Saying "I'm born again " implies that you are saying that you are justified by your works or works of the law against being justified by your faith.

Romans 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

From your understanding of what born again is: To be born again means to be morally upright in Christ, which means to keep the law and not being sinful unlike others who commit sin. But meanwhile,

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

But what says the scripture?

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by FAITH without the deeds of the law.

Now, mark the word FAITH.
As used in scriptures, the word FAITH simply means religion.

That means, even before Christ came, men where always justified by their religion and not by how good or bad they were. For instance, Abraham was justified by his religion.

Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.

Now, this offering of Isaac by Abraham was the origin of the religion of the Jews called Judaism today. It was the beginning of a long lasting covenant between God and Abraham which also was terminated by the on-set of the new covenant that brought another religion called Christianity through Christ.

Hebrews 11:6 But with faith(religion) it is impossible to please God..

That bring us to the critical question : what did Jesus Christ meant by born again to Nicodemus in John 3:3?
Was Jesus Christ meant that Nicodemus should be morally upright not committing sin for him to see God's kingdom and become boastful that it was because he was morally good that's why he is in heaven?
Certainly not!

what then did Jesus Christ meant by born again to Nicodemus?

a question left for you to answer to yourself.

Of a truth, even the so called men of God like pastor kumuyi, Adeboye, Olukoya and Oyedepo are all terrible sinners like every other Nigerians.
Kumuyi will keep saying you must be born again and forsake you sins.

Anyway, to forsake sin is good, but who nor dey sin?

Confused lot and their jargons

Proximo73:
Of a truth, even the so called men of God like pastor kumuyi, Adeboye, Olukoya and Oyedepo are all terrible sinners like every other Nigerians.
Kumuyi will keep saying you must be born again and forsake you sins.

Anyway, to forsake sin is good, but who nor dey sin?

they will come for you o

paxonel:
Saying "I'm born again " implies that you are saying that you are justified by your works or works of the law against being justified by your faith.

Romans 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

From your understanding of what born again is: To be born again means to be morally upright in Christ, which means to keep the law and not being sinful unlike others who commit sin. But meanwhile,

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

But what says the scripture?

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by FAITH without the deeds of the law.

Now, mark the word FAITH.
As used in scriptures, the word FAITH simply means religion.

That means, even before Christ came, men where always justified by their religion and not by how good or bad they were. For instance, Abraham was justified by his religion.

Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.

Now, this offering of Isaac by Abraham was the origin of the religion of the Jews called Judaism today. It was the beginning of a long lasting covenant between God and Abraham which also was terminated by the on-set of the new covenant that brought another religion called Christianity through Christ.

Romans 11:6 But with faith(religion) it is impossible to please God..

That bring us to the critical question : what did Jesus Christ meant by born again to Nicodemus in John 3:3?
Was Jesus Christ meant that Nicodemus should be morally upright not committing sin for him to see God's kingdom and become boastful that it was because he was morally good that's why he is in heaven?
Certainly not!

what then did Jesus Christ meant by born again to Nicodemus?

a question left for you to answer to yourself.

With due respect, being born again isn't as you have presented it.

Being Born Again is NOT what man does but what God does to man.

Being Born Again simply means (in lay man's terms) that your Name is written in the REGISTER (Book of Life) of God and you have Gods MATRIC number (God's Holy Spirit) as a proof translating into a changed life style. Being Born again is purely BY FAITH and it's given only THROUGH GRACE (no one is good enough to be born again by himself).

After your registration, you need to begin to work on your spiritual CGPA (Good works). Reward in God's paradise is a function of works but salvation is by Grace.


NB:
Faith is not religion. FAITH is trust in the INTEGRITY of God and His Word!

paxonel:


Saying "I'm born again "

Romans 11:6 But without faith(religion) it is impossible to please God..
That bring us to the critical question : what did Jesus Christ meant by born again to Nicodemus in John 3:3?
Was Jesus Christ meant that Nicodemus should be morally upright not committing sin for him to see God's kingdom and become boastful that it was because he was morally good that's why he is in heaven?
Certainly not!
what then did Jesus Christ meant by born again to Nicodemus?
a question left for you to answer to yourself.

The truth is there are less than 15,000 Born Again throughout the earth today and mind you i am not one of them!

First of all the meaning of Born Again has been misconstrued for moral cleanliness and purity which is just a prerequisites for being selected to be a Born Again.

Nicodemus was a member of the Jewish high court during the first century, this group strongly believe that when the Messiah (Christ) comes they will be the first to be taken as corulers with the Christ in his kingdom. So Nicodemus going to pay a visit to Jesus at night means he is scared of his fellow council chiefs who took Jesus for an impostor.

Jesus' statement at John 3:3 was direct "what you and your cohorts are targeting belongs to those who must be transformed" of course Nicodemus was confused about the term Born Again, so he asked like a layman "how is that possible? I can't enter my mother's womb to be born a second time now".

