Born again or not

[stovebolts]

The second time it felt different as I felt God washing away my sin as I understood it better.

Anyone that is going to be water baptized should be thoroughly taught first before immersion.

You and i share similar experiences. I believe i was sprinkled in the Catholic orphanage my brother and i spent time in as young children. Around 11 or 12 we were living with our Father and he did not oppose the Mormons hanging around and taking us to church and under duress i was dunked in a pool of water. Ironically, i am still considered a member lol! At 14 (i think) i came to Christ and after reading Acts 2 i understood i was missing community and desired to be baptised. I came out of the water feeling like my soul had been cleaned and i felt like a new person.

Later, i was erroneously taught that baptism was a requirement through the church of Christ and they invalidated my baptism as Johns baptism and said my soul was at stake and i needed to be baptized. That hurt me deeply and i struggled for weeks before submitting to their will and was dunked. After all, they were elders and i was but a poor sinner trying to get my life right with God. I have since rejected that baptism, yet they still allowed me to be a deacon until the death of our daughter at which time i stepped down. Currently, we are in the process of transitioning to a none denominational church.

 

[Randy]

My question is: is there a difference between being a born again Christian and just a Christian? And if so what is the difference. Of course I know what I believe and how I have viewed it in the past but that is not my point. Would like to hear how others see it.

Is your premise meaning one who has the spirit vs one who does not have the spirit?
If so then only the one who has the spirit of Christ in them belongs to Jesus. The one who has the spirit in them has also be freed from being a slave to sin.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed

 

[for_his_glory]

You and i share similar experiences. I believe i was sprinkled in the Catholic orphanage my brother and i spent time in as young children. Around 11 or 12 we were living with our Father and he did not oppose the Mormons hanging around and taking us to church and under duress i was dunked in a pool of water. Ironically, i am still considered a member lol! At 14 (i think) i came to Christ and after reading Acts 2 i understood i was missing community and desired to be baptised. I came out of the water feeling like my soul had been cleaned and i felt like a new person.

Later, i was erroneously taught that baptism was a requirement through the church of Christ and they invalidated my baptism as Johns baptism and said my soul was at stake and i needed to be baptized. That hurt me deeply and i struggled for weeks before submitting to their will and was dunked. After all, they were elders and i was but a poor sinner trying to get my life right with God. I have since rejected that baptism, yet they still allowed me to be a deacon until the death of our daughter at which time i stepped down. Currently, we are in the process of transitioning to a none denominational church.

In order to fix something (sin) you have to learn first how to fix something.

I guess I can say I was baptized three times as the first was when I was infant baptized into the United Church of Christ. Then at the age of 12 I took Confirmation classes and became a member of the church and received my little box of offering envelopes and a KJV Bible, which I still have that Bible. At the age of 14 I quit going as the sermons were so mundane and I never heard of being Spiritually born again from above as it was never taught. From the age of 12 up to the age of 43 it was a roller coaster ride of going to church and not going to church, learning a little here a little there until Christ pulled me off the roller coaster and then were my Spiritual eyes and ears opened when He finally got my attention and by the Holy Spirit He taught me what being Spiritually born again from above was all about.

I guess life had to jack slap me first in order to get me to the place of humbelness surrendering all to God. It was a hard avenue to walk down, but would not trade those life experiences for growing up and having a wonderful life as the school of hard knocks has made me who I am today in Christ.

 

[Boaz]

Is your premise meaning one who has the spirit vs one who does not have the spirit?
If so then only the one who has the spirit of Christ in them belongs to Jesus. The one who has the spirit in them has also be freed from being a slave to sin.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed

No. I wasn't referring to those who have the Spirit or not, not specifically. I agree with all you said but I was curious to hear what others thought born again meant. In the past,and maybe still, some actually thought there were two types of Christians, those who were born again and those who weren't. And of course the born agains considered themselves superior, more mature, because their definition was dancing and waving their hands during services, speaking in tongues, wearing jeans and shorts to church, falling under the power of the Spirit, performing "miracles" etc. They said the non born again Christians were quenching the Spirit and the borners were bringing back the power of God to church. Of course this is is a big generalization on my part and I know it is not applicable to All that began to refer to themselves as born again. But it was my EXPERIENCE. Wondered if that had changed and if there was actual teaching on what Jesus said about about you must be born again to inherit the Kingdom, and if so, what.
I do know that you can't be a Christian unless you ARE born again. Two categories cannot exist.

 

[jerry63935]

. Currently, we are in the process of transitioning to a none denominational church.

i think you will find more peace there. denominations are ok as long as a person does not become a robot to the denom.. i pastored a southern baptist church for a while. preached must be born again a know so salvation .till the day i cussed in the pulpit i mentioned foot washing along with communion and to this day i still believe that way . do you have to wash feet? no do you have to believe exactly like i do? NO see it created a fight one woman got her bloomers in a knot. threatened to leave .then started dragging others with her . i had a meeting with her sorta she was hateful wanted scripture in foot washing .so i opened the Book read her what jesus said . see i shut her down of course they had some man from southern baptist assoc. said since i was general baptist it wouldnt work... i was not there as a general baptist .i was there as a child of God doing what i was called to do. ..i did leave due to another ugly fleshly meeting . i was asked to leave even though the church was growing.. my whole point is man can get so indoctrinated. nothing else matters i personally dont care what flavor you are . just as long as you are saved .i cant speak for the church you was deacon at. the Church of Christ i listened to on t.v thy was the only one correct . just like the apostolics i have heard .even some of the baptist. this is the Body of Christ ?

