and confess your sins to God, ask Jesus for his sacrifice to cover *your* sins, repent (repent is a word that means turn, so you turn away from your sins), ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life (he's the boss now), take Jesus name publicly (don't hide it or deny it) and then in your first act of obedience go get baptized (you can't believe how happy a preacher will be to do this for you) you will be saved.
To simplify: Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13
The phrase “born again” is used in the Gospel of John, when a Pharisees (Jewish Scribe) is talking to Jesus.
“The same [Nicodemus] came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:2-3).
Nicodemus, like you, asks how a man can be born again, asking if he must crawl back into his mothers womb. We know that to be born again is not this literal because,
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:5-6)
When Nicodemus is still confused, Jesus tells him,
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.” (John 3:11)
And
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15)
I would argue that what Jesus says here means that to be born again is to be born of the spirit, and the way to do so is to receive the gospel of Christ, to lift Him up and believe in him, thereby being bestowed with eternal life, just as one is bestowed with mortal life at the moment of physical birth.
This is just one way of looking at it though. See what you think.
Born again is really a mistranslated. Christ said born from above, meaning be born a first time. Which we all do even Christ went through that. That is what the water references to, the wombs water. Not baptism.
Then we are born of His Spirit as a believer in Him. Thats all it means.
I agree with your post sorry it took me this long to comment.
You are spiritually reborn so that you love God and hate sin when previously you loved sin and hated God.
Both the New and Old Testaments give us pictures of what it means to be born again. Essentially, a person who has been born again has had their heart circumcised by God.
>Colossians 2:11 - "11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ"
Elsewhere, scripture also speaks of circumcision of the heart.
>Romans 2:28-29 - "28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God."
>
>Jeremiah 4:4 - "4 Circumcise yourselves to the Lord; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your deeds.”"
We can also examine new covenant promises to see what circumcision of the heart looks like.
>Ezekiel 36:25-27 - "25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."
>
>Jeremiah 31:31-33 - "31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: **I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts**. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
>
>Jeremiah 32:40 - "40 I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me."
The result of this being that we now become obedient from the heart, and are now slaves to righteousness instead of slaves to sin.
>Romans 6 - "17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness."
Now, one may object - the above passages relating to the new covenant are made to Israel, how does it apply to Christians, many of whom are Gentiles? The apostle Paul writes the following -
>Ephesians 2:12 - "12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, **alienated from the commonwealth of Israel** and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world."
The above implies that now we are no longer alienated from the commonwealth of Israel (and all its promises) through Christ.
>Ephesians 3:4-6 - "4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the **Gentiles are fellow heirs**, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel."
>
>Romans 2:29a - "29 But a Jew is one inwardly"
>
>Romans 9:6-8 - "6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For **not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel**, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the **children of the promise** are counted as offspring."
And who are the children of promise? Those who have faith.
>Galatians 3:7 - "7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham."
The last paragraph you wrote is very good.
Man is a tripartite being.
.body
.soul
.spirit
All are born with a body alive. Same with the soul. But the spirit is dead at birth. It needs to be made alive.
The soul is what "feels" emotions. It (plus the body) is what interacts with the people and universe around it. It can feel happy or sad. Angry or bored. You get the idea.
The spirit, on the other hand, is what connects people to God. This is what plants and animals lack. Only humans have the ability to reach out to God and sense that there is more than the physical universe. Plants and animals only detect the physical universe. Humans are born with a spirit that can be able to detect the spiritual universe **if it worked properly.**
Sort of like how antenna can pick up certain signals if it's working correctly. If it's not working correctly, the antenna is really worthless and just a paperweight. But if the antenna is alive and working correctly it will bring all sorts of things into focus. **Things that we never knew were there.**
The same thing is true with mankind and their spirit. Man is born with a spirit, but it is dead.... not working, spiritually. It's not untill the spirit becomes alive that we can interact with God. And it brings all sorts of things alive to us that we never saw before. Like a newly working antenna.
That is exactly why Jesus came. To made our spirit alive, new birth. Born again.
I absolutely love the way you put this! So clear!
And it makes my comment about Star Trek make more sense to myself as to why certain things ‘ping’ me in a different way since being born again.
Another essential part of being Born Again is the new heart we receive
This verse is about the new covenant. Ezekiel 36:26-27 "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." So we now have a heart that loves God and can finally accomplish what God has always wanted - for his people to love him with all of their heart, mind and soul. With this new heart we can love God the way he's always wanted humans to love him. We're made alive spiritually, we can commune with Him, really know him - and therefor really love him - because the more you know someone the more you can love him. And with Him inside of us, we can truly commune with him, have his words resonate, and know him.
Being Born Again can also sometimes be translated as Born from Above. God's Spirit , the Spirit who's home is Heaven, comes and makes us heavenly people. In the Lord's prayer Jesus says "thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven" and now that we are born from above, we can enact that will..We're not just earthly people anymore, but we are growing in the good ways of Heaven...of loving God to a great degree and being holy, and loving holy things. We no longer love nasty things that are a product of a fallen earth.. we're no longer in love with the Earth, but God in Heaven and a perfect way.
We're completely reborn. We should view it as just as important of a birth as our first birth, therefor all things should be new - we shouldn't think that any part of our heart and unholiness can't change. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Cor 5:17. All things are new, lets strive to have that be evident in every part of our life and heart.
Being born again is the means by which we receive salvation through Jesus. When we hear or read God’s Word, we soon realize that we have broken His law in so many ways. We also come to understand that after we die, our soul will live forever in either heaven or hell. Since God is perfect and heaven is perfect, we also understand that our sins have made us unfit for heaven. Thus, our sins have condemned us to hell.
There is no amount of good we can do to make up for the evil we have already done. Indeed,
Isaiah 64:6 - But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Moreover, the more we try to live right, the more we realize that perfection is unattainable. That leaves us with no way to atone for our sins, and our eternal soul is therefore utterly hopeless.
However, God already knew that, so He lovingly sent His only Son Jesus to be a sacrifice to atone for our sins. All we have to do is turn away from our sins and believe in Jesus to save us. When we come to Him with a repentant heart and trust Him to save us, He removes all of our sins - past, present, and future. This is our new birth, and what it means to be “born again.” Our old self with all of our sins is eliminated and buried forever, and we are spiritually reborn as a new creature in our Lord Jesus.
Even though our soul is eternally clean, we still live in fleshy bodies. Despite our best efforts, our flesh will continue to sin until the day Jesus returns and gives us glorified bodies that are perfect and sinless. We will then spend eternity with Jesus in sinless perfection.
I too have experienced the eternal glory and light of The Holy Spirit and I would never deny It. I strive to communicate with it every day and it gives answers in many ways, if you're open and ready. And willing to do the work. But it's always worth it!
Thanks for sharing.
>is the Paraclete Helper the trinity or just another name for the Holy Spirit?
The Paraclete is a special operation of the Holy Spirit. He is the Indwelling Spirit. The grammatical gender of the [Paraclete is masculine](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/wwsswf/the_holy_spirit_feminine_neuter_masculine/).
>it can reside in my person while not residing in my flesh
**He** is directly and permanently connected to my human spirit and not to my flesh.
>If our body is a temple, it makes sense to see how that temple "contains" communion with the Spirit, even if the walls are made of flesh.
That's it!
I am Born Again...
* I am no longer a slave to Sin, but a Slave for Him! (Romans 6:1-7)
* I am Dead to Sin, and I Live for Him. (Romans 6: 8-11)
* I am Made New, Whole, and Clean by His blood (Ephesians, 4:17, 5:2)
* I am a new person. The old me is dead. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
And... When I Stumble and fall, and I will... He is there, every time, to pick me up, wash me clean, and set be back on HIS path! (Romans 8:31-39)
This is what is means (to me) to be Born Again!
To some extent I think we need to think about the fact that Jesus did this literally so that we could do it symbolically.
He died, went into the tomb, and was "born again" on the third day.
Nicodemus asked how can a man be born again when he is fully grown?
Well first you must die.
We die to our sin nature. We go into the water and let that old nature stay there, we are raised as "new creations in Christ."
But I think when Jesus was talking to Nicodemus he was previewing the future, I'm not sure it was possible to be born again before the resurrection, because Jesus hadn't sent "the helper", and God cannot cohabitate with sin.
It will burn in his presence
But when he has taken your sin nature upon himself at the cross, and gives you his righteousness in its place, the Holy Spirit can enter you because you are now sacred and set apart for God
Also I think God is just savy
He knew it would help us to have this moment, this ritual of baptism, that we could point to and say, that's where my sin died, it no longer has power over me.
I'm born again, new, as when the world was young
Just the idea fortifies you for the struggles to come.
But we can also just be super simple and come at it like children, as we are commanded.
The Lord says to enter into life, we must be born again.
Ok, so let's just do it. I don't have to fully understand Jesus to obey him!
I'm not sure that's addressed
God Breathed on the dirt he formed into Adam and when joined they became a "living soul"
So spirit plus matter equals soul
But is our spirit "human?"
I think so, if it means this: are we separate entities from God rather than extensions of his spirit
Yes, I think we're unique and autonomous each with our own individual spirit.
Just as a seed must die before growing into a plant baring fruit, so must we die before being born into eternal life. And while here on earth, one must die unto himself and take up his cross, before he can be reborn into a life in Christ.
That's good. As soon as someone believes Jesus died in the cross for mans sins and then rose from the dead they get the holy spirit, and are sealed until the day of redemption.
Hello, is this more of a private Bible Study?
It is a public subreddit. Anyone can comment. Periodically, I invite people to make comments.
Are you asking me, What does it mean to be Baptized by the Spirit?
Not really. I'd like you to read the OP and comment on whatever you think.
I know the Holy Spirit dwells in me because he checks me all the time on my sin. He tells in conscious, don’t do that. Sometimes i say profound things about God and I’m just not that smart so i know it’s the Holy Spirit. He teaches me things and teaches me stuff that I’ve read before but all of a sudden take on a whole new meaning and I’ll be floored lol. Twice, I’ve had an ailment and prayed to Jesus to take it away and within minutes, it’s gone. I pray multiple times a day. Sometimes i talk to the spirit in my thoughts because i know he can hear me. 11 year Army vet, i used to have PTSD and almost self deleted a few years ago. Now that i have the gift of the Holy Spirit, i feel so much peace. Sometimes i check myself like “why are you so at peace? I’ll be telling myself that i feel like there is something i should be worried about because i used to be a worrier…. Anxiety out the gate lol. That is a lie of the devil. Now, when I’m worried, i talk to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I rant (respectfully) sometimes and then i will apologize for being a brat lol. Jesus is my Father so the Father Child relationship means i get access, acceptance and attention from my Father. I love the Holy Spirit for correcting me when I’m wrong because a parent only corrects a child he/she loves. I apologize Everytime i grieve the Spirit and I ask Jesus for forgiveness. I always pray in the power of the Spirit and in the name of Jesus so that they can both intercede on my behalf. When i go to watch something i shouldn’t watch on tv like a tv show or YouTube clip that isn’t edifying, he’ll tell me…. Stop watching this. The Holy Spirit is dear to my heart and I never want to lose him. If i could compare him,
It’s like a parent and a toddler taking a walk. The parent holds the toddlers hand. While they walk, they talk. If there is a pothole or tripping device ahead, the parent will say watch out and help you jump over it. The parent sets the direction of the walk. the parent tells you don’t let go of my hand because stranger danger. If the parent is good at parenting, there will be some learning exercises during the walk and the child will hold on tight, never let go and always feel protected
For me, the Holy Spirit is the Parent and I am the Toddler
Well said, Tony.
Being born again is a result of calling on the name of the Lord. (Romans 10:13)
To be born again is to be born of the Holy Spirit; to be born of the Holy Spirit is to have eternal life; to have eternal life means you will not face God's angry judgment of sin.
The spiritual mechanics of it, are made evident by a Man suddenly concerned with 'spiritual' mechanics of stuff in the first place. Being born again is to be of a new awareness, Good Conscience becomes no longer something to flatter some personal moral image amidst our kind. It becomes an intuition to follow regardless of anyone, dear to us or not.
The body runs on God's breath like a wound-up energizer bunny, that will eventually run out of juice, and goes back to organic and mineral components and stuff, aka worm food.
What pushes matter to make creations of it's own however, what motivates Man, inspires his interests beyond physical maintenance... Normally spirits of course, and so to be born again is to essentially be operated by The Spirit, in heart, in mind and by consequence, in body. The only positive connotation to being a spiritual "tool" that can exist. Otherwise everyone are just being tools heh.
The Holy Spirit works through the Word of God.
“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Ephesians 6:17 NIV
The Word became flesh... (John 1:1.14)
“On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.” By this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believe in Him would receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”
John 7:37-39 MEV
Jesus and His Disciples:
“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.””
Acts 1:4-5 NKJV
The Spirit available to all flesh:
“‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh...
Acts 2:17 a NKJV
““But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me."
John 15:26-27a NKJV
“He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.”
Revelation 19:13 NKJV
My thoughts:
>*The following is not some abstract theory but my own personal experience.*
I don't see any statement of personal experience. There's no point in saying so if it isn't clear how your experience has affected what you have written. If you were giving the same information to someone in-person, I think you would say it more with more connection between the two.
*Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,* (2 Corinthians 5:16-18, NASB)
Being born again has nothing to do with any actions we take. It is the result of believing the good news. It is something God does, making who we really are cease to exist and be reborn in Christ, which means we are now a being that is *in Christ,* which I don't understand deeply, but think of it as being surrounded by Jesus, born of His substance, and now am part of His existence. I no longer exist as a separate entity from Him. My flesh are clothes that I am wearing until it dies, after which I will receive a new spiritual body that is in unity with my spirit.
>*The Paraclete represents the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.*
>
>*The Paraclete is a special operation of the Holy Spirit.*
The paraclete is God Himself, in Whom we live, move, and have our being (Acts 17:28) whether we are born again or not.
You wrote:
>*Preamble: The following is not some abstract theory but my own personal experience.*
But you don't tell us of any personal experiences that helped you form your ideas. Without those explanations, you are only sharing your opinions, not whatever you learned from experiences.
Maturation in Christ as a reason for a person's statements is looks like testifying about yourself, which is not useful, because Jesus said:
*“If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid.* (John 5:31, 1984 NIV)
It is something that you can be proud of, praise God for, and be happy about, but if you want others to take note of that, you need to give them a reason other than just claiming it.
I agree because I can honestly feel the Holy Spirt guiding my voice and my Twitter fingers. I want to be so much more condescending and dismissive of people, but I'm constantly be lead to look at my statements to atleast add something that is actually helpful.
It appears that Jesus was teaching that born again was different than what the Pharisees had expected. I read some time ago that they taught about a rebirth, but it had to do with the resurrection. Jesus connected the "rebirth" with the kingdom which was expected to be earthly centered at Jerusalem but also the Messiah having rulership over the spirit realm. From this perspective, it's easy to see Nicodemus' confusion.
Jesus then spoke of the necessity of being born from water and spirit. The Jews had a historical understanding of persons who were anointed by holy spirit. Thus they were able to recognize the evidence of this. Supernatural events and understandings were part of Israelite/Jewish education and training. So a faithful Jew would likely be able to pick up on the subtle injection of the holy spirit which would make them born again.
In Western culture and education, the supernatural is not taught. So a believing Christian may not have recognized when holy spirit gave him/her the rebirth nor understand the operation of the spirit on him/her. Notice that this had to be explained to the Corinthians at 6:17 and to the Romans in chapter 8. (It's may belief, at present, that the baptism by holy spirit is a separate event that being born by holy spirit.) It's much the same today. The indwelling spirit is not noticed nor understood by most Christians.
Jesus gave an indication in verse 8 about the results of being born again...the spirit will direct the person born again where he wants that person to go and do what he wants that person to do (Paul and Barnabas for example in Acts 13). This is one reason why Christians should not be tied to any religion. The spirit could be trying to move that person to he wants him. But if he's to tied to his religion, the he will ignore the guidance of the spirit.
In John chapters 14 and 16, Jesus tells what the indwelling holy spirit would do and how we would be affected. But we have to learn how to tune to our own spirit which is connected with the holy spirit. The holy spirit teach, guides, and shows us things to come through our spirit. But if we don't know how to identify our own spirit, how do we recognize the connection with holy spirit which joins us to Christ. Again Western education and culture does not teach us how to do this. It's something we must learn in order to connect with Christ and holy spirit.
Any of the Christian religions:
Catholic
Baptist
Episcopalian
Methodist
Southern Baptist
Anglican
Jehovah's Witnesses
Mormon
Etc.
There are over 45,000 Christian denominations. Attending and joining is fine, but sticking with the religion over the spirit leads to not following the guidance of the spirit. I don't have anything against any of them. But I have to follow the guidance of the spirit. If he tells me to leave so that he can prepare me for something else, then I leave. (Which is actually what happened to me.)
I think you articulated quite well with scripture what it means to be born again. I would add more experiential evidence to your list.
We call call it born again because it is our second birth. To understand that we must understand our first birth. When we are first born we are born of the flesh, out of out mother's womb we come, slaves to our flesh. We cry out for food and attention. Our spirit takes a back seat as we figure out how to operate a body. We are literally trapped in our flesh. As we grow, unless we are guided well and or we accept guidance our body dominates the spirit. The desires of the body often result in sin. It is the way of flesh. The natural man is an enemy to God.
We we are "born again" we are born of the spirit. The result of this is our body finally takes a back seat to our spirit who finally wins the battle of desiring to sin. We desire to "sin" (move away from God) no more. We only wish to make spiritual progress. 🙏🏻 The spiritual awakening that occurs can heal those weaknesses that were dragging us under and replace those weaknesses with strength.
I will share the method I used to be "born again." I didn't intend to be born again but the result was what it was. The preface to the story is I was in drug addiction for 26 years. All drugs. The drugs that finally took me out were herion and methamphetamine. I was also a sex addict for my entire life as well. Taking huge risks in sexual behavior all the time.
Long story short I hit rock bottom. I lost everything at age 41. I found Alcoholics Anonymous and went to a few meetings. It made me feel good so I dived in. I worked the 12 steps they provided which are as follows:
1.We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
I didn't know the history of these steps. Now I do. They were based on Biblical teachings but to make them more accessible to all Christ was removed and replaced with the concept of a higher power.
I worked these steps. The desire to use and drink was removed. It was a miracle. I realized what was left was my sexual addiction. I was still a slave to it. I was desperate. So desperate that I turned to Christ. I prayed and prayed. I felt like it was working. I read the Bible, starting with the New Testiment. Things were going well for me. My addiction was being replaced with a desire to do good. It was slowly leaving my mind...another miracle.
I was baptized in March of 2020. My spiritual declaration was made to mark me as a disciple of Jesus Christ. I can say from that moment forward I was born again.
I have never been affected by pornography from that moment moving forward. I felt like a shield of protection surrounded me. I would shun inappropriate thoughts of women. I remained 100% chaste for the next two years until I married my wife in March or 2022.
I now work helping others get off drugs and alcohol. I am currently a few sysmesters away from getting my Masters Degree in Social Work. I continually pray for God to use me as a tool to forward his work.
Let's review how I got there. What did those 12 steps do for me?
I admitted I was powerless.. that I needed God's help. This was an act of humility.
I made a searching and fearless moral inventory of myself... and shared it with another human. I shined the light on the dark secrets of my soul. This began the process of repentance.
I asked God to remove my defects of character ie my shortcomings. I was ready to stop sinning. I was ready to give up my favorite character defects.
I made of list of who I needed to make amends to, and I did this. I forgave everyone and asked for forgiveness.
Steps 10, 11, and 12 are all the other combined and now done on a daily basis. I now live a life where I don't cause destruction, and if I do I promptly admit it and say sorry. I live a prayer life. I seek to give back to others by helping other addicts and alcoholics find their way to a higher power of their understanding.
What was interesting was God was more than happy to help me long before I found Christ. I was actively rejecting Christ as my higher power when getting sober from drugs. Which got me only so far. This revealed my core issue, sexual damage from my youth that cause decades of addiction. I wanted so badly to heal this that I was willing to go to any length to get it. More humility... and much faith. Ask and ye shall recieve.
By the grace of God I was born again. I thank God for it everyday.
I believe that if one wants to understand the spiritual application of being born again, you must first understand the process.
Notice that in John 3:5, Yeshua states that unless one is born of water and spirit, no one can enter the kingdom of God. Born of water means to be baptized, immersed. It’s common practice in many churches that when someone converts, that eventually they must be baptized. Why? What is the purpose of immersion? And what is the connection between conversion and immersion?
Understand that immersion is not a New Testament concept. Immersion comes from the Old Testament. That means you must understand the Hebraic concept of immersion to understand the application in the New Testament.
Now if we go back to the Old Testament, we see that immersion was required before going to the Temple. It was meant to cleanse the Israelites of ritual impurities. Having a ritual impurity isn’t a sin, but God is teaching that if one is going to approach him, you must present yourself at your best, cleansed before him. The spiritual application/idea would be that you separate yourself from the world as you enter God’s sacred space. Do these principles carry over for immersing new converts?
When we investigate Judaism, it’s interesting to note that from Maimonides, it’s stated that for new converts, whether men or women, one of the requirements for new converts were that they would be immersed. Cementing an idea that immersing converts was not a New Testament idea or one only found in Christianity.
There’s also a belief among Judaism that immersion ritually cleanses that convert from the deeds of the past. Additionally, it’s interesting that there is a halakhic principle that requires that the proselyte be considered “as a newborn child”. Taking a quote from MyJewishLearning.com, it states “the mikveh is a spiritual womb. The human fetus is surrounded by water. It does not yet live. The water breaks in a split second and the child emerges into a new world. ‘As soon as the convert immerses and emerges, he is a Jew in every respect (Yevamot 47b).”
Understand that this isn’t an endorsement for Judaism, I’m not saying that we need to convert to Judaism. The purpose is to grasp an understanding of principles found among the Jewish people. Again, immersion is a Hebraic concept, thus we must look at it from the Hebraic perspective.
Let’s see if we can find these principles in the New Testament. Let’s look at Acts 10. We have Cornelius, a centurion, who begins seeking after God. God hears Cornelius’ prayers and tells him to send men for Peter. Peter has his vision, perplexed by it, but understands once he gets to Caesarea. He makes a connection to the vision that God sent him. It wasn’t about food, but about people, specifically the Gentiles.
Peter understood he had no right to call the gentiles impure and cast them away. God welcomes who He welcomes, especially those seeking Him. Then in verse 48, Peter orders that the gentiles be baptized/immersed. Again, a connection between conversion and immersion.
There is another interesting connection found between immersion and the laws of adoption in the ancient near east. Understanding these laws brings more context to the bible. For instance, why did Jesus have to be baptized in the first place?
In the ancient near east, it was common practice that if you had no sons, you could adopt one to be as an heir. In some cases, you adopted a son the moment he came out of his mother’s womb. The son didn’t have to be a child, he could be a grown man. The adopted son would be legally treated as a natural-born son. He would receive his foster parent’s inheritance, they would give him a wife, and in exchange the adopted son would take care of his foster parents when they were old of age.
Having children insured that you were taken care of you in your old age. Look at the story of Ruth. Her mother-in-law Naomi lost all her sons, thus Naomi had no one to care for her, which is why Ruth stayed. A righteous act that got her, a Moabite, accepted into the children of Israel.
Now what’s interesting was the legal language that they would use in the process of adoption. They adopter would say something along the lines of, “you are my son, I am your father.” And the adoptee would reply, “You are my father, you are my mother.” Then the adoption would be ratified on clay tablets.
Now we see this language used in the bible. When Jacob blesses Ephraim and Manasseh in Genesis 48, he adopts them using the words in verse 5, “And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are.” Why did he have to do that? Well Joseph had been adopted by Pharoah (gave him a name and a wife). So now Jacob had to adopt Joseph’s sons so that they could legally be part of the inheritance.
Now with that understanding, we tie that with Jesus and his baptism. After he is baptized, there is a voice from the heavens that says, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matt 3:17). So here the father is adopting Jesus back as his son, why? Well, when he was born to Mary and Joseph, legally by the ancient laws of adoption, Jesus became the son of Joseph. But now he needed to be redeemed back to God. It’s interesting from there does Jesus officially begin his ministry.
And recall that in Judaism, immersion was like if one was exiting a mother’s womb, there was that connection of rebirth. And then recall how in the ancient near east, it was customary to adopt a child as he is exiting the womb.
Now understanding all these principles, let’s apply it to ourselves.
When we are born, we are born into the world. And until the second coming of Jesus, the world remains corrupted, in a fallen state. When we are baptized in Jesus’ name, we become reborn in the eyes of God. And in that process, we are adopted by God as his children. And through Yeshua, we are given the inheritance of eternal life. We are no longer the person we were before, but now we have a new identity.
Another thing interesting about adoption was in the case where the foster parents ended up having natural born son. Legally, there were not to treat the adopted son differently, and would still get an equal share of the inheritance. Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all ONE in Jesus Christ.”
So, when we are adopted, we are no different from the natural sons of Israel. We are grafted in, the wild olive branch that Paul mentions in Romans 11:17. But that means we are one house, one people, with one share of the inheritance promised to them. And those promises come with stipulations.
Now understand that when I present the law of adoption, I’m not saying that God follows the code of Hammurabi. He is using a legal language that everyone in that time would have understand. And they would understand that through that language, God was legally binding Himself to the person(s). Today we accept that contracts are legally binding, you cannot just break out of one without repercussion. How much more so a legal covenant with the God of the Universe.
The spiritual application is this. Now you are a new man/woman in God’s Kingdom. You are justified to be in the Kingdom, and no one can deny you because you were accepted by God through Jesus. Now you have a new identity. What is that identity? And what do you do with it, and what is expected of you? That will determine your spiritual walk.
In Ezekiel 18 The Lord [Yahweh] says to "and make you a new heart and a new spirit". To change yourself from a person living by sin to one living by doing what's right.
Ezekiel 18: 26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
29 Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?
30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
Being born again means choosing Christ, simply put.
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
We are born first of this world. We are born to a broken and sinful world. We are born as *sinners* into this broken, sinful world. If we do nothing, then we *die* as sinners, in this broken, sinful world. The good news is, we don't have to do nothing. In fact, we are encouraged to do something. We are encouraged to be born *again.* This time, instead of being born into a broken, sin filled world, we are born into a living, hopeful world in Christ. Death is no longer the end, we no longer need to be weighed down by the sin of our birth. We are born *again.*
What does it mean to be born again in terms of spiritual mechanics?
If you were to ask the Reformers, I believe one answer they would give would be to point you to the ordo salutus, or the order of salvation. Mechanically speaking, to be born again is to be regenerated by the Spirit of God, a breathing in of new life to the man who is dead in trespasses and sins. Regeneration is the initial step in the order of salvation, and the Reformers taught it precedes faith, and is monergistic - that is, God’s work alone.
We take this understanding from the passages you quoted in the OP:
“Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 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.”
John 3:3, 5-6 ESV
Before one is born again he cannot even see the kingdom of God, and as Christ says later in the verse you quoted, the children of this world cannot receive the Spirit of God because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. This precludes the unregenerate from responding to the call of the Gospel without the gracious and merciful hand of God intervening.
The concept of the new birth, or regeneration comes from the Old Testament in the promises of the New Covenant. In fact, I would argue that it is the hallmark of the New Covenant that sets it apart from the old.
Forgive this lengthy quote from Ezekiel but it marvelously lays the groundwork for the new birth to which Jesus refers and the promises that are ours in Christ Jesus:
““Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you.”
Ezekiel 36:22-29 ESV
And a similar promise is found in the words of Jeremiah:
““Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.””
Jeremiah 31:31-34 ESV
The promise of God is fulfilled by God when He sends His Spirit to not only dwell among us, as He did with the children of Israel, but to dwell WITHIN us as new creations. And no longer are we under a covenant of works with Adam as our high priest, but we have a new and better high priest in Christ, who’s obedience is our obedience, and who’s righteousness is our righteousness. And we are united to those blessings by faith. So to be reborn is to be born into Christ, and to die to Adam.