So what is the meaning of the term " Born Again"?

It simply means those that will be chosen to rule with Christ in heaven, they're to be chosen by God himself NOT Jesus {Matthew 20:20-23} they must have learnt how to be humble rulers from the master himself (Jesus) so none of those who lived and died before Jesus began his earthly ministry can qualify for it! Matthew 11:11
Out of the 12 Apostles that Jesus prayerfully selected from his numerous disciples one of them lost the race.
After Jesus' ascension to heaven God sent his holy spirit to anoint 120 disciples of Jesus at once, that's when Born Again began but not all first century Christians where chosen, some of them will have their eternity here on earth.
The chosen once don't brag about it in the public so apart from the Apostles, it's not easy even amongst the first century Christians to identify the born again Christians amongst them. The only event that exposes them to other Christians is the emblem that must be taken during the remembrance of Jesus' death {Luke 22:19} only the Born Again Christians should partake in eating and drinking this, but others felt they're also living up to the Standard as Christians so they also eat and drink whereas God's holy spirit never chose them as part of Christ's corulers, and many of such ones began falling sick and a large number of them died! 1Corinthians 11:27-30

So even in our midst we don't know them until Nisan 14 of each year!

By then they must partake in the emblem while we Jesus' other sheep {John 10:16} that aren't of their fold observes them do their thing. They are the little flock! Luke 12:32

The only difference between them and us is their lifestyle, most people refer to us as JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES, but i keep telling them that we are not the REAL JWs, wait until you meet the Born Again Christians in our midst, ordinarily living with them will melt your heart to know that truthfully the spirit of God has taken away all earthly things from their hearts!
When we're with them we often feel inferior in most cases because they're not like other humans with the way they handle matters, "they will never disclose their status to anyone" it's their attitude that speaks in volume so during their yearly festivals when they eat Jesus' flesh and drink his blood we can now see them in their true regalia.

They're the ones Zechariah prophesied about when he said "ten men from the nations will grab the skirt of a Jew and say 'we will go with you people because we've heard that God is with you people'" Zechariah 8:23

If we come to knock on people's doors and they treat us badly we just laugh at them because we are supposed to be brothers on planet earth, but whenever anyone treats a BORN AGAIN with contempt Jesus will not spare such a person even if such a person later becomes a Christian he must pay dearly for mistreating one of Jesus' brothers {Matthew 10:40-42} that's why Jesus after seeing Paul's heart that the man is pure at heart, called him and made him one of his Apostles but Paul paid dearly for all he did to the Born Again Christians! 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, 12:7-9

Maximus69:


The truth is there are less than 15,000 Born Again throughout the earth today and mind you i am not one of them!

and i will prove to you that what Jesus Christ meant by born again to Nicodemus was mere a transition between Judaism(the old covenant) and Christianity(the new covenant), that born again is passed away since 2000 years ago. Therefore, there are no one called born again currently on this earth, rather we have Christians today.

First of all the meaning of Born Again has been misconstrued for moral cleanliness and purity which is just a prerequisites for being selected to be a Born Again.

true

Nicodemus was a member of the Jewish high court during the first century, this group strongly believe that when the Messiah (Christ) comes they will be the first to be taken as corulers with the Christ in his kingdom. So Nicodemus going to pay a visit to Jesus at night means he is scared of his fellow council chiefs who took Jesus for an impostor. [/quote} very correct
[quote]
Jesus' statement at John 3:3 was direct "what you and your cohorts are targeting belongs to those who must be transformed" of course Nicodemus was confused about the term Born Again, so he asked like a layman "how is that possible? I can't enter my mother's womb to be born a second time now".

So what is the meaning of the term " Born Again"?

It simply means those that will be chosen to rule with Christ in heaven, they're to be chosen by God himself NOT Jesus {Matthew 20:20-23} they must have learnt how to be humble rulers from the master himself (Jesus) so none of those who lived and died before Jesus began his earthly ministry can qualify for it! Matthew 11:11
Out of the 12 Apostles that Jesus prayerfully selected from his numerous disciples one of them lost the race.

correct!

After Jesus' ascension to heaven God sent his holy spirit to anoint 120 disciples of Jesus at once, that's when Born Again began

that's wrong!
Where is the scripture?

but not all first century Christians where chosen,

chosen to go to heaven?
And you think heaven is beyond the clouds and not this earth?
Thats why you jw seems to join conventional religions not taking the affairs of this earth very seriously as though they are in heaven? You people are also cheated likewise

some of them will have their eternity here on earth.

do you have any scripture to prove that some Christians will have their eternity here on this earth and not all Christians?
But why do you people always say the meet shall inherit the earth if that is the case?