 

[jerry63935]

I was infant baptized into the United Church of Christ. Then at the age of 12 I took Confirmation classes and became a member of the church and received my little box of offering envelopes and a KJV Bible, which I still have that Bible.

o dear God i have dealt with them to .they dont even teach the plan of salvation

 

[daninthelionsden]

You and i share similar experiences. I believe i was sprinkled in the Catholic orphanage my brother and i spent time in as young children. Around 11 or 12 we were living with our Father and he did not oppose the Mormons hanging around and taking us to church and under duress i was dunked in a pool of water. Ironically, i am still considered a member lol! At 14 (i think) i came to Christ and after reading Acts 2 i understood i was missing community and desired to be baptised. I came out of the water feeling like my soul had been cleaned and i felt like a new person.

Later, i was erroneously taught that baptism was a requirement through the church of Christ and they invalidated my baptism as Johns baptism and said my soul was at stake and i needed to be baptized. That hurt me deeply and i struggled for weeks before submitting to their will and was dunked. After all, they were elders and i was but a poor sinner trying to get my life right with God. I have since rejected that baptism, yet they still allowed me to be a deacon until the death of our daughter at which time i stepped down. Currently, we are in the process of transitioning to a none denominational church.

All through my life I've had multiple people/organizations attempt to "save" me according to their requirements. I even asked a pastor if he would baptize me without being a member of his church. He became sarcastic and I chose not to be treated like that. I just asked my wife to baptize me at home. I believe and follow Christ, it's the Christians I seem to have a hard time with. Why do they so readily place themselves above others?

 

[jerry63935]

All through my life I've had multiple people/organizations attempt to "save" me according to their requirements. I even asked a pastor if he would baptize me without being a member of his church. He became sarcastic and I chose not to be treated like that. I just asked my wife to baptize me at home. I believe and follow Christ, it's the Christians I seem to have a hard time with. Why do they so readily place themselves above others?

indoctrinated they go by church bylaws .if it was voted thou shalt not baptize unless a member . there not going to budge.if your not there denomination you can visit but not partake in the service. communion us closed if a visiting minister of another denom thy will recognize you as a minister.but you will not speak in the pulpit in a nut shell following man mad laws instead of scripture

 

[daninthelionsden]

indoctrinated they go by church bylaws .if it was voted thou shalt not baptize unless a member . there not going to budge.if your not there denomination you can visit but not partake in the service. communion us closed if a visiting minister of another denom thy will recognize you as a minister.but you will not speak in the pulpit in a nut shell following man mad laws instead of scripture

Yes. Some are more tolerant than others. I've witnessed some pastors outright ban, from the pulpit, attendees from communion if not a member or of their denomination while other churches welcome all.

 

[jerry63935]

Yes. Some are more tolerant than others. I've witnessed some pastors outright ban, from the pulpit, attendees from communion if not a member or of their denomination while other churches welcome all.

and that is not bible guard the pulpit yes guard the flock.but dont hog it

 

[for_his_glory]

Why do they so readily place themselves above others?

It's called self righteousness like that of the Pharisees. They like to be seen in high places, but, have not the love of Christ dwelling in them. They are full of dead mans bones.

Matthew 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

 

[Ernest T. Bass]

My question is: is there a difference between being a born again Christian and just a Christian? And if so what is the difference. Of course I know what I believe and how I have viewed it in the past but that is not my point. Would like to hear how others see it.

I know of no example under the NT of one being a Christian yet not having been born again. In other words, there is no such thing as an unborn again Christian. One MUST be born again to be a Christian.

 

[Walpole]

Jesus said two things are required to be born again in John 3:5.

---> What are those two things?

---> What do Christians call this ritual in which this occurs?

 

[Ernest T. Bass]

Jesus said two things are required to be born again in John 3:5.

---> What are those two things?

One birth consisting of two elements 1) water 2) Spirit

---> What do Christians call this ritual in which this occurs?

Water baptism.

 

[Walpole]

One birth consisting of two elements 1) water 2) Spirit



Water baptism.

Bingo.

It wasn't until the anabaptists came on the scene and redefined it to be the moment when one decided to put down the bottle of Jack Daniel's.

--->

 

[Prycejosh1987]

My question is: is there a difference between being a born again Christian and just a Christian? And if so what is the difference. Of course I know what I believe and how I have viewed it in the past but that is not my point. Would like to hear how others see it.

It comes down to lifestyle.

 

[for_his_glory]

It comes down to lifestyle.

It really does not come down to a lifestyle, but a surrendering commitment of ones self through the regeneration of the Spiritual rebirth from above as we repent and confess Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior, John 3:5-7; Romans 10:9, 10. To be called a Christian is to be Christlike in all you do and say as you display the light of Christ to the world and bear the fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-26.