Not Forgiven, but BORN AGAIN

[JLB]

Born Again? was a term Jesus used for the Jews. Nicodemus was a Jew. If you look at all of the occurrences of the phrase "born again" you'll see that the audience or subject in each case is the Jews. The Gentiles are said to be born of God, but not born again.

Is the Spirit, God?

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6


Wouldn’t being born of the Spirit, in fact, be the same as being born of God?


What’s the difference?



JLB

 

[JLB]

"Born Again? was a term Jesus used for the Jews. Nicodemus was a Jew. If you look at all of the occurrences of the phrase "born again" you'll see that the audience or subject in each case is the Jews. The Gentiles are said to be born of God, but not born again.

John 3:3 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.1 (Jn. 3:3 KJV)

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.1 (Jn. 3:7 KJV)

Nicodemus was a Jew.

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1 Pet. 1:23 KJV)

Peter was writing to the Jews dispersed among the nations.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the choice sojourners of the dispersion of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (1 Pet. 1:1 YLT)

The dispersion or the diaspora in Greek, was a term used of the Jews who had been dispersed among the nations.

I wonder what atpollard thinks about this?


Born again was for Jews, and being born of God is for Gentiles?




JLB

 

[Butch5]

Is the Spirit, God?

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6


Wouldn’t being born of the Spirit, in fact, be the same as being born of God?


What’s the difference?



JLB

It would. However, one needs to determine if it's being used literally or metaphorically. It's used metaphorically of believing and literally of the resurrection. John uses born of God as a metaphor for believing.

 

[Butch5]

So again, I ask...

If a person is born with the Spirit of God in them at birth, then why do they need to be born again.


Adam was called a son of God, having the Spirit in Him when he was created by God.


the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God. Luke 3:38


Everyone else are called sons of men (Adam).



JLB

Context. Everyone except Adam and Eve are a son of men. Even Jesus who is the ultimate Son of God called Himself the Son of man.

Born again, refers to the Jews. It's a metaphor. Gentiles must be born the first time. Thus Jesus words in John 3 aren't referring to physical birth. All flesh has the breath of life. Believers are given the Holy Breath. All flesh doesn't have the Holy Breath, all flesh does have the breath of life.

 

[Butch5]

I wonder what atpollard thinks about this?


Born again was for Jews, and being born of God is for Gentiles?




JLB

What do you mean, for? It's not for. They are just two metaphors used to describe people. You don't have to accept my word for it. Just go to the Scriptures and show where Gentiles are spoken of as being born again. There are no references of Gentiles being born again. Notice Paul never says that Gentiles need to be born again, Why not?

 

[Butch5]

Outcomes are significant. If it is in the hands of the Lord and our view does not change our walk, each view is fine.
Those who use their view to deny cleansing and a straight walk have serious issues.

Yeah, but that not the issue I"m addressing. I'm simply pointing out what the Scriptures say.