According to what Jesus taugh in John chapter 3, if you aren't "Born Again" you aren't really a Christian at all. And according to John 3:6, John 3:5 teaches that "born of water" is human childbirth and has nothing to do with water baptism.
I'm not asking who is a Christian according to the teaching of some religious group here on earth, I'm asking who is a Christian according to what Jesus said in the Bible.
2007-07-15 23:05:01 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus says go make disciples and then to Baptize the new disciples. Jesus does not say that baptism is what makes someone a disciple.
2007-07-16 16:30:34 · update #1
Me :)
2007-07-16 08:34:56 · answer #1 · answered by Mulereiner 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Born again is an inner spiritual renewal as a result of the power of God in a person's life. The phrase, " born again " is better translated as, " born from above ", and comes from John 3:3, 7, where Jesus told Nicodemus, " Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. " Jesus meant that all people are so sinful in God's eyes that they need to be regenerated - recreated and renewed - by the sovereigh activity of God's Spirit ( John 3:5-8 ).
The activity of God's Spirit that regenerated sinful people comes about through faith in Jesus Christ ( John 3:10-21 ).Without faith there is no regeneration, and without regeneration a person does not have eternal life. Regeneration occurs at the moment a person exercises faith in Christ. At that point, his sins are forgiven and he is born again by the power of the Holy Spirit working on behalf of Christ. The new birth is a decisive , unrepeatable, and irrevocable act of God.
Similar words in the Bible decribe the same concept. Paul said, " If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation " ( 2nd. Cor. 5:17 ). Although " our outward man " is perishing, the christian's " inward man is being renewed day by day " (2nd. Cor. 4:16 ).
God be with you,
Reverend William M. Butler, St. Luke Christian Ministries
2007-07-16 16:38:17 · answer #2 · answered by BOC 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The heavenly
John 3:5,6; 1Pet.1:15,16,23, 1Pet.2:5-9; Heb.12:22-24; Mark 12:27; John 6:39,40,44; 14:3; 1Thes.4:15-17; Rev.3:12; Rev.20:1-6; Those with Jesus at his second coming.
2007-07-16 06:21:31 · answer #3 · answered by jeni 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Me...
However in relation to baptism thing there then why does Jesus say go out and baptise them in the name of the father the son and Holy Spirit... Last 2 verses in Matt... 28:30-31
------ EDIT ------
Baptism as I understand is a declaration by a person of them being a disciple not how to become one... and that when we are born of water that is more literally refering to the fluids that we are born out of ---- I was confused on the statement - I thought you meant that we don't need to be baptised because we have already been baptised through birth - ah glad that wasn't the case... misreading things is very hazardous.
2007-07-16 23:24:44 · answer #4 · answered by Abbasangel 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
First of all, Jesus never called anyone a christian, man came up with the word christian.
The term "born again christian", was started by man, not by God or Jesus. If you say you're a born again christian, then you must have been a christian once before, then went back sinning again, then became a christian again.
Your're either right with God, or your're not. You can't be both.
2007-07-16 08:04:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I am a born again Christian, my heart was transformed by Jesus. I had a spiritual new begining by faith in Jesus Christ, He is my Lord and Saviour.
Born Again : John 3:1-5
2007-07-16 06:32:32 · answer #6 · answered by ♫♪Fencer♫♪ 4Him 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
A person who believes with all their heart that Jesus, is God, that came down to us in the flesh, died on the cross for a blood atonement for our sins, and rose the third day, and confess publicly with his/her mouth, after coming with a broken heart, and asking the Lord to save them. After that they need to be Baptized, which is being obedient to the command of Christ, which is a outward showing of their faith.
2007-07-16 14:06:20 · answer #7 · answered by Auburn 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First, lets get saved: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" Now once were saved here is our commission."The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed"
Now that's how I sees it. When you got saved; now you are bought and paid for by the blood Jesus. now there is a call on your life so pick up your cross and follow him.
2007-07-16 14:33:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Is a christian who has accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. Who reads the bible day and night , who doesnt bow down to any images.
2007-07-16 06:11:17 · answer #9 · answered by jp 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Where in those verses does it say "born again"
John 3:5-6
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.
2007-07-16 06:21:56 · answer #10 · answered by Angel Eyes 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I am and have been so since I was a teenager
I commited my heart to jesus when I was 13
When I got baptised at 16, it was a public declaration of my faith
2007-07-16 18:21:45 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