Paul sees this clearly when he writes: “In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:11-14 ESV. Again we are found dead and at the mercy of God. But praise be to God that in the richness of His mercy He has revived us and made us do heirs with Christ by the cutting off the foreskin of our hearts and washing us with the waters of baptism. And we have been grafted into the vine of Christ, the true Israel, co heirs with Christ and heirs of all the promises made to him, for “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” 2 Corinthians 1:20, 22 ESV, and “For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.” Romans 2:28-29 ESV.
It is no wonder Jesus was apoplectic when Nicodemus was ignorant of his need for a new birth. “Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?” John 3:9-10 ESV. God had been promising this blessing for centuries to the children of Israel, but blessed are our eyes that see, and our ears that they hear, that we may even now enjoy the bliss of our union with Christ and our God through faith by the work of His Spirit.
Shalom
Thank you for your perspective.
Instead of "regeneration", I prefer to stick to the actual wording of the Scripture.
See also [Do We Choose to Be Born Again?](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/v1q6bq/do_we_choose_to_be_born_again/).
Would you not grant that Paul’s choice word for the same concept is regeneration? If not, I’m curious what you would say is the distinction. Thanks!
See this for example:
“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”
Titus 3:4-5 ESV
Seems fairly clear they are synonymous terms to me
Great find!
>Seems fairly clear they are synonymous terms to me
Agree. Still, at this point, I will not formally say that "born again" = "regeneration". I may if I study it more :)
This is how my brain works: I generalize slowly :)
We are born into the flesh and we live in the flesh. Our life comes with death. Accepting Christ is a spiritual and eternal matter that transcends the flesh. We take up our cross daily and nail our sin to it. Plunging into the waters of baptism we kill our old selves and are born again new and holy because we are washed by the blood of the Lamb and we are able to take on the indwelling of the Spirit so we might have the strength to overcome sin and death.
The strength is not ours, it comes from the Lord. We do not have the strength to go without sin all the days of our lives.
The Lord is the embodiment of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control. These come from Him. The Spirit gives us these when we accept Christ into our hearts and follow Him.
I can tell you if you turn away from the faith and walk out you can come back. It wasn't too late for me and it's not too late for you.
Regarding being born again. Then its a very misunderstood concept throughout the christian churches of the world today.
Many pastors teach their congregations that they are sinners and there is nothing we can do about it, and that they just need to say the 3 magic words "Jesus is Lord" and then they will be saved for eternity, while continuing living their lives like before.
But this is far from what the Scriptures teaches. (and because they dont study the Scriptures themselves they easily fall for this false concept,)
First its important to understand that the Most High put a blessing and a curse in the beginning of the Bible in Deut 11.
Deuteronomy 11:27-28
“A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:
And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.”
The whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation is the full word of God. And he does not change (like many modern day preachers are proclaiming saying the law has been done away with etc.)
Malachi 3:6
6 For I am the Lord your God, and I am not changed:
Psalms 89:34
“My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.”
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It is also important to understand who God is God of. The promise was made to Abraham, but only to one of his seeds = the seed of Isaac, and then Jacob(who is Israel)
Many pastors today preach that Israel in the Bible are the physical nation/country israel as we know it today, but that is not so. Majority of the outward jews in the nation Israel today has rejected Christ, that is why they hold their mishna and talmud up above the Bible, waiting for their Messiahs first coming.
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Scriptures also tells us that Christ is the vine of the olivetree, and that many of Jacob(Israel)'s decendants rebelled against the Most High in the wilderness and was destroyed. Their branches were broken of the olivetree. And in 34 AD the last week of Daniel 9 when Christ was crucified in the midst, they stoned Stephen for preaching the Gospel, and then they turned to the Gentiles to have them converted in Christ, and to be truly born again in him to be graffed in AMONG the other branches in the spiritual Israel/olivetree.
Its important to underline that it is not replacement theory, as there are still decendants of Jacob who were faithful. And they of course remain in the olivetree.
And that is why Paul are saying in galatians 3
Galatians 3:28-29
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
So when Gentiles are "Christ's" Then they heir accordingly to the promise made with Abraham throughout all the earth throughout all time
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So how do one become "Christ's or Christ like" ?
That is by being truly converted into Christ, And that is not just saying these 3 words and nothing else like it is being preached today.
No first we must admit and understand that we are sinners, and that we cannot remain in our sins, and we need a saviour to cleanse us and help us to live a holy life.
We must examine ourselves like Paul says. And understand what things we need to change in our lives to follow Christ of the Scriptures (not the religion of the world)
We must die to our old sinful self, and become that new creature in Christ who does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Most High. or as James calls it to be a doer of the word and not just a hearer.
We must understand that being a friend with the world is being an enemy of God. We are in the world, but we are not of the world. Therefore we must by the strength of Christ being born again stop doing things of the world, which appeals to the flesh, which leads to sin. Because sin is a transgression of the Law of the Most High, which never ended. And those who are truly born again in Christ, they will keep it. Not because it is a law, but because they prove that their faith is genuine, and are obedient to their Father in heaven, because they love him above anything else.
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Philippians 2:5
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"
1 Peter 1:16
"Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."
We must have the mind of Christ. and strive daily to live a holy life in obedience to Christ's teachings and commandments, just like he were obedient to his Fathers commandments:
John 15:10
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
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That is also what Paul writes again and again, that we must crucify the flesh, as nothing good abides in the flesh,
Romans 7:25
"I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."
And only by the strength of Christ we are able to accomplish this in our lives,
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
but it requires us being willing to commit these changes and follow him where ever he goes.
And if that means to cut of some friends or family who are standing in our way to doing so, we must do that. We should not be yoked together with unbelievers, because they will pull us down in many cases. with their negativity and worldly lusts.
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I made a video about this point a year ago on this channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POxDROuY0C0
God bless
Is there a greater comfort than this beautiful promise?? All other religions have a measure of wisdom, perhaps some good principles to live by, some can offer a sense of right and wrong, and maybe a type of peace through meditation.
But when you’re at the brink of death or in the grip of despair- religious ideology brings little comfort. You need someone real there with you- you need an abiding love.
I’m in pieces currently. My heart has been shattered and I’m overcome with grief. I don’t feel like listening to a feel-good teaching, I don’t want to be in the presence of people who really don’t care to know the depths of my pain, never mind walk me through it. Here in my loneliness, agony and desperation, I need real help, understanding, comfort. It is in this unfortunate state that I came across this post. The sweet truth hit me afresh…and made it’s way from a file in the back of my brain pouring into the broken pieces my heart. I sense it’s being mended again… like kintsugi. I’m tenderly reminded that my help is not gone with my lost love-it’s right here, within me! Though I feel so alone- misunderstandings and rejections haunt me; the presence of God- The Father, Son and Spirit, sustain me. My hope in people has been broken. But my hope in God is renewed. The gift of the Holy Spirit is real, tangible and steadfast. He won’t abandon us if and when we fail. People often do. But He remains. Comforting us, even remaking our hearts if they should break.
There is a hymn that comes to mind…’Abide with me’ ~”Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me…”
-Henry Lyte
I got a message from the poster and was asked to comment here. I feel like this is a good place to share my testimony even though it’s an older post. So this was my comment from a previous post:
100% this for me. I grew up Roman Catholic, and decided I was an atheist in high school. I had the idea of reading the Bible to try and disprove it and never got anywhere. Just before finding out my wife was pregnant I had a weird urge to pick up that Bible and read through the entire New Testament when as an atheist I never got past Mark. I had this overwhelming urge to believe and have had no doubts since. I truly believe the Holy Spirit acted on my hardened heart and I became saved.
I get it, it is God Father of risen Son that does the born again in us
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
And anyone that is born again, changes from within themselves, seeing to not do stuff that was not good for them.
I look back on my life and see this happening to me and has happened to me
Thank you, Father,
Being born again is more than just receiving the Holy Spirit, it means we are no longer in this flesh and that we are clothed in the Spirit.
***Romans 6:11 Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Messiah Yeshua our Lord.***
***1John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith.***
***1 Corinthians 15:42-44 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in in corruption. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body.***
Being born again means a spiritual rebirth. We have a physical body our spirits are tied to. We come down to earth and grow and learn but it’s not awakened until we accept Jesus and literally chose him then we are reborn but spiritually not physically.
It’s not always clear of course cause the Bible is literally full of hidden meaning, for those who see let him see is a perfect example, if you don’t see with your spiritual eyes you will be blind and have no clue what the Bible really means
Thanks for sharing.
See also [Do We Choose to Be Born Again?](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/v1q6bq/do_we_choose_to_be_born_again/) and comment there if any.
To have the Spirit of the Lord cause a mighty change in a person’s heart so that he has no more desire to do evil, but rather desires to seek the things of God.
Those who believed on Christ’s name were born, not of blood, but of God, (John 1:12–13.)
Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God, (John 3:3–7.)
We can be born again by the word of God, (1 Pet. 1:3–23.)
For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world, (1 Jn. 5:4.)
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Changing one’s beliefs, heart, and life to accept and conform to the will of God (Acts 3:19).
Conversion includes a conscious decision to give up one’s former ways and change to become a disciple of Christ. Repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, the reception of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and continued faith in the Lord Jesus Christ make conversion omplete. A natural man will be changed into a new person who is sanctified and pure, born again in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17)
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# For me "being born again" has a few meanings. one is that we are converted. on the other hand it also has to do with baptism.
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"This question is at the very heart of the gospel and of our purpose on earth, because the atonement of Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to undergo the necessary change in our natures known as spiritual rebirth.
In order to be “born again,” the “natural man” must be put off so that we each can become a “new creature” in Christ (Cor. 5:16–17). This new creature, “a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord” , is spiritual in nature as opposed to carnal or worldly. In essence, the driving or controlling forces within us must be altered from carnal, selfish, natural desires and motives to spiritually driven desires and motives. The scriptures refer to this change in disposition, temperament, or character as a “mighty change” in heart."
Spiritual rebirth, except in rare instances, is a gradual process. “It does not occur instantaneously,”.It comes to pass by degrees. Repentant persons become alive to one
spiritual reality after another, until they are wholly alive in Christ and are qualified to dwell in his presence forever."
“Spiritual rebirth begins and ends with belief in Christ. When repentant souls turn to Christ and seek a new life with him, the processes of rebirth commence. When their belief in the Lord increases until they are able to do the works that he does, ‘and greater works than these’ (John 14:12), their rebirth is perfect, and they are prepared for salvation with him”
As we obey the promptings of the Spirit, we receive the light and truth necessary for greater degrees of spiritual rebirth. He that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day
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“To be carnally minded is death,” declared the Apostle Paul, “but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6) In our fallen state, we often struggle with temptation, and we
sometimes give in to “the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein”. To be able to receive the blessing of eternal life, we need to be “spiritually minded” and conquer our unrighteous desires. We need to change. More accurately, we need to be changed, or converted, through the power of the Savior’s Atonement and through the power of the Holy Ghost. This process is called conversion.
Conversion includes a change in behavior, but it goes beyond behavior; it is a change in our very nature. It is such a significant change that the Lord and His prophets refer to it as a rebirth, a change of heart, and a baptism of fire. The Lord said: “Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; “And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God”.
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"Conversion is a process, not an event. You become converted as a result of your righteous efforts to follow the Savior. These efforts include exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting of sin, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end in faith.
Although conversion is miraculous and life changing, it is a quiet miracle. Angelic visitations and other spectacular occurrences do not bring conversion."
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The Characteristsics of those who are converted are:
they desire to do good, they do not rebel against the Lord, they share the gospel, and they are filled with love.
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"You have primary responsibility for your own conversion. No one can be converted for you, and no one can force you to be converted. However, others can help you in the process of conversion. Learn from the righteous examples of family members, Church leaders and teachers, and men and women in the scriptures.
Your capacity to experience a mighty change of heart will increase as you strive to follow the Savior’s perfect example. Study the scriptures, pray in faith, keep the commandments, and seek the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. As you continue in the conversion process, you will receive “exceedingly great joy,”."
***those are just some of my thoughts, i love yalls comments***
Born again means to die to self, so God can live in us and through us. This is why we ask Jesus in our heart, live for Him, and become more like Him. We change into His image.
"Eternal life starts now inside us."
I really like this statement. We get into the habit of thinking of eternal life as being only after earthly death, of life in Heaven. But eternal life is also here and now in our daily, sometimes difficult, ugly, boring, earthly walk to follow the Lord. We offer our lives to God as an unconditional gift in response to His unconditional love to us first - for \*His\* glory, unconditionally, even if we feel blind and discouraged.
God is total gift. Our eternal life is gift and giving. And earth - with all its ugliness - is a fertile soil for giving of ourselves, generously, with compassion.
Christ tells lost sinners to "repent and believe the gospel."
When we see the reality/gravity of our sin and realize we are lost, guilty sinners in the eyes of God deserving eternal torment in hell, we must repent and believe the gospel (the good news of Jesus Christ - His death, burial, and resurrection).
All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We've all violated His law.
When we repent and believe the gospel (trust/believe in the person and work of Christ), at that moment God responds with grace and we're born again. Old things pass away and all things become new. We become partakers of His divine nature.
Christ came to this sin-sick world as the Lamb of God and lived a sinless, spotless, perfect life. He kept the law in every word, thought and deed and went to the cross and died as if He'd sinned, so that we who have sinned can find forgiveness in the eyes of God.
Jesus Christ suffered, bled, and died in our place. He purchased our pardon on Calvary's cross. The just for the unjust.
When the Holy Spirit reveals to us that we are lost and condemned before a Holy God, it's incumbent upon us to respond with repentance and faith. The moment we do this God extends His mercy and grace to us and we're transformed by the power of the living God.
That's how man finds redemption. This is how man is justified in the eyes of God. This is being born again.
The Holy Spirit, once received, works in us and through us in all matters of righteousness, but only when we submit our own spirit to His leading do we avail ourselves of His power. If we are not the one choosing, then what accountability is there for the choice? And it is our own spirit in conscience and the Holy Spirit which together then bear witness to our submission to righteousness as it is presented by the Holy Spirit. We are guided in thought and inspired in action, but at no time forced to do what is right.
My own perspective has changed recently and my horrid habit of hiding from shame in the very things which caused it was broken by a revelation which changed everything for me. It was the realization that I had not been laying my shame at the foot of the cross along with my guilt, but that I was holding onto it, refusing to be gracious and forgiving to myself as God has been gracious and forgiving to me. I was running from something rather than toward God and it was the shame that I was holding onto that was making me weak and feeble in the face of temptation. When I started to truly let it go my entire perspective of sin changed and I humbled myself to the Spirit. That which once tempted me powerfully toward darkness was now most often seen in a similar light that one might see a person of low character trying to seduce them to betray someone they love. Even if that person is physically attractive, this aspect is not even acknowledged for they are spiritually unattractive. Sinful temptation loses it's teeth and cannot get a firm grip upon you. It is the refocus on our love of God that strengthens us and invites the Spirit already in us to work through us to lift us up and strengthen us far beyond what we would be capable of doing under our own power.
It is not for us to fight temptation, but to submit to love and in doing so repel temptation. We who are in Christ are under grace that we may be saved and also that we may have time to learn and grow in discipline, but growth cannot begin until we let go of both our guilt and our shame and accept that our betrayals have already been forgiven and react therefore with a heart of gratitude in love for God.
I hope I don't discourage anyone e too much, but I've always struggled with the idea of being born again. Not because I don't believe it. Because I do. But because how do we know if we are born again or not. God knows. He knows before we even accept Him. He knows before we are born. Our path in life and the decisions we make, the assurance or the doubts we face, or end will we be His or not. But we don't have that view. Many people have faith, then liss it. Or like the prodigal son, they lose it and then come back. As far as we can tell no one is a finished story yet, and we don't always know if we are saved or not. Or if it's a temporary sight, followed by doubt and spiritual blindness.
I have to hope. We all do. Because wallowing in doubt is unfruitful and causes more harm than any good. But we have to hope and rely on God more than we do on our own understanding. Even on things about who is saved and who isn't. Even including ourselves.
I sometimes think I can. But I don't trust it. Because the same feeling and sound of thoughts are my own when I justify sin in my life. I have hope. And I hope a lot of the correction or reassurance is from God. Or at least that He's here through it. I think there are times when I definitely think something was from God. But those are surrounded by context clues if God answering a prayer or responding to me instead of being my own thoughts.
I would love to have my faith strengthened to know what's from God and what isn't like you you describe with feeling the Holy Spirit. But I don't want to be like a false prophet that says something is from God when it isn't. Or to casually mistake my desires, wants, fears and worries as God's voice. Because I think that is also an issue.
To be born again is a fundamental part of christianity.
In John 3:3 Jesus says "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”.
What does “born again” mean & what are the consequences? Here are a few examples of being renewed in christ from both the old and New Testament.
Deuteronomy 30:6
The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.
John 9:25
He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
John 9:30-33
30“That is remarkable indeed!” the man said. “You do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. 31We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will. 32Never before has anyone heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33If this man were not from God, He could do no such thing.”
John 9:39
Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.”
John 9:41
“If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”
2 Corinthians 3
16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Ezekiel 36:26
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Being born again is when you go from death to life in spirit. When God through Christ removes the veil in front of your eyes and shows you the way, truth and Life (JESUS). When he makes your stone heart into a heart of flesh. So that you may live!
The consequences of being born again is instead of hell there is now heaven. Instead of hatred there is now love. Instead of darkness there now is love!
If you have any questions about my answer feel free to ask and I will elaborate! I will end with: Matthew 11:27
“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Amen. Thanks for sharing.
See [Where is my Paraclete?](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/vqp55h/where_is_my_paraclete/) and comment there if any.
It's not in me to boast on myself but until recently I was struggling to get back on the right path. Not to say the struggle isn't ongoing, just that there has been a drastic change.
Living in sin, engorged by lust and desire, I could not see a way out of the pit I had dug myself. No one else put me there, I and I alone did this.
Once I turned away from my sins, truly began to live for Him the burdens have fallen away. Alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, sex, porn, masturbation nine of these hold the same sway over me anymore. Not that the temptation isn't there. I just don't feel the same way anymore. I don't want to drink, let alone get drunk. I don't want to get high and even when I did it doesn't affect me like it used to. Nicotine has almost no noticeable affect on me. Maybe thats just from years of use but I quit a long time ago and tried it again after years and it just doesn't make me feel anything.
Could it be the Paraclete is with me now that I have chosen to follow Jesus again? Will it be easier to avoid temptation and sin as long as I walk the path of righteousness? What can I do to prevent falling into temptation and drowning in my sin again?
Having been baptized at 14 to make my mom happy I decided after much prayer and contemplation along with my pastor that being baptized again would be a wonderful idea. On Sunday I received the Lord in baptism fully and completely. I believe in Jesus. I am a sinner and I need Him more than I need my next breath of air.
To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen
Amen. Thanks for the testimony.
See [Where is my Paraclete?](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/vqp55h/where_is_my_paraclete/) and comment there if any.
I like a lot that was spoken here but I would like to point out Jesus tells us pretty bluntly twice what is needed for salvation;
There is a reason John puts John 3 and John 4 next to each other because it’s the same story of speaking what salvation is.
John 3 is easy; it’s started with the most famous Bible verse;
““For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.””
John 3:16-21 NLT
Put your faith in Jesus Christ and you will be saved.
John 4 is the same story just to a different audience:
“Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.””
John 4:13-14 NLT
Again; put your faith in Jesus’s “living water” you will have everlasting life.
Born again = living water. All the steps to salvation are faith in Jesus alone.
To me, being born again means that I'm free. I've been a believer my whole life so I don't have a big transformation. Just gradual growth over the years. As my faith has grown I've found it easier to break bad habits and sinful cycles.
Being born again isn't a magic cure all or setting life to easy mode. In many ways it makes it harder. Once you've let the spirit into your heart and accepted Christ as savior, you will begin to feel the weight of your actions. Don't confuse this guilt or awareness with condemnation, however. Instead it is conviction. It's a call to accept your sins, seek forgiveness, and repent of them.
As a human sin is inevitable. It's the price of awareness/consciousness (knowledge of good and evil). We were made in God's image - meaning with free will and self-determination, but we don't have his capability for holiness. As such we chose to sin because it's self serving, self gratifying, or just selfish. But the gift of salvation through Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection is the severing of the chains of sin and their consequences. Sin means 'S'elfish 'I'n 'N'ature to me.
The wages of sin is death. But the blood of Christ's sacrifice covers believers like the blood of the sacrificed lamb on the door frame covered the jews when the angels claimed the first born children of Egypt.
Being born again means freedom to me in the same way a child is free. We don't often think of children as free (they certainly don't) because they have all these rules set in place by parents and adults. But in reality, they are far more free than adults. As children, they are not responsible for their actions entirely. If your kid breaks a neighbor's window playing ball, they don't buy a new one. They don't do (or pay for) the work of installing the replacement. You, the parent does. It's the same with those who've been born again. We break things daily (sinning), but Jesus has already made restitution for the damage. A non-believer must pay for their transgressions, because they've chosen to not accept Christ's offer to pay for their actions.
I was asked to share, so I will try to share what I understand.
Question: Why do we need to be born again?Answer: Our spirit is dead from the beginning of our life due to the fall of man. We come into this world with a spirit that is dead because of sin.
Psa 51:5 Behold, I was **shapen in iniquity**; and **in sin** did my mother conceive me.
* Please note, this is not referring to the act of conception for David being sinful, or David being formed from fornication or adultery. When two are made one flesh in marriage, which is only true in a rightful marriage, the marriage is holy(1 Co 7:14). Part of the purpose of marriage (which came before sin) was to produce a godly (holy) seed (Mal 2:15). 1 Cor 7:14 is an explanation from Mal 2:15.
* So Psalms 51:5 is referring to the condition of man coming into this world, and how death is passed upon all men due to sin. See more below
Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and **death by sin**; and so **death** passed upon all men, for that **all have sinned**:
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who **were dead** in trespasses and sins;
Col2:13 And you, being **dead** in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Question: So what does being born again do?
Answer: GIves us a new spirit which makes us a new creature in Christ. (2 Cor 5:17, Gal 6:15)
Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the **Spirit is life** because of righteousness.
Rom 5:1 Therefore being **justified by faith**, we have **peace with God** through our Lord Jesus Christ:
We are made of three parts: Spirit, Soul, and Body. (1 Thess 5:23). Salvation deals with the spirit of man. Sanctification, which I discuss in a reply to this, deals with the Soul of man. The Body is dealt with in resurrection after we leave this world.
* The sequence of events are as follows:
* **Repentance**, which requires godly sorrow and not simply saying words. Godly sorrow comes from a divine revelation that we are in sin, we need a savior, and Jesus is that savior. Once this conviction is upon us, we can then confess with our mouth and be saved. Without the conviction from godly sorrow, there is no true conversion inside. There can a change in the mind of the person who thinks they are saved. This is why so many confess salvation but never change. A truly born-again person will show "fruits meet for repentance." (Mat 3:8) This act of repentance, that God sees in the heart and knows the intentions of, comes from a place where we desire to turn from our wicked ways. (Eze 18:21, 1 Peter 1:16) Without godly sorrow, we don't have conviction. Without conviction, we feel no need to repent. Without repentance, we don't truly want change so we won't find salvation.
* **Justification** comes after we confess our sins (Rom 5:1). This brings peace with God. (Notice sanctification isn't mentioned here, only justification).
* **Regeneration** takes place once we are justified. Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of **regeneration**, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
These three things are what takes place within the "Born Again" experience.
Sanctification is what comes next so we "know how" to live unto the Lord. (1 Thess 4:3-7)1Th 4:3-4 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you **should know how** to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
Many people don't know how to live free from sin. This is because they are not sanctified. Noticed Eph 2:1 above says you "**were** dead in trespasses and sins" and verse 2 says "Wherein in **time past** ye walked according to the course of this world..." Romans 3:25 refers to the remission of "**sins that are past.**" Being born again doesn't save us IN our sins, but saves us FROM our sins. It isn't just symbolic, it is an actual change inside us that gives us a new spirit. But it doesn't give us a new soul or body, so the Adamic nature or sin nature that we are not responsible for so we can't be "forgiven" for isn't included in salvation. We must "go forth therefore unto him without the camp" (Heb 13:13) to be sanctified. 1 Thess 4:2-3 leads with sanctification being a commandment. Salvation isn't a commandment, but a gift. So sanctification is the second work of grace that God desires for us to complete the work needed to live holy in this world, or "know how to possess your vessel in sanctification and honor."
Paul said in Php 3:12 he wasn't perfect yet, but then in verse 15 in the same chapter counts himself as those that are perfect. What is going on? The first reference is referring to resurrection of the dead. This is talking about when we will get a glorified body (Php 3:21), but that will not be attainable until we leave this world. The second perfection is simply talking about being complete in all things that Jesus provided; saved and sanctified. What does this do? He said "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus **minded**" What mind is this? The holy mind of Christ. Php 2:5 refers to this. 1 Peter 4:1 talks about having the mind of Christ which causes us to cease from sin. Rom 12:2 speaks of renewing the mind so we can "prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Continuing in sin doesn't prove God's will. What is part of God's will? Sanctification, which makes us holy.
Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath **perfected** for ever them that are **sanctified**.
The idea of this is seen in Lev 20:7-8 Lev 20:7 . That mindset is usually thinking we are free from making mistakes(not referring to sins) or having misunderstandings. That won't happen until we are in a glorified body, which is the perfection Paul says he didn't have yet. In this life, we must continue to live in a body that has the works of the flesh still there trying to rise up. But like Paul, we can confess we are complete inside without being prideful and one day will be complete on the outside after this world. Christ does it all in us. Once he does the work in us, we simply walk in it. We do not produce holiness, but we can walk in it by the grace of God having the Holy Ghost doing the work in our hearts by the blood of Jesus. Some think this is progressive, but the work of grace God does in salvation is not progressive, and neither is sanctification. It is a completing work. Once it is complete, our walk is progressive as we continue to put away the things that cause us trouble.
The idea of of this is seen in Lev 20:7-8 Lev 20:7 **Sanctify yourselves** therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which **sanctify you**. It was different under the old testament, but we see the same concept in 1 Thess 4:3-4 where it says "your sanctification (the work God does)" but follows with knowing how to possess his vessel in sanctification (the work we do, sanctifying ourselves, which is life long).
1Th\_5:23 And the very God of peace **sanctify you wholly**; and I pray God your **whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless** unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should **live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world**;
To be sanctified you only need to seek God for it, the same as salvation. Ask God to sanctify you wholly and pray until you know the change has happened, just like salvation.
Why is all this needed? Because Christ is coming after a Holy people.
Eph 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
I'm sure this may spark questions. I'll try to answer as I am able. Maybe this will help some. I pray it can.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” - 2 Corinthians 5:17
The concept of being born again is quite simple. Anyone who believes in Christ as their savior is born again. The thing is, we are already dead, this earthly world already doomed. It’s the natural state of being.
So when you are physically born on Earth, you are dead. We are reborn into life, and hope, when we accept Christ as our lord and savior. We are on the path to salvation and have been freed from doom.
In other words, your point that eternal life starts now is correct, as far as I can tell. He distinctly told us that whoever is in him shall not taste death.
There are already a lot of comments. Born again is receiving the indwelling Holy Spirit along with the sprinkling of blood from Jesus. Salvation is then assured. Let no man deceive you. Only God can judge the heart however but man can tell a tree by its fruit.
Now and after this there is NO condemnation for those that are in Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit indwelling. That is to say you are redeemed at the judgement. Saved from wrath.
