I got up Sunday morning, and when I turned on the TV, Joel Osteen was on. It was the end of his program and he asked everyone watching to say some words with him. I don't remember exactly what they were, but, just for fun, I did.
He said that I was now "born again" and saved. Is this true?
Even thought I've previously done the blasphemy challenge dozens of times?
2007-12-12 02:28:47 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
PJ "Once saved always Saved" thus saith the______(insert religious branch)
*thanks for your sweet comment on the other question I am just having an "off" day today I adore you too..♥FA*
(((UP)))
2007-12-12 03:54:02 · answer #1 · answered by FallenAngel© 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Born Again? Very good question, and not surprised that you're confused. This term comes from John chapter 3, Jesus speaking to Nicodemus: "Do not marvel when I say to you, you must be born again..." (John 3:7). A more literal translation of the Greek would be: "you all must be born from above." It has come to characterize Christians who have undergone a personal conversion experience. The question remains whether or not this new birth is something that the believer must consciously feel. Traditional Christian Churches such as the Roman Catholics, Orthodox, later the Lutheran, and Anglican (and Methodist) believed that baptism of infants was sufficient to confer the grace of salvation upon the person. Anabaptists, for example, questioned this and said that only adult believers should be baptized as an act of their own free will. Most modern day Evangelical churches follow this practice. Pentecostalism is somewhat different from both traditional Protestantism and contemporary Evangelicalism. This is because of their belief in a second Baptism--that of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes they view speaking in tongues as the "evidence" of this Baptism. This doctrine has caused more division than it ought to, but the belief in the second indwelling of Christ is something that has been uncomfortable for a lot of Christians for some time. It's possible that this experience is what the Wesleys were after. Their revivalist movement was called "Methodism" because they seemed to have a method to getting people saved and then sanctified by the power of the Holy Spirit. They can be understood as precursors to the modern day Pentecostal revival that was sparked at Asuza Street in Los Angeles in the early 1900's. It was at an AME (African Methodist Episcopal) church that a preacher named William Seymour led the revivals that came to be called Pentecostalism. Your question underscores the unfortunate, but very real divide that exists in today's Evangelical Christians between the Charismatic (another term loosely meaning Pentecostal) and the Fundamental (those who are strongly Bible based but deny any miraculous powers are given to the believer). An example would be Oral Roberts (Charismatic healer) vs. Billy Graham (dynamic, but not "Charismatic," preacher). The emphasis on being born again would be more Fundamental, while the Pentecostals would urge the believer to be "filled with the Holy Spirit." An example of a strongly Fundamental but anti-Charismatic institution would be the Dallas Theological Seminary. Some people would disagree with this characterization of "Fundamental," by I think its accurate. I'd much rather preach to you the scriptures; but I remember my days of seeking answers, and I just wanted some basic information. Yours in Christ, Nick
2016-05-23 05:16:35 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If Joel were going through the process of giving birth, he would'nt be be smiling all the time. He's telling on himself!
Have you ever watched a woman giving birth. That is NOT a happy face!
Well, spiritual birth is painful too!
And if he has already given birth (ie."born again") he would never had made such an erroneous statement...
not to mention the fact that no one is born again as long as they remain in a physical flesh body.
"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." John 3:6
To be born of the spirit (i.e., "born again") you must first be pure spirit in essence, than die a physical death (removing the last of your flesh... both your spiritual and physical flesh). Once you meet these requirements you will be born of the spirit; born again.
Salvation or spiritual birth is a process, it is not done in a day, it takes time and invoves pain, travailing!
"Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing: who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in once day? or shall a nation be born at once?... Isaiah 66:7,8
This has become a feel-good society, with very few willing to do the hard work of spiritual delivery! And the only ones we are cheating is ourselves!
"For when for the time you ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again... Hebrews 5:12
2007-12-12 03:00:15 · answer #3 · answered by Sandra L. Butler 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Joel Olsteen I am sorry to say could not possibly be saved because he teaches nothing about the people that are going to HELL if they don't repent of their SINS. He only talks about how you can think you are alright. It states that people will love to have their ears tickled(the way they want them to be taught & not the Truth) @Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not suffer wholesome doctrine but having their ears itching, shall after their own lusts get them an heap of teachers. This should be what it tells you about him & his ways. Accept Jesus Christ into you heart & say you are ever so sorry about the SINS you have done & repent & go not back into the way of the world Roman 12:2 but be not conformed to the world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good & acceptable perfect Will of God. The temptations are very great but God commendeth His love toward us in the while we were yet SINNERS Christ died for us. This will tell you & you will remember when you do this. Please accept Him right now & He will forgive you. I would start watching John Hagee he has the true knowledge of Salvation & even going to his website will help you in many ways also. Bless you & I trust you will do the right thing before its too late. Joel I have the feeling(not trying to judge) will be 1 of the many thousands saying Lord, Lord, have I not done many wonderful things in Your name & He will say to them depart from me ye who work iniquity, I never knew you.
2007-12-12 02:45:54 · answer #4 · answered by Mark K 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Meaning is important, far more than words. But outer actions affect our inner state of being, so that's not to say you didn't end up either better or worse for having tried the experiment.
2007-12-12 02:38:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
have you ?
Do you really believe ?
Do you want to ?
The Blasphemy Challenge makes no Difference, Brian Flemmings Blasphemy Challenge has no real power to decide that, (yes I am aware of him and his 60 min Documentary, His follwers left about a dozen CD's around our church, it was easy for our Pastor to pick over a dozen holes in his ideology, clips of it were shown in Church with our Pastor showing the flaws in each one, pretty much nixed all that)
I am ..really...Look at whats going on...You are here in the R&S section...why ? is it to destroy Christianity ? If so...why the hatred ?
If you don't believe, then why so much concern over that which to you does not exist,? oh..don't give me any of that bull that we are destroying the country with our involvment in politics, and all that. there is more to it than that.
Do you want to believe ?
Does your sin and what you have done in your life bother You?
Do you want to be born again ?
2007-12-12 02:38:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
That's why being a Christian is so much easier than being anything else. You can be rubber-stamped on board in seconds. It's the first convenience faith for our busy modern lifestyles.
2007-12-12 02:36:11 · answer #7 · answered by Bad Liberal 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Joel Olsteen is a fraud.
Look here:
http://www.biblebelievers.com/watkins_olsteen/osteen.html
2007-12-12 02:34:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
Did you remember to place your hand flat on the TV screen while praying with him? Otherwise, the spirit may not have entered your body.
2007-12-12 02:34:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
If a clergyman says it, God has to uphold it. Isn't that the way it works? A legally binding, verbal contract?
2007-12-12 02:34:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