Ok I have some "saved" questions:?

Question

First of all, is there a ceremony or something? I keep hearing people say you have to accept Jesus as your savior and that makes you saved. Well....wouldn't going to church and practicing the faith and saying "Yes Jesus died for our sins" being accepting of him?
And if there is a ceremony or something....isn't that being just like the Catholics that everyone is always ranting about? Shouldn't it be about the intent, not the ceremony?
I'm really lost on the saving thing. I mean I was saved at one point in my life and thought I "got" it but I constantly see people posting that you have to be born again to be a true Christian.
Oh that leads me to my last question...where in the bible does it state you have to be "born again"?

Answer 1

.. it basically says if u dont have the spirit of God dwelling in you then you are a liar and are not a christian ...

Answer 2

There are many different ways to say that you are saved. People call it different things. Some say they have surrendered to Jesus. Some say they have dedicated their life to Christ. Some say they have been born again. There are many ways to say it. There isn't a special ceremony. It is a personal and usually private thing. Going to church proves very little really. It proves you are in attendance at a church. Some people may not really even be listening to what the pastor is saying. There many not be ANYTHING getting into their minds. Some people go because they think it is a duty that they have to do. Some people are forced by family. Because someone goes to church doesn't mean they actually believe the things that are being said there. Like I said, it isn't about a ceremony. It's about praying to God saying, "Wow, I get it. I messed up. I am in need of someone that can help me out in life. I want you to be my best friend, Jesus. I want YOU to help me rule my life. I want to follow you now. Take over my life, Christ. Forgive me for the life that I had in the past and transform me into a brand new person." That's what it's about. It's not so much the words you say, but is meaning the words. You are right that the intent is important.

Some people think that being born again is this special cateogry of Christians. That isn't true. Being born again means that you are born of the spirit. You are born of God. We have a flesh that pulls us to do whatever we want. It will pull us to temptations and sins that we never imagined. Being born of God means that we have the wisdom of God and we have the ability to say "No" to that temptation. John 3:3 is the verse that says that we have to be born again. However, there is a double meaing to the word here used in Greek. It means both again and "from above". We have to be born from God, from above. That is what being a Christian is all about.

Answer 3

John 3:3

There are a lot of concepts such as the "Trinity" where Christians talk about them all the time as if they were in the bible, though they are not, they are words that codify biblical principles. Not so with the statement "born again". This is directly from the bible.

It's obviously a metaphor. The metaphor basically means that when you confess Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, you become "born again". It's a spiritual transformation, not any ritual. When you are born physically, by virtue of your birth you become a member of your family, take on the last name etc. When you become "born again" essentially that means you are now a member of the "body of Christ" and your citizenship is now in heaven.

So getting "saved" and being "born again" mean exactly the same thing. "Saved" means you are saved from your sin and the consequences of it. No ceremony, just spiritual transformation, a new identity as you are adopted into the family of God.

Answer 4

Everytime someone is saved, there is rejoicing in Heaven!!
Well, after you are saved, you can be baptized. Being born again can be found in the book of John. "Jesus answered and said to him, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' Nicodemus said to Him, 'How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?' Jesus answered, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
John 3:3-8

Being born again requires repentance of your sins, and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Jesus will give you a new heart, and you will become a "new creature" in Christ. You will absolutely know if you are saved. If you have to ask if you are, then you are not. Your heart will tell you so. It is an overwhelming feeling, and you just know. Hope this helps you to understand a little better. It is very difficult to explain "saved" to someone who isn't. It is of the heart.

Answer 5

Oh I know the Bible says you should be born again... Try MAtthew 3:13, 28:16, Romans 6, Colossians 2:11.... There are probably more, but I don't want to look them all up...

Anyway. Some churches believe you do not have to be baptized to be saves. I don't believe the act of baptism literally saves you, but it is part of the plan. It should be done, but I'm sure someone who was dying and couldn't be baptized would still be saved. Baptism is more of a commitment, something to shows that "yes, I am ready to obey and I am now symbolically born again."

In my church, there is a little ceremony - the person who baptises you asks if you believe Jesus is the son of God ect, and you say I do. Then he baptises you.

Bascially, the act of baptism does not truly save one, since one could be baptised and not have a changed heart. But it is something that should be done to show that you are following the plan God has for people. Its more symbolic - sort of like marriage ceremonies. Your heart is what matters, but the ceremony reiticates and shows this. I hope this helps.