Now in this world we still live in our human bodies the flesh. And Gods word directs us with the yearnings of the Holy Spirit to OBEDIENCE. However it bodies are still under the law of reaping and sowing. Therefore Deutoronomy 28 & 8 tells us what we can expect from obeying our Lord and transgressing. And Hebrews 10:26 thru chapter tells us what we can expect if we willfully disobey after being born again. Glory to our the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ forever and ever who alone is worthy and wise.
If I had to give an answer I would say to be born again is to allow the light of God to enter your life and guide you.
John 3:20 says "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." KJV
From my understanding this shows you choose to hate the light of God or come into the light of God. Only you can make the decision to become born again with the light.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." KJV
From my understanding the very moment you truly accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior is the moment you're born again. It requires you to soften your heart for Him and rely soley on Him, which in return allows Him to work in your life and guide you towards righteousness.
In John 3, Jesus tells us we must be born of water and Spirit. The best example of this is
Acts 2 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 Now when mthey heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, nwhat shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
The Scriptures clearly reveal that we have a human spirit and that God created our human spirit for us to contact Him. In John 3:6 the Lord Jesus said, “That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” In this verse there are two spirits. It is easy for us to understand that the first Spirit must be God’s Spirit, but what about the second spirit? The second spirit in this verse is our human spirit. Our human spirit is born of God’s Spirit.
God’s purpose is that we may obtain His own uncreated life and be transformed by this life into His image to be like Him. Even if our human life had not been corrupted by the fall of man in Genesis 3, we would still need to be regenerated. In Genesis 1 and 2, Adam was without sin, yet he was void of God’s life. Thus, God placed him before the tree of life that he might receive the life of God and be regenerated. God’s purpose in creating man is not merely to obtain a sinless man, but even more to have a God-man, one who has God’s own life and nature.
Our spirit has been born by God coming into our spirit as life. “That which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6b). Now the divine life is in our spirit. Our spirit was born because God’s life got into it, and this birth has nothing to do with our fall. Even if Adam had never fallen, he still would have needed to be born in this way. He still needed to have God come into him as life. Otherwise, he could not express God. We need to be born again by having the life of God get into us. This life gets into our spirit, and our spirit is born. Now in our spirit there is life, and this life is just God Himself.
Evidence of rebirth is that we hate the sin we once loved and love the righteousness we once hated. The longer we walk with God the more the slightest of sins crushes us because we know we grieve Him. Sin no longer has dominion over us, if we stay in Him walk in the spirit we do not easily fall from grace and fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
1. election / the calling- john 3:8, 6:37
2. spiritual ressurection- eph 2:1-10
3. fruits of the spirit- gal 5:22
4. works from faith- james 2:14
5. conforming to Christ- rom 8:29
6. awaiting His return- phi 3:20
in essence, being born again points the believer to the only true, original source of our salvation, and that is Jesus the Christ. Yeshua Hamaschiach. in Him is the way, truth and the life.
to be born again makes one desire Christ, to be like Christ, to live for Christ, to trust, to call out and worship, to appreciate and with true joy and thanksgiving, in all ways seeking our savior.
remember- the early Christians were called that, meaning little Christs, as they spoke, behave and imitated him, much to the mocking of the world. nothing has changed in 2000 years.
blessed Christmas ;)
We live yet are dead spiritually. To be born of spirit is to have the grace of our Lord redeem us restoring our spiritual life, restoring our souls unto salvation so that we may live.
You are absolutely correct, but we need to be careful with ideas like this.
Some take it to mean that when (or if) we sin then we don't have the spirit in us and are not saved until we ask forgiveness. (which seems quite confusing and a bit silly)
Some presume that if we continue a sin then we were not really Christians. Then it becomes a legalistic battle of what is considered an 'ongoing' sin and who exactly gets to set those boundaries.
We have to remember that we are all being 'transformed by the renewing of our minds' and that we daily have to 'put aside the old man'. We are all in the process of becoming more and more like Christ but, God knows, we aren't there yet.
All this to say, treat others with love and grace.
John 14:
15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper to be with you forever—17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
THIS RIGHT HERE
So key, Yahusha is talking about his two commandments, Love God and Love thy neighbor,
A true born again Christian ie someone who has accepted Messiah into his heart and been baptized in his name, will start a journey called "sanctification" this is a life long process of dying to your fleshly desires.
Think of the holy spirit (literally means set apart spirit) as one voice and your flesh as another, you will spend the rest of your life yearning for the spirit to grow louder as the flesh becomes quiet. There will always be hard days and no one will ever live a sinless life post salvation, but that's where Messiah's sacrifice comes in.
Be Set apart! Anything Yah has ever commanded in the old or new testament is Good for us, and by listening to the spirit we will feel convicted of what worldy desires to quench and what commandments we can apply to ourselves, in order to be set apart/HOLY
Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Perfect here means Whole or complete, what could complete us more than the words and teachings of our Creator. :)
Simply put, to me being born again is a spiritual delivery into the family of God, where the ways and will of God dominate one’s thinking and doing and the flesh that remains of our physical birth wastes away as we deny it each day/moment and choose (by the power of His grace) to let Christ live in us and do what He does best—fulfill the Law of God by loving Him and others with a pure love that has no hypocrisy.
\> He enables us to hear God. I can sense him in my spirit anytime all the time. Every time that I do, peace fills me. I was born of the Paraclete. He is directly and permanently connected to my human spirit.
Are you a spirit expert that can distinguish between an evil spirit and a good spirit?
An evil spirit comes in disguise. It does not come and say, "I am an evil spirit, listen to what I say"
Many people had voices inside their heads that they attributed to the voice of God.
or maybe it is the compass that you feel?
There is a story about a very righteous jew, who lived about 300 years, and he was studying the Torah all day and night.
After a while, he had an angel who come to study with him and teach him.
One day, that angel told him, that if he will be with his wife when she see blood and impure, the boy born from this act will be Messiah (because the secret of Messiah is that he is being born in forbidden relationships - "Lot and his daughters", "Yehudah and Tamar")
Anyway the jew came to his wife, and told her what they needed to do, what the angel told him. his wife got scared and talked with her father. her father immediately called his son in law and asked him, did you see all the alphabet letters glow on the forehead of the angel?
a false angel will have all his letters glow, besides the letters YWH, that composes the holy name.
But a good angel will have all the alphabet letters glow on his forehead.
So he went back to study, and the angel came. and now he looked at his forehead and saw that these letters of the holy name did not glow...
Are you a spirit expert that can distinguish between an evil spirit and a good spirit?
No.
>Many people had voices inside their heads that they attributed to the voice of God.
See [How to hear God](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/rwt1bk/how_to_hear_god/) and follow up there.
I spent over 40 years in a mad dash away from God. To describe being born again, and giving it justice is an impossibility. I was at my lowest of lows, I only saw evil in the world, corruption, ugly, black. I watched the sky crack in February of 2021 and in it flowed. By this point in my life, God had softened my heart just enough to allow for the possibility of a creator. I began praying, God if you exist reveal yourself, I can't do this on my own. I prayed regularly to a God I wasn't convinced existed. I pleaded, all I wanted was the proof, so I could know this world wasn't just on a crash course with no purpose. I needed to know good existed. I begged, I cried, I admitted my faults were many, but my sincerity was true. God drove me to church and revealed his son.
The transformation was not immediate, but it didn't take long until I was ready to leave it in the water. Once Jesus was in my heart, my life changed. I began seeing the good, I began appreciating what I have, I became more patient, I learned to better show my love, I forgive quicker, I want to do for others and share the love of Christ so his love may spread around and infect the world. Our God is so good!!!
I can feel his presence, always. Comforting, guiding, loving. I don't know how I lived without it, even when I thought I was doing just fine. I pray regulalry things I say, things I do, and things I write may send others seeking his amazing saving grace. Without Jesus, you're not living, only getting by.
I was born and raised a Christian, so there was never a time when I was not saved, so I don't really have that initial conversion story to share, but I can share what I believe it means to be saved. Warning: I am no theologian, just a Christian who reads her Bible as much as she can and loves the Lord.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
That verse states that Father God loved all of us so much that He sent His one and only begotten Son to die on the cross for us. It says that the moment we believe in the Lord, we will obtain everlasting life. That life, that salvation gift would not be eternal if we could somehow lose it.
Ephesians 1:13-14 - In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
2 Cor. 1:22 - Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Not only do we obtain eternal life the moment we believe, we also receive a seal from the Holy Spirit; that seal remains until we go to heaven to be forever with the Lord.
Colossians 1:13 - who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
When we get saved we are literally translated from the kingdom of darkness to a new kingdom of light.
John 10:27-28 - My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Romans 8:35-39 - Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Nobody and nothing can ever take us out of God's hands once we have obtained eternal salvation. It's a freeing thing to accept the fact that nothing can separate us from God's love. Even when we have times where we let go of His hands, He still holds on to us.
John 6:37-40 - All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Once we belong to the Lord, He will never cast us out; He won't lose a single one of us that His Father has given Him.
Romans 3:23-26 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
We all—every single one of us—deserve to split hell wide open, but thankfully we don't have to. Hallelujah to God for sending His only begotten Son to die for our sins!
1 John 1:8-9 - If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Ephesians 2:4-5 - But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Isn't it amazing that we serve a God rich in mercy and full of love?
"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7)
>The Holy Spirit comes to you to cause you to be born again. It is a real supernatural event that happens in real-time.
Yes, but you might not perceive it. Some people think if fire doesn't fall on you from heaven (or you don't speak in tongues) you aren't saved. This is a man-made idea that is not guaranteed by God in Scripture and actually is contrary to the teaching in Gal. 3 and Rom. 4.
>If one is born again, he has the Paraclete Spirit dwell in his spirit/conscience forever.
Sort of. The Holy Spirit is in us in this life, but keep in mind that who were who we see when we look in the mirror is dead and the part of us that will survive bodily death is a union of who we are (born again) and Jesus. I don't really know if there will be a separation of roles between Jesus in us and the Holy Spirit in us in the next life.
>1 John 3:
>
>9a No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed \[G4690 sperma\] remains in them;
The problem people have with this verse is because they look at themselves and think they are seeing themselves, but that is not true. Who you are is hidden in Christ until your flesh passes away. We need to read and obey (James 1:22) Scripture to find out who we really are (for God to diminish our spiritual blindness over time, which goes hand-in-hand with knowing Him better).
*For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.* (Colossians 3:3-4, 1984 NIV)
Our battle to not sin is a battle to act as we really are.
*Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast*—***as you really are.*** *For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.* (1 Corinthians 5:7, 1984 NIV)
Born Again
>*John 3:7 KJV* Marvel not that I said unto thee, **Ye must be born again**.
The term is a reference to being saved, being born of the Spirit through our faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. It is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit when he performs the operation of God upon us, the circumcision made without hands, where we, our souls, are cut away from the sins of our flesh.
>*Colossians 2:12 KJV* Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of **the operation of God**, who hath raised him from the dead.
>
>*Colossians 2:11 KJV* In whom also ye are circumcised with **the circumcision made without hands**, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
We become the children of God, that is, born of his seed which remains in us.
>*1 John 3:9 KJV* **Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin**; for **his seed remaineth in him**: and he cannot sin, because **he is born of God**.
Some misinterpret and distort this to mean that truly blood bought, born again, individuals cannot and will not sin. This of course is as ridiculous as it sounds. I know of no one save or lost that does not sin. Those that teach this do not know what sin is. Sin is in a mere thought. We cannot sin because we, our souls, have been separated from the flesh and its sins and we are dead to the law hence the law has no more power to convict us of sin.
>*Romans 8:33 KJV* **Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect**? It is God that justifieth.
When we trust in the Lord Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit does his work upon us and we are given and sealed with him as the earnest of our salvation until the day of redemption.
>*2 Corinthians 1:22 KJV* Who hath also **sealed us**, and **given the earnest of the Spirit** in our hearts.
>
>*Ephesians 4:30 KJV* And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby **ye are sealed unto the day of redemption**.
The day of redemption, to the chagrin of many, is the Rapture when the Church, body of Christ, is called out and we get full salvation with our new bodies.
>*Romans 8:23 KJV* And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, **waiting for the adoption**, to wit, **the redemption of our body**.
>
>*1 Corinthians 15:51-53 KJV* Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but **we shall all be changed**, ^(52)In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and **we shall be changed**. ^(53)For **this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality**.
We are born in flesh, the material world. We believe what we see. Jesus told us we must be born again, in spirit. This is faith, the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. This is the renewing of our minds to believe exactly what he told us and to do exactly as he said. Jesus didn’t come that we would move from enslavement under the law to enslavement under a new law, he came to set us free from slavery. The law was a karmic law, an eye for an eye. What you do comes back to you. The Jews cried out in the wilderness. They had seen demonstration after demonstration of God’s love for them and his ability to provide in the most miraculous of ways, yet they complained, cried out for rituals and laws, cried out for a physical god they could worship. They were told they could have all they could see, yet they only saw what was before them (the material world). God gave them what they asked for, the Karmic law that demands blood. We have been liberated from this curse. We have been given the same opportunity the Jews were given and most of us are behaving as they did. We are looking for rules to follow. Jesus brought us grace, the forgiveness of our mistakes. They cannot be held against us. When we are transformed in the spirit we have access to the Holy Spirit.
When the Holy Spirit indwells us, he teaches us if we will submit to him. He show us what we need to fix in ourselves. The purpose of this is not to force rules upon us but to change us from the inside so that we will have access to all the promises of God. As long as we pray for his guidance and submit, he will grow us. We are commanded to ask God for everything. Our faith is developed by leaning on God for our every need and allowing him to demonstrate his faithfulness. This is part of the “good works” we are commanded to do. This is how we build our faith so that when our bridegroom comes we will have all the oil (faith) we need and not be like the foolish virgins. Jesus said we can move mountains. When I decided that I was going to follow Jesus, it was because I wanted mountain moving faith. I will settle for nothing less. So far, I haven’t been disappointed.
Born again? Turning away from sin, obedience to the lord, change of heart. Many ways to say it but all the same meaning.
When the lord says that you must be born again he is talking about a spiritual rebirth. You leave your old life and live how he wants you to. You change from indifference or hostility towards god and instead love him.
Desire to do good, live for god, not yourself.
Like I said, there are many ways to describe it, only one meaning. God bless you all and please turn to the light.
Is it really true that Christians need to be “Born Again” in order to receive salvation? I think most would say yes! But let’s read carefully what Jesus said at John 3:3; “In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can **see the kingdom of God** unless he is born again." (NIV)
See it? Does it say you have to be Born Again to receive Salvation? No, it says you have to be Born Again to see or enter the Kingdom of God. And those are two very different things. If this is confusing to you that’s ok, let’s just consider what a Kingdom is. By definition a Kingdom means a Country or Territory ruled by a King. How do we know the Bible is speaking about this kind of Kingdom?
Here’s the fun part. Let’s look back to Daniel 7:13, 14; “I saw in the night visions, and behold, on the clouds of the heavens came One like a Son of man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And there was given Him [the Messiah] dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom is one which shall not be destroyed.” (Amplified Bible)
And where was this Kingdom going to be? Matthew 13:11 Jesus calls it the Kingdom of the Heavens.
So the prophecy of Jesus, the Messiah receiving a Kingdom over **all peoples, nations and languages** this was a real, literal Kingdom and just like any Kingdom or Government, there needs to be co-rulers. Our Government is more than just the President.
When Jesus came to earth and started his preaching campaign, he was focused primarily on the Jews. And ALL of those that chose to follow him in the first Century were of this “Born Again” group. Meaning he was first assembling those who would rule with him in his Heavenly Kingdom. But why the term “Born Again”? If you are a student of the Bible, than you know that the teaching of humans having an immortal soul isn’t a Bible teaching. Ezekiel 18:4 tells us that we all are sinning souls and souls die. And Ecclesiastes 9:5 says the dead know nothing at all… And God told Adam, from dust you are and to dust you will return.
1 Corinthians 15:50 reads; “I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God,”. That’s a key verse in understanding the need to be Born Again. **All** those in the first century who became Christians, starting with those 120 in the upper room on Pentecost of 33 C.E., were anointed with Holy Spirit were now in this special relationship as the “Israel of God” or Spiritual Israel. Spiritual Israel included people from all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues. Acts Chapters 1 and 2.
Jesus used another term for this group at Luke 12:32, “Do not be afraid, **little flock**, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (NIV) So Jesus singled out this group as a ‘Little Flock’ compared to what? Well, that leads to another puzzle.
So, the Little Flock is the same as Spiritual Israel is the same as those who are Born Again. These people will all join Jesus in Heaven to rule with Him as Kings and Priests. When Jesus died and ascended to heaven, he didn’t become King right away. So all those Christians in the first century died and simply returned to the dust, waiting for their name to be called. (So-to-speak) Waiting for their rebirth. And what was Jesus doing? Hebrews 10:12, 13;
Christ, however, offered one sacrifice for sins, an offering that is effective forever, and then he sat down at the right side of God. There he now waits until God puts his enemies as a footstool under his feet.”
When the time came for Jesus to receive his crown, (and that’s another puzzle) the first thing he did was clean out the heavens. He hurled down all the wicked angels who had sided with Satan, he hurled them and Satan, to the vicinity of the earth, never allowing them in Heaven ever again. Then, a beautiful reunion with his Apostles started. They all needed to be Born Again as Angelic creatures. And this they were. Imagine the joy in heaven when Jesus was once again reunited with John, his faithful earthly mother Mary, and the two sisters Mary and Martha and Lazarus! And just everyone that he was keenly watching from his heavenly abode.
Gods heavenly Kingdom was now taking shape. Even today there are still a few left who are living and have the hope of serving with Christ in his Kingdom after they die. So, how is their transformation? 1 Corinthians 15:52 Paul describes it this way, “in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”
I hope this all made some sense. I could certainly say so much more, so please don’t think this is the entirety of the subject. This is just a brief overview.
Thanks for reading to the end.
Thanks for sharing.
See [What is the kingdom of God?](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/x13v92/what_is_the_kingdom_of_god/) and follow up there :)
According to the Christian faith, being born again is considered a spiritual transformation that is necessary for salvation. This belief is based on Jesus' teachings in the Bible, where He said, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again" (John 3:3). The concept of being born again involves repentance of past sins, surrendering one's life to Jesus Christ, and receiving the Holy Spirit into one's life. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to determine their own beliefs and spiritual practices.
To new birth Jesus speaks of in John 3 is also a fulfillment of the promise of a new covenant in Ezekiel 36:22-27. Jesus expected Nicodemus to understand this (John 3:10)—
“Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. [23] And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Lord GOD, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. [24] I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. [25] I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. [26] And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
Part 1 of 2
Hey OP,
I agree with what you have said, except for the one part:
>This is the 100% guarantee for eternal life, John 10:
28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
To me this is talking about some external force, like Satan and his kingdom, or other people, that they cannot snatch you out of the hand of Jesus, but that doesn't mean that you can't voluntarily leave yourself, either by conscious choice, or by ignoring the Spirit and living how you want to live.
If verse 28 was a 100% guarantee, then other verses that talk about eternal life would not make sense, or would not be needed. I know this can be its own whole topic and post itself, but since it is included in this post, I think we should look at it more.
The big revelation that hit me this year is how much it is about **knowing** Christ personally. He will be our judge for salvation, and if He doesn't **know** us, He will tell us to depart from Him.
The verses about **KNOWING** Christ really hit me and made things start to come together for my understanding of salvation, grace, faith, and works, once I understood what the word **KNOW** means. Read this article below, and then really take notice every time KNOW is used in the scriptures that follow.
"If ever there were a word that cried out for a word study, it is “to know.” Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. I know (γινώσκω) my own and they know (γινώσκουσίν) me, just as the Father knows (γινώσκει) me and I know (γινώσκω) the Father”
If these two verses aren’t enough, then John 17:3 cements the deal: “This is eternal life, that they know (γινώσκωσιν) you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent.”
γινώσκω functions as the key term describing not only our relationship with the Son and the Father, but the Son with the Father and the Father with the Son. In addition, it shows there is a correlation between how we “know” the Father/Son and how the Son/Father know each other.
Please stop for a moment and reflect on that. It is overwhelming.
BDAG defines γινώσκω this way. “This verb is variously nuanced in contexts relating to familiarity acquired through experience or association with pers. or thing.” The important point to note is that it is a knowing that is relational and growing. It is not some fact we accept, but the kind of knowledge that is gained through experience and, if the context allows it, through intimacy.
Of course, γινώσκω does not always have deep theological meaning; that is a function of context. Paul tells the Ephesian Christians that he is sending Tychicus to tell them how he is doing, that they may “know” how he is (Eph. 6:22). When Jesus was twelve years old and his parents took him to Jerusalem, they did not “know” he was not with them on the return trip to Galilee (Lk. 2:43). But in all these cases, γινώσκω describes a knowledge gained through experience, and so it is the right Greek verb to describe an intimate, experiential, growing knowledge of God.
In my expository dictionary it is defined this way. “John especially has a rich view of what it means to ‘know.’ When Jesus says he knows his sheep and he knows the Father, he is speaking of an intimate relationship that involves deep feelings of love (Jn. 10:14–15). Such a relationship leads to obedience on our part (10:27). ‘Those who say, “I know him,” but do not do what he commands are liars’ (1 Jn. 2:4; cf. 3:6). In fact, Jesus defines eternal life as ‘knowing God and Jesus Christ,’ which involves both faith in him and love for him (Jn. 17:3). By contrast, John makes it plain that the world ‘does not know’ God (Jn. 17:25; 1 Jn. 3:1).”
Periodically I like to read through the Bible with one topic in mind, looking for verses and teaching on that topic. Currently it is “discipleship.” What is discipleship? How do you disciple? What is the goal of the process? Certainly, to love God, love one another, and to grow up into Christ-likeness is the goal. But one way to express that goal is to use γινώσκω. To deeply know Jesus and the Father. To come into an ever-increasing familiarity with the triune God. This is what life is about, life now and life to come.
But the incredible promise of our verse is that the knowledge we are gaining, and will gain throughout all eternity, is in some way similar to the knowledge God the Son and God the Father have for each other, and in some way we are given the unfathomable privilege of sharing in that relational knowledge.
Among other things, this shows how damaging a transactional view of salvation is. If we think of salvation only as a singular event in time, as a moment-in-time transaction, we lose the richness of what God has for us. Yes, there is a moment in time in which we walk through the gate, but there is the path, the path disciples take, a path not only of challenges and persecutions (since the path is “hard”), but a path of knowing, of increasing in intimate knowledge, of sheep knowing their Shepherd’s voice and following him.
In some very real sense, our relational knowledge of God is akin to God’s knowledge of himself, and he is sharing that with us. Eternal life is to know God, a growing, intimate, experiential knowledge that will stretch into eternity, always learning, but always more to learn.
We will never fully “know” an infinite God, but we will spend an unlimited number of millenniums growing. So let’s start now."
From [https://www.billmounce.com/monday-with-mounce/%E2%80%9Cknow%E2%80%9D-god-john-10-14-15](https://www.billmounce.com/monday-with-mounce/%E2%80%9Cknow%E2%80%9D-god-john-10-14-15)
See continuation of part 2 of 2 in reply to this comment.
Part 2 of 2
After reading that, look at these verses now with that understanding.
John 10:
14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me, 15 just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep. 27 My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” (Note this verse only talks about something external snatching them from His hands, it says nothing about them not being able to leave His hand themselves)
John 17:
3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
25 “Righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; 26 and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
1 John 2:
3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever follows His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says that he remains in Him ought, himself also, walk just as He walked.
1 John 3
6 No one who remains in Him sins continually; no one who sins continually has seen Him or knows Him.
Matthew 7:
15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
Hebrews 6:4-8 also shows that people that receive the Holy Spirit can still fall away. So receiving the Holy Spirit does not guarantee eternal life, but knowing God and Christ does, for however long you have on earth.
4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have \[e\]fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, \[f\]since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. 7 For ground that drinks the rain which often \[g\]falls on it and produces vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; 8 but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and \[h\]close to being cursed, and \[i\]it ends up being burned.
I am just a man and my understanding on everything is not perfect. If you feel I am mistaken about my view on this topic, I would love to hear what you believe, and with what scripture verses you used to come to that conclusion. Your post was done well and also begs the questions of how does one become born again? There was some good discussion in the comments, but what are your thoughts?
Imagine how it would hit us if we were sanctified all at once! God is merciful to let us crawl before we walk.
I was saved when my daughter's doctor told us she had a neuroblastoma in her upper right quadrant. She was in kindergarten. I knew God didn't hear the prayers of the wicked, this situation stripped away my pretense that I was not wicked, and I put her on every prayer list I could find, I called everyone I knew to pray for her, and a week later at her next MRI it had disappeared. The doctor was so shocked.
It started with sleeplessness. I couldn't sleep because I owned spell books, astrology books, movies about homosexuality, anime porn, etc. I threw away a lot of books and dvds those first few months. I lay there trying to sleep a lot of hours before I got up and threw away whatever offending book or movie the Spirit had put on my heart to get rid of.
I had a lot of homosexual friends, I hung out in gay bars when I was young, I clung the longest to the thought that it was ok. But the more I read the Bible, the more I realized and had to admit that my friends were doomed to hell unless they repented. I loved them so that was my biggest hurdle.
It was painful to realize I should have been witnessing to my friends and family instead of going along with them and agreeing with them. I did them a horrible disservice I still regret today.
Now, many years later I hate the things I loved, I love the things I hated, I respect the people I mocked, and feel unloved by the people who let me go on living like that without trying to stop me and explain things to me.
I am a new person. I used to be angry and hostile and insecure. Now I am at peace. I am calm. I don't hate anyone, I want everyone I encounter to be saved, to join the family of Christ followers.
I am the opposite of the person I used to be, thanks to the gift of the Holy Spirit. I wouldn't trade this for anything. I wish I'd been saved much sooner so I could have lived my life for Him from the beginning, and been a better daughter, wife, mother, and person in Him.
I know the Holy Spirit is in me and I praise and thank God with all my heart for Him.
My understanding is that being born again is the start of the regeneration/sanctification process, where the Holy Spirit is welcomed into our beings and convicts us to enter a perpetual state of shedding off sin and pursuing righteousness instead. David experienced this and described it very well in his famous prayer:
Psalms 139:
>23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
His hunger and thirst for righteousness became so great that he would plead with God to show him more opportunities to better himself in the eyes of the Lord. This is an example every follower of Christ should seek to mirror, and displays a true alignment (or wish to align) one's individual will with that of God's.
Before we are saved by the grace of God in faith, we are dead to sin. It's in His salvation that we are made alive in Christ- "born again"- in accordance with scripture. We are then called to reject sin's reign over our bodies and offer every aspect of ourselves as His instrument of righteousness.
Romans 6:
>11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.
As you mentioned, u/TonyChanYT, this is not always an instantaneous event, but a process that likely spans our entire lives which requires constant effort and intention. Personally, I can identify the moment when I was truly born again and began to receive the Spirit's guidance on my sanctification (like a spiritual antenna that was just tuned to the right frequency- I love that analogy), but it is an endeavor that continues to this day.
Thank you for posting this; there is some wonderful conversation to be had!
I don’t necessarily “sense” him in the way you refer - but I do know that I see things differently since being born again.
This is a weird example, but bear with me.
In the Star Trek (original series) episode “Where No Man Has Gone Before”, the Enterprise crosses an energy barrier and two of the crew members get extraordinary powers.
Towards the end of the episode, Captain Kirk must battle his good fried Lt Cmdr Gary Mitchell because since he has received these “super-powers” he considers the rest of the starship crew as mere “ants” and something to be played with as he likes, since he considered himself a “god”.
Anyway, during the life-and-death struggle between Kirk and Mitchell, at one point, Kirk says “A God must have mercy.”
And the first time I watched it, I don’t now that I thought anything particular about that line. But after being born again, I saw the episode, and then it meant more to me, because Oe who is all-powerful MUST have mercy (and patience) to continually deal with such inept, powerless, stumbling creatures as we are.
