Are you aware that all Catholics are "born again" Christians?

Question

We understand from Scriptures that justification is not the covering of sin but the eradication and the beginning of true sanctification and simultaneous renewal. The soul is transformed into goodness instead of being a sinful soul with sins covered by Christ’s blood. We see Scriptures saying that forgiveness results in a complete removal of sins. The only time the Bible mentions the covering of sin is in the context of one man’s sin being forgiven by another. One should note that we have no power to forgive another’s sin, therefore the context is that we do all we can and cover or overlook those sins against us. In relation to God and His removal of sin the Scriptures use quite different terminology such as “blot out”, “blotting out”, “clears away” and “takes away”.

Catholics see justification as a rebirth and supernatural life in a former sinner:
(Joh 3:5 DRB) Jesus answered: Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

(Tit 3:5 DRB) Not by the works of justice which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, by the laver of regeneration and renovation of the Holy Ghost.

That creates an inner renewal of the soul:

(Eph 4:23 DRB) And be renewed in spirit of your mind:

Resulting in complete sanctification:

(1Co 6:11 DRB) And such some of you were. But you are washed: but you are sanctified: but you are justified: in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God.

Through this glorious process initiated by God’s grace the soul becomes beautiful, holy and worthy of heaven where nothing unclean is allowed. It is not an ugly sinful soul hidden under the blood of Jesus but instead one sanctified by Him and created anew for His glory.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Edge,

Actually according to Christ, priests do have the authority to forgive sins and are instructed by our Lord to do so:

.(Joh 20:23 DRB) Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them: and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.

Of course please understand that just like all of the Sacraments we act in persona Christi. To understand see the Catechism of the Catholic Church available online CCC1548.

ForeverSet,

Catholics believe that salvation is a process that begins with initial salvation that begins with being born again.

We must be born again

Endure in our faith

Be sanctified at the end of our life. To a Catholic salvation is not a one time recognition of God but a life of serving Him in His will guided by His Spirit that dwells within us. Our salvation is not determined by our initial faith but our enduring faith at our death.

Java,

All Catholics may not go on to final salvation but all are born again. Your confusion is that you are trying to add man made doctrines to the soteriology teaching of the Bible. You are correct that Jesus is the high priest but woefully incorrect in assuming that He is the only priest. This belief of yours is not at all biblical as the bible certainl sayd that there are priests and shows the ordination of those priests. More study is needed on your part. The bible clearly says we MUST be baptized to be born again which is the beginning of sanctification. The Bible does NOT support your suppositions and what you have been taught is false teaching. Test the teaching against Scriptures or become a member of Christ’s Church which is the ark from the lies of the world that the Bible says is the “bulwark and ground of the truth”.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 1

Yes.

Catholics are spiritually born again (and again and again) through:
+ Belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior
+ Living the Gospel to the best of our ability
+ Daily rededicating ourselves to Jesus Christ
+ Receiving new life in Baptism
+ The forgiveness of sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation
+ The infusion of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands in Confirmation
+ Taking the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ into our bodies through the Eucharist (Holy Communion)
+ Even during the penitential season of Lent

These are a few ways that Catholics are spiritually born again. We usually just don't use those words.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Well, this opening prompt was more of a sermon than a question. But it raised some good issues. I came into a genuine relationship with Christ in college through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, too - someone mentioned this earlier - and I will always be grateful for that, and respectful of those who choose to exercise their commitment in faithful Protestant churches. I, myself, have lately become Catholic, after many years as a devout evangelical, seeking the sacramental life and a Christian walk that - given the writings of the Church Fathers - is close to the original apostles. This term "born again" has taken a different meaning for me, given a sacramental understanding of the Gospel of John. At the same time, I acknowledge that I am surrounded by many people in the church who seem completely oblivious to the great inheritance and newness of life offered through baptism. But hey: be honest - it's the same in Episcopalian, Baptist, and other traditions. Jesus always emphasized that it was a matter of the heart, not ritual roteness.

Answer 3

Not all catholics are saved. As are not all any denomination members are saved. In fact the Word of God says that not many will make it into the kingdom of God. Only few will find it and a few meant a bushel in Hebrew measurements which is literally and handful from God's perspective.
Yes one must be born again (once time) but no priest is needed. Jesus is our High Priest; the only official Priest. Also, Being born of water does not mean out of a mother's womb or being baptized in water;
the water is not physical water it is by the Word of God;
when anyone is annointed to tell someone of the good news and they accept Jesus as their Lord and savior that is the moment they are born again and baptized with the Holy Spirit.
.
Titus 3:5 says Not by works (like water baptism) of righteousess which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the WASHING of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 4:5 says .......One Lord, one faith, ONE BAPTISM. This means there is now only one baptism and water is not it. It is by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Which John the baptizer prophesied would come after the forshadowing of the baptism he was doing with water. It was just a picutre of what was coming that would replace water and was better than water.

