My dad also does not believe it's necessary to be born again. I would like to understand. Here's the scripture that convinces me of my belief, for your reference.
John 3
3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
4"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"
5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
2007-06-14 16:06:04 · 12 answers · asked by bornagain2003 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Born again means beginning to believe in John 3:16. No ceremony, no special occasion with drums and bands, and no announcements are required. If your father has always believed the statement in John 3:16, he is saved; and in my opinion already "born again". Low church and other fundamentalists have attached a great deal of importance, and laid claim to this expression "Born Again Christians" but in fact ALL real Christians fall into this category. Even the confirmation of Roman Catholics constitutes the rite of being "born again" when they publicly accept Jesus as their savior and vow that they believe the religious teachings (including John 3:16) of the Bible.
LONG blurbs of scripture do not help to lead unbelievers to Christ. Keep it simple! IT IS SIMPLE; John 3 :;16 says it all.
2007-06-14 16:16:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
A life changing conversion is not based on an emotional experience and not every Christian has had one, but an emotional experince does not mean being born from above. Christians are "born again" by water AND the Holy Spirit. Nowhere in the Bible is water separated from spirit when it comes to Baptism. And NOWHERE is the Bible is spirit symbolic. A person becomes a "born again" Christian by being baptized and professing the Christian faith. Salvation is a gift, not a free ticket. Some Christians identify themselves with the prefix "born again" because they wish to believe they have something over all the 'other' Christians who, though value a spiritual jolt once in a while, don't base their salvation on a one time experience. And there is nothing wrong with having an emotional experience when a person has an encounter with Jesus. He really has amazing affects on people. Being born from above is not about affects.
2016-05-20 23:28:29 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a question best answered by a serious bible student...someone who's really got deep into the history of it all. Basically, you are "born again of water" when you are born through your mother and the water of her womb. There are supposedly three earth ages and this is the second - and into the flesh we came of water...the first and third earth ages, we are all in the spirit. The "fallen angels" refused to be born of water - into the flesh. So if youre not born into the flesh of water, youre in their class. I hope I've exp,ained that correctly...its been explained to me, well. If you go here, you might find it explained better:
http://www.shepherdschapel.com
Good luck and God Bless.
2007-06-14 16:17:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I cant be born again,. that would kill my mom..
really no.. it means that they except Jesus and all that to have him in their hearts so on and so on
Which makes no since. If they were born and then baptized and never let him out of their hearts their whole lived then why should the be born again? I think it is all part of the fact that the bible has been rewritten so many times that it lost something in the translations...
2007-06-14 16:25:34 · answer #4 · answered by Chris 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You hit the nail on the head. You must be born again.
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
2007-06-14 16:15:34 · answer #5 · answered by Micah T 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. You will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Romans 10: 9-10
To ask Jesus to come into your heart is make you born again. You have a new way of thinking.
2007-06-14 16:20:55 · answer #6 · answered by Pamela V 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
God also tells us that we have to die to get to heaven, Ether and human death or die of (Water and be reborn) see the symbolism.
That is why he prophesies that before the second coming of christ two men will have to return to earth to die a human death. Elijah and Enoch never died a physical death, we read about there return in ~Heb 11:5
2007-06-14 16:16:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess the early church didnt get out every trace of reincarnation from the bible.
2007-06-14 16:20:01 · answer #8 · answered by Brandi24 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You do need to be born again, but to be clear, being born again means to be baptized, as your scripture reference clarifies.
2007-06-14 16:09:02 · answer #9 · answered by rndyh77 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Could it be a metaphor meaning to renounce your ways of hate, greed, lust, violence, etc... and adopt friendliness, Charity and goodwill?
2007-06-14 16:08:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