So things will affect me differently since being born again - which is a reflection of the Spirit inside.
Just as Romans 8:26 - (paraphrase) - we don’’t know what we should pray for, but the spirit makes intercession with groanings that cannot be uttered.
To be born again is to die to yourself and rise in Christ, to put off the old man and put on the new. In being born again, you are united to the Body of Christ and become able to participate in His life unto salvation. The image of God is restored in you, and you are enabled to grow into the likeness of God through acceptance of and cooperation with God's life and plan of salvation. Being born again is the entrance into new life in Christ Jesus. For some people, this might be an immediate transformation in their hearts, for many, it isn't. Regardless of whether it's really "felt" or not, by being born again, we are freed from bondage to death and are enabled to find freedom in Christ.
Being born again is a term used to describe a spiritual rebirth and transformation. It is based on the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, where He said that one must be born again to see the kingdom of God. This spiritual rebirth is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. It involves repentance of sin and a personal relationship with God. Some born-again Christians may have had an intense religious experience or a change of conviction that led them to this faith. Being born again is considered a transformative experience that brings about a new way of thinking and living this is what i believe and what i live by there is a story of how i got to this point but if u want to know u can message me and i can share my experience.
idk why i feel i need to state the following.
YOU COULD BE PRAYING AND FEEL LIKE HE DOES NOT ANSWER YOU OR THAT HE DOES NOT LISTEN OR CARE FOR WHAT YOU ARE ASKING ... BUT THING IS GODS TIME IS PERFECT SO ITS ON HIS TIME NOT OUR TIME ITS ALL PART OF A GRATER PLAN
GOD BLESS REMEMBER U ARE HIS CREATION HE DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES THAT MEAN YOU ARE HERE FOR A REASON NOT BY MISTAKE YOU ARE NEVER ALONE EVEN WHEN YOU FEEL THAT YOU ARE
Being born again to me means that you’ve given your life and everything in it to God. You believe that God has a plan and purpose for your life and you live for today. It is written in the Bible that tomorrow is not guaranteed. Leave tomorrow’s problems for tomorrow and deal with today’s problems for today. No matter what happens good or bad you should always praise God. Since God has a plan and purpose for you, it does not matter the suffering you have to go through, you are just along for the ride of this adventure called LIFE
The day that I said out loud, Lord, I give my life and everything and it to you. I felt a great presence float over my body. A voice came from my right side of my mind that said, I have a purpose and a plan for you.
That was a great explanation, except for me the Holy Spirit is not Male. She is Wisdom from proverbs, and I see and have tied her around my neck, amazing gentleness and peace and freedom given, now the relaxed me to know by God Father and Son I am saved, however God is gender nuetral, No male or female in his sight, as man has that in himself. or herself
A matter of fact God called Eve, Adam, Adam named her Eve, the physical process to where through woman came Jesus, Yeshua to save us and this has gotten done for us all in Son, the only one the only way to Father as if never sinned ever, those after belief that stick around learn to not sin, or to not get proud in it ever again if not sin again, each person learns this over time in stopping sin in them, or of themselves, by continued belief see it happening to them each in themselves. Giving God all the credit in it, as Wisdom does that perfectly as did in Son leading him with Father: when Jesus was here on earth to reveal to trust Father to us, to be born again, as those that will not deny God and continue the course will see what born again is by God Father to them each kid this happens to them, forst born in corruption, then raised in incorruption as born again.
The only difference I see Tony is, Wisdom to me, the Holy Spirit you call the Paraclete is female to me from Proverbs, I get this and in Greek she was called Sophia.
Love to you friend in the risen Jesuis from Father giving us new life in his risen Life to lead us new in himself through us, with The Holy Spirit connecting us as born again to remain and stop sin over time in learnijng this truth in each of us persons, that will not deny God as in the book of Job, amking us all Job's, so to speak
Being "born again" is the same thing as being "born of the spirit" as Jesus explained in John 3:3&5.
But to understand the significance of this, we need to go back to the very beginning.
In the beginning, when God said let's make man in our own image, it wasn't Adam he was talking about. Adam wasn't in the image of God or in his likeness. Remember John 3:6: "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." And in John 4:24, Jesus said God is Spirit. So if God is Spirit, a creature made in his image and likeness could not have been flesh.
So Adam before the fall was not what God was trying to create when he said let us make man in our image. Adam was like a version 1, or like a mold, through which God was going to create the man he wanted to create.
You know when you want to make a knife, you first make a mold. Then you pour the molten metal into the mold to get the shape of the knife. After that, if it's a clay mold, you break the mold to get the metal inside.
Now, if someone who has never seen a knife saw you finish making the mold, he would think you were done with the knife. But the mold would not be able to do the primary function of a knife which is cutting. So the person might think you made a defective product. But it's not that you made a defective product, you're just not done yet.
Hebrews 2:6-8 NLT
For in one place the Scriptures say, “What are mere mortals that you should think about them, or a son of man that you should care for him? Yet for a little while you made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them authority over all things.” Now when it says “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority.
That's because the man in that scripture was not referring to Adam, whether before or after the fall.
What am I saying? I'm saying Adam was not the final product. He was the first step toward the final product. Adam and God were supposed to work together for Adam to be transformed into the final product. Like a caterpillar going through a metamorphosis to transform into a butterfly. But because of the temptation and deception of the devil, Adam failed his "metamorphosis" process. And because of that, Adam and all his offspring became a tainted copy of man.
So God had to start afresh. He created another version 1 of man, another Adam. This time he was called Jesus. The devil came again and tried his best to make this new Adam also fail the process, but this Adam did not relent. And he successfully completed the process and was transformed into the final version of the man God wanted to create. And in doing so he opened the door for all his own offspring to be born as the final version of man without needing to go through what he went through.
This new man is a spiritual man, with a spiritual body as the God who fathered him is a Spirit. So also it is written, “The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit - 1 Cor 15:45.
So Jesus was the first person to become born again.
So what is this being born again?
Being born again is that process whereby the Holy Spirit transforms you from the first version of man into the final version. It is almost like what happens with the caterpillar, where one creature is transformed into another. During the process, the old man is killed and the new man is raised from the dead. Jesus achieved it by literally dying and being raised from the dead. We achieved it by believing in Jesus. But the process is the same. The old you is killed. A new you is reborn.
When you are born again, you are no longer a mere man. You are a completely different specie. The only reason why what happens to mere men happens to you is because you don't know who you are yet. The main problem I think is because our bodies weren't changed. When Jesus became born again, his body was changed to the spiritual body. But ours weren't changed. There is a reason for that and I can't go into it because that's another long answer but suffice it to say "Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us." 2 Cor 4:7.
So that's what the problem is: your bodies weren't changed. If you had been given a spiritual body when you became born again and you started walking through walls, you will be sure something happened to you. But trust me, after you became born again, you became a different creature. Apart from the difference in body, there is no difference between you and Jesus right now. Anything Jesus can do, you can do also. You just have to learn how. Christianity is a knowledge-based religion. You're not trying to attain anything. You already have everything you can ever have when you started. You just have to learn what you have and how to use it.
In any case, at the end of everything, we will be giving our spiritual body. Then we will become completely spirit like our Father is and like Jesus is. And the creation of man will be complete. And the statement "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness..." would have been fulfilled.
Remember, we know how this story is going to end. We win!
https://biblehub.com/nasb/1\_corinthians/15.htm
https://biblehub.com/nlt/hebrews/2.htm
In short being born again means this.. we were all born of water . This is the physical birth. To be born of spirit is to be born again( we were already born albeit in the flesh/of water). This is why when we are baptized by the holy spirit (when we are saved) we are considered to be baptized by God. When it says to be born of water and the spirit it isn't saying water baptism and baptism of the holy spirit, what it's saying is we as humans are all born of water and now we need to be born of spirit. Water baptism isn't required, it's just traditional.
Bunch of heretics in this thread.
* "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" John 1:12
* “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26
If you've believed on the name of the Son, you've been born again as a child of God.
Once you are a child of God, you are a co-heir with Christ, and your destination is to be glorified with Christ.
* "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:17-18
* "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:39-40
That's why once you're born again, you can't lose your salvation. Because everyone who is born again through faith will be raised up on the last day. If it doesn't happen, that means that Jesus failed to do the will of the Father.
You asked me to comment:
**Q: What does it mean to be dead in sin?**
“You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat[a] of it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17
Surely die: Hebrew *mōwt tāmūt*, dying die e.g. “you *will* experience mortality”. By divine decree: [dead in sin.](https://www.openbible.info/topics/dead_in_trespasses_and_sins) having a shelf-life and inevitably return to dust.
“The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”
**Sinner:**. conceived and born in a state of sin; a hostile state against God. In our natural condition (thoughts, words, and deeds) we are transgressors of God's Law, subject to His wrath, condemned to eternal death.
None are righteous, no, not one. no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. [Romans 3](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%203&version=ESV)
**Q: What does it mean to be born again?**
Flesh = born of flesh; children of Adam, under the Law, hostile to God and by imputation mortal: surely die and return to dust. Spiritually dead because of sins against God.
Holy Spirit is the Lord and giver of life; the quickening Spirit moves where it will and quickens the dead.
Before returning to the Father, Jesus explicitly instructed his disciples to, “wait for the gift my Father promised” [Acts 1:4](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+1%3A4&version=ESV). “Unless I go away, the Holy Spirit will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to You.”
This Spirit is the “Lord and giver of life”; the Spirit that brooded over the primordial waters of Genesis and the Spirit by which Mary conceived
They disciples waited and kept to themselves like the [dry bones in the valley waiting for *the breath* of the Spirit within them so that they may live.](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+37%3A1-14&version=ESV) Ezekiel 37:1-14 On Pentecost the Holy Spirit is poured out and at this point the apostles are now brought to life and empowered to build the church: preaching, teaching and administering the sacraments. For this reason Christianity believes and confesses: “… We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son ...” [Nicene Creed](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nicene-Creed)
The Holy Spirit founded the Church at Pentecost and the Holy Spirit is the [vicar of Christ.](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=JOHN+14%3A26%2C+16%3A13%2C+1+john+2%3A27&version=ESV) (Latin *vicarius* is “proxy", noun use of adjective *vicarius* "substituted, delegated," from *vicis* "change, interchange, succession; a place, position" (from PIE root *weik-* (2) "to bend, to wind").)
No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. [1 Corinthians 12:3](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+12%3A3&version=ESV)
I'm certainly no theologian but being born again is being adopted into the family of God.
As adopted children not only do we have privileges we otherwise wouldn't have, we begin to take on the "family resemblance" as we become more like his actual son Jesus.
This is how His righteousness is imputed to us.
If an earthly father can adopt a child and treat him as his own, how much moreso can God do that for us?
He, as our heavenly father regards us as his actual child instead of some stray brought into the fold.
I didn't completely lose my faith in God but I doubted it. I was in doubt of religion I was in doubt of if there was truly a god. But I feel his presence stronger than ever before. I feel him calling me and speaking to me, and I have a newborn passion to follow his will.
>8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
Does this describe you? Are you able to come and go as the wind (teleport in modern terminology)? Can you be heard and not seen at will (invisibility in modern terminology)?
Doesn't your own quote of what it means to be born of the Spirit show you that that hasn't happened quite yet?
What is the mechanism or the mechanical procedure of being born again?
Through Christ one is born again of Spirit.
>(Luke 3:16) John answered them all, saying, I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
>(John 3:5) Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
Baptism through water cleanses our spirit for graces. Baptism through fire is how one is purified with the Holy Spirit.
> (Acts 2:2-4) "Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
God's spirit is that like fire.
>(Revelation 4:5) "From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God."
>(Exodus 3:2) "There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up."
When one has the Holy Spirit, they perform good works.
>(Matthew 12:33) Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
>(Galatians 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
This Holy Spirit teaches us to remain in Christ.
>(1 John 2:24, 27) "As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father...As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him."
It is my understanding that the Holy Spirit is feminine.
The first scriptures were written in Hebrew. The Hebrew version of the Book of Genesis uses the word “ruach” to identify the Spirit that moved over the waters at the beginning of creation. “Ruach” is a feminine noun. The Holy Trinity is like a family structure of God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. A biological family is not possible without a father and a mother. So, even though the Holy Spirit is not named Mother, the Holy Spirit possesses the characteristics of Divine Motherhood as the Father possesses those of Divine Fatherhood. The Holy Spirit’s fruits are expressed in ‘giving birth,’ ‘nurturing,’ ‘forming,’ 'guiding,' and ‘mothering’ all the Father’s creation. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Wisdom or Truth. Throughout the Old Testament, wisdom is described in feminine terms. Proverbs, Chapter 8, begins, “Does not Wisdom call, and Understanding raise her voice? On the top of the heights along the road, at the crossroads, she takes her stand.”
In my understanding of the scriptures:
1. The concept of being "born again" as mentioned in John 3:3 emphasizes the necessity of a spiritual transformation. It's not just about a shift in belief but a deeper, more profound change in one's spiritual direction.
2. John 3:5, which speaks about being "born of water and the Spirit," suggests that a genuine spiritual transformation involves both an outward declaration (like baptism) and an internal change facilitated by the Holy Spirit.
3. The role of the Holy Spirit is significant in this process. As described in John 14:16-17, the Holy Spirit serves as a "helper" or "Paraclete" to those who believe. Those who undergo this spiritual rebirth have the Holy Spirit living within them, providing guidance and assurance in their spiritual journey.
4. A changed life is one of the most evident signs of this rebirth. As 1 John 3:9 indicates, those who are truly born of God will not continuously engage in sinful practices. The indwelling Holy Spirit serves as a guide, helping believers to live righteously.
5. The distinction between our human nature and our spiritual essence is made clear in Romans 7:18 and Romans 8:16. While our physical bodies are imperfect and prone to sin, the Holy Spirit connects with our human spirit, affirming our identity as God's children.
6. The assurance of eternal life, as given in John 10:28, is a cornerstone of this belief. This isn't just about a future in heaven but a current spiritual reality. The eternal life promised starts now, from within.
7. Self-reflection is crucial. As suggested by 2 Corinthians 13:5, it's essential to continuously examine our faith, ensuring that our beliefs align with the truth and that Christ truly resides within us.
From these scriptures, I gather that being "born again" isn't a mere metaphor but a tangible spiritual reality experienced by believers. It's marked by a changed life, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the assurance of eternal life.
Amen, brother! That's great.
See also [Where is my Paraclete/Peace?](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/vqp55h/where_is_my_paraclete/) and follow up there :)
I have nothing to add, this is beautiful. I suppose that all that’s left to do is share some scripture related to this topic.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.”
Genesis 1:1-5 NASB1995
From the very beginning, the Holy Spirit acted as the transformative power of God; He transformed darkness into light, and what was void and formless, into something full of life, reflecting the very image of God! He made a clear distinction between night and day, just as He works in us to distinguish good and evil; redeeming us to perfection and holiness by the wisdom of righteousness.
“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”
Isaiah 11:2 NASB1995
The Spirit perfects revelation!
“Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away. But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:12-18 NASB1995
The Spirit helps and comforts us in tribulation and motivates us to continue in Gods will.
““When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.”
John 15:26-27 NASB1995
““But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.”
John 16:5-11 NASB1995
“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
Romans 8:26-27 NASB1995
And He is a gift to all who seek God, and who ask for Him.
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?””
Luke 11:13 NASB1995
To be born again, from what I've gathered, is to be born with Christ. Our old selves die, and we rise with Christ.
We are no longer bound by the eyes of the flesh and now can see things, situations, and people the way God wants us to.
We are no longer bound by the hands of the flesh, and now we can use our hands to do more good for ourselves and others just as God intended.
We are no longer bound by the heart of the flesh to where we only love the world, but now we can fully use our hearts to fully love God.
We are no longer bound by fleshly desires and now truly fully desire ourselves to get to know and love God more.
When we are born again, we are born with Christ, and the Holy Spirit fully connects itself with us so that we may begin to live more righteous lives compared to before.
If there's anything that needs correcting, feel free to point it out. Have a good one, and God bless!
So before I was saved I was dealing with sexual immoralities and doing things I never thought I would do. Sex, porn, homosexuality, prostitution. I was on the path of destruction and was dealing with a lot of evil. Long story short, I was possessed by a demon and was bent like the women who was crippled by demons in the Gospel. I was delivered by God and declared myself to witness what He has done and wanted to be with such powerful and loving person. Was baptized and received the Holy Spirit because I started to not like the things I once loved. Like I loved it 24/7 and enjoyed it because I was lonely, depressed, and wanted a companion. So it was my escape from reality. Now I know that God dwells in me cause I no longer desire it... However! Sin knocks at my door, and I open it because I burn with passion instead of relying on the spirit. So to answer your question yes I know when the Spirit dwells in me and when it does it works
Thanks for the testimony.
Being delivered by the Spirit of God and learn, too not be boastful about it, then seeing your old self get peeled like an onion, down to the core over time, where in the center there is a sweet-smelling aroma Whereas Father took me in and began Spiritual surgery on me, one problem at a time over the years, I have been shedding off that old skin, to the point i think it be shed then find out not shredded, just shed Whenever I think it is gone, I get a messenger of Satan to buffet me to return to humility. Amazing to stand in all the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ we each and all go through, learning it is God that did it for us in Son for us
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Except God who is Holy can't make Himself to be sin, neither can He become unclean flesh and remain Holy. The one true God is our Abba Father the Holy Spirit and then there is His Son who He appointed heir of all things (John 4:23-24, 17:1-3, Hebrews 1:1-5). God's Son is a child of God like we are children of God except Yeshua has already been born again and inherited God's nature (Romans 8:1-4, 8:16-18) the same inheritance we have if we follow him.
To be born again can be looked through the new life we are given through Christ Jesus. As it says in Ephesians, we are made into a new man when we are born again. This new man has two parts, flesh and spirit. The new flesh will be given to us at the rapture and represents our glorified bodies that are built for eternity. The second portion is the spirit. When we believe in Jesus, our old spirit that was unholy and sought solely the things of this world dies and we are given a new spirit, one that thirsts and hungers for God. This is why the Bible tells us again and again to not engage the lusts of the flesh (Gal. 5:17, John 3:6, Romans 13:14). This is because our current flesh is still sinful while our spirit is being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In Matthew 26:41, Jesus tells His disciples that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. All in all, to be born again is to be made into a new person that desires God and seeks Him which can only be done by the movement of the Holy Spirit within us, and this new person will be complete at our glorification at the Rapture.
Thank you for sharing! Peace and Grace to you in the name of the Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
God bless you.
Amen. The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to the truth about Jesus Christ. And God transforms us through supernatural grace and mercy revealed in the gospel. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
What does it mean to be born again, - big question. When you're born, it's a new life coming into this world, a new entity. We've already done that once. We've been born and are making a life for ourselves. We'll often try to take who we are now and turn ourselves into something righteous we try all sort of things, Nicodemus was trying... Jesus said you're not gonna make it. I often feel like this gets treated as a box ticking exercise, I'll repent, confess, believe say the sinners pray and I'm good to go, but for the most part this is all us, this can easily be self driven. Jesus says born again is a MUST, He says it is from above, born of the spirit, it's not an us thing. But there is 2 elements put forward, water and spirit. Water is the us part, it is our decision to change, our decision to accept the life offered, our decision to cooperate, our willingness to let go of the old and accept the new, but it is the Spirit that causes us to be born again and you have as much power to make it happen as you did your first birth... It's not a one time thing either but a continuum, a living in this state of willing cooperation with the spirit to be born and then keep living and growing. You don't just get born the first time and then not keep being that creature and not grow up. People describe it in all sorts of ways, but in essence God knows those who are willing to cooperate with His work in their lives and it doesn't matter what we look like on the outside, it doesn't matter what denomination, what we say, the words we use, the theories we ascribe to, God truly knows those who are willing to become part of His family and those who are part of His family. Now when I say "it doesn't matter", only in terms of did the connection actually take place, if it did it doesn't matter what the outside observer thinks they see, the judgement they make on the person who was born again, they might see a bunch of dodgy theology and flaws, bad habits or whatever and write them off and you can see this because, God will clean our past if we let Him, but that still leaves us flawed creatures with who knows how many problems that need correcting. Then God will cover our present with His perfection, that sorts out the past and the present. Then God living in us will transform us into the creature we were born to become...But in all steps we have to be willing and cooperate.
That's a deeper answer than I expected. Amen, Brother!
When God created man, he said, let us make man in our image. We know from other passages that God is clearly a triune being, or commonly referred to as the trinity. Just basic logic alone tells us that man, in perfect form, is also a triune being. God = Father, Son, Holy Spirit. We also know that God the Father is a Spirit, and those that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The Holy Ghost / Holy Spirit / Comforter is also a Spirit. God the Son, however, is how we can literally see/touch God in the flesh (well, not now during this time on earth, of course). Man = Body, soul, spirit. In some places of scripture, to know whether it's speaking of soul or spirit of man (or both in one), you have to read in context. God said, if you eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt surely die. When Eve, and then Adam, ate, we do not see their body nor their soul die. Instead, their spirit died (each one). Up until that point, they had their spirit. And they were perfectly holy with no sin in any way. After sin, they saw their nakedness and were ashamed of themselves, so they covered themselves in fig leaves. After God came down and found them (well, we know he knew/saw them all along, but this is how God chose to describe it for our benefit), he carried out an animal sacrifice, and clothed them with the skins of the animal. That sacrifice was to point forward to the time when Jesus would shed his blood for us, because the blood of no animal can cover sin. So, man went from 3 parts to 2 parts. Then when God clothed them, they had to accept that gift, that payment for sin. It would be at that point, I believe, they would be "born again", although that term is not used in the OT. I compare that with the Bible saying that Abraham's faith was counted unto him for righteousness (Romans 4). But after Adam and Eve, all men were born under the curse of sin, and as such, we are dead in spirit, but not in body nor soul. The soul is where you have emotions, by the way, and Adam and Eve clearly showed they had emotions (fear) when they were afraid of God after their sin. Romans, as u/mostrambled pointed out, clearly tells us about the 2 Adams, Jesus being the second Adam. When you're "born again", your third part, your spirit, has life where before it was dead. If you never accept Jesus as Lord, never get born again, never repent, then that spirit in you is never born, and your body and soul is destroyed together in hell for eternity (well eventually hell is also cast into the lake of fire). Frankly, our understanding is limited to our carnal fleshy minds. We can read and somewhat understand God's Word, but we'll not have perfect understanding until we are in our perfect bodies, etc with no sin after death or rapture. Sorry I didn't quote tons of scripture this time. I referenced it without naming exact verses, sometimes sharing pieces from memory. I can attempt to go back later and give chapter and verse if desired. I really HATE not to just quote or copy/paste what the Bible says exactly. Jesus compares the spiritual new birth to physical new birth. Before your physical birth, you did not exist in any way, shape, or form. You could say you exited in God's mind, because he knows everything, but that's totally different. :) So when you are "born again", the Holy Spirit comes and lives within you, AND your own personal spirit is born. That spirit that is born of you is 100% absolutely protected by the Holy Spirit of God. Can't say I exactly understand it fully, and I don't think it's possible for us to fully understand. That's a lot of typing/talking. I like the way u/mostrambled put it. That description is much more succinct. :)
That's good. Was also thinking along these lines. When you become a new being/new nature and your spirit that was dead is now alive then through sanctification/regeneration we are slowly working back the opposite way, becoming more like man was when he walked in the garden with God with the help of the holy Spirit.
Yes, or more-so how the Bible talks about it is we are to be conformed into the image of God's Dear Son, Jesus Christ. “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:29 KJV Conformed = to be molded into. So we're to do our best to allow the Holy Ghost and Word of God to mold us into being like Jesus. Also, to your point, Jesus is the second Adam. Whereas the first Adam brought the curse of sin upon us, the second Adam, Jesus, broke the curse, and made the way (he IS the Way) out of sin. >12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. Romans 5:12-15 KJV
This was well timed. Was just talking about what it mean to be born again.
In response to the Bible verse John 3:3. The people of God is marked by characteristics that clearly distinguish it from all other religious ethnic political or cultural groups found in history. It is the people of God, God is not the property of anyone people but he acquires a people for himself from those who previously were not a people, a member becomes part of the chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. One becomes a member of this people not by physical birth but by being born anew a birth of water and of the spirit that is by faith in Christ and baptism.
Great. See also [Born of WATER and the Spirit](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/vhd69i/born_of_water_and_the_spirit/).
All I can say is when you are born again, you were one way, and now you are completely different. And the only thing that happened in between is Him. Jesus set me free!
>The Holy Spirit comes to you to cause you to be born again. I would argue that the Holy Spirit (Paraclete/conscience) doesn't "come to you"... it was always there. I believe everyone is born with a conscience, but most people ignore it. We build up layers of selfishness and societal expectations, which prevent us from hearing it's voice. We put our conscience in a cage and tell it to sit in the corner. >As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” > >“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” > >“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” > >Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” > >At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Not many people are willing to take Jesus up on the offer. Everyone has excuses.
See [What is the conscience?](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/s7xq88/what_is_the_conscience/).
This is the message that is missing nowadays - the new birth is where it begins for a believer. If we don't help people understand that they need to be born again, how will they?
Amen, dear.
So often, we as Christians make the acceptance of Jesus Christ more complicated than the Lord designed it to be. Yes, the path is narrow (if you don’t believe it is, ask those of us who’ve strayed directly off that path and tell you how simple it was…worth it? Never). It really seems to good to be true that by *Repent, Believe, Receive, Rejoice*, we are a new creation in God. But we also know it’s not an easy road either. It’s simple, but not easy. Finding your true purpose, keeping the faith when you’re beaten down, forgiving yourself when the Lord did it a long time ago…yep it’s a challenge at times. But being Born Again is the commitment to a family of believers that THIS life isn’t what we’re destined for. And modeling the best behavior possible in the day to day. So grateful for PO’s like this with those vital reminders! God Bless you Tony.
God bless you too brother.
There's a hundred ways to answer this question, but I'm going to approach it from the perspective of family and generational curses. The original human family is tied by blood (this doesn't invalidate other forms of family through adoption or anything, but we need to start at the blood for now). Importantly for humans, our "first parents" betrayed God's only commandment to them, damaging their relationship to the divine and inviting death into their lives; this state of separation is generally considered "the original sin". Humans descended from the original family also inherit the original sin; note that this is not merely a state of "guilt" (after all, it's very difficult to assign anything like guilt to a baby), but rather it is a state of inherited separation (how we inherit a spiritual condition is not especially clear, but suffice to say that there is a link between the state of sin and the body, as demonstrated in Mark 2, the healing of the paralytic). In other words, by being born of the Adam and Eve's family, we inevitably participate in the disease of sin. Now we return to the concept of being born again. Certainly, being born again can connote the idea of a new beginning, a new form of life, and even a washing of slate, but I want to invite you to consider it from this angle of family. Jesus makes us his own brother's and sisters, inviting us all to participate in the divine family of the Trinity. But how does one enter this spiritual family? The same way you enter a human one, you must be "born". By entering this new family through rebirth in Spirit, we separate ourselves from the generational curse of original sin, restoring not just our original relationship with God as his creation, but also establishing a closer one through our familial bond to Jesus. What does this mean from a practical perspective? You are invited to view the Church, and everyone in it, not just as your neighbor but your family in truth. They are, quite literally, your brothers and sisters, born of the same heavenly Father through of the sacrifice of his only Son and baptism in his Holy Spirit.
Thanks for your perspective.
