No nonbelievers or sceptics please. (I am not interested in a blind mans opinion about a rainbow). In light of John 3:3 & 3:7 can a person be a Christian and still insist that they do not have to be "born again" or "born from above" (both translations are acceptable in english-per Greek Scholars). Since the term has fallen into disfavor in our modern world, is it that they don't want the "persecution" that comes with the "label"? I know many so called "born again" christians have brought reproach to the cause of Christ, but is that a reason to "deny" being born again? I'm sorry the question(s) is so long, but I wanted to make it clear. Honest answers wanted: I'm really puzzled, after all, Jesus said, "Beware when all men speak well of you".
2007-02-09 22:37:29 · 9 answers · asked by theBerean 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm not sure there is a "right" or "wrong" answer to this question, (impossible to KNOW peoples hearts. But I would like the Christian Commuitys thoughts on this.
2007-02-09 22:48:22 · update #1
Note to "Uncle Thesis": Please do not be dishonest. I wanted Christians to respond, NOT Jehovahs Witness's. Your not fooling anybody.
2007-02-09 22:53:23 · update #2
Many people today want to live in both worlds. They want to be accepted by those around them so they become "Chameleon Christians." They change colors with their surroundings. These people haven't yet learned to trust God with all of their lives yet.
2007-02-09 22:42:55 · answer #1 · answered by djm749 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Friend, God's plan of salvation still stands to day as it did when the Apostles of Old was alive, God does not change, neither with the times or for anyone ideals, Ye still have to be born again, & there is only one way to be born again Repent & be baptized in the name of The Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins(sins that is done in the body) & ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, Yes I know many so call Christians has brought reproach to true Christians, But God does not chnge his plan for our day & age,In Revelation we see the 7th seal being open, Christ comes off that mercy seat & declare time shall be no more, No more for what, Salvation for the gentiles, But as of right now Christ is still on the mercy seat waiting to open that last seal & that book(Schrol) is the scrol of redemption.
2007-02-09 22:48:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter if some Christians accept the term "born again" or not....that is what happens when you sincerely accept Christ. You are changed and reborn. Jesus Himself gave us the term when He said, "Unless a man be born again he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven".
2007-02-09 23:08:55 · answer #3 · answered by D.W. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes we have to be born again. Christ died that we might have life now and forever. We have to died with him. Meaning our flesh or the 'old man' must die therefore in doing this we will become 'new creations'. God is not interested in rehabbing us as human beings. Yes we are still in a body of flesh but after being born again we are to become spiritual beings. God is a spirit and in order to worship Him correctly we must be filled and led of His spirit.
2007-02-10 02:16:51 · answer #4 · answered by dlminc03 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One key Scripture reference to being "born again" or "regenerated" is John 3,5, where Jesus says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."
This verse is so important that those who say baptism is just a symbol must deny that Jesus here refers to baptism."Born again" Christians claim the "water" is the preached word of God.
But the early Christians uniformly identified this verse with baptism. Water baptism is the way, they said, that we are born again and receive new life--a fact that is supported elsewhere in Scripture (Romans 6,3-4; Colossians 2,12-13; Titus 3,5).
No Church Father referred to John 3,5 as anything other than water baptism.
Justin Martyr
"As many as are persuaded and believe that what we [Christians] teach and say is true, and undertake to be able to live accordingly, and instructed to pray and to entreat God with fasting, for the remission of their sins that are past, we pray and fast with them. Then they are brought by us where there is water and are regenerated in the same manner in which we ourselves were regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father ... and of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit [Matthew 28,19], they then receive the washing with water. For Christ also said, 'Unless you are born again, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven' [John 3,3]" (First Apology 61 [A.D.151]).
2007-02-10 00:38:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being born again simply means dying to the ego. One can never enter the kingdom of heaven while ego is still intact.
2007-02-09 22:43:57 · answer #6 · answered by MyPreshus 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One fact about the Christian faith that is often overlooked is that Jesus has 2 'folds' of his sheep-like followers.
John 10:16
"And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring. . ."
Those of "THIS" fold must be born again.
They are the limited number spoken of in Revelation 14:1.
The "OTHER SHEEP" have no need to be born again.
They are the ones spoken of in Psalm 37:29
2007-02-09 22:45:48 · answer #7 · answered by Uncle Thesis 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Jesus is telling us that we must put our sinful ways behind us and be Born Again. There is no shame in this, although, there are some that would pervert it.
2007-02-09 22:43:11 · answer #8 · answered by great gig in the sky 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please repraise your question or make it simpler. Go directly to the one you need to ask.
2007-02-09 22:48:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