Born again
Regarding “born again†- Let’s throw out the commentators and tradition for a minute and look at the scriptures for this I think we can agree on. Basic premise – the term “born again†in John 3 and “salvation†today are two different doctrines for two different groups of people for 2 different ages. I sought to stay away from the forum but I saw this discussion going on and wanted to try one more time to clear up this important doctrine. I know this may be long but give it a read.
First – Context for the setting where term is used: Jesus confronts a leader of the Jews before Calvary. Basically still under Old Testament theology where God is still dealing with Israel as a nation. Let’s put ourselves in Nicodemus’ shoes and forget what we know now with advanced revelation. Nicodemus knew nothing of Calvary (the disciples didn’t either - Luke 18:34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.). Why did Jesus tell Nicodemus “ye must be born again� One must go aback and remember what God’s propose for Israel as a nation was. Israel as a nation was to be a kingdom or priests representing God to the other nations in the ages to come. Israel was to be used as the nation to dispense the blessing of God to the rest of the world. In the Old Testament it is evident that Israel failed in God’s plan as a nation and God cast them aside for the time being. God’s plan was to restore them as a nation in a one time miraculous event (Isa. 66:8, Ezek. 37; Heb. 8:8-10), bring them into the land and then they would fulfill God’s purpose for them. God had to restore them miraculously for they could not do it on their own because of sin.
When Jesus confronted Nicodemus Israel was in rejection because they had failed in being what God had called them to be as a nation so Jesus told him that “ye†(Israel) must be born again in order to be the nation that God called them to be. Remember, that Jesus’ first coming could have been his second coming if Israel had accepted him as their Messiah (Matt. 11:14). Since they didn’t his first coming became the first coming and his restoring of Israel would come at his second coming. Remember, some thought John the Baptist was Elijah for Elijah was supposed to come before that notable and great day of the Lord Mal. 4:5, and Mat 11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come..
Before Jesus comes back the second time He calls the scattered nation of Israel (James 1:1) back to the land, the Lord comes back and does the miraculous work – they, as a nation, become born again in a day (Isa. 66:8) and God leads them into the land with His word written in their hearts and finally they will fulfill the purpose God had planned for them which was to be a kingdom of priests and dispense God’s blessings to the nations.
Why the term “born again� Because they will basically be the same people but with new hearts and spirits but essentially still be people. Now there is what born again means. It applies to the nation of Israel at the end of the tribulation.
Second - Now what about us? After Calvary the door is opened to the Gentiles and the mystery that has been hid, Eph. 3:9; Col 1:26, is revealed to Paul and then God has Paul write it down so we today can get it. Paul does not ell us we are “born againâ€Â(In fact he says he was one “born out of due time†but he was different than us) – he tells us we are “new creatures†II Cor. 5:17 created in Christ Jesus – Eph. 2:10. This is something that nobody before has been partaker of. If you have been called of God and have trusted Christ then you are redeemed, regenerated, glorified, saved, sealed, spiritually circumcised, adopted, raised to sit in heavenly places, member of the body of Christ physically (bone of his bone flesh of his flesh – Eph. 5) and much more. This did not happen to anybody prior to this age. Being “born again†and being made a “new creature†are two different things for two different groups for two different ages. The salvation of Old Testament saints is a different subject but suffice it to say our salvation today is far more blessed that what they had in the Old Testament.
Be careful in taking “born again†and generically applying it to a general term for salvation to anybody in any age – It only applies to Israel at the Second Advent before they go in to the kingdom. Paul is very clear on what terms we are to use for our salvation today. You have let the media dictate doctrine to you. Ever since Jimmy Carter used the term born again the populace has used this term to mean NT salvation. In other words “born again†has been tossed around to represent all kinds of unscriptural things.
No Jew in the OT was “born again†– they may have been “saved†in the OT sense but not “born again†for this can only be doctrinally applied to Israel as a nation at the end of tribulation when God will call his people from the four corners of the earth, do the miraculous work, Eze. 37, Heb. 8:8, and then bring them into the land.
Please, when you want to try to figure out if OT people are “saved†then fine but don’t try to use the term “born again†as applying to salvation today or even to OT saints. Use the terms that Paul used for the saved saint today (created, saved, redeemed, justified, etc.). Why would you to talk about Jews in the gospels being saved when Christ hadn’t even died yet and Christ’s own disciples didn’t even understand Calvary - Luke 18:34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
Summary –
1. Are people born again in the Old Testament?
Ans. – No - Israel will be born again in a day at the end of tribulation.
2. Are people “saved†in the Old Testament?
Ans. – Yes, but not the same way we are saved today. All are saved based upon Calvary but the message we all have to believe is different. The Jews in the Old Testament had to believe that God would accept them based upon their adherence to he law. They were forgiven based upon their faith in the message regarding the law. God had Calvary prepared to finally do away with their sins, which he was overlooking (Acts 3:19,20). NO individual Jew knew anything about Christ dying for their sins – Isa 53 was hid from them.
3. Are people born again today?
No – we are saved according to what Christ did at Calvary and the results of that salvation are mainly found in Ephesians and Colossians. We have been created a new creature for what do you call a being that has been made partakes of Christ’s body described in Eph. 5:30?
God was calling out a nation in the Old Testament – Today God is calling out a body.
I know you may not agree with this but if you take your Bible (and you know which one I’m referring to for the cross references are lost with the new translations) and concordance and run the references you should see this. If you still don’t then I can do no more. I’m sure if I had more time I could make it simpler and shorter but on the spur of the moment this is all I can come up with so forgive me. I’ve spent more time on this subject than I ever planned to spend. The words of redeemdbygrace are ended on this matter. :-?