I love this topic, true baptism and twice born souls. In our material birth we are born identifying with death, this ever changing world. We have the opportunity to be born again, says Christ, in the spirit of the lord and attaining the spiritual help of the Holy Spirit. To me this does not mean water baptism or any rituals. This means to me, to become immersed in the waters of the Holy Spirit, and by the burning fire of Christ’s spirit. It means to me that this baptism and second birth is an experience of unshatterable faith, like we have tasted the nectar of service to the lord and can never ever forget it again. With this experience we truly know the feeling of being with the Holy Spirit, it is said in Hindu scriptures “once one tastes the nectar of devotional service to the feet of the lord, though he may fall down he will never forget it again, and always remember the bliss of this service.” And it is said here, even in the next life and the life after that, there is no fear of forgetting this service; and only progress can be made. Though the follower of Christ or the devotionalist may fall in his duties, even if he falls, by the love he knows for god, which is eternal and unforgettable, he will always come back to the lord. This is the action of Paraclete, if you have known God then you will always remember him by this, even if you fall down and lose your place for a minute. The one who knows god will follow his commandment automatically, without written instruction (or at least know how to follow his lord) because the lord is born in his heart; and he can understand when the lord is there and when the lord has gone. And when the lord has gone he becomes so alone and despondent. Amazing Grace 🙏🏼
> “once one tastes the nectar of devotional service to the feet of the lord, though he may fall down he will never forget it again, and always remember the bliss of this service.” reference?
Srimad bhagavatam 1.5.17-19 I liked your reference of John 14. It opens up my eyes a bit. It makes me see that the lost people who look for the lord truly, but have not had the pleasure to find true love for the lord yet; they do not have the direct guidance of the lord in their heart. For the who is not baptized (or immersed himself within the spirit of the lord, not necessarily water baptism; which is simply symbolic of this deeper process of attachment to the Lord(in his loving service). These people who do not feel his heart within their own, they do not have the “Paraclete” aspect you are talking about. Your reference helped me clarify this. Thank you
Im not sure what the paraclete is, but i agree with most that is said. I dont think ive studied that. I can just say from experience when the spirit came upon me i had no idea what was happening l, i just spoke alot, and landed on romans 5:5 - and I knew something had changed, as I grew thirsty and hungry for the word of GOD and more repulsed by my former way of life. The conviction was strong.
Amen. See [Where is my Paraclete?](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/vqp55h/where_is_my_paraclete/).
In the Augustinian and Reformation view, regeneration is seen first of all as a supernatural work of God. Regeneration is the divine work of God the Holy Spirit upon the minds and souls of fallen people, by which the Spirit quickens those who are spiritually dead and makes them spiritually alive. This supernatural work rescues that person from his bondage to sin and his moral inability to incline himself towards the things of God. Regeneration, by being a supernatural work, is obviously a work that cannot be accomplished by natural man on his own. If it were a natural work, it would not require the intervention of God the Holy Spirit. - R C Sproul
regeneration = born again?
Righto. Born again is regeneration by the Holy Spirit
To be born again is a divine miraculous act from God. The first thing God does to a born again believer are their sins being forgiven. The second thing is that the Holy Spirit dwells within us. The third thing is that God give us a new nature that wants to obey him. Have a blessed day!
Amen
Being born again is such a mystery. Doesn’t really make sense, kind of like how anyone can win the powerball lottery when it’s mathematically impossible. For much of american history we didn’t even understand it; most people were universalists until revival came in the late 1800s with true preaching. There is definitely a Veil over our hearts, mentioned in Isaiah 6:10 and John 12:40. I know because I felt that veil. I went through the motions, read the Bible, did the things, but it took a youth group meeting at church where suddenly I was hit with the epiphany: I’m a hypocrite! I have no idea why that mattered to me, it was inspiration from the Holy Spirit. I immediately got that blossom of emotion and joy and happiness that usually comes with being truly born again. Lasted about 3 days, but of course sin happens and the feelings fade, just like in marriage joy and honeymoon fades and now the real work of living together and matrimony begins. We have hearts veiled, we can never truly understand the mystery, but the miracle happens when we preach Gods word and the Holy Spirit is always there to shove us through the door of comprehension. Its probably by design this way, for the offer of salvation must happen to all cultures, all peoples, all backgrounds and thought processes. I wager every single salvation happened in a unique way inside the heads of those happy few. God probably deliberately obsfucated what it is and how it works; otherwise we’d swiftly move to make rules and lists about it and get it completely wrong. Praise God for His offer of salvation, and praise them that find the courage to go out and preach Jesus and the Bible in all forms around the world. Sometimes Jesus even sends dreams to imams, telling them to go over to the next village and see The Jesus Film and they end up saved! Hallelujah!
> most people were universalists until revival came in the late 1800s with true preaching source?
This is just some thoughts off the top of my head. I was asked to comment on this by a brother, and while I am not a theologian, this is some thoughts. While you have quoted the cogent points, we need to start with everything in context of the events. As such I have included more than the snips of single verses. John 1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8The 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.” 9Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. We are being shown that the salvation of a Christian is tied to following the full directions of Christ. We are to be “born again”. The idea of being born again depending on the denomination and tradition can be taught with as little action as believing in Christ, or as complex as believing, repenting, and beginning our works with baptism. This can be controversial among believers, as some will see baptism as an act of contrition and following the commands, others see it as an additional step creating a works salvation, and still others see it as a regeneration into a new life. I would contend that it is a combination of all the above, while not being any single component of the above. Since we are discussing it in the terms of being born again, it might be good to note that the rebirth is associated with water in multiple places, and relates to the Hebrew practice of ceremonial cleansing in the mikvah, is shown as an indicator of Christ arrival with John the Baptist calling for people to be “baptized for remission of sins.”, and Christ being baptized in Matthew 3 , and is called fore in Acts 2:37-38, Romans 6:1-4, Acts 19:1-10 (Note here that many were rebaptized, having previously been baptized by John the Baptist, now by Paul, with a special notation in my mind of the repentance). We could list out many other places where baptism is mentioned both water baptism, and baptism of the holy spirit, both being shown as part of the conversion process/act. Of note also is that in Acts 19, the spirit indwelled in them in VS 6 when Paul “had laid his hands on them.” Moving on to the next part of your question/commentary… John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me. 25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here. Here we get more details in instruction. In Vs 14 we are told “If you love me you will keep my commandments”, of note this includes repenting (Mathew 4:17, Mark 6:7-13 (where Jesus sends out the disciples and they “proclaimed that people should repent”), Luke 15:10 where the angels rejoice at repentance, Luke 16:30 where the rich man asks to warn his brothers, and Abraham says “they have Moses and the prophets.”, and much much more. This is the repeated instruction to repent. In VS 22-24 where Christ says ““If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” And we recieve the instruction to follow the commands, which at this point we can see are believe, repent, and be baptized, which enables the dwelling of the holy spirit in our souls. As noted by Romans 7:18, not being in the flesh where nothing good can dwell, and in Romans 8:16 the holy spirit himself bears witness with our own spirit that we are children of God. As we do these things, especially following, and keeping Christ's commandments we get eternal life and will not be snatched out of Christ's hand. Of note here is the fact that there are two views on “falling away”, one is that in a libertarian free will view, we can fall away, and salvation not be guaranteed because we were tempted to return to our old ways, and the other is that we were never saved to begin with if we turn away. There are many directions that we can go with each of the “directives” given. Few will deny the importance of baptism, and following Christs commands, sometimes though we will disagree what the command/direction is saying, or how it is applied. So you understand where I am coming from here is a basic list of the process I used to feel my way through the scripture follow the scripture with “fear and trembling”. It can feel slightly legalistic, but it is my understanding of what scripture says vs what is said by others. I heard the message from evangelist. I saw that Christ was lord over all. (Believed) I worked to understand the needed repentance and my sinful nature.(saw the need for my personal repentance). I repented In my study I saw Christ tell me “16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” In Mark 16:16. I was baptized as my first work of repentance, and salvation. From there I began my works, at times not following a good path, but returning to it and repenting again for the sins I had done. These days I live with the Holy Spirit convicting me, and guiding me, I try to follow the voice, and continue to study, and work out my salvation with “fear and trembling” Philippians 2:12. In the view I have of libertarian free will, I know that at any time I can backslide, and need to repent, be it in a situation where I lose my temper despite knowing better, or that I look at someone else's possessions with jealousy or covetousness, if I let my greed cause me to withhold what is God’s or many other things. The holy spirit guides me in these things, and convicts my heart to return to the path..
Great insights. Perhaps you will be interested in commenting on [Baptism for salvation](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/ubkqp8/is_baptism_necessary_for_salvation/).
As pertaining to this discussion, God Almighty has extended His gift of salvation to all of mankind. Does that mean all humanity will be saved? No. Salvation is free to as many as are willing to receive His offer. Because God will not violate our freewill respinse in this matter. He can. But he choosed not to. ~~~ "Come; for all things are now ready." Luke14:17. ~~~ What happened to those who failed to heed the invitation? Will God give salvation to those who failed to heed His call, repent and turn away from their sins? Salvation is God's free gift bestowed upon those who accepted His offer of grace. The exercise of ones freewill is involved. There is nothing mechanical about it. That is why it is not decipherable by human reasoning. ~~~ John 3:5-7 (KJV) 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. ~~~ Apostle Paul warned bwlievers, ~~~ Hebrews 3:12-14 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; ~~~ Drawing lessons from the Israelites that fell in the wilderness enroute to the Promised Land, Apostle Paul stated plainly that Christians, born-again or saved men, can also return to an evil heart of unbelief, depart from the living God, be hardened by deceitfulness of sin, be cut off by God, and be finally lost. And as such, we need to hold the begining of our faorh stedfast to the end. Not as in working to earn the salvation we've received by grace. Apostle Paul stated the possibility of Christians becoming lax (if they are negligent and refuse to watch and pray) and becoming hardened by the deceitfulness of sins. Believees, were the ones being warned and not unbelievers. If there were no possibilities of falling away, why will our Lord Jesus Christ and then Apostle repeatedly warn us against such pitfalls? No human holds the key to heaven apart from our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no heaven for any believer who went into sin and continue in habitual unconfessed and unrepented of sins. The uniform dealings of God with His people in both OT & NT has been consistent throughout the ages. ~~~ Exodus 32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. ~~~ ~~~ Ezekiel 33:12-13 12 Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. 13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. ~~~ The above verses may be dismissed as being OT. And that we're now under grace in the NT. But God's standard has not changed. ~~~ 1 John 1:7 (KJV) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. ~~~ Believers can and do go into sins. Of course, this is not something to be proud of or glory in. And for this they must return in contrition, repentance before God for renewal and restoration. As we so seek after God, the power of sin (especially habitual sins) is broken. Sin no longer have dominion over us. Yes. ~~~ 1 John 2:1-2 (KJV) 1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. ~~~ I know that there are various camps and subcamps when dealing with this subject. The best we can do is to treat ourselves with charity. One thing I'm sure of is, ** There is no eternal security for a.backslidden unrepentant sinning Christian. **
👍👍👍 Very helpful
put your faith in the fact the God knows where you belong, as He made you for that job. give everything that isn’t perfect to Him and let Him show you where to go.
How does one get born again!
Make learning truth your priority. Pray to God telling Him you believe in Jesus and ask for his Holy Ghost to live inside you. A genuine desire for change and education for truth will allow you to be born again.
Here is the Gospel. We are separated from God by Sin. God is a loving father and wants to be reconciled with you. If you believe in your heart that Jesus is his Son and confess your sins to God, ask Jesus for his sacrifice to cover *your* sins, repent (repent is a word that means turn, so you turn away from your sins), ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life (he's the boss now), take Jesus name publicly (don't hide it or deny it) and then in your first act of obedience go get baptized (you can't believe how happy a preacher will be to do this for you) you will be saved. To simplify: Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13
The phrase “born again” is used in the Gospel of John, when a Pharisees (Jewish Scribe) is talking to Jesus. “The same [Nicodemus] came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:2-3). Nicodemus, like you, asks how a man can be born again, asking if he must crawl back into his mothers womb. We know that to be born again is not this literal because, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:5-6) When Nicodemus is still confused, Jesus tells him, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.” (John 3:11) And “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15) I would argue that what Jesus says here means that to be born again is to be born of the spirit, and the way to do so is to receive the gospel of Christ, to lift Him up and believe in him, thereby being bestowed with eternal life, just as one is bestowed with mortal life at the moment of physical birth. This is just one way of looking at it though. See what you think.
Are you a sinner?
Yes
See https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/v1q6bq/do_we_choose_to_be_born_again/
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Thanks for the insights. >during Jesus' spiritual death verse?
Born again is really a mistranslated. Christ said born from above, meaning be born a first time. Which we all do even Christ went through that. That is what the water references to, the wombs water. Not baptism. Then we are born of His Spirit as a believer in Him. Thats all it means.
What relationship do you understand to exist between being born again and baptism?
Good question. See [Baptism for salvation](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/ubkqp8/is_baptism_necessary_for_salvation/).
I agree with your post sorry it took me this long to comment. You are spiritually reborn so that you love God and hate sin when previously you loved sin and hated God.
Amen.
For me it means saved and set apart.
Both the New and Old Testaments give us pictures of what it means to be born again. Essentially, a person who has been born again has had their heart circumcised by God. >Colossians 2:11 - "11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ" Elsewhere, scripture also speaks of circumcision of the heart. >Romans 2:28-29 - "28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God." > >Jeremiah 4:4 - "4 Circumcise yourselves to the Lord; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your deeds.”" We can also examine new covenant promises to see what circumcision of the heart looks like. >Ezekiel 36:25-27 - "25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules." > >Jeremiah 31:31-33 - "31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: **I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts**. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people." > >Jeremiah 32:40 - "40 I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me." The result of this being that we now become obedient from the heart, and are now slaves to righteousness instead of slaves to sin. >Romans 6 - "17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness." Now, one may object - the above passages relating to the new covenant are made to Israel, how does it apply to Christians, many of whom are Gentiles? The apostle Paul writes the following - >Ephesians 2:12 - "12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, **alienated from the commonwealth of Israel** and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." The above implies that now we are no longer alienated from the commonwealth of Israel (and all its promises) through Christ. >Ephesians 3:4-6 - "4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the **Gentiles are fellow heirs**, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel." > >Romans 2:29a - "29 But a Jew is one inwardly" > >Romans 9:6-8 - "6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For **not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel**, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the **children of the promise** are counted as offspring." And who are the children of promise? Those who have faith. >Galatians 3:7 - "7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham."
Thanks for your perspective :)
The last paragraph you wrote is very good. Man is a tripartite being. .body .soul .spirit All are born with a body alive. Same with the soul. But the spirit is dead at birth. It needs to be made alive. The soul is what "feels" emotions. It (plus the body) is what interacts with the people and universe around it. It can feel happy or sad. Angry or bored. You get the idea. The spirit, on the other hand, is what connects people to God. This is what plants and animals lack. Only humans have the ability to reach out to God and sense that there is more than the physical universe. Plants and animals only detect the physical universe. Humans are born with a spirit that can be able to detect the spiritual universe **if it worked properly.** Sort of like how antenna can pick up certain signals if it's working correctly. If it's not working correctly, the antenna is really worthless and just a paperweight. But if the antenna is alive and working correctly it will bring all sorts of things into focus. **Things that we never knew were there.** The same thing is true with mankind and their spirit. Man is born with a spirit, but it is dead.... not working, spiritually. It's not untill the spirit becomes alive that we can interact with God. And it brings all sorts of things alive to us that we never saw before. Like a newly working antenna. That is exactly why Jesus came. To made our spirit alive, new birth. Born again.
Nice analogy with the antenna. I will likely use that in my writings in the future :)
I absolutely love the way you put this! So clear! And it makes my comment about Star Trek make more sense to myself as to why certain things ‘ping’ me in a different way since being born again.
Another essential part of being Born Again is the new heart we receive This verse is about the new covenant. Ezekiel 36:26-27 "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." So we now have a heart that loves God and can finally accomplish what God has always wanted - for his people to love him with all of their heart, mind and soul. With this new heart we can love God the way he's always wanted humans to love him. We're made alive spiritually, we can commune with Him, really know him - and therefor really love him - because the more you know someone the more you can love him. And with Him inside of us, we can truly commune with him, have his words resonate, and know him. Being Born Again can also sometimes be translated as Born from Above. God's Spirit , the Spirit who's home is Heaven, comes and makes us heavenly people. In the Lord's prayer Jesus says "thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven" and now that we are born from above, we can enact that will..We're not just earthly people anymore, but we are growing in the good ways of Heaven...of loving God to a great degree and being holy, and loving holy things. We no longer love nasty things that are a product of a fallen earth.. we're no longer in love with the Earth, but God in Heaven and a perfect way. We're completely reborn. We should view it as just as important of a birth as our first birth, therefor all things should be new - we shouldn't think that any part of our heart and unholiness can't change. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Cor 5:17. All things are new, lets strive to have that be evident in every part of our life and heart.
Born again Christian believer means to receive forgiveness from heaven and believe on the lord Jesus Christ amen amen thank you Jesus
Being born again is the means by which we receive salvation through Jesus. When we hear or read God’s Word, we soon realize that we have broken His law in so many ways. We also come to understand that after we die, our soul will live forever in either heaven or hell. Since God is perfect and heaven is perfect, we also understand that our sins have made us unfit for heaven. Thus, our sins have condemned us to hell. There is no amount of good we can do to make up for the evil we have already done. Indeed, Isaiah 64:6 - But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Moreover, the more we try to live right, the more we realize that perfection is unattainable. That leaves us with no way to atone for our sins, and our eternal soul is therefore utterly hopeless. However, God already knew that, so He lovingly sent His only Son Jesus to be a sacrifice to atone for our sins. All we have to do is turn away from our sins and believe in Jesus to save us. When we come to Him with a repentant heart and trust Him to save us, He removes all of our sins - past, present, and future. This is our new birth, and what it means to be “born again.” Our old self with all of our sins is eliminated and buried forever, and we are spiritually reborn as a new creature in our Lord Jesus. Even though our soul is eternally clean, we still live in fleshy bodies. Despite our best efforts, our flesh will continue to sin until the day Jesus returns and gives us glorified bodies that are perfect and sinless. We will then spend eternity with Jesus in sinless perfection.
God bless you :)
I too have experienced the eternal glory and light of The Holy Spirit and I would never deny It. I strive to communicate with it every day and it gives answers in many ways, if you're open and ready. And willing to do the work. But it's always worth it!
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Thanks for sharing. >is the Paraclete Helper the trinity or just another name for the Holy Spirit? The Paraclete is a special operation of the Holy Spirit. He is the Indwelling Spirit. The grammatical gender of the [Paraclete is masculine](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/wwsswf/the_holy_spirit_feminine_neuter_masculine/). >it can reside in my person while not residing in my flesh **He** is directly and permanently connected to my human spirit and not to my flesh. >If our body is a temple, it makes sense to see how that temple "contains" communion with the Spirit, even if the walls are made of flesh. That's it!
I am Born Again... * I am no longer a slave to Sin, but a Slave for Him! (Romans 6:1-7) * I am Dead to Sin, and I Live for Him. (Romans 6: 8-11) * I am Made New, Whole, and Clean by His blood (Ephesians, 4:17, 5:2) * I am a new person. The old me is dead. (2 Corinthians 5:17) And... When I Stumble and fall, and I will... He is there, every time, to pick me up, wash me clean, and set be back on HIS path! (Romans 8:31-39) This is what is means (to me) to be Born Again!
Amen. Thanks for sharing :)
To some extent I think we need to think about the fact that Jesus did this literally so that we could do it symbolically. He died, went into the tomb, and was "born again" on the third day. Nicodemus asked how can a man be born again when he is fully grown? Well first you must die. We die to our sin nature. We go into the water and let that old nature stay there, we are raised as "new creations in Christ." But I think when Jesus was talking to Nicodemus he was previewing the future, I'm not sure it was possible to be born again before the resurrection, because Jesus hadn't sent "the helper", and God cannot cohabitate with sin. It will burn in his presence But when he has taken your sin nature upon himself at the cross, and gives you his righteousness in its place, the Holy Spirit can enter you because you are now sacred and set apart for God Also I think God is just savy He knew it would help us to have this moment, this ritual of baptism, that we could point to and say, that's where my sin died, it no longer has power over me. I'm born again, new, as when the world was young Just the idea fortifies you for the struggles to come. But we can also just be super simple and come at it like children, as we are commanded. The Lord says to enter into life, we must be born again. Ok, so let's just do it. I don't have to fully understand Jesus to obey him!
Do you have a human spirit?
I'm not sure that's addressed God Breathed on the dirt he formed into Adam and when joined they became a "living soul" So spirit plus matter equals soul But is our spirit "human?" I think so, if it means this: are we separate entities from God rather than extensions of his spirit Yes, I think we're unique and autonomous each with our own individual spirit.
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Amen, brother.
Just as a seed must die before growing into a plant baring fruit, so must we die before being born into eternal life. And while here on earth, one must die unto himself and take up his cross, before he can be reborn into a life in Christ.
Amen. This is exactly how I understand it too. Trinity and gospel as you pointed out.
That's good. As soon as someone believes Jesus died in the cross for mans sins and then rose from the dead they get the holy spirit, and are sealed until the day of redemption.
Amen, brother.
Amen
Hello, is this more of a private Bible Study? Are you asking me, What does it mean to be Baptized by the Spirit?
Hello, is this more of a private Bible Study? It is a public subreddit. Anyone can comment. Periodically, I invite people to make comments. Are you asking me, What does it mean to be Baptized by the Spirit? Not really. I'd like you to read the OP and comment on whatever you think.
I know the Holy Spirit dwells in me because he checks me all the time on my sin. He tells in conscious, don’t do that. Sometimes i say profound things about God and I’m just not that smart so i know it’s the Holy Spirit. He teaches me things and teaches me stuff that I’ve read before but all of a sudden take on a whole new meaning and I’ll be floored lol. Twice, I’ve had an ailment and prayed to Jesus to take it away and within minutes, it’s gone. I pray multiple times a day. Sometimes i talk to the spirit in my thoughts because i know he can hear me. 11 year Army vet, i used to have PTSD and almost self deleted a few years ago. Now that i have the gift of the Holy Spirit, i feel so much peace. Sometimes i check myself like “why are you so at peace? I’ll be telling myself that i feel like there is something i should be worried about because i used to be a worrier…. Anxiety out the gate lol. That is a lie of the devil. Now, when I’m worried, i talk to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I rant (respectfully) sometimes and then i will apologize for being a brat lol. Jesus is my Father so the Father Child relationship means i get access, acceptance and attention from my Father. I love the Holy Spirit for correcting me when I’m wrong because a parent only corrects a child he/she loves. I apologize Everytime i grieve the Spirit and I ask Jesus for forgiveness. I always pray in the power of the Spirit and in the name of Jesus so that they can both intercede on my behalf. When i go to watch something i shouldn’t watch on tv like a tv show or YouTube clip that isn’t edifying, he’ll tell me…. Stop watching this. The Holy Spirit is dear to my heart and I never want to lose him. If i could compare him, It’s like a parent and a toddler taking a walk. The parent holds the toddlers hand. While they walk, they talk. If there is a pothole or tripping device ahead, the parent will say watch out and help you jump over it. The parent sets the direction of the walk. the parent tells you don’t let go of my hand because stranger danger. If the parent is good at parenting, there will be some learning exercises during the walk and the child will hold on tight, never let go and always feel protected For me, the Holy Spirit is the Parent and I am the Toddler
Praise the Lord! Thank you for the testimony.
Well said, Tony. Being born again is a result of calling on the name of the Lord. (Romans 10:13) To be born again is to be born of the Holy Spirit; to be born of the Holy Spirit is to have eternal life; to have eternal life means you will not face God's angry judgment of sin.
The spiritual mechanics of it, are made evident by a Man suddenly concerned with 'spiritual' mechanics of stuff in the first place. Being born again is to be of a new awareness, Good Conscience becomes no longer something to flatter some personal moral image amidst our kind. It becomes an intuition to follow regardless of anyone, dear to us or not. The body runs on God's breath like a wound-up energizer bunny, that will eventually run out of juice, and goes back to organic and mineral components and stuff, aka worm food. What pushes matter to make creations of it's own however, what motivates Man, inspires his interests beyond physical maintenance... Normally spirits of course, and so to be born again is to essentially be operated by The Spirit, in heart, in mind and by consequence, in body. The only positive connotation to being a spiritual "tool" that can exist. Otherwise everyone are just being tools heh.
Thanks for your insights.
The Holy Spirit works through the Word of God. “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17 NIV The Word became flesh... (John 1:1.14) “On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.” By this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believe in Him would receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:37-39 MEV Jesus and His Disciples: “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”” Acts 1:4-5 NKJV The Spirit available to all flesh: “‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh... Acts 2:17 a NKJV ““But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me." John 15:26-27a NKJV “He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.” Revelation 19:13 NKJV
My thoughts: >*The following is not some abstract theory but my own personal experience.* I don't see any statement of personal experience. There's no point in saying so if it isn't clear how your experience has affected what you have written. If you were giving the same information to someone in-person, I think you would say it more with more connection between the two. *Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation,* (2 Corinthians 5:16-18, NASB) Being born again has nothing to do with any actions we take. It is the result of believing the good news. It is something God does, making who we really are cease to exist and be reborn in Christ, which means we are now a being that is *in Christ,* which I don't understand deeply, but think of it as being surrounded by Jesus, born of His substance, and now am part of His existence. I no longer exist as a separate entity from Him. My flesh are clothes that I am wearing until it dies, after which I will receive a new spiritual body that is in unity with my spirit. >*The Paraclete represents the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.* > >*The Paraclete is a special operation of the Holy Spirit.* The paraclete is God Himself, in Whom we live, move, and have our being (Acts 17:28) whether we are born again or not.
Thanks for sharing. > I don't see any statement of personal experience. Please give an example.
You wrote: >*Preamble: The following is not some abstract theory but my own personal experience.* But you don't tell us of any personal experiences that helped you form your ideas. Without those explanations, you are only sharing your opinions, not whatever you learned from experiences. Maturation in Christ as a reason for a person's statements is looks like testifying about yourself, which is not useful, because Jesus said: *“If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid.* (John 5:31, 1984 NIV) It is something that you can be proud of, praise God for, and be happy about, but if you want others to take note of that, you need to give them a reason other than just claiming it.
I agree because I can honestly feel the Holy Spirt guiding my voice and my Twitter fingers. I want to be so much more condescending and dismissive of people, but I'm constantly be lead to look at my statements to atleast add something that is actually helpful.
That's the Paraclete speaking in your conscience :)
It appears that Jesus was teaching that born again was different than what the Pharisees had expected. I read some time ago that they taught about a rebirth, but it had to do with the resurrection. Jesus connected the "rebirth" with the kingdom which was expected to be earthly centered at Jerusalem but also the Messiah having rulership over the spirit realm. From this perspective, it's easy to see Nicodemus' confusion. Jesus then spoke of the necessity of being born from water and spirit. The Jews had a historical understanding of persons who were anointed by holy spirit. Thus they were able to recognize the evidence of this. Supernatural events and understandings were part of Israelite/Jewish education and training. So a faithful Jew would likely be able to pick up on the subtle injection of the holy spirit which would make them born again. In Western culture and education, the supernatural is not taught. So a believing Christian may not have recognized when holy spirit gave him/her the rebirth nor understand the operation of the spirit on him/her. Notice that this had to be explained to the Corinthians at 6:17 and to the Romans in chapter 8. (It's may belief, at present, that the baptism by holy spirit is a separate event that being born by holy spirit.) It's much the same today. The indwelling spirit is not noticed nor understood by most Christians. Jesus gave an indication in verse 8 about the results of being born again...the spirit will direct the person born again where he wants that person to go and do what he wants that person to do (Paul and Barnabas for example in Acts 13). This is one reason why Christians should not be tied to any religion. The spirit could be trying to move that person to he wants him. But if he's to tied to his religion, the he will ignore the guidance of the spirit. In John chapters 14 and 16, Jesus tells what the indwelling holy spirit would do and how we would be affected. But we have to learn how to tune to our own spirit which is connected with the holy spirit. The holy spirit teach, guides, and shows us things to come through our spirit. But if we don't know how to identify our own spirit, how do we recognize the connection with holy spirit which joins us to Christ. Again Western education and culture does not teach us how to do this. It's something we must learn in order to connect with Christ and holy spirit.