Mark 1:7 There will come one that is mightier than I after me, ......8 I indeed have baptized with water ; BUT he shall baptize with the Holy Spirit. The baptism is now through spirit only not water. You can get baptized all you want in water but it only cleans the flesh temporarily not the soul or spirit.

Jesus is the Word, Jesus is the Living Water, the word is the water and Jesus said in John 4:14 But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give to him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

The scripture you mentioned about John 20:23 does not mean what you think it means. It does not mean they are priests and they alone can forgive others. It did not mean that they now had power to forgive everyone else just as Christ did. No one can forgive sins except Christ. They were being told that if they forgave others, then Christ would forgive them of their transgressions, and if they did not forgive others than their own transgressions would not be forgiven. Their unforgiveness towards others would be held against them until they released it when they forgave others first, of transgresions. They are now held accountable for their actions especially since they now had the Holy Spirit. They were representatives of Christ just as I am. God will hold my unforgiveness towards me if I do not forgive others. That is what that scritpure means. The Catholic church takes these and many other scriptures out of context to control other people.

Answer 4

You know your questions are interesting and long - (not a criticism) - but it does take me some time to read it and allow it to sink in...
Are you saying the same as
"we are a new creation"?

Salvation includes both "justification" - God declaring the believer righteous on account of Christ - and "sanctification" - God empowering the believer to live righteously to bring glory to Him.
I'm thinking of Paul saying 'work out your salvation with fear and trembling'
Thank you for your bible studies - i always enjoy them -- God Bless and keep you. T x

Answer 5

Protestants know that the blood of Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. We also know that through the working of the Holy Spirit we are born again. We sing I once was blind, but now I see; that is because all things have been made new in Christ Jesus.

Don't allow word choice or semantics confuse you about what Protestants believe as opposed to Catholics.

....you know it really is starting to seem like a Catholic vs. Protestant war in here. Do you think God would get much glory out of that?

P.S. Can you explain the thumb downs?

P.S.S. Thank you ForeverSet for your true observations.

Answer 6

Sorry to remind you but,if you believe the Bible, the 1st Christians were followers of god and Christianity then continued in his name together with Jesus and Mary. No mention has ever been made in the bible of Roman Catholics being born again Christian. The born again Christian is a comparatively recent name for people not of RC or C of E religions, but WHO do believe in god. I say this because otherwise anyone baptised or christened whether in or out of Christianity itself can be classified Christian! Now wouldn't that be a turn up for the books,Bibles,Korans etc? Incidentally NOWHERE in the Bible does it mention RC C of E Protestant and so on which is why I do not understand all the business of RC and other religions clashing at all!

Answer 7

To some, "born-again" (set apart, justified, regenerated) means the same as "saved" (sanctified).

If only they could see ... that being born again is much like that first physical birth: A beginning. That which is born, grows.

Answer 8

With all due respect Sir, not every Catholic is saved, just as not every other person whom calls themself a Christian is saved just because they go to church and do as they are told .

I know some very wonderful Catholics whom ARE Spirit Filled Believers, but I also know many whom have no relationship with our Lord whatsoever and believe that just because they go to church, make confession, say whatever the church tells them to say, that they are "saved"....many of the latter people that I have mentioned are relatives of mine, the others are people I have met outside of church, and whom I have fellowshipped with and prayed with. :)

Too many of those within the Catholic church and every other church denomination are lazily sitting back and not taking any steps on a personal basis to get to know our Lord... instead, they sit on the assumption that their church membership is enough to be written in the Book of Life.

What I have just mentioned is NOT acceptable to God or Jesus.... they will have to answer for themselves at time of Judgement just as we all will.

Peace be with you :)

Answer 9

B
BOrn Again Christian should not be restricted to Evangelical Rivalist Reformed Protestant Christians who have had some sort of emotional religious experience

Catholics and others who are in the state of Grace are Born Again. I t is helpful but not necessary to have emotional support for one's decision to live in Christ's Grace .

Answer 10

And all validly baptized Christians, depending on their denomination, are automatically between 40% to 80% Catholic, simply by virtue of that baptism.