Or, what's the difference between a "born again christian" and a christian who only feels they want to go to church on Christmas and Easter?
2006-07-17 04:45:56 · 32 answers · asked by novalee 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In the words of Jesus, that which is born of flesh is flesh. That which is born of spirit is spirit. So if one is born only of flesh, one cannot participate in the life of the spirit. Once one's spirit is renewed, one finds that s/he is interested in the things of the spirit. So Christmas and Easter simply aren't enough.
Hope that helps.
2006-07-17 04:59:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some interpret that to mean that one who is born naturally of woman must be born again through the power of the Holy Spirit. The water would refer to the amniotic fluid -- water -- in which an embryo is contained. After one is born, when that amniotic fluid is no longer needed, one must be born also of the Spirit. Nicodemus had asked earlier, "Must a man go back into the womb of his mother to be 'born again?'" So, this interpretation might simply mean that one who is born naturally must yet be born of the Spirit to enter the kingdom. There have been a lot of interpretations of this passage over the centuries. Some would say that the two words "water" and "spirit" mean the same thing -- a hendiadys, where two words are used to mean the same thing. Thus, many see this passage as referring to Baptism, wherein the Spirit is conferred by the visible sign of the pouring of water. In Baptism, according to the belief of many, a new life is given, i.e., the life of the Spirit dwelling within one who has been baptized. Having been given the new life of the Spirit, one is said to have been "born again."
2016-03-26 21:35:51 · answer #2 · answered by Janet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically speaking, the bible in Act 2:38 defines baptism as a person entering Gods body, kingdom, domain, which consist of submerging of water. John 3:1- It represents washing away of the old man of sin that leads to death and becoming a new person that strive to be and live more Christ like. The word Christian did not come about until Act 8. You can feel like a christian, but until you have entered in Christ's kingdom/domain/church, Act. 4:12, you are not a christian. At least, not by the Bible which is Gods standards, only in Man's opinion.
2006-07-17 05:09:14 · answer #3 · answered by Amenity 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you only go to church 2 times a year, then you really are not Christian are you? To be born again is to accept Jesus as your personal savior. When you do that and ask forgiveness then you are washed with the blood of Christ- not for-real, you don't physically get blood on you- and you begin a new life with Jesus by your side and you leave your old life behind. So, it is said to be born again because you are starting a new life with Jesus in your heart and by your side.
2006-07-17 04:57:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A 'Holiday Christian' is not a born again, not seriously anyway.
Many people think that they only need to attend church during holidays.
A *true* Christian has the spirit 24-7 /365! Not just on holidays.
Please see the listing below to read about BORN AGAIN as I do not want to voice my opinion and have it misinterpreted !
2006-07-17 04:56:45 · answer #5 · answered by Samuella SilverSelene 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being "born again" refers to a spiritual rebirth.
There is a huge difference between those who are born again and those who are not! It is literally the difference between life and death, and knowing Jesus or not knowing HIm!
A "Christain" who only wants to go to church on Christmas and Easter, or who goes anytime only out of obligation does not personally know God and is not born again. (There's really no difference between that kind of "Christain" and a non-Christain)
A person who is born again knows God personally and is filled with His Holy Spirit. When this happens to a person, the person is changed. It is not an obligation for this person to go to church or do good, it is a desire! Actually it becomes a passion, and a fire. At the same time the born again person desires not to sin. Yes they will still make mistakes, but they will feel convicted over them and they will repent and change over time, growing in the Lord. The whole experience is awesome beyond words. Put it this way, there is a reason some people are willing to die for the Lord.
Jesus talks about being born again in John Chapter 3. I personally suggest reading the entire chapter, but here is a part of it:
John 3:3-6
"In reply, Jesus declared, 'I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.' 'How can a man be born again when he is old?' Nicodemus asked. 'Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!' Jesus answered, 'I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."
Being born of water refers to baptism, and being born of the Spirit refers to being filled with the Holy Spirit (also referred to by some as the Holy Ghost).
The Holy Spirit is first mentioned in Acts Chapter 2.
When the Holy Spirit was first poured out on man, they began speaking in tongues among other things. People still do speak in tongues and it is evidence of recieving the Holy Spirit, but it is not the only evidence. Everyone is different and not everyone speaks in tongues. Tongues is but one of many spiritual gifts God gives us (see 1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
But the holy Spirit is more than just an experience or recieving gifts. The Holy Spirit is God living inside of us, healing us, changing us, and having a relationship with us.
If you read Romans Chapter 8, it talks about the Holy Spirit living inside of us.
If you read the entire book of Romans, it talks about the whole process of being born again altogether.
Hope this helps.
Many blessings. :)
2006-07-17 04:47:47 · answer #6 · answered by Consuming Fire 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
technically speaking, you are a 3 fold being with a spirit mind and a body. when adam sinned it cursed all mankind with an inherently damaged and sinnful nature...the spirit was damaged and cursed...."dead" if u will. What Jesus did was "pay the price" for sin and for the curse for all mankind and through faith in Him the Spirit of God will heal your spirit from the curse and you are "reborn" spiritually...all things become new...the "old man" of your sinful nature is dead....spiritually speaking. So there is no faking it or parroting the words..you either believe and live by the words that Jesus spoke literally and with a pure heart then Jesus sends the Comforter, which is the Spirit of God that will heal you and fill you....or you dont...there is no in between, and trust me you know when the Spirit of God is upon you lol. Any one that says they are a christian and doesnt have the Spirit of God in them is a liar and doesnt walk in the truth....so "born again" is a requirement to be a true christian...not a particular group or sect of christians.
2006-07-17 05:04:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Born Again" simply means you have become Christian... You have accepted Christ into your life and he has rebirthed your spirit into freedom and peace forever...it is the second birth (birth of the soul)...I am a born again Christian and I don't go to church all the time...I actually don't like it very much... the church is not what it used to be...it is a business so I usually only show up on the special occasions...when you are born again God does not put a burden on you to attend church or you go to hell...all you have to do is accept Jesus as your Lord and live your life humbly...you don't have ot attend church to get into heaven
2006-07-17 04:54:11 · answer #8 · answered by truegrit 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When someone accepts Christ as their Lord and Savior, the person they were is considered "dead" in the eyes of God, and they become a "new person" - they're born again.
Someone who only goes to church on the major holidays is generally not committed to their faith the way that the born-again Christian is believed to be.
2006-07-17 04:50:44 · answer #9 · answered by triviatm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you fully accept Christ, your old self, the one that lives in sinful nature, dies. We are born again. We start a new life that will glorify God. Born again Christians are the true Christians. They want to live holy and righteous. You can also look at it this way. When you accept Christ, the Father takes the list of sinful things you have done and "wipes the slate clean". You get a new start.
2006-07-17 04:50:35 · answer #10 · answered by Meg 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A born again christian commits his life to JC and gives up,here's where I crack up laughing,worldly possesions and does a complete 180 on their life(no more booze,sex,drugs,favorite movies,books,etc etc etc). The reason I laugh is my sons mother is a born again christian and she's still the biggest c*** I know. Most self centered too. Also born agains go to church every Sunday, midweek mass, constant religious meetings. Regular christians go on Sundays but not necessarily every sunday and do hit the important religious holidays.
2006-07-17 04:53:05 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