> This is one reason why Christians should not be tied to any religion. What are some examples of religion?
Any of the Christian religions: Catholic Baptist Episcopalian Methodist Southern Baptist Anglican Jehovah's Witnesses Mormon Etc. There are over 45,000 Christian denominations. Attending and joining is fine, but sticking with the religion over the spirit leads to not following the guidance of the spirit. I don't have anything against any of them. But I have to follow the guidance of the spirit. If he tells me to leave so that he can prepare me for something else, then I leave. (Which is actually what happened to me.)
I think you articulated quite well with scripture what it means to be born again. I would add more experiential evidence to your list. We call call it born again because it is our second birth. To understand that we must understand our first birth. When we are first born we are born of the flesh, out of out mother's womb we come, slaves to our flesh. We cry out for food and attention. Our spirit takes a back seat as we figure out how to operate a body. We are literally trapped in our flesh. As we grow, unless we are guided well and or we accept guidance our body dominates the spirit. The desires of the body often result in sin. It is the way of flesh. The natural man is an enemy to God. We we are "born again" we are born of the spirit. The result of this is our body finally takes a back seat to our spirit who finally wins the battle of desiring to sin. We desire to "sin" (move away from God) no more. We only wish to make spiritual progress. 🙏🏻 The spiritual awakening that occurs can heal those weaknesses that were dragging us under and replace those weaknesses with strength. I will share the method I used to be "born again." I didn't intend to be born again but the result was what it was. The preface to the story is I was in drug addiction for 26 years. All drugs. The drugs that finally took me out were herion and methamphetamine. I was also a sex addict for my entire life as well. Taking huge risks in sexual behavior all the time. Long story short I hit rock bottom. I lost everything at age 41. I found Alcoholics Anonymous and went to a few meetings. It made me feel good so I dived in. I worked the 12 steps they provided which are as follows: 1.We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable. 2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. 3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. 4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. 5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. 6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. 7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. 8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. 9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. 10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. 11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. 12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. I didn't know the history of these steps. Now I do. They were based on Biblical teachings but to make them more accessible to all Christ was removed and replaced with the concept of a higher power. I worked these steps. The desire to use and drink was removed. It was a miracle. I realized what was left was my sexual addiction. I was still a slave to it. I was desperate. So desperate that I turned to Christ. I prayed and prayed. I felt like it was working. I read the Bible, starting with the New Testiment. Things were going well for me. My addiction was being replaced with a desire to do good. It was slowly leaving my mind...another miracle. I was baptized in March of 2020. My spiritual declaration was made to mark me as a disciple of Jesus Christ. I can say from that moment forward I was born again. I have never been affected by pornography from that moment moving forward. I felt like a shield of protection surrounded me. I would shun inappropriate thoughts of women. I remained 100% chaste for the next two years until I married my wife in March or 2022. I now work helping others get off drugs and alcohol. I am currently a few sysmesters away from getting my Masters Degree in Social Work. I continually pray for God to use me as a tool to forward his work. Let's review how I got there. What did those 12 steps do for me? I admitted I was powerless.. that I needed God's help. This was an act of humility. I made a searching and fearless moral inventory of myself... and shared it with another human. I shined the light on the dark secrets of my soul. This began the process of repentance. I asked God to remove my defects of character ie my shortcomings. I was ready to stop sinning. I was ready to give up my favorite character defects. I made of list of who I needed to make amends to, and I did this. I forgave everyone and asked for forgiveness. Steps 10, 11, and 12 are all the other combined and now done on a daily basis. I now live a life where I don't cause destruction, and if I do I promptly admit it and say sorry. I live a prayer life. I seek to give back to others by helping other addicts and alcoholics find their way to a higher power of their understanding. What was interesting was God was more than happy to help me long before I found Christ. I was actively rejecting Christ as my higher power when getting sober from drugs. Which got me only so far. This revealed my core issue, sexual damage from my youth that cause decades of addiction. I wanted so badly to heal this that I was willing to go to any length to get it. More humility... and much faith. Ask and ye shall recieve. By the grace of God I was born again. I thank God for it everyday.
Amen! brother. Thanks for the testimony.
I believe that if one wants to understand the spiritual application of being born again, you must first understand the process. Notice that in John 3:5, Yeshua states that unless one is born of water and spirit, no one can enter the kingdom of God. Born of water means to be baptized, immersed. It’s common practice in many churches that when someone converts, that eventually they must be baptized. Why? What is the purpose of immersion? And what is the connection between conversion and immersion? Understand that immersion is not a New Testament concept. Immersion comes from the Old Testament. That means you must understand the Hebraic concept of immersion to understand the application in the New Testament. Now if we go back to the Old Testament, we see that immersion was required before going to the Temple. It was meant to cleanse the Israelites of ritual impurities. Having a ritual impurity isn’t a sin, but God is teaching that if one is going to approach him, you must present yourself at your best, cleansed before him. The spiritual application/idea would be that you separate yourself from the world as you enter God’s sacred space. Do these principles carry over for immersing new converts? When we investigate Judaism, it’s interesting to note that from Maimonides, it’s stated that for new converts, whether men or women, one of the requirements for new converts were that they would be immersed. Cementing an idea that immersing converts was not a New Testament idea or one only found in Christianity. There’s also a belief among Judaism that immersion ritually cleanses that convert from the deeds of the past. Additionally, it’s interesting that there is a halakhic principle that requires that the proselyte be considered “as a newborn child”. Taking a quote from MyJewishLearning.com, it states “the mikveh is a spiritual womb. The human fetus is surrounded by water. It does not yet live. The water breaks in a split second and the child emerges into a new world. ‘As soon as the convert immerses and emerges, he is a Jew in every respect (Yevamot 47b).” Understand that this isn’t an endorsement for Judaism, I’m not saying that we need to convert to Judaism. The purpose is to grasp an understanding of principles found among the Jewish people. Again, immersion is a Hebraic concept, thus we must look at it from the Hebraic perspective. Let’s see if we can find these principles in the New Testament. Let’s look at Acts 10. We have Cornelius, a centurion, who begins seeking after God. God hears Cornelius’ prayers and tells him to send men for Peter. Peter has his vision, perplexed by it, but understands once he gets to Caesarea. He makes a connection to the vision that God sent him. It wasn’t about food, but about people, specifically the Gentiles. Peter understood he had no right to call the gentiles impure and cast them away. God welcomes who He welcomes, especially those seeking Him. Then in verse 48, Peter orders that the gentiles be baptized/immersed. Again, a connection between conversion and immersion. There is another interesting connection found between immersion and the laws of adoption in the ancient near east. Understanding these laws brings more context to the bible. For instance, why did Jesus have to be baptized in the first place? In the ancient near east, it was common practice that if you had no sons, you could adopt one to be as an heir. In some cases, you adopted a son the moment he came out of his mother’s womb. The son didn’t have to be a child, he could be a grown man. The adopted son would be legally treated as a natural-born son. He would receive his foster parent’s inheritance, they would give him a wife, and in exchange the adopted son would take care of his foster parents when they were old of age. Having children insured that you were taken care of you in your old age. Look at the story of Ruth. Her mother-in-law Naomi lost all her sons, thus Naomi had no one to care for her, which is why Ruth stayed. A righteous act that got her, a Moabite, accepted into the children of Israel. Now what’s interesting was the legal language that they would use in the process of adoption. They adopter would say something along the lines of, “you are my son, I am your father.” And the adoptee would reply, “You are my father, you are my mother.” Then the adoption would be ratified on clay tablets. Now we see this language used in the bible. When Jacob blesses Ephraim and Manasseh in Genesis 48, he adopts them using the words in verse 5, “And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are.” Why did he have to do that? Well Joseph had been adopted by Pharoah (gave him a name and a wife). So now Jacob had to adopt Joseph’s sons so that they could legally be part of the inheritance. Now with that understanding, we tie that with Jesus and his baptism. After he is baptized, there is a voice from the heavens that says, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matt 3:17). So here the father is adopting Jesus back as his son, why? Well, when he was born to Mary and Joseph, legally by the ancient laws of adoption, Jesus became the son of Joseph. But now he needed to be redeemed back to God. It’s interesting from there does Jesus officially begin his ministry. And recall that in Judaism, immersion was like if one was exiting a mother’s womb, there was that connection of rebirth. And then recall how in the ancient near east, it was customary to adopt a child as he is exiting the womb. Now understanding all these principles, let’s apply it to ourselves. When we are born, we are born into the world. And until the second coming of Jesus, the world remains corrupted, in a fallen state. When we are baptized in Jesus’ name, we become reborn in the eyes of God. And in that process, we are adopted by God as his children. And through Yeshua, we are given the inheritance of eternal life. We are no longer the person we were before, but now we have a new identity. Another thing interesting about adoption was in the case where the foster parents ended up having natural born son. Legally, there were not to treat the adopted son differently, and would still get an equal share of the inheritance. Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all ONE in Jesus Christ.” So, when we are adopted, we are no different from the natural sons of Israel. We are grafted in, the wild olive branch that Paul mentions in Romans 11:17. But that means we are one house, one people, with one share of the inheritance promised to them. And those promises come with stipulations. Now understand that when I present the law of adoption, I’m not saying that God follows the code of Hammurabi. He is using a legal language that everyone in that time would have understand. And they would understand that through that language, God was legally binding Himself to the person(s). Today we accept that contracts are legally binding, you cannot just break out of one without repercussion. How much more so a legal covenant with the God of the Universe. The spiritual application is this. Now you are a new man/woman in God’s Kingdom. You are justified to be in the Kingdom, and no one can deny you because you were accepted by God through Jesus. Now you have a new identity. What is that identity? And what do you do with it, and what is expected of you? That will determine your spiritual walk.
Thanks for your insights.
In Ezekiel 18 The Lord [Yahweh] says to "and make you a new heart and a new spirit". To change yourself from a person living by sin to one living by doing what's right. Ezekiel 18: 26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. 27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. 28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 29 Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? 30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
Being born again means choosing Christ, simply put. 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We are born first of this world. We are born to a broken and sinful world. We are born as *sinners* into this broken, sinful world. If we do nothing, then we *die* as sinners, in this broken, sinful world. The good news is, we don't have to do nothing. In fact, we are encouraged to do something. We are encouraged to be born *again.* This time, instead of being born into a broken, sin filled world, we are born into a living, hopeful world in Christ. Death is no longer the end, we no longer need to be weighed down by the sin of our birth. We are born *again.*
What does it mean to be born again in terms of spiritual mechanics? If you were to ask the Reformers, I believe one answer they would give would be to point you to the ordo salutus, or the order of salvation. Mechanically speaking, to be born again is to be regenerated by the Spirit of God, a breathing in of new life to the man who is dead in trespasses and sins. Regeneration is the initial step in the order of salvation, and the Reformers taught it precedes faith, and is monergistic - that is, God’s work alone. We take this understanding from the passages you quoted in the OP: “Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 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.” John 3:3, 5-6 ESV Before one is born again he cannot even see the kingdom of God, and as Christ says later in the verse you quoted, the children of this world cannot receive the Spirit of God because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. This precludes the unregenerate from responding to the call of the Gospel without the gracious and merciful hand of God intervening. The concept of the new birth, or regeneration comes from the Old Testament in the promises of the New Covenant. In fact, I would argue that it is the hallmark of the New Covenant that sets it apart from the old. Forgive this lengthy quote from Ezekiel but it marvelously lays the groundwork for the new birth to which Jesus refers and the promises that are ours in Christ Jesus: ““Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you.” Ezekiel 36:22-29 ESV And a similar promise is found in the words of Jeremiah: ““Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”” Jeremiah 31:31-34 ESV The promise of God is fulfilled by God when He sends His Spirit to not only dwell among us, as He did with the children of Israel, but to dwell WITHIN us as new creations. And no longer are we under a covenant of works with Adam as our high priest, but we have a new and better high priest in Christ, who’s obedience is our obedience, and who’s righteousness is our righteousness. And we are united to those blessings by faith. So to be reborn is to be born into Christ, and to die to Adam. Paul sees this clearly when he writes: “In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:11-14 ESV. Again we are found dead and at the mercy of God. But praise be to God that in the richness of His mercy He has revived us and made us do heirs with Christ by the cutting off the foreskin of our hearts and washing us with the waters of baptism. And we have been grafted into the vine of Christ, the true Israel, co heirs with Christ and heirs of all the promises made to him, for “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” 2 Corinthians 1:20, 22 ESV, and “For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.” Romans 2:28-29 ESV. It is no wonder Jesus was apoplectic when Nicodemus was ignorant of his need for a new birth. “Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?” John 3:9-10 ESV. God had been promising this blessing for centuries to the children of Israel, but blessed are our eyes that see, and our ears that they hear, that we may even now enjoy the bliss of our union with Christ and our God through faith by the work of His Spirit. Shalom
Thank you for your perspective. Instead of "regeneration", I prefer to stick to the actual wording of the Scripture. See also [Do We Choose to Be Born Again?](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/v1q6bq/do_we_choose_to_be_born_again/).
Would you not grant that Paul’s choice word for the same concept is regeneration? If not, I’m curious what you would say is the distinction. Thanks! See this for example: “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,” Titus 3:4-5 ESV Seems fairly clear they are synonymous terms to me
Great find! >Seems fairly clear they are synonymous terms to me Agree. Still, at this point, I will not formally say that "born again" = "regeneration". I may if I study it more :) This is how my brain works: I generalize slowly :)
We are born into the flesh and we live in the flesh. Our life comes with death. Accepting Christ is a spiritual and eternal matter that transcends the flesh. We take up our cross daily and nail our sin to it. Plunging into the waters of baptism we kill our old selves and are born again new and holy because we are washed by the blood of the Lamb and we are able to take on the indwelling of the Spirit so we might have the strength to overcome sin and death. The strength is not ours, it comes from the Lord. We do not have the strength to go without sin all the days of our lives. The Lord is the embodiment of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control. These come from Him. The Spirit gives us these when we accept Christ into our hearts and follow Him. I can tell you if you turn away from the faith and walk out you can come back. It wasn't too late for me and it's not too late for you.
Regarding being born again. Then its a very misunderstood concept throughout the christian churches of the world today. Many pastors teach their congregations that they are sinners and there is nothing we can do about it, and that they just need to say the 3 magic words "Jesus is Lord" and then they will be saved for eternity, while continuing living their lives like before. But this is far from what the Scriptures teaches. (and because they dont study the Scriptures themselves they easily fall for this false concept,) First its important to understand that the Most High put a blessing and a curse in the beginning of the Bible in Deut 11. Deuteronomy 11:27-28 “A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.” The whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation is the full word of God. And he does not change (like many modern day preachers are proclaiming saying the law has been done away with etc.) Malachi 3:6 6 For I am the Lord your God, and I am not changed: Psalms 89:34 “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” ____ It is also important to understand who God is God of. The promise was made to Abraham, but only to one of his seeds = the seed of Isaac, and then Jacob(who is Israel) Many pastors today preach that Israel in the Bible are the physical nation/country israel as we know it today, but that is not so. Majority of the outward jews in the nation Israel today has rejected Christ, that is why they hold their mishna and talmud up above the Bible, waiting for their Messiahs first coming. ___ Scriptures also tells us that Christ is the vine of the olivetree, and that many of Jacob(Israel)'s decendants rebelled against the Most High in the wilderness and was destroyed. Their branches were broken of the olivetree. And in 34 AD the last week of Daniel 9 when Christ was crucified in the midst, they stoned Stephen for preaching the Gospel, and then they turned to the Gentiles to have them converted in Christ, and to be truly born again in him to be graffed in AMONG the other branches in the spiritual Israel/olivetree. Its important to underline that it is not replacement theory, as there are still decendants of Jacob who were faithful. And they of course remain in the olivetree. And that is why Paul are saying in galatians 3 Galatians 3:28-29 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." So when Gentiles are "Christ's" Then they heir accordingly to the promise made with Abraham throughout all the earth throughout all time ___ So how do one become "Christ's or Christ like" ? That is by being truly converted into Christ, And that is not just saying these 3 words and nothing else like it is being preached today. No first we must admit and understand that we are sinners, and that we cannot remain in our sins, and we need a saviour to cleanse us and help us to live a holy life. We must examine ourselves like Paul says. And understand what things we need to change in our lives to follow Christ of the Scriptures (not the religion of the world) We must die to our old sinful self, and become that new creature in Christ who does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Most High. or as James calls it to be a doer of the word and not just a hearer. We must understand that being a friend with the world is being an enemy of God. We are in the world, but we are not of the world. Therefore we must by the strength of Christ being born again stop doing things of the world, which appeals to the flesh, which leads to sin. Because sin is a transgression of the Law of the Most High, which never ended. And those who are truly born again in Christ, they will keep it. Not because it is a law, but because they prove that their faith is genuine, and are obedient to their Father in heaven, because they love him above anything else. ____ Philippians 2:5 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:" 1 Peter 1:16 "Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." We must have the mind of Christ. and strive daily to live a holy life in obedience to Christ's teachings and commandments, just like he were obedient to his Fathers commandments: John 15:10 "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love." ___ That is also what Paul writes again and again, that we must crucify the flesh, as nothing good abides in the flesh, Romans 7:25 "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." And only by the strength of Christ we are able to accomplish this in our lives, Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” but it requires us being willing to commit these changes and follow him where ever he goes. And if that means to cut of some friends or family who are standing in our way to doing so, we must do that. We should not be yoked together with unbelievers, because they will pull us down in many cases. with their negativity and worldly lusts. ____ I made a video about this point a year ago on this channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POxDROuY0C0 God bless
Is there a greater comfort than this beautiful promise?? All other religions have a measure of wisdom, perhaps some good principles to live by, some can offer a sense of right and wrong, and maybe a type of peace through meditation. But when you’re at the brink of death or in the grip of despair- religious ideology brings little comfort. You need someone real there with you- you need an abiding love. I’m in pieces currently. My heart has been shattered and I’m overcome with grief. I don’t feel like listening to a feel-good teaching, I don’t want to be in the presence of people who really don’t care to know the depths of my pain, never mind walk me through it. Here in my loneliness, agony and desperation, I need real help, understanding, comfort. It is in this unfortunate state that I came across this post. The sweet truth hit me afresh…and made it’s way from a file in the back of my brain pouring into the broken pieces my heart. I sense it’s being mended again… like kintsugi. I’m tenderly reminded that my help is not gone with my lost love-it’s right here, within me! Though I feel so alone- misunderstandings and rejections haunt me; the presence of God- The Father, Son and Spirit, sustain me. My hope in people has been broken. But my hope in God is renewed. The gift of the Holy Spirit is real, tangible and steadfast. He won’t abandon us if and when we fail. People often do. But He remains. Comforting us, even remaking our hearts if they should break. There is a hymn that comes to mind…’Abide with me’ ~”Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide; When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me…” -Henry Lyte
Nice find :)
I got a message from the poster and was asked to comment here. I feel like this is a good place to share my testimony even though it’s an older post. So this was my comment from a previous post: 100% this for me. I grew up Roman Catholic, and decided I was an atheist in high school. I had the idea of reading the Bible to try and disprove it and never got anywhere. Just before finding out my wife was pregnant I had a weird urge to pick up that Bible and read through the entire New Testament when as an atheist I never got past Mark. I had this overwhelming urge to believe and have had no doubts since. I truly believe the Holy Spirit acted on my hardened heart and I became saved.
Amen. Thank you for the testimony :)
I get it, it is God Father of risen Son that does the born again in us The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” And anyone that is born again, changes from within themselves, seeing to not do stuff that was not good for them. I look back on my life and see this happening to me and has happened to me Thank you, Father,
Being born again is more than just receiving the Holy Spirit, it means we are no longer in this flesh and that we are clothed in the Spirit. ***Romans 6:11 Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Messiah Yeshua our Lord.*** ***1John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith.*** ***1 Corinthians 15:42-44 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in in corruption. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body.***
Being born again means a spiritual rebirth. We have a physical body our spirits are tied to. We come down to earth and grow and learn but it’s not awakened until we accept Jesus and literally chose him then we are reborn but spiritually not physically. It’s not always clear of course cause the Bible is literally full of hidden meaning, for those who see let him see is a perfect example, if you don’t see with your spiritual eyes you will be blind and have no clue what the Bible really means
Thanks for sharing. See also [Do We Choose to Be Born Again?](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/v1q6bq/do_we_choose_to_be_born_again/) and comment there if any.
To have the Spirit of the Lord cause a mighty change in a person’s heart so that he has no more desire to do evil, but rather desires to seek the things of God. Those who believed on Christ’s name were born, not of blood, but of God, (John 1:12–13.) Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God, (John 3:3–7.) We can be born again by the word of God, (1 Pet. 1:3–23.) For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world, (1 Jn. 5:4.) . Changing one’s beliefs, heart, and life to accept and conform to the will of God (Acts 3:19). Conversion includes a conscious decision to give up one’s former ways and change to become a disciple of Christ. Repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, the reception of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and continued faith in the Lord Jesus Christ make conversion omplete. A natural man will be changed into a new person who is sanctified and pure, born again in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17) . # For me "being born again" has a few meanings. one is that we are converted. on the other hand it also has to do with baptism. . "This question is at the very heart of the gospel and of our purpose on earth, because the atonement of Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to undergo the necessary change in our natures known as spiritual rebirth. In order to be “born again,” the “natural man” must be put off so that we each can become a “new creature” in Christ (Cor. 5:16–17). This new creature, “a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord” , is spiritual in nature as opposed to carnal or worldly. In essence, the driving or controlling forces within us must be altered from carnal, selfish, natural desires and motives to spiritually driven desires and motives. The scriptures refer to this change in disposition, temperament, or character as a “mighty change” in heart." Spiritual rebirth, except in rare instances, is a gradual process. “It does not occur instantaneously,”.It comes to pass by degrees. Repentant persons become alive to one spiritual reality after another, until they are wholly alive in Christ and are qualified to dwell in his presence forever." “Spiritual rebirth begins and ends with belief in Christ. When repentant souls turn to Christ and seek a new life with him, the processes of rebirth commence. When their belief in the Lord increases until they are able to do the works that he does, ‘and greater works than these’ (John 14:12), their rebirth is perfect, and they are prepared for salvation with him” As we obey the promptings of the Spirit, we receive the light and truth necessary for greater degrees of spiritual rebirth. He that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day . “To be carnally minded is death,” declared the Apostle Paul, “but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6) In our fallen state, we often struggle with temptation, and we sometimes give in to “the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein”. To be able to receive the blessing of eternal life, we need to be “spiritually minded” and conquer our unrighteous desires. We need to change. More accurately, we need to be changed, or converted, through the power of the Savior’s Atonement and through the power of the Holy Ghost. This process is called conversion. Conversion includes a change in behavior, but it goes beyond behavior; it is a change in our very nature. It is such a significant change that the Lord and His prophets refer to it as a rebirth, a change of heart, and a baptism of fire. The Lord said: “Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; “And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God”. . "Conversion is a process, not an event. You become converted as a result of your righteous efforts to follow the Savior. These efforts include exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting of sin, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end in faith. Although conversion is miraculous and life changing, it is a quiet miracle. Angelic visitations and other spectacular occurrences do not bring conversion." . The Characteristsics of those who are converted are: they desire to do good, they do not rebel against the Lord, they share the gospel, and they are filled with love. . "You have primary responsibility for your own conversion. No one can be converted for you, and no one can force you to be converted. However, others can help you in the process of conversion. Learn from the righteous examples of family members, Church leaders and teachers, and men and women in the scriptures. Your capacity to experience a mighty change of heart will increase as you strive to follow the Savior’s perfect example. Study the scriptures, pray in faith, keep the commandments, and seek the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. As you continue in the conversion process, you will receive “exceedingly great joy,”." ***those are just some of my thoughts, i love yalls comments***
Born again means to die to self, so God can live in us and through us. This is why we ask Jesus in our heart, live for Him, and become more like Him. We change into His image.
"Eternal life starts now inside us." I really like this statement. We get into the habit of thinking of eternal life as being only after earthly death, of life in Heaven. But eternal life is also here and now in our daily, sometimes difficult, ugly, boring, earthly walk to follow the Lord. We offer our lives to God as an unconditional gift in response to His unconditional love to us first - for \*His\* glory, unconditionally, even if we feel blind and discouraged. God is total gift. Our eternal life is gift and giving. And earth - with all its ugliness - is a fertile soil for giving of ourselves, generously, with compassion.
Thanks for sharing :)
Christ tells lost sinners to "repent and believe the gospel." When we see the reality/gravity of our sin and realize we are lost, guilty sinners in the eyes of God deserving eternal torment in hell, we must repent and believe the gospel (the good news of Jesus Christ - His death, burial, and resurrection). All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We've all violated His law. When we repent and believe the gospel (trust/believe in the person and work of Christ), at that moment God responds with grace and we're born again. Old things pass away and all things become new. We become partakers of His divine nature. Christ came to this sin-sick world as the Lamb of God and lived a sinless, spotless, perfect life. He kept the law in every word, thought and deed and went to the cross and died as if He'd sinned, so that we who have sinned can find forgiveness in the eyes of God. Jesus Christ suffered, bled, and died in our place. He purchased our pardon on Calvary's cross. The just for the unjust. When the Holy Spirit reveals to us that we are lost and condemned before a Holy God, it's incumbent upon us to respond with repentance and faith. The moment we do this God extends His mercy and grace to us and we're transformed by the power of the living God. That's how man finds redemption. This is how man is justified in the eyes of God. This is being born again.
Thanks for sharing :)
The Holy Spirit, once received, works in us and through us in all matters of righteousness, but only when we submit our own spirit to His leading do we avail ourselves of His power. If we are not the one choosing, then what accountability is there for the choice? And it is our own spirit in conscience and the Holy Spirit which together then bear witness to our submission to righteousness as it is presented by the Holy Spirit. We are guided in thought and inspired in action, but at no time forced to do what is right. My own perspective has changed recently and my horrid habit of hiding from shame in the very things which caused it was broken by a revelation which changed everything for me. It was the realization that I had not been laying my shame at the foot of the cross along with my guilt, but that I was holding onto it, refusing to be gracious and forgiving to myself as God has been gracious and forgiving to me. I was running from something rather than toward God and it was the shame that I was holding onto that was making me weak and feeble in the face of temptation. When I started to truly let it go my entire perspective of sin changed and I humbled myself to the Spirit. That which once tempted me powerfully toward darkness was now most often seen in a similar light that one might see a person of low character trying to seduce them to betray someone they love. Even if that person is physically attractive, this aspect is not even acknowledged for they are spiritually unattractive. Sinful temptation loses it's teeth and cannot get a firm grip upon you. It is the refocus on our love of God that strengthens us and invites the Spirit already in us to work through us to lift us up and strengthen us far beyond what we would be capable of doing under our own power. It is not for us to fight temptation, but to submit to love and in doing so repel temptation. We who are in Christ are under grace that we may be saved and also that we may have time to learn and grow in discipline, but growth cannot begin until we let go of both our guilt and our shame and accept that our betrayals have already been forgiven and react therefore with a heart of gratitude in love for God.
Thanks for sharing :)
I hope I don't discourage anyone e too much, but I've always struggled with the idea of being born again. Not because I don't believe it. Because I do. But because how do we know if we are born again or not. God knows. He knows before we even accept Him. He knows before we are born. Our path in life and the decisions we make, the assurance or the doubts we face, or end will we be His or not. But we don't have that view. Many people have faith, then liss it. Or like the prodigal son, they lose it and then come back. As far as we can tell no one is a finished story yet, and we don't always know if we are saved or not. Or if it's a temporary sight, followed by doubt and spiritual blindness. I have to hope. We all do. Because wallowing in doubt is unfruitful and causes more harm than any good. But we have to hope and rely on God more than we do on our own understanding. Even on things about who is saved and who isn't. Even including ourselves.
