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Pastors need to teach what being Spiritually born again is all about.
This is unique:

Atheists, rednecks, prison teachers, pentecostals, messianic Jews, all trying to define born again.

One of my most unique times was when an atheist said ( well one day we will know).

Carry on troops.

eddif
 
This is unique:

Atheists, rednecks, prison teachers, pentecostals, messianic Jews, all trying to define born again.

One of my most unique times was when an atheist said ( well one day we will know).

Carry on troops.

eddif
Sure, yes. It is amazing how comphrensible the Bible can be, even to those who do not believe it.
 
Repentance gives us that opportunity to receive a new beginning in our life as God wipes away all our past sins and remembers them no more. Repentance allows the door to be opened for Christ to come into our lives so we may receive his Holy Spirit to help guide us in our walk with the Lord and to show us a life that is pleasing to the Father. It’s through the Holy Spirit that we come into a better understanding of Gods word by allowing His Spirit to teach us all things we need to know for the purpose and time of ministry to ourselves and to others.

There is only one way for God to recognize who are his and that is by us opening our heart and confessing we are sinners and knowing that we need to make a change in our lives in order for us to have eternal life with the Father. It’s not our will anymore to make decisions in our lives, but is now we allowing Gods will to make a betterment in our lives. As we follow in the footsteps of Christ we are now dead to self and alive now through the grace of God who wants nothing more than to shower us with his blessings as we surrender all to him through the transfiguration of our heart through repentance of our sins.

When we ask for our sins to be forgiven they are not only forgiven, but they are also forgotten. Our hearts become renewed again and we are given the Holy Spirit, which is the that Spirit of God made flesh in Jesus and given to us for comfort and learning. We receive the Holy Spirit at the time of repentance by asking Jesus into our hearts. Some like to be baptized in actual water, which there is nothing wrong with that as it is an outward appearance to others that you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:39 for the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Now that we have been transformed from the old man to the spiritual man of God we now become as a newborn baby and our spirit needs nourishment from the word of God and the only way to get the nourishment we need is to get into the word and study it by allowing the Holy Spirit teach it to us for truth and understanding.​
Would be nice if this were explained instead of “just accept Jesus and you’re going to Heaven” so often preached.”
 
John 3:1-7 Jesus first teaches Nicodemus that we (not just Nicodemus) must be born again in order to see the kingdom of God as His kingdom is Spiritual, thus we need to be Spiritually born again, or another word, Spiritually renewed within our spirit. From that point He taught His disciples about being Spiritually born again and what the disciples taught were the teachings of Christ. It would be logic to know what the disciples wrote are the teachings of Christ and not of themselves.

May I ask if you are Spiritually born again from above?

I am, and it didn't happen overnight when I said the sinners prayer. But the fact of the matter is that I can feel the Holy Spirit within me. Feel Him might not be totally accurate. I perceive Him to be there. ALways and it didn't used to be like this. I can see the changes taking place to me over a period of time within myself.

Before I could perceive Him but after I said the sinners prayer, I said, I'm a Christian. I have the Holy Spirit. But in ignorance and faith I spoke it...But now it is different. When I say I have the Holy Spirit within me now, it's different somehow. More of a knowing and feeling than just taking it in faith.

I've often wondered if other Christians have similar experiences but it is a hard thing to talk about because it is hard to have words grasp full meaning.

Does that even make sense? Lol.
 
To be clear, Romans 10 and Acts 2 do not use the metaphor of rebirth. Only John 3 and 1 Peter 1 ever uses the analogy in all of Scripture.

But Jesus' "explanation" is so complex as to require an explanation, even longer, all its own. "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. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The 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."

Although "born again" is found only in John 3 and 1 Peter 1, the idea of being heirs with Jesus, sons of God, brothers of Jesus: "therefore he is not ashamed to call them brothers" (though he proceeds to misquote the Tanakh completely, Isaiah 8:18 has nothing to do with Jesus) - that all shows the NT perspective on what it could mean.
It's only man who makes the word of God to complex to understand by their various theologies and doctrines of man and this is why so many fall away as they have no truth found in them. This is why we need to learn how to listen to the Holy Spirit that teaches us in all truths and test the spirits that try to teach us. John 14:26; 1 John 4:1-6


Being Spiritually born again is not a metaphor, but an action from the heart (not a work) on our part as we hear God calling as we receive Him in order to see the kingdom of God, John 3:12-14: Ephesians 2:8-10.

These verses below, as there are many more, explain what being Spiritually born again is all about.

John 3:5-7; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 1:3, 23; 2:9-10; Titus 3:5, Rev 1:4-6


Where does Jesus, or His disciples proceed to misquote the Tanakh completely? Jesus is the word of God in the OT and NT, John 1:1-18.
 
This is unique:

Atheists, rednecks, prison teachers, pentecostals, messianic Jews, all trying to define born again.

One of my most unique times was when an atheist said ( well one day we will know).

Carry on troops.

eddif
Yes, one day we will all know, but will be to late for those who have rejected God and His Son Christ Jesus.

John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
 
I am, and it didn't happen overnight when I said the sinners prayer. But the fact of the matter is that I can feel the Holy Spirit within me. Feel Him might not be totally accurate. I perceive Him to be there. ALways and it didn't used to be like this. I can see the changes taking place to me over a period of time within myself.

Before I could perceive Him but after I said the sinners prayer, I said, I'm a Christian. I have the Holy Spirit. But in ignorance and faith I spoke it...But now it is different. When I say I have the Holy Spirit within me now, it's different somehow. More of a knowing and feeling than just taking it in faith.