Answer 6

John 3:3-8
3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.[a]"

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[b] gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You[c] 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."

I was also alone in my room when I committed myself to the Lord. It was between Him and I.
The new birth is a new life in Jesus where you leave the "old man" behind you...or the old self and practices. To be "converted" in the scripture literally means to turn away and turn toward (Jesus). There is no secret recipe or you can't read the things you must do and check them off like a laundry list...ie "ok first I must confess His name before others...K, check, NOW I must repent...K...NOW I must be baptized...there...DONE." Not
Another piece I would offer is to get plugged into a good Bible-based only church. I attend a Calvary Chapel. You can google it. There is usually one near by.

Answer 7

John chapter 3 - you must be born of the spirit
It is actually a prayer, not a ceremony,
to include:
Belief in Creator/Thanksgiving
Belief in Jesus - that He payed the penalty
and arose from the dead victorious
Asking forgiveness for sin
Asking Jesus to come into your heart
Asking to spend eternity with the Lord
Asking for a renewed conscience and
new spiritual life with good choices.

Answer 8

"Born again" is the words of Jesus Himself in John 3.

Believing that Jesus, who is God, died for my sins and rose again is what saved me. There isn't a ceremony. I was saved alone in a room by myself, with no church anywhere to be found, and I wasn't baptised in water. Didn't get baptised in water for years after, but was still saved the whole time (baptism doesn't save, believing does)

When you are saved, you know. I won't give you an answer as to how you know because of certain people (not you) that are hard core mockers here (the whole pearls before swine thing), but anyway, you know. Salvation can never be lost.

Answer 9

Jesus Christ is a one-on-one Savior. He loves you and wants a real personal and spiritual love bond with YOU. Jesus is not into ceremony per se, other than for improving and further bonding of His personal love relationship with you. Baptism is a public and private declaration of your choice and your love for Jesus. It shows that you are proud to be called a follower of Jesus Christ, and not ashamed of Him.
Just as we take communion, we do it and baptism as "a remembrance of Jesus & public proof of our love for Jesus".

Just as I tell my children each day when I talk to them, "I love you and I miss you". And the first thing I do when they come home and I see them, "I hug them hard and I tell them that I love them." My children ALREADY know that I love them and miss them, but the words and actions are just "remembrance and proofs" of the love I have for them. And there isn't anything in this life that is more comforting, healing, and uplifting, and happiness guarantees than a warm bear hug & a kiss, and the words for me.

I believe it is the same with Jesus. Everytime we pray, take communion, take a walk and talk to Jesus about our days, our concerns, our thoughts, hopes, and dreams and tell Him that we love Him...shows Him and the world that we love Him and that Jesus is precious to us.

As for scriptures there are several in The New Testament, where Jesus specifically says you must be born again. Here are the three that readily come to mind:

John 3:3
John 3:7
1 Peter 1:23

When Jesus says people must be born again. He means that the old life and old person that you were dies and you become in your heart and life a "New" better person. But baptism is just a public declaration of having accepted Jesus
Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. But not being baptized & not taking communion will not keep you from eternity in Heaven, if that were true then Jesus could not have promised the thief on the cross, (who asked, as he was dying on the cross next to Jesus, to forgive him and to remember him to His Father which is in Heaven). Jesus told the man, "This day you will be with Me in Heaven."

Answer 10

Being saved it spiritual. No there is not ceremony.
One can attend church 'till the cows come home and not have a changed heart=saved. The bible says, "Demons believe and tremble"

One MUST be born again to be a true believer, 'One must be born again to enter the kingdom of God" Gospel of John
Which is interesting since only 30% of Americans asked said they were born again. The road is narrow.
One must:
1-believe Jesus died is the son of God, died for our sins and rose from the dead.
2-repent of our sins-say we are sorry and need Jesus to save us from these sins.
3-be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins Acts 2:38 then we are baptized into Christ and walk in the newness of life-Romans 6
God bless you,
†

Answer 11

To be born again is to be bapitzed in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit...

Mat 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus *said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?"
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 "Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
Joh 3:8 "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

"All" those that have been baptised in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit have been born again of the Spirit...

It is a necessary part of salvation... (not the only part though)