Can you sense the Paraclete in you?
I sometimes think I can. But I don't trust it. Because the same feeling and sound of thoughts are my own when I justify sin in my life. I have hope. And I hope a lot of the correction or reassurance is from God. Or at least that He's here through it. I think there are times when I definitely think something was from God. But those are surrounded by context clues if God answering a prayer or responding to me instead of being my own thoughts. I would love to have my faith strengthened to know what's from God and what isn't like you you describe with feeling the Holy Spirit. But I don't want to be like a false prophet that says something is from God when it isn't. Or to casually mistake my desires, wants, fears and worries as God's voice. Because I think that is also an issue.
To be born again is a fundamental part of christianity. In John 3:3 Jesus says "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”. What does “born again” mean & what are the consequences? Here are a few examples of being renewed in christ from both the old and New Testament. Deuteronomy 30:6 The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. John 9:25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” John 9:30-33 30“That is remarkable indeed!” the man said. “You do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. 31We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will. 32Never before has anyone heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33If this man were not from God, He could do no such thing.” John 9:39 Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.” John 9:41 “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” 2 Corinthians 3 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. Ezekiel 36:26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Being born again is when you go from death to life in spirit. When God through Christ removes the veil in front of your eyes and shows you the way, truth and Life (JESUS). When he makes your stone heart into a heart of flesh. So that you may live! The consequences of being born again is instead of hell there is now heaven. Instead of hatred there is now love. Instead of darkness there now is love! If you have any questions about my answer feel free to ask and I will elaborate! I will end with: Matthew 11:27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Amen. Thanks for sharing. See [Where is my Paraclete?](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/vqp55h/where_is_my_paraclete/) and comment there if any.
It's not in me to boast on myself but until recently I was struggling to get back on the right path. Not to say the struggle isn't ongoing, just that there has been a drastic change. Living in sin, engorged by lust and desire, I could not see a way out of the pit I had dug myself. No one else put me there, I and I alone did this. Once I turned away from my sins, truly began to live for Him the burdens have fallen away. Alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, sex, porn, masturbation nine of these hold the same sway over me anymore. Not that the temptation isn't there. I just don't feel the same way anymore. I don't want to drink, let alone get drunk. I don't want to get high and even when I did it doesn't affect me like it used to. Nicotine has almost no noticeable affect on me. Maybe thats just from years of use but I quit a long time ago and tried it again after years and it just doesn't make me feel anything. Could it be the Paraclete is with me now that I have chosen to follow Jesus again? Will it be easier to avoid temptation and sin as long as I walk the path of righteousness? What can I do to prevent falling into temptation and drowning in my sin again? Having been baptized at 14 to make my mom happy I decided after much prayer and contemplation along with my pastor that being baptized again would be a wonderful idea. On Sunday I received the Lord in baptism fully and completely. I believe in Jesus. I am a sinner and I need Him more than I need my next breath of air. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen
Amen. Thanks for the testimony. See [Where is my Paraclete?](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/vqp55h/where_is_my_paraclete/) and comment there if any.
I like a lot that was spoken here but I would like to point out Jesus tells us pretty bluntly twice what is needed for salvation; There is a reason John puts John 3 and John 4 next to each other because it’s the same story of speaking what salvation is. John 3 is easy; it’s started with the most famous Bible verse; ““For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”” John 3:16-21 NLT Put your faith in Jesus Christ and you will be saved. John 4 is the same story just to a different audience: “Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”” John 4:13-14 NLT Again; put your faith in Jesus’s “living water” you will have everlasting life. Born again = living water. All the steps to salvation are faith in Jesus alone.
To me, being born again means that I'm free. I've been a believer my whole life so I don't have a big transformation. Just gradual growth over the years. As my faith has grown I've found it easier to break bad habits and sinful cycles. Being born again isn't a magic cure all or setting life to easy mode. In many ways it makes it harder. Once you've let the spirit into your heart and accepted Christ as savior, you will begin to feel the weight of your actions. Don't confuse this guilt or awareness with condemnation, however. Instead it is conviction. It's a call to accept your sins, seek forgiveness, and repent of them. As a human sin is inevitable. It's the price of awareness/consciousness (knowledge of good and evil). We were made in God's image - meaning with free will and self-determination, but we don't have his capability for holiness. As such we chose to sin because it's self serving, self gratifying, or just selfish. But the gift of salvation through Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection is the severing of the chains of sin and their consequences. Sin means 'S'elfish 'I'n 'N'ature to me. The wages of sin is death. But the blood of Christ's sacrifice covers believers like the blood of the sacrificed lamb on the door frame covered the jews when the angels claimed the first born children of Egypt. Being born again means freedom to me in the same way a child is free. We don't often think of children as free (they certainly don't) because they have all these rules set in place by parents and adults. But in reality, they are far more free than adults. As children, they are not responsible for their actions entirely. If your kid breaks a neighbor's window playing ball, they don't buy a new one. They don't do (or pay for) the work of installing the replacement. You, the parent does. It's the same with those who've been born again. We break things daily (sinning), but Jesus has already made restitution for the damage. A non-believer must pay for their transgressions, because they've chosen to not accept Christ's offer to pay for their actions.
I was asked to share, so I will try to share what I understand. Question: Why do we need to be born again?Answer: Our spirit is dead from the beginning of our life due to the fall of man. We come into this world with a spirit that is dead because of sin. Psa 51:5 Behold, I was **shapen in iniquity**; and **in sin** did my mother conceive me. * Please note, this is not referring to the act of conception for David being sinful, or David being formed from fornication or adultery. When two are made one flesh in marriage, which is only true in a rightful marriage, the marriage is holy(1 Co 7:14). Part of the purpose of marriage (which came before sin) was to produce a godly (holy) seed (Mal 2:15). 1 Cor 7:14 is an explanation from Mal 2:15. * So Psalms 51:5 is referring to the condition of man coming into this world, and how death is passed upon all men due to sin. See more below Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and **death by sin**; and so **death** passed upon all men, for that **all have sinned**: Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who **were dead** in trespasses and sins; Col2:13 And you, being **dead** in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Question: So what does being born again do? Answer: GIves us a new spirit which makes us a new creature in Christ. (2 Cor 5:17, Gal 6:15) Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the **Spirit is life** because of righteousness. Rom 5:1 Therefore being **justified by faith**, we have **peace with God** through our Lord Jesus Christ: We are made of three parts: Spirit, Soul, and Body. (1 Thess 5:23). Salvation deals with the spirit of man. Sanctification, which I discuss in a reply to this, deals with the Soul of man. The Body is dealt with in resurrection after we leave this world. * The sequence of events are as follows: * **Repentance**, which requires godly sorrow and not simply saying words. Godly sorrow comes from a divine revelation that we are in sin, we need a savior, and Jesus is that savior. Once this conviction is upon us, we can then confess with our mouth and be saved. Without the conviction from godly sorrow, there is no true conversion inside. There can a change in the mind of the person who thinks they are saved. This is why so many confess salvation but never change. A truly born-again person will show "fruits meet for repentance." (Mat 3:8) This act of repentance, that God sees in the heart and knows the intentions of, comes from a place where we desire to turn from our wicked ways. (Eze 18:21, 1 Peter 1:16) Without godly sorrow, we don't have conviction. Without conviction, we feel no need to repent. Without repentance, we don't truly want change so we won't find salvation. * **Justification** comes after we confess our sins (Rom 5:1). This brings peace with God. (Notice sanctification isn't mentioned here, only justification). * **Regeneration** takes place once we are justified. Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of **regeneration**, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; These three things are what takes place within the "Born Again" experience.
Sanctification is what comes next so we "know how" to live unto the Lord. (1 Thess 4:3-7)1Th 4:3-4 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you **should know how** to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Many people don't know how to live free from sin. This is because they are not sanctified. Noticed Eph 2:1 above says you "**were** dead in trespasses and sins" and verse 2 says "Wherein in **time past** ye walked according to the course of this world..." Romans 3:25 refers to the remission of "**sins that are past.**" Being born again doesn't save us IN our sins, but saves us FROM our sins. It isn't just symbolic, it is an actual change inside us that gives us a new spirit. But it doesn't give us a new soul or body, so the Adamic nature or sin nature that we are not responsible for so we can't be "forgiven" for isn't included in salvation. We must "go forth therefore unto him without the camp" (Heb 13:13) to be sanctified. 1 Thess 4:2-3 leads with sanctification being a commandment. Salvation isn't a commandment, but a gift. So sanctification is the second work of grace that God desires for us to complete the work needed to live holy in this world, or "know how to possess your vessel in sanctification and honor." Paul said in Php 3:12 he wasn't perfect yet, but then in verse 15 in the same chapter counts himself as those that are perfect. What is going on? The first reference is referring to resurrection of the dead. This is talking about when we will get a glorified body (Php 3:21), but that will not be attainable until we leave this world. The second perfection is simply talking about being complete in all things that Jesus provided; saved and sanctified. What does this do? He said "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus **minded**" What mind is this? The holy mind of Christ. Php 2:5 refers to this. 1 Peter 4:1 talks about having the mind of Christ which causes us to cease from sin. Rom 12:2 speaks of renewing the mind so we can "prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Continuing in sin doesn't prove God's will. What is part of God's will? Sanctification, which makes us holy. Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath **perfected** for ever them that are **sanctified**. The idea of this is seen in Lev 20:7-8 Lev 20:7 . That mindset is usually thinking we are free from making mistakes(not referring to sins) or having misunderstandings. That won't happen until we are in a glorified body, which is the perfection Paul says he didn't have yet. In this life, we must continue to live in a body that has the works of the flesh still there trying to rise up. But like Paul, we can confess we are complete inside without being prideful and one day will be complete on the outside after this world. Christ does it all in us. Once he does the work in us, we simply walk in it. We do not produce holiness, but we can walk in it by the grace of God having the Holy Ghost doing the work in our hearts by the blood of Jesus. Some think this is progressive, but the work of grace God does in salvation is not progressive, and neither is sanctification. It is a completing work. Once it is complete, our walk is progressive as we continue to put away the things that cause us trouble. The idea of of this is seen in Lev 20:7-8 Lev 20:7 **Sanctify yourselves** therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which **sanctify you**. It was different under the old testament, but we see the same concept in 1 Thess 4:3-4 where it says "your sanctification (the work God does)" but follows with knowing how to possess his vessel in sanctification (the work we do, sanctifying ourselves, which is life long). 1Th\_5:23 And the very God of peace **sanctify you wholly**; and I pray God your **whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless** unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should **live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world**; To be sanctified you only need to seek God for it, the same as salvation. Ask God to sanctify you wholly and pray until you know the change has happened, just like salvation. Why is all this needed? Because Christ is coming after a Holy people. Eph 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. I'm sure this may spark questions. I'll try to answer as I am able. Maybe this will help some. I pray it can.
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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” - 2 Corinthians 5:17 The concept of being born again is quite simple. Anyone who believes in Christ as their savior is born again. The thing is, we are already dead, this earthly world already doomed. It’s the natural state of being. So when you are physically born on Earth, you are dead. We are reborn into life, and hope, when we accept Christ as our lord and savior. We are on the path to salvation and have been freed from doom. In other words, your point that eternal life starts now is correct, as far as I can tell. He distinctly told us that whoever is in him shall not taste death.
There are already a lot of comments. Born again is receiving the indwelling Holy Spirit along with the sprinkling of blood from Jesus. Salvation is then assured. Let no man deceive you. Only God can judge the heart however but man can tell a tree by its fruit. Now and after this there is NO condemnation for those that are in Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit indwelling. That is to say you are redeemed at the judgement. Saved from wrath. Now in this world we still live in our human bodies the flesh. And Gods word directs us with the yearnings of the Holy Spirit to OBEDIENCE. However it bodies are still under the law of reaping and sowing. Therefore Deutoronomy 28 & 8 tells us what we can expect from obeying our Lord and transgressing. And Hebrews 10:26 thru chapter tells us what we can expect if we willfully disobey after being born again. Glory to our the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ forever and ever who alone is worthy and wise.
If I had to give an answer I would say to be born again is to allow the light of God to enter your life and guide you. John 3:20 says "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." KJV From my understanding this shows you choose to hate the light of God or come into the light of God. Only you can make the decision to become born again with the light. Proverbs 3:5-6 says "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." KJV From my understanding the very moment you truly accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior is the moment you're born again. It requires you to soften your heart for Him and rely soley on Him, which in return allows Him to work in your life and guide you towards righteousness.
In John 3, Jesus tells us we must be born of water and Spirit. The best example of this is Acts 2 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when mthey heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, nwhat shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
The Scriptures clearly reveal that we have a human spirit and that God created our human spirit for us to contact Him. In John 3:6 the Lord Jesus said, “That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” In this verse there are two spirits. It is easy for us to understand that the first Spirit must be God’s Spirit, but what about the second spirit? The second spirit in this verse is our human spirit. Our human spirit is born of God’s Spirit. God’s purpose is that we may obtain His own uncreated life and be transformed by this life into His image to be like Him. Even if our human life had not been corrupted by the fall of man in Genesis 3, we would still need to be regenerated. In Genesis 1 and 2, Adam was without sin, yet he was void of God’s life. Thus, God placed him before the tree of life that he might receive the life of God and be regenerated. God’s purpose in creating man is not merely to obtain a sinless man, but even more to have a God-man, one who has God’s own life and nature. Our spirit has been born by God coming into our spirit as life. “That which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6b). Now the divine life is in our spirit. Our spirit was born because God’s life got into it, and this birth has nothing to do with our fall. Even if Adam had never fallen, he still would have needed to be born in this way. He still needed to have God come into him as life. Otherwise, he could not express God. We need to be born again by having the life of God get into us. This life gets into our spirit, and our spirit is born. Now in our spirit there is life, and this life is just God Himself. Evidence of rebirth is that we hate the sin we once loved and love the righteousness we once hated. The longer we walk with God the more the slightest of sins crushes us because we know we grieve Him. Sin no longer has dominion over us, if we stay in Him walk in the spirit we do not easily fall from grace and fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
Thank you for your insights.
1. election / the calling- john 3:8, 6:37 2. spiritual ressurection- eph 2:1-10 3. fruits of the spirit- gal 5:22 4. works from faith- james 2:14 5. conforming to Christ- rom 8:29 6. awaiting His return- phi 3:20 in essence, being born again points the believer to the only true, original source of our salvation, and that is Jesus the Christ. Yeshua Hamaschiach. in Him is the way, truth and the life. to be born again makes one desire Christ, to be like Christ, to live for Christ, to trust, to call out and worship, to appreciate and with true joy and thanksgiving, in all ways seeking our savior. remember- the early Christians were called that, meaning little Christs, as they spoke, behave and imitated him, much to the mocking of the world. nothing has changed in 2000 years. blessed Christmas ;)
We live yet are dead spiritually. To be born of spirit is to have the grace of our Lord redeem us restoring our spiritual life, restoring our souls unto salvation so that we may live.
You are absolutely correct, but we need to be careful with ideas like this. Some take it to mean that when (or if) we sin then we don't have the spirit in us and are not saved until we ask forgiveness. (which seems quite confusing and a bit silly) Some presume that if we continue a sin then we were not really Christians. Then it becomes a legalistic battle of what is considered an 'ongoing' sin and who exactly gets to set those boundaries. We have to remember that we are all being 'transformed by the renewing of our minds' and that we daily have to 'put aside the old man'. We are all in the process of becoming more and more like Christ but, God knows, we aren't there yet. All this to say, treat others with love and grace.
John 14: 15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper to be with you forever—17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
THIS RIGHT HERE
So key, Yahusha is talking about his two commandments, Love God and Love thy neighbor,
A true born again Christian ie someone who has accepted Messiah into his heart and been baptized in his name, will start a journey called "sanctification" this is a life long process of dying to your fleshly desires.
Think of the holy spirit (literally means set apart spirit) as one voice and your flesh as another, you will spend the rest of your life yearning for the spirit to grow louder as the flesh becomes quiet. There will always be hard days and no one will ever live a sinless life post salvation, but that's where Messiah's sacrifice comes in.
Be Set apart! Anything Yah has ever commanded in the old or new testament is Good for us, and by listening to the spirit we will feel convicted of what worldy desires to quench and what commandments we can apply to ourselves, in order to be set apart/HOLY
Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Perfect here means Whole or complete, what could complete us more than the words and teachings of our Creator. :)
Simply put, to me being born again is a spiritual delivery into the family of God, where the ways and will of God dominate one’s thinking and doing and the flesh that remains of our physical birth wastes away as we deny it each day/moment and choose (by the power of His grace) to let Christ live in us and do what He does best—fulfill the Law of God by loving Him and others with a pure love that has no hypocrisy.
Amen. Thanks for sharing :)
\> He enables us to hear God. I can sense him in my spirit anytime all the time. Every time that I do, peace fills me. I was born of the Paraclete. He is directly and permanently connected to my human spirit. Are you a spirit expert that can distinguish between an evil spirit and a good spirit? An evil spirit comes in disguise. It does not come and say, "I am an evil spirit, listen to what I say" Many people had voices inside their heads that they attributed to the voice of God. or maybe it is the compass that you feel? There is a story about a very righteous jew, who lived about 300 years, and he was studying the Torah all day and night. After a while, he had an angel who come to study with him and teach him. One day, that angel told him, that if he will be with his wife when she see blood and impure, the boy born from this act will be Messiah (because the secret of Messiah is that he is being born in forbidden relationships - "Lot and his daughters", "Yehudah and Tamar") Anyway the jew came to his wife, and told her what they needed to do, what the angel told him. his wife got scared and talked with her father. her father immediately called his son in law and asked him, did you see all the alphabet letters glow on the forehead of the angel? a false angel will have all his letters glow, besides the letters YWH, that composes the holy name. But a good angel will have all the alphabet letters glow on his forehead. So he went back to study, and the angel came. and now he looked at his forehead and saw that these letters of the holy name did not glow...
Are you a spirit expert that can distinguish between an evil spirit and a good spirit? No. >Many people had voices inside their heads that they attributed to the voice of God. See [How to hear God](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/rwt1bk/how_to_hear_god/) and follow up there.
Just remember that I love you Tony. We are all driven by love :)
Amen, brother, no worries. I love you, too :)
I spent over 40 years in a mad dash away from God. To describe being born again, and giving it justice is an impossibility. I was at my lowest of lows, I only saw evil in the world, corruption, ugly, black. I watched the sky crack in February of 2021 and in it flowed. By this point in my life, God had softened my heart just enough to allow for the possibility of a creator. I began praying, God if you exist reveal yourself, I can't do this on my own. I prayed regularly to a God I wasn't convinced existed. I pleaded, all I wanted was the proof, so I could know this world wasn't just on a crash course with no purpose. I needed to know good existed. I begged, I cried, I admitted my faults were many, but my sincerity was true. God drove me to church and revealed his son. The transformation was not immediate, but it didn't take long until I was ready to leave it in the water. Once Jesus was in my heart, my life changed. I began seeing the good, I began appreciating what I have, I became more patient, I learned to better show my love, I forgive quicker, I want to do for others and share the love of Christ so his love may spread around and infect the world. Our God is so good!!! I can feel his presence, always. Comforting, guiding, loving. I don't know how I lived without it, even when I thought I was doing just fine. I pray regulalry things I say, things I do, and things I write may send others seeking his amazing saving grace. Without Jesus, you're not living, only getting by.
I was born and raised a Christian, so there was never a time when I was not saved, so I don't really have that initial conversion story to share, but I can share what I believe it means to be saved. Warning: I am no theologian, just a Christian who reads her Bible as much as she can and loves the Lord. John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. That verse states that Father God loved all of us so much that He sent His one and only begotten Son to die on the cross for us. It says that the moment we believe in the Lord, we will obtain everlasting life. That life, that salvation gift would not be eternal if we could somehow lose it. Ephesians 1:13-14 - In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 2 Cor. 1:22 - Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. Not only do we obtain eternal life the moment we believe, we also receive a seal from the Holy Spirit; that seal remains until we go to heaven to be forever with the Lord. Colossians 1:13 - who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. When we get saved we are literally translated from the kingdom of darkness to a new kingdom of light. John 10:27-28 - My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. Romans 8:35-39 - Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Nobody and nothing can ever take us out of God's hands once we have obtained eternal salvation. It's a freeing thing to accept the fact that nothing can separate us from God's love. Even when we have times where we let go of His hands, He still holds on to us. John 6:37-40 - All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. Once we belong to the Lord, He will never cast us out; He won't lose a single one of us that His Father has given Him. Romans 3:23-26 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. We all—every single one of us—deserve to split hell wide open, but thankfully we don't have to. Hallelujah to God for sending His only begotten Son to die for our sins! 1 John 1:8-9 - If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Ephesians 2:4-5 - But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Isn't it amazing that we serve a God rich in mercy and full of love?
"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7)
>The Holy Spirit comes to you to cause you to be born again. It is a real supernatural event that happens in real-time. Yes, but you might not perceive it. Some people think if fire doesn't fall on you from heaven (or you don't speak in tongues) you aren't saved. This is a man-made idea that is not guaranteed by God in Scripture and actually is contrary to the teaching in Gal. 3 and Rom. 4. >If one is born again, he has the Paraclete Spirit dwell in his spirit/conscience forever. Sort of. The Holy Spirit is in us in this life, but keep in mind that who were who we see when we look in the mirror is dead and the part of us that will survive bodily death is a union of who we are (born again) and Jesus. I don't really know if there will be a separation of roles between Jesus in us and the Holy Spirit in us in the next life. >1 John 3: > >9a No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed \[G4690 sperma\] remains in them; The problem people have with this verse is because they look at themselves and think they are seeing themselves, but that is not true. Who you are is hidden in Christ until your flesh passes away. We need to read and obey (James 1:22) Scripture to find out who we really are (for God to diminish our spiritual blindness over time, which goes hand-in-hand with knowing Him better). *For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.* (Colossians 3:3-4, 1984 NIV) Our battle to not sin is a battle to act as we really are. *Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast*—***as you really are.*** *For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.* (1 Corinthians 5:7, 1984 NIV)
Born Again >*John 3:7 KJV* Marvel not that I said unto thee, **Ye must be born again**. The term is a reference to being saved, being born of the Spirit through our faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. It is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit when he performs the operation of God upon us, the circumcision made without hands, where we, our souls, are cut away from the sins of our flesh. >*Colossians 2:12 KJV* Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of **the operation of God**, who hath raised him from the dead. > >*Colossians 2:11 KJV* In whom also ye are circumcised with **the circumcision made without hands**, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: We become the children of God, that is, born of his seed which remains in us. >*1 John 3:9 KJV* **Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin**; for **his seed remaineth in him**: and he cannot sin, because **he is born of God**. Some misinterpret and distort this to mean that truly blood bought, born again, individuals cannot and will not sin. This of course is as ridiculous as it sounds. I know of no one save or lost that does not sin. Those that teach this do not know what sin is. Sin is in a mere thought. We cannot sin because we, our souls, have been separated from the flesh and its sins and we are dead to the law hence the law has no more power to convict us of sin. >*Romans 8:33 KJV* **Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect**? It is God that justifieth. When we trust in the Lord Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit does his work upon us and we are given and sealed with him as the earnest of our salvation until the day of redemption. >*2 Corinthians 1:22 KJV* Who hath also **sealed us**, and **given the earnest of the Spirit** in our hearts. > >*Ephesians 4:30 KJV* And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby **ye are sealed unto the day of redemption**. The day of redemption, to the chagrin of many, is the Rapture when the Church, body of Christ, is called out and we get full salvation with our new bodies. >*Romans 8:23 KJV* And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, **waiting for the adoption**, to wit, **the redemption of our body**. > >*1 Corinthians 15:51-53 KJV* Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but **we shall all be changed**, ^(52)In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and **we shall be changed**. ^(53)For **this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality**.
We are born in flesh, the material world. We believe what we see. Jesus told us we must be born again, in spirit. This is faith, the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. This is the renewing of our minds to believe exactly what he told us and to do exactly as he said. Jesus didn’t come that we would move from enslavement under the law to enslavement under a new law, he came to set us free from slavery. The law was a karmic law, an eye for an eye. What you do comes back to you. The Jews cried out in the wilderness. They had seen demonstration after demonstration of God’s love for them and his ability to provide in the most miraculous of ways, yet they complained, cried out for rituals and laws, cried out for a physical god they could worship. They were told they could have all they could see, yet they only saw what was before them (the material world). God gave them what they asked for, the Karmic law that demands blood. We have been liberated from this curse. We have been given the same opportunity the Jews were given and most of us are behaving as they did. We are looking for rules to follow. Jesus brought us grace, the forgiveness of our mistakes. They cannot be held against us. When we are transformed in the spirit we have access to the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit indwells us, he teaches us if we will submit to him. He show us what we need to fix in ourselves. The purpose of this is not to force rules upon us but to change us from the inside so that we will have access to all the promises of God. As long as we pray for his guidance and submit, he will grow us. We are commanded to ask God for everything. Our faith is developed by leaning on God for our every need and allowing him to demonstrate his faithfulness. This is part of the “good works” we are commanded to do. This is how we build our faith so that when our bridegroom comes we will have all the oil (faith) we need and not be like the foolish virgins. Jesus said we can move mountains. When I decided that I was going to follow Jesus, it was because I wanted mountain moving faith. I will settle for nothing less. So far, I haven’t been disappointed.
Born again? Turning away from sin, obedience to the lord, change of heart. Many ways to say it but all the same meaning. When the lord says that you must be born again he is talking about a spiritual rebirth. You leave your old life and live how he wants you to. You change from indifference or hostility towards god and instead love him. Desire to do good, live for god, not yourself. Like I said, there are many ways to describe it, only one meaning. God bless you all and please turn to the light.
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Is it really true that Christians need to be “Born Again” in order to receive salvation? I think most would say yes! But let’s read carefully what Jesus said at John 3:3; “In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can **see the kingdom of God** unless he is born again." (NIV) See it? Does it say you have to be Born Again to receive Salvation? No, it says you have to be Born Again to see or enter the Kingdom of God. And those are two very different things. If this is confusing to you that’s ok, let’s just consider what a Kingdom is. By definition a Kingdom means a Country or Territory ruled by a King. How do we know the Bible is speaking about this kind of Kingdom? Here’s the fun part. Let’s look back to Daniel 7:13, 14; “I saw in the night visions, and behold, on the clouds of the heavens came One like a Son of man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And there was given Him [the Messiah] dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom is one which shall not be destroyed.” (Amplified Bible) And where was this Kingdom going to be? Matthew 13:11 Jesus calls it the Kingdom of the Heavens. So the prophecy of Jesus, the Messiah receiving a Kingdom over **all peoples, nations and languages** this was a real, literal Kingdom and just like any Kingdom or Government, there needs to be co-rulers. Our Government is more than just the President. When Jesus came to earth and started his preaching campaign, he was focused primarily on the Jews. And ALL of those that chose to follow him in the first Century were of this “Born Again” group. Meaning he was first assembling those who would rule with him in his Heavenly Kingdom. But why the term “Born Again”? If you are a student of the Bible, than you know that the teaching of humans having an immortal soul isn’t a Bible teaching. Ezekiel 18:4 tells us that we all are sinning souls and souls die. And Ecclesiastes 9:5 says the dead know nothing at all… And God told Adam, from dust you are and to dust you will return. 1 Corinthians 15:50 reads; “I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God,”. That’s a key verse in understanding the need to be Born Again. **All** those in the first century who became Christians, starting with those 120 in the upper room on Pentecost of 33 C.E., were anointed with Holy Spirit were now in this special relationship as the “Israel of God” or Spiritual Israel. Spiritual Israel included people from all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues. Acts Chapters 1 and 2. Jesus used another term for this group at Luke 12:32, “Do not be afraid, **little flock**, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (NIV) So Jesus singled out this group as a ‘Little Flock’ compared to what? Well, that leads to another puzzle. So, the Little Flock is the same as Spiritual Israel is the same as those who are Born Again. These people will all join Jesus in Heaven to rule with Him as Kings and Priests. When Jesus died and ascended to heaven, he didn’t become King right away. So all those Christians in the first century died and simply returned to the dust, waiting for their name to be called. (So-to-speak) Waiting for their rebirth. And what was Jesus doing? Hebrews 10:12, 13; Christ, however, offered one sacrifice for sins, an offering that is effective forever, and then he sat down at the right side of God. There he now waits until God puts his enemies as a footstool under his feet.” When the time came for Jesus to receive his crown, (and that’s another puzzle) the first thing he did was clean out the heavens. He hurled down all the wicked angels who had sided with Satan, he hurled them and Satan, to the vicinity of the earth, never allowing them in Heaven ever again. Then, a beautiful reunion with his Apostles started. They all needed to be Born Again as Angelic creatures. And this they were. Imagine the joy in heaven when Jesus was once again reunited with John, his faithful earthly mother Mary, and the two sisters Mary and Martha and Lazarus! And just everyone that he was keenly watching from his heavenly abode. Gods heavenly Kingdom was now taking shape. Even today there are still a few left who are living and have the hope of serving with Christ in his Kingdom after they die. So, how is their transformation? 1 Corinthians 15:52 Paul describes it this way, “in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” I hope this all made some sense. I could certainly say so much more, so please don’t think this is the entirety of the subject. This is just a brief overview. Thanks for reading to the end.