I've often wondered if other Christians have similar experiences but it is a hard thing to talk about because it is hard to have words grasp full meaning.

Does that even make sense? Lol.
Actually I was asking Dorothy Mae if she was Spiritually born again, but never got an answer unless I missed it.
 
John 3:5 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.

1 John 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

If you compare John 3:5 with 1 John 5:5-8 water means word as in the word being the living water (John 4:9-15) as in the Father, the word (living water Jesus) and the Holy Spirit. The three that bear witness is Holy Spirit, Gods living word, and the blood of Jesus who made atonement for sin that we can be reconciled back to the Father.

Everything from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 is all Gods word and Holy Spirit dwelling in or falling on and come to Earth in the form of a man in Christ Jesus. It's all Gods grace freely given to all who will believe in that faith that is Christ Jesus as He spoke Gods word (John 12:44-50 living water) and the Prophets and Apostles wrote and testified of what Jesus taught verbally.

It's Gods word that we are made righteous through Him, sanctified, justified and made Holy before Him. No dirty river water can save us, but is only an outward appearance to others that we have been washed clean (made righteous before God) by the blood of the Lamb and the renewing through the Holy Spirit.

The Jerusalem Bible
1 John 5:6 Jesus Christ who came by water and blood, not with water only, but with water and blood with the Spirit as another witness since the Spirit is truth 7 so that there are three witnesses, 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood and all three of them agree

KJV
1 John 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

Literal water has nothing to do with salvation as Jesus came by the foretold word of the Prophets, sent by the Father, and signified by the Holy Spirit that lighted upon Him during John's water baptism for the remission of sins, Matthew 3:11-17. Three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, the water (word) and the blood. Three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost.

The more I think about "born again" Nicodemus had no understanding as even many today would ask the same question "How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?"

Jesus goes on to tell him "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."

Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Paul understood it was not by water baptism (BTW baptism is not mentioned in John 3:5), but by the word of God that we are sanctified, which means set apart and made holy. We being the church of God have been made clean by His word as we are washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Titus 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; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Again Paul and also Peter gives us the understanding that being born again/born from above is not by actual water which would be a work of our own righteousness, but regeneration (new Spiritual life) that comes by God's mercy through His spoken word and Spirit (Holy Spirit).

IMO it doesn't matter if we say born again or born from above, but that we understand it is by God's grace through faith, which is Christ Jesus and His finished works on the cross that we are cleansed by the blood of the Lamb and our spirit renewed by the very Spirit of God, (Holy Spirit)

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Per the conversation Nicodemus and Jesus were discussing in John 3:9, 10 here are a few more OT verses that parallel being born again that Nicodemus should have known, but probably not emphasized as much since Jesus had to explain it to him.

1 Samuel 10:6 And the spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

Job 15:14 What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

Job 25: 4 How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?

Ezekiel 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: 20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

There are around 1526 instances of living water in the Bible. Here are some verses on living water being the word. John 4:4-26; 7:37-39; 12:44-50; Ephesians 5:26; 1 John 5:5-8; Jeremiah 17:13; Zechariah 14:8, 9; Rev 21:6-8; Ezekiel 47:22
 
Actually I was asking Dorothy Mae if she was Spiritually born again, but never got an answer unless I missed it.

I know and I'm sorry. I just felt compelled to answer it. I prolly need abreak away from this computer.

I'm still getting stuff done though. I got the grass mowed and been to the store and back. Please forgive me for inturupting
 
No I can not tell, that is why I asked if you were Spiritually born again since you seemed to believe born again as only a metaphor.
When Jesus said he’s a door, was that a metaphor? When the Bible calls God a rock, is that a metaphor?

You need to know metaphors communicate but being a metaphor doesn’t mean the matter isn’t true. Jesus really is the door, but not glass, wood or screen.
 
I know and I'm sorry. I just felt compelled to answer it. I prolly need abreak away from this computer.

I'm still getting stuff done though. I got the grass mowed and been to the store and back. Please forgive me for inturupting
Don't be sorry as all are welcomed to answer questions asked. I do it all the time.

With my husband being in the hospital for the last 2 1/2 months I don't spend as much time as I would like to in here. I took today off from going as I need a whole me day at least once a week.
 
When Jesus said he’s a door, was that a metaphor? When the Bible calls God a rock, is that a metaphor?

You need to know metaphors communicate but being a metaphor doesn’t mean the matter isn’t true. Jesus really is the door, but not glass, wood or screen.
All I am looking for is a yes or no answer.
 
I know and I'm sorry. I just felt compelled to answer it. I prolly need abreak away from this computer.

I'm still getting stuff done though. I got the grass mowed and been to the store and back. Please forgive me for inturupting
It’s OK. I can easily tell who knows God, who doesn’t, who is merely saved but immature and who is not saved. You just read (here) what people say. Let people write enough of their thoughts and it’s easy to know that they think.
 
It’s OK. I can easily tell who knows God, who doesn’t, who is merely saved but immature and who is not saved. You just read (here) what people say. Let people write enough of their thoughts and it’s easy to know that they think.
Only God can judge the heart as that is not our place to do so as many only give lip service to the Lord, but yet none of His own. We can only know who are God's own by the fruits they bear.


Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.


2Tim 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Tim 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Tim 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Tim 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Tim 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Tim 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Tim 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
 
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