Born again (for Christians to answer)?

Question

Ok I've asked this before and really never got a good answer.
In John 3 Jesus is explaining to Nicodemus what a man has to do to be born again. Now as a born again Christian myself being saved is something that happens once I've invited Christ into my life based on not only his life and what he did but most important his death and resurrection. So my question was Jesus telling Nicodemus how a person could be saved in the future (after his death and resurrection) or was there a way for Nicodemus to be saved right then and there? Make since?

O and I wanted to add that I don't believe that people before Christ death and resurrection actially went to heaven. They were rightous but not saved. Just paradise...maybe somewhere in between...Utah maybe lol. There was no blood shed for the forgivness of sin. Now after Christ died and rose then those people were excepted into the very presence of God. Sooo I guess I've answered my own question huh!

Answer 1

Yes you do make sense. Your question is, could Nicodemus have been born again right then, as Jesus was speaking to him. Yes, he could. The exact same way that we can be born again now, 2,000 years after that conversation took place. He could have placed his faith in Jesus as savior...just as we have the opportunity to do that.

It is not spoken of in the bible exactly, but I believe that Nicodemus was saved, I think he did come to believe in Jesus. We shall see one day *smile*, won't we?

Answer 2

Actually, the way I read the scripture it says if anyone wants to see God's kingdom, he must be born again. Since the kingdom of God is a real government with Jesus Christ as king and since it actually did not even exist at that time (because God was ruling and Jesus was here on earth), people could not actually have seen it in the present tense, although Jesus once said about himself, "the kingdom of God is among you" and some translations wrongly translate that it is within you.

He goes on to say in verse 13 that no man has ascended into heaven, so that tells us (as you so aptly put it) that those who died prior to Jesus could not enter heaven because the way had not yet been opened. Those humans who will enter heaven are referred to as the "Little Flock" and they will rule as kings and priests with the Christ. This means, then, that all those who died prior to the way being opened had the hope of being resurrected to earth instead. They will be part of the "Great Crowd" of other sheep once they are resurrected and that is how the meek will inherit the earth and live forever upon it.

Answer 3

There was a way for Nicodemus to be saved right then and there just like the thief on the cross next to Jesus was saved and like the Old Testament saints were saved.

Romans 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness."

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Answer 4

Right then and there. Everyone who had a positive encounter with Jesus was saved. Even if it occurred before His death and Resurrection, it still came about through faith. All the way to the thief on the cross, people found righteousness through Jesus Christ. Even Noah (Genesis 6:8) was saved through grace.

Look what Paul said about Abraham in Romans 4:

1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

Yes, Jesus was inviting Nicodemus to be saved then and there.

Answer 5

John 3:15-16 show that it is through believing that you receive salvation but Jesus was telling Nicodemus about the real change in a person who has truley believed. Jesus said in Matthew 16:25 that whosoever loses their life will find it. What He means is that if you put away your old ways and chose to follow Him, then you will have a new life in Christ. The old life is a life of the flesh, being born of flesh and then desiring what your flesh wants..... so when you are new in Christ (born again) you are starting all over but you desire to do as the Holy Spirit directs( 2 Cor 5:17)...The Spirit is what God gives to us as a promise of salvation. You are forgiven of all you did because you repented of your old ways and you get to start all over with a fresh slate :).(Rom 8:13).... be glad, and God bless you.

Answer 6

few people understand the deeper precept being taught here and i think it is only for those with discernment. I will try to explain anyway. A couple of times angels have come to earth without gods permission. One time is evidenced during the time of Noah. They came here at least one more time after that. So the statement that you must be born again to get to heaven was warning to the rogue angels. In other words he was telling them that if they didn't want to be destroyed then the only way to come to earth had better be through woman's womb. You see the angels were born once when god created them. but if you want to go to heaven you have to be born of woman, ergo the term born again is used. The bible speaks of these angels in the book of Jude. Jude has only one chapter so it is verse 6 where it says "and the angels who did not keep their positions of authority jobs) but abandoned their own home (place of habitation) - these he has kept in darkness bound by chains for judgment on the great day" . Read it and you will probably understand it better than I do. Hope this cleared at least a little of it up for you. ciao

Answer 7

Jesus was telling Nicodemus how a person could be saved in the future, Nicodemus was to be saved after Christ because he would betray him and then ask for forgiveness

Answer 8

I believe that Nicodemus had to believe and accept that Jesus was the Savior. That he had come to save us from our sins and that he was going to die and rise again from the dead. Yes, I believe that Nicodemus would have been saved right then and there.

Answer 9

One could not be born again until Jesus had died and rose again to atone for sin. Jesus said that we need to be born of water and the spirit. It is obvious Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit here. Remember what Jesus says in John. "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth" John 14:16,17
"But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you." John16:7
Jesus had to die and be raised to glory before the Spirit could come, and the Spirit is a clear requirement to be born again. I hope this helps.

Answer 10

I believe he was telling Nicodemus how he could be saved, right then and there!