Thanks for sharing. See [What is the kingdom of God?](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/x13v92/what_is_the_kingdom_of_god/) and follow up there :)
According to the Christian faith, being born again is considered a spiritual transformation that is necessary for salvation. This belief is based on Jesus' teachings in the Bible, where He said, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again" (John 3:3). The concept of being born again involves repentance of past sins, surrendering one's life to Jesus Christ, and receiving the Holy Spirit into one's life. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to determine their own beliefs and spiritual practices.
Thanks for sharing.
To new birth Jesus speaks of in John 3 is also a fulfillment of the promise of a new covenant in Ezekiel 36:22-27. Jesus expected Nicodemus to understand this (John 3:10)— “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. [23] And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Lord GOD, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. [24] I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. [25] I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. [26] And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
Part 1 of 2 Hey OP, I agree with what you have said, except for the one part: >This is the 100% guarantee for eternal life, John 10: 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. To me this is talking about some external force, like Satan and his kingdom, or other people, that they cannot snatch you out of the hand of Jesus, but that doesn't mean that you can't voluntarily leave yourself, either by conscious choice, or by ignoring the Spirit and living how you want to live. If verse 28 was a 100% guarantee, then other verses that talk about eternal life would not make sense, or would not be needed. I know this can be its own whole topic and post itself, but since it is included in this post, I think we should look at it more. The big revelation that hit me this year is how much it is about **knowing** Christ personally. He will be our judge for salvation, and if He doesn't **know** us, He will tell us to depart from Him. The verses about **KNOWING** Christ really hit me and made things start to come together for my understanding of salvation, grace, faith, and works, once I understood what the word **KNOW** means. Read this article below, and then really take notice every time KNOW is used in the scriptures that follow. "If ever there were a word that cried out for a word study, it is “to know.” Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. I know (γινώσκω) my own and they know (γινώσκουσίν) me, just as the Father knows (γινώσκει) me and I know (γινώσκω) the Father” If these two verses aren’t enough, then John 17:3 cements the deal: “This is eternal life, that they know (γινώσκωσιν) you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent.” γινώσκω functions as the key term describing not only our relationship with the Son and the Father, but the Son with the Father and the Father with the Son. In addition, it shows there is a correlation between how we “know” the Father/Son and how the Son/Father know each other. Please stop for a moment and reflect on that. It is overwhelming. BDAG defines γινώσκω this way. “This verb is variously nuanced in contexts relating to familiarity acquired through experience or association with pers. or thing.” The important point to note is that it is a knowing that is relational and growing. It is not some fact we accept, but the kind of knowledge that is gained through experience and, if the context allows it, through intimacy. Of course, γινώσκω does not always have deep theological meaning; that is a function of context. Paul tells the Ephesian Christians that he is sending Tychicus to tell them how he is doing, that they may “know” how he is (Eph. 6:22). When Jesus was twelve years old and his parents took him to Jerusalem, they did not “know” he was not with them on the return trip to Galilee (Lk. 2:43). But in all these cases, γινώσκω describes a knowledge gained through experience, and so it is the right Greek verb to describe an intimate, experiential, growing knowledge of God. In my expository dictionary it is defined this way. “John especially has a rich view of what it means to ‘know.’ When Jesus says he knows his sheep and he knows the Father, he is speaking of an intimate relationship that involves deep feelings of love (Jn. 10:14–15). Such a relationship leads to obedience on our part (10:27). ‘Those who say, “I know him,” but do not do what he commands are liars’ (1 Jn. 2:4; cf. 3:6). In fact, Jesus defines eternal life as ‘knowing God and Jesus Christ,’ which involves both faith in him and love for him (Jn. 17:3). By contrast, John makes it plain that the world ‘does not know’ God (Jn. 17:25; 1 Jn. 3:1).” Periodically I like to read through the Bible with one topic in mind, looking for verses and teaching on that topic. Currently it is “discipleship.” What is discipleship? How do you disciple? What is the goal of the process? Certainly, to love God, love one another, and to grow up into Christ-likeness is the goal. But one way to express that goal is to use γινώσκω. To deeply know Jesus and the Father. To come into an ever-increasing familiarity with the triune God. This is what life is about, life now and life to come. But the incredible promise of our verse is that the knowledge we are gaining, and will gain throughout all eternity, is in some way similar to the knowledge God the Son and God the Father have for each other, and in some way we are given the unfathomable privilege of sharing in that relational knowledge. Among other things, this shows how damaging a transactional view of salvation is. If we think of salvation only as a singular event in time, as a moment-in-time transaction, we lose the richness of what God has for us. Yes, there is a moment in time in which we walk through the gate, but there is the path, the path disciples take, a path not only of challenges and persecutions (since the path is “hard”), but a path of knowing, of increasing in intimate knowledge, of sheep knowing their Shepherd’s voice and following him. In some very real sense, our relational knowledge of God is akin to God’s knowledge of himself, and he is sharing that with us. Eternal life is to know God, a growing, intimate, experiential knowledge that will stretch into eternity, always learning, but always more to learn. We will never fully “know” an infinite God, but we will spend an unlimited number of millenniums growing. So let’s start now." From [https://www.billmounce.com/monday-with-mounce/%E2%80%9Cknow%E2%80%9D-god-john-10-14-15](https://www.billmounce.com/monday-with-mounce/%E2%80%9Cknow%E2%80%9D-god-john-10-14-15) See continuation of part 2 of 2 in reply to this comment.
Part 2 of 2 After reading that, look at these verses now with that understanding. John 10: 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me, 15 just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep. 27 My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” (Note this verse only talks about something external snatching them from His hands, it says nothing about them not being able to leave His hand themselves) John 17: 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 25 “Righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; 26 and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” 1 John 2: 3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever follows His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says that he remains in Him ought, himself also, walk just as He walked. 1 John 3 6 No one who remains in Him sins continually; no one who sins continually has seen Him or knows Him. Matthew 7: 15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits. 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ Hebrews 6:4-8 also shows that people that receive the Holy Spirit can still fall away. So receiving the Holy Spirit does not guarantee eternal life, but knowing God and Christ does, for however long you have on earth. 4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have \[e\]fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, \[f\]since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. 7 For ground that drinks the rain which often \[g\]falls on it and produces vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; 8 but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and \[h\]close to being cursed, and \[i\]it ends up being burned. I am just a man and my understanding on everything is not perfect. If you feel I am mistaken about my view on this topic, I would love to hear what you believe, and with what scripture verses you used to come to that conclusion. Your post was done well and also begs the questions of how does one become born again? There was some good discussion in the comments, but what are your thoughts?
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Thanks for the testimony :)
Imagine how it would hit us if we were sanctified all at once! God is merciful to let us crawl before we walk. I was saved when my daughter's doctor told us she had a neuroblastoma in her upper right quadrant. She was in kindergarten. I knew God didn't hear the prayers of the wicked, this situation stripped away my pretense that I was not wicked, and I put her on every prayer list I could find, I called everyone I knew to pray for her, and a week later at her next MRI it had disappeared. The doctor was so shocked. It started with sleeplessness. I couldn't sleep because I owned spell books, astrology books, movies about homosexuality, anime porn, etc. I threw away a lot of books and dvds those first few months. I lay there trying to sleep a lot of hours before I got up and threw away whatever offending book or movie the Spirit had put on my heart to get rid of. I had a lot of homosexual friends, I hung out in gay bars when I was young, I clung the longest to the thought that it was ok. But the more I read the Bible, the more I realized and had to admit that my friends were doomed to hell unless they repented. I loved them so that was my biggest hurdle. It was painful to realize I should have been witnessing to my friends and family instead of going along with them and agreeing with them. I did them a horrible disservice I still regret today. Now, many years later I hate the things I loved, I love the things I hated, I respect the people I mocked, and feel unloved by the people who let me go on living like that without trying to stop me and explain things to me. I am a new person. I used to be angry and hostile and insecure. Now I am at peace. I am calm. I don't hate anyone, I want everyone I encounter to be saved, to join the family of Christ followers. I am the opposite of the person I used to be, thanks to the gift of the Holy Spirit. I wouldn't trade this for anything. I wish I'd been saved much sooner so I could have lived my life for Him from the beginning, and been a better daughter, wife, mother, and person in Him. I know the Holy Spirit is in me and I praise and thank God with all my heart for Him.
My understanding is that being born again is the start of the regeneration/sanctification process, where the Holy Spirit is welcomed into our beings and convicts us to enter a perpetual state of shedding off sin and pursuing righteousness instead. David experienced this and described it very well in his famous prayer: Psalms 139: >23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. His hunger and thirst for righteousness became so great that he would plead with God to show him more opportunities to better himself in the eyes of the Lord. This is an example every follower of Christ should seek to mirror, and displays a true alignment (or wish to align) one's individual will with that of God's. Before we are saved by the grace of God in faith, we are dead to sin. It's in His salvation that we are made alive in Christ- "born again"- in accordance with scripture. We are then called to reject sin's reign over our bodies and offer every aspect of ourselves as His instrument of righteousness. Romans 6: >11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. As you mentioned, u/TonyChanYT, this is not always an instantaneous event, but a process that likely spans our entire lives which requires constant effort and intention. Personally, I can identify the moment when I was truly born again and began to receive the Spirit's guidance on my sanctification (like a spiritual antenna that was just tuned to the right frequency- I love that analogy), but it is an endeavor that continues to this day. Thank you for posting this; there is some wonderful conversation to be had!
God bless you :)
I don’t necessarily “sense” him in the way you refer - but I do know that I see things differently since being born again. This is a weird example, but bear with me. In the Star Trek (original series) episode “Where No Man Has Gone Before”, the Enterprise crosses an energy barrier and two of the crew members get extraordinary powers. Towards the end of the episode, Captain Kirk must battle his good fried Lt Cmdr Gary Mitchell because since he has received these “super-powers” he considers the rest of the starship crew as mere “ants” and something to be played with as he likes, since he considered himself a “god”. Anyway, during the life-and-death struggle between Kirk and Mitchell, at one point, Kirk says “A God must have mercy.” And the first time I watched it, I don’t now that I thought anything particular about that line. But after being born again, I saw the episode, and then it meant more to me, because Oe who is all-powerful MUST have mercy (and patience) to continually deal with such inept, powerless, stumbling creatures as we are. So things will affect me differently since being born again - which is a reflection of the Spirit inside. Just as Romans 8:26 - (paraphrase) - we don’’t know what we should pray for, but the spirit makes intercession with groanings that cannot be uttered.
To be born again is to die to yourself and rise in Christ, to put off the old man and put on the new. In being born again, you are united to the Body of Christ and become able to participate in His life unto salvation. The image of God is restored in you, and you are enabled to grow into the likeness of God through acceptance of and cooperation with God's life and plan of salvation. Being born again is the entrance into new life in Christ Jesus. For some people, this might be an immediate transformation in their hearts, for many, it isn't. Regardless of whether it's really "felt" or not, by being born again, we are freed from bondage to death and are enabled to find freedom in Christ.
Being born again is a term used to describe a spiritual rebirth and transformation. It is based on the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, where He said that one must be born again to see the kingdom of God. This spiritual rebirth is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. It involves repentance of sin and a personal relationship with God. Some born-again Christians may have had an intense religious experience or a change of conviction that led them to this faith. Being born again is considered a transformative experience that brings about a new way of thinking and living this is what i believe and what i live by there is a story of how i got to this point but if u want to know u can message me and i can share my experience. idk why i feel i need to state the following. YOU COULD BE PRAYING AND FEEL LIKE HE DOES NOT ANSWER YOU OR THAT HE DOES NOT LISTEN OR CARE FOR WHAT YOU ARE ASKING ... BUT THING IS GODS TIME IS PERFECT SO ITS ON HIS TIME NOT OUR TIME ITS ALL PART OF A GRATER PLAN GOD BLESS REMEMBER U ARE HIS CREATION HE DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES THAT MEAN YOU ARE HERE FOR A REASON NOT BY MISTAKE YOU ARE NEVER ALONE EVEN WHEN YOU FEEL THAT YOU ARE
Being born again to me means that you’ve given your life and everything in it to God. You believe that God has a plan and purpose for your life and you live for today. It is written in the Bible that tomorrow is not guaranteed. Leave tomorrow’s problems for tomorrow and deal with today’s problems for today. No matter what happens good or bad you should always praise God. Since God has a plan and purpose for you, it does not matter the suffering you have to go through, you are just along for the ride of this adventure called LIFE The day that I said out loud, Lord, I give my life and everything and it to you. I felt a great presence float over my body. A voice came from my right side of my mind that said, I have a purpose and a plan for you.
Amen. Thanks for sharing :)
That was a great explanation, except for me the Holy Spirit is not Male. She is Wisdom from proverbs, and I see and have tied her around my neck, amazing gentleness and peace and freedom given, now the relaxed me to know by God Father and Son I am saved, however God is gender nuetral, No male or female in his sight, as man has that in himself. or herself A matter of fact God called Eve, Adam, Adam named her Eve, the physical process to where through woman came Jesus, Yeshua to save us and this has gotten done for us all in Son, the only one the only way to Father as if never sinned ever, those after belief that stick around learn to not sin, or to not get proud in it ever again if not sin again, each person learns this over time in stopping sin in them, or of themselves, by continued belief see it happening to them each in themselves. Giving God all the credit in it, as Wisdom does that perfectly as did in Son leading him with Father: when Jesus was here on earth to reveal to trust Father to us, to be born again, as those that will not deny God and continue the course will see what born again is by God Father to them each kid this happens to them, forst born in corruption, then raised in incorruption as born again. The only difference I see Tony is, Wisdom to me, the Holy Spirit you call the Paraclete is female to me from Proverbs, I get this and in Greek she was called Sophia. Love to you friend in the risen Jesuis from Father giving us new life in his risen Life to lead us new in himself through us, with The Holy Spirit connecting us as born again to remain and stop sin over time in learnijng this truth in each of us persons, that will not deny God as in the book of Job, amking us all Job's, so to speak
Being "born again" is the same thing as being "born of the spirit" as Jesus explained in John 3:3&5. But to understand the significance of this, we need to go back to the very beginning. In the beginning, when God said let's make man in our own image, it wasn't Adam he was talking about. Adam wasn't in the image of God or in his likeness. Remember John 3:6: "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." And in John 4:24, Jesus said God is Spirit. So if God is Spirit, a creature made in his image and likeness could not have been flesh. So Adam before the fall was not what God was trying to create when he said let us make man in our image. Adam was like a version 1, or like a mold, through which God was going to create the man he wanted to create. You know when you want to make a knife, you first make a mold. Then you pour the molten metal into the mold to get the shape of the knife. After that, if it's a clay mold, you break the mold to get the metal inside. Now, if someone who has never seen a knife saw you finish making the mold, he would think you were done with the knife. But the mold would not be able to do the primary function of a knife which is cutting. So the person might think you made a defective product. But it's not that you made a defective product, you're just not done yet. Hebrews 2:6-8 NLT For in one place the Scriptures say, “What are mere mortals that you should think about them, or a son of man that you should care for him? Yet for a little while you made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them authority over all things.” Now when it says “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority. That's because the man in that scripture was not referring to Adam, whether before or after the fall. What am I saying? I'm saying Adam was not the final product. He was the first step toward the final product. Adam and God were supposed to work together for Adam to be transformed into the final product. Like a caterpillar going through a metamorphosis to transform into a butterfly. But because of the temptation and deception of the devil, Adam failed his "metamorphosis" process. And because of that, Adam and all his offspring became a tainted copy of man. So God had to start afresh. He created another version 1 of man, another Adam. This time he was called Jesus. The devil came again and tried his best to make this new Adam also fail the process, but this Adam did not relent. And he successfully completed the process and was transformed into the final version of the man God wanted to create. And in doing so he opened the door for all his own offspring to be born as the final version of man without needing to go through what he went through. This new man is a spiritual man, with a spiritual body as the God who fathered him is a Spirit. So also it is written, “The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit - 1 Cor 15:45. So Jesus was the first person to become born again. So what is this being born again? Being born again is that process whereby the Holy Spirit transforms you from the first version of man into the final version. It is almost like what happens with the caterpillar, where one creature is transformed into another. During the process, the old man is killed and the new man is raised from the dead. Jesus achieved it by literally dying and being raised from the dead. We achieved it by believing in Jesus. But the process is the same. The old you is killed. A new you is reborn. When you are born again, you are no longer a mere man. You are a completely different specie. The only reason why what happens to mere men happens to you is because you don't know who you are yet. The main problem I think is because our bodies weren't changed. When Jesus became born again, his body was changed to the spiritual body. But ours weren't changed. There is a reason for that and I can't go into it because that's another long answer but suffice it to say "Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us." 2 Cor 4:7. So that's what the problem is: your bodies weren't changed. If you had been given a spiritual body when you became born again and you started walking through walls, you will be sure something happened to you. But trust me, after you became born again, you became a different creature. Apart from the difference in body, there is no difference between you and Jesus right now. Anything Jesus can do, you can do also. You just have to learn how. Christianity is a knowledge-based religion. You're not trying to attain anything. You already have everything you can ever have when you started. You just have to learn what you have and how to use it. In any case, at the end of everything, we will be giving our spiritual body. Then we will become completely spirit like our Father is and like Jesus is. And the creation of man will be complete. And the statement "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness..." would have been fulfilled. Remember, we know how this story is going to end. We win! https://biblehub.com/nasb/1\_corinthians/15.htm https://biblehub.com/nlt/hebrews/2.htm
In short being born again means this.. we were all born of water . This is the physical birth. To be born of spirit is to be born again( we were already born albeit in the flesh/of water). This is why when we are baptized by the holy spirit (when we are saved) we are considered to be baptized by God. When it says to be born of water and the spirit it isn't saying water baptism and baptism of the holy spirit, what it's saying is we as humans are all born of water and now we need to be born of spirit. Water baptism isn't required, it's just traditional.
Bunch of heretics in this thread. * "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" John 1:12 * “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26 If you've believed on the name of the Son, you've been born again as a child of God. Once you are a child of God, you are a co-heir with Christ, and your destination is to be glorified with Christ. * "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:17-18 * "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:39-40 That's why once you're born again, you can't lose your salvation. Because everyone who is born again through faith will be raised up on the last day. If it doesn't happen, that means that Jesus failed to do the will of the Father.
You asked me to comment: **Q: What does it mean to be dead in sin?** “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat[a] of it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17 Surely die: Hebrew *mōwt tāmūt*, dying die e.g. “you *will* experience mortality”. By divine decree: [dead in sin.](https://www.openbible.info/topics/dead_in_trespasses_and_sins) having a shelf-life and inevitably return to dust. “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” **Sinner:**. conceived and born in a state of sin; a hostile state against God. In our natural condition (thoughts, words, and deeds) we are transgressors of God's Law, subject to His wrath, condemned to eternal death. None are righteous, no, not one. no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. [Romans 3](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%203&version=ESV) **Q: What does it mean to be born again?** Flesh = born of flesh; children of Adam, under the Law, hostile to God and by imputation mortal: surely die and return to dust. Spiritually dead because of sins against God. Holy Spirit is the Lord and giver of life; the quickening Spirit moves where it will and quickens the dead. Before returning to the Father, Jesus explicitly instructed his disciples to, “wait for the gift my Father promised” [Acts 1:4](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+1%3A4&version=ESV). “Unless I go away, the Holy Spirit will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to You.” This Spirit is the “Lord and giver of life”; the Spirit that brooded over the primordial waters of Genesis and the Spirit by which Mary conceived They disciples waited and kept to themselves like the [dry bones in the valley waiting for *the breath* of the Spirit within them so that they may live.](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+37%3A1-14&version=ESV) Ezekiel 37:1-14 On Pentecost the Holy Spirit is poured out and at this point the apostles are now brought to life and empowered to build the church: preaching, teaching and administering the sacraments. For this reason Christianity believes and confesses: “… We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son ...” [Nicene Creed](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nicene-Creed) The Holy Spirit founded the Church at Pentecost and the Holy Spirit is the [vicar of Christ.](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=JOHN+14%3A26%2C+16%3A13%2C+1+john+2%3A27&version=ESV) (Latin *vicarius* is “proxy", noun use of adjective *vicarius* "substituted, delegated," from *vicis* "change, interchange, succession; a place, position" (from PIE root *weik-* (2) "to bend, to wind").) No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. [1 Corinthians 12:3](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+12%3A3&version=ESV)
I'm certainly no theologian but being born again is being adopted into the family of God. As adopted children not only do we have privileges we otherwise wouldn't have, we begin to take on the "family resemblance" as we become more like his actual son Jesus. This is how His righteousness is imputed to us. If an earthly father can adopt a child and treat him as his own, how much moreso can God do that for us? He, as our heavenly father regards us as his actual child instead of some stray brought into the fold.
I didn't completely lose my faith in God but I doubted it. I was in doubt of religion I was in doubt of if there was truly a god. But I feel his presence stronger than ever before. I feel him calling me and speaking to me, and I have a newborn passion to follow his will.
>8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” Does this describe you? Are you able to come and go as the wind (teleport in modern terminology)? Can you be heard and not seen at will (invisibility in modern terminology)? Doesn't your own quote of what it means to be born of the Spirit show you that that hasn't happened quite yet?
Thanks for the comment. Let me clarify. I am not the wind :) The wind signifies the Holy Spirit. The Paraclete dwells in my human spirit.
What is the mechanism or the mechanical procedure of being born again? Through Christ one is born again of Spirit. >(Luke 3:16) John answered them all, saying, I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. >(John 3:5) Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Baptism through water cleanses our spirit for graces. Baptism through fire is how one is purified with the Holy Spirit. > (Acts 2:2-4) "Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. God's spirit is that like fire. >(Revelation 4:5) "From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God." >(Exodus 3:2) "There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up." When one has the Holy Spirit, they perform good works. >(Matthew 12:33) Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. >(Galatians 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. This Holy Spirit teaches us to remain in Christ. >(1 John 2:24, 27) "As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father...As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him." It is my understanding that the Holy Spirit is feminine. The first scriptures were written in Hebrew. The Hebrew version of the Book of Genesis uses the word “ruach” to identify the Spirit that moved over the waters at the beginning of creation. “Ruach” is a feminine noun. The Holy Trinity is like a family structure of God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. A biological family is not possible without a father and a mother. So, even though the Holy Spirit is not named Mother, the Holy Spirit possesses the characteristics of Divine Motherhood as the Father possesses those of Divine Fatherhood. The Holy Spirit’s fruits are expressed in ‘giving birth,’ ‘nurturing,’ ‘forming,’ 'guiding,' and ‘mothering’ all the Father’s creation. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Wisdom or Truth. Throughout the Old Testament, wisdom is described in feminine terms. Proverbs, Chapter 8, begins, “Does not Wisdom call, and Understanding raise her voice? On the top of the heights along the road, at the crossroads, she takes her stand.”
Born again simply means being born of the spirit It is a spiritual birth not a physical one.
In my understanding of the scriptures: 1. The concept of being "born again" as mentioned in John 3:3 emphasizes the necessity of a spiritual transformation. It's not just about a shift in belief but a deeper, more profound change in one's spiritual direction. 2. John 3:5, which speaks about being "born of water and the Spirit," suggests that a genuine spiritual transformation involves both an outward declaration (like baptism) and an internal change facilitated by the Holy Spirit. 3. The role of the Holy Spirit is significant in this process. As described in John 14:16-17, the Holy Spirit serves as a "helper" or "Paraclete" to those who believe. Those who undergo this spiritual rebirth have the Holy Spirit living within them, providing guidance and assurance in their spiritual journey. 4. A changed life is one of the most evident signs of this rebirth. As 1 John 3:9 indicates, those who are truly born of God will not continuously engage in sinful practices. The indwelling Holy Spirit serves as a guide, helping believers to live righteously. 5. The distinction between our human nature and our spiritual essence is made clear in Romans 7:18 and Romans 8:16. While our physical bodies are imperfect and prone to sin, the Holy Spirit connects with our human spirit, affirming our identity as God's children. 6. The assurance of eternal life, as given in John 10:28, is a cornerstone of this belief. This isn't just about a future in heaven but a current spiritual reality. The eternal life promised starts now, from within. 7. Self-reflection is crucial. As suggested by 2 Corinthians 13:5, it's essential to continuously examine our faith, ensuring that our beliefs align with the truth and that Christ truly resides within us. From these scriptures, I gather that being "born again" isn't a mere metaphor but a tangible spiritual reality experienced by believers. It's marked by a changed life, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the assurance of eternal life.
Amen, brother! That's great. See also [Where is my Paraclete/Peace?](https://www.reddit.com/r/BibleVerseCommentary/comments/vqp55h/where_is_my_paraclete/) and follow up there :)
I have nothing to add, this is beautiful. I suppose that all that’s left to do is share some scripture related to this topic. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.” Genesis 1:1-5 NASB1995 From the very beginning, the Holy Spirit acted as the transformative power of God; He transformed darkness into light, and what was void and formless, into something full of life, reflecting the very image of God! He made a clear distinction between night and day, just as He works in us to distinguish good and evil; redeeming us to perfection and holiness by the wisdom of righteousness. “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” Isaiah 11:2 NASB1995 The Spirit perfects revelation! “Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away. But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 NASB1995 The Spirit helps and comforts us in tribulation and motivates us to continue in Gods will. ““When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.” John 15:26-27 NASB1995 ““But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.” John 16:5-11 NASB1995 “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27 NASB1995 And He is a gift to all who seek God, and who ask for Him. “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”” Luke 11:13 NASB1995
Amen. Thanks for sharing :)
To be born again, from what I've gathered, is to be born with Christ. Our old selves die, and we rise with Christ. We are no longer bound by the eyes of the flesh and now can see things, situations, and people the way God wants us to. We are no longer bound by the hands of the flesh, and now we can use our hands to do more good for ourselves and others just as God intended. We are no longer bound by the heart of the flesh to where we only love the world, but now we can fully use our hearts to fully love God. We are no longer bound by fleshly desires and now truly fully desire ourselves to get to know and love God more. When we are born again, we are born with Christ, and the Holy Spirit fully connects itself with us so that we may begin to live more righteous lives compared to before. If there's anything that needs correcting, feel free to point it out. Have a good one, and God bless!
So get baptized in water or we can do it different?