I don't buy it. I know people who have been to jail and think that they are not rehabilitated members of society because they accepted "jesus" into their lives. Despite this fact the criminal behaviour continues, they think that because they are "born again." They are good human beings. I just don't buy the born again theory. What do you think.
2007-01-11 01:15:03 · 21 answers · asked by Java Queen 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus spoke of it to Nicodemus. It means "born from above". Being born again is spiritual. It does not affect the temporal consequences of a crime committed. If a person is truly born again, and a criminal in jail, they are already aware of this. If they try to use their "born again" status to get out of jail, then I would question seriously if they are truly born again. The born again issue does not affect their punishment or excuse their crimes. But make no mistake, being "born again" is biblical. It means the spiritual life that left Adam and Eve in the Garden of eden after the fall, is healed. The Spirit of the Living God enters the spirit of the believer and takes up residence. This can be done even if you are a criminal, but does not and should not affect the consequences of the crime they committed. A true born again believer, would face those consequences, admitting their guilt, trying to make retribution beyond their inprisonment and should NOT be used as a bargaining tool for early release.
2007-01-11 01:26:56 · answer #1 · answered by sheepinarowboat 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Born again is a term that was coined from John 3. When Jesus said that a man must be Born Again. A better why to explain it come latter in the Chapter when Jesus say you must be born of the spirit. This mean that you are willing to let GOD work in you life. Now as for some people who claim to be born again and still do what the criminal behavior leads me to believe that they are not truly born of the spirit. But yet it not my or your call to make, Only GOD know the hearts of these people.
I hope that helps
k1
2007-01-11 09:19:12 · answer #2 · answered by Kenneth G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is 3 steps to true salvation, One is repent, & 2 is baptism In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, & 3 is being baptized with the Holy Ghost, Many that comes from jail has only went through step 1 or 2 & not 3, Repentance is like in the natural birth, conception, & then Before the birth, you have the WATER, & the final Birth you have The delievery or we can say The Breath of Eternal life which is the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, Many of these jail people never got the eternal life or the Seal of God.
2007-01-11 09:28:18 · answer #3 · answered by birdsflies 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok- everyone in prison says they become born again. Cops even know people cry this out in hopes of sympathy and they know much of the time the criminals are lying about this. Sometimes it is true and they do get saved. God only knows. When one really begins to realize their sin- and they have time to think about it- that is what it takes for some people to cry out to the Lord. These people that do happen to get saved in prison, still need to serve their time.
Being born again is a real thing that happens. I know as it happened to me. Feel free to read my best answer, for question, '''does God exist'''. It is a very real thing and the moment our heart really crys out to and beleives upon what the purpose of Jesus being born on the earth to die for iour sin was... is when you get saved / born again. A person who gets born again knows without doubt they got saved. It is very very real. And as far as the hypocrites you must always remember that Jesus did not say follow my people, He said, " Follow Me." Most people who claim to be a born again Christian are but as the new testament Bible says- there will be sheep in wolves clothing. And you are right, there are some. So fyi, being born again is not a theory- its a reality, for those who reallyseek. And that is a promise of God. He doesn't break those.
2007-01-11 09:33:47 · answer #4 · answered by lindasue m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For full disclosure, I will say that I am Jewish and we don't really have the concept of 'born again', but we do have something similar (irrelevent for now). I think true 'born again' status comes with a complete turn around...full 160 if you will. A true 'born again' christian would never go back to a life of crime. The ones that do go back to a life or crime did not become 'born again' with the proper intentions or they have no self control. Christians can correct me if I am wrong, but I would assume that if you became 'born again' and then two years down the road went back to your old ways then your status goes back to whatever it was pre-re-birth (a sinner??). Only god would know if your intentions were true and pure and the fact of the matter is when the end of days comes and you sit in judgement god will know if you 'born again' status was true or not. This all only matter if you (a) believe in god and (b) believe in some form of after-life.
2007-01-11 09:29:41 · answer #5 · answered by Cyber Stalker 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
JESUS was ask teacher how can i recive eternal life and he anwsered ye must be born again doesnt mean of the flesh but of the spirt ye must become like little children to inherit the kingdom of GOD means you must change all your old sinful nature and be like a little child just be open to new ideas and things of that nature if you are claiming to be born again and still doing the things of your old life than you dont have a truly repentant heart you must be repentant and filled with the love OF JESUS in your heart IE striving to do better in this life and the next
2007-01-11 09:27:05 · answer #6 · answered by THE WAR WRENCH 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The term "Christian" is just as ambiguous, or so it seems. Most people who actually think they are Christian (at least 70%), are not. The term "born again" is what actually happens to a person who "actually", "really", "sho-nuff" becomes a "REAL" Christian. Jesus said in John 3: 'you must be born again in order to even "see" the kingdom of God'. All those who are actually "born again" are the real Christians, and the rest who claim it do not have a clue-they are deceived, by Satan.
Jesus also said, speaking of Christians, that 'you will know them by their fruits'. If you see a person who claims to be a Christian, but lives like he is not-then his actions prove whats really in his heart.
2007-01-11 09:28:40 · answer #7 · answered by DATA DROID 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To fully understand being born again read John Ch.3 which deals with a conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus. Here Jesus explains to Nicodemus what happens to a person when they are truely born again.
2007-01-11 09:21:36 · answer #8 · answered by mandbturner3699 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For me it was a series of intense mystical experiences that happened over the course of 8 days. I was so changed, it was as if I was 'born again'.----I don't know about the others who stake this claim. I don't even use the term, 'born again'. Many who called themselves Christians rejected me when I I tried to tell them about my experiences.
2007-01-11 09:29:10 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not feel that there exists a "requirement" claiming that one must be "born again"
Again; I see a lot of conflicts- for one thing that would most likely mean that well over 2/3 of the current population of the world is condemned!
2007-01-11 09:22:03 · answer #10 · answered by Tim 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