The chosen once don't brag about it in the public so apart from the Apostles, it's not easy even amongst the first century Christians to identify the born again Christians amongst them. The only event that exposes them to other Christians is the emblem that must be taken during the remembrance of Jesus' death {Luke 22:19} only the Born Again Christians should partake in eating and drinking this, but others felt they're also living up to the Standard as Christians so they also eat and drink whereas God's holy spirit never chose them as part of Christ's corulers, and many of such ones began falling sick and a large number of them died! 1Corinthians 11:27-30

born again brother

shadeyinka:

With due respect, being born again isn't as you have presented it.

Being Born Again is NOT what man does but what God does to man.

clarify yourself by giving a scripture to support this please

Being Born Again simply means (in lay man's terms) that your Name is written in the REGISTER (Book of Life) of God and you have Gods MATRIC number (God's Holy Spirit) as a proof translating into a changed life style. Being Born again is purely BY FAITH and it's given only THROUGH GRACE (no one is good enough to be born again by himself).

see, you just have to learn how to be accurate with what you say by giving specific scriptures. For instance, being born again means that your name is written in the register book.

Revelation 20:13 born again is when your name is written in the book of life.

Quote scripture

After your registration, you need to begin to work on your spiritual CGPA (Good works). Reward in God's paradise is a function of works but salvation is by Grace.


NB:
Faith is not religion. FAITH is trust in the INTEGRITY of God and His Word!

OK,
According to the book of Ephesians 4:8 abi?

paxonel:
and i will prove to you that what Jesus Christ meant by born again to Nicodemus was mere a transition between Judaism(the old covenant) and Christianity(the new covenant), that born again is passed away since 2000 years ago. Therefore, there are no one called born again currently on this earth, rather we have Christians today.
true

Message delivered!

God bless you!

paxonel:
clarify yourself by giving a scripture to support this please
see, you just have to learn how to be accurate with what you say by giving specific scriptures. For instance, being born again means that your name is written in the register book.

Revelation 20:13 born again is when your name is written in the book of life.

Quote scripture
OK,
According to the book of Ephesians 4:8 abi?

I will respond only to your first question.
Being Born Again is the prerequisite for seeing/partaking in the kingdom of God

John 3:3: "Jesus answered and said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

We are born again not by man's effort but by God's declaration (God's word)
1Pet 1:23: "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and stays for ever."

Being Born Again is therefore the same as Salvation from the old nature of Sin and the consequence of sin. The message of salvation is the gospel (good news of God's grace to man for his salvation)

Rom 1:16:
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

Eph 1:13:
"In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"

In summary, the gospel show us the way. We believe by FAITH in God's solution, AND God speaks His word which is the empowerment to become His child
John 1:12:
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"

John 3:36:
"He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God stays on him."

1Jn 5:13:
"These things have I written to you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God."

I believe you know that Jesus and the Disciples didn't always quote the scriptures unless it is required or important. Don't forget I gave a LAYMAN ILLUSTRATION...to make thinks simple to comprehend as Jesus will use parables to illustrate the kingdom of Heaven

paxonel:
Saying "I'm born again " implies that you are saying that you are justified by your works or works of the law against being justified by your faith.

Romans 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

From your understanding of what born again is: To be born again means to be morally upright in Christ, which means to keep the law and not being sinful unlike others who commit sin. But meanwhile,

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

But what says the scripture?

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by FAITH without the deeds of the law.

Now, mark the word FAITH.
As used in scriptures, the word FAITH simply means religion.

That means, even before Christ came, men where always justified by their religion and not by how good or bad they were. For instance, Abraham was justified by his religion.

Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.

Now, this offering of Isaac by Abraham was the origin of the religion of the Jews called Judaism today. It was the beginning of a long lasting covenant between God and Abraham which also was terminated by the on-set of the new covenant that brought another religion called Christianity through Christ.

Romans 11:6 But with faith(religion) it is impossible to please God..

That bring us to the critical question : what did Jesus Christ meant by born again to Nicodemus in John 3:3?
Was Jesus Christ meant that Nicodemus should be morally upright not committing sin for him to see God's kingdom and become boastful that it was because he was morally good that's why he is in heaven?
Certainly not!

what then did Jesus Christ meant by born again to Nicodemus?

a question left for you to answer to yourself.

Boastful according to online dictionary:

"showing excessive pride and self-satisfaction in one's achievements, possessions, or abilities."

Who are the boastful ones? How did you know they are boastful about their salvation?

Boastful contradicts what born again really means.

OpenYourEyes1:

Boastful according to online dictionary:

"showing excessive pride and self-satisfaction in one's achievements, possessions, or abilities."

Who are the boastful ones? How did you know they are boastful about their salvation?

Boastful contradicts what born again really means.

can you say your salvation is through your ability of achieving it or it is through the grace of God?

shadeyinka:

I will respond only to your first question.
Being Born Again is the prerequisite for seeing/partaking in the kingdom of God

John 3:3: "Jesus answered and said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

what if i tell you that the kingdom of God is already with us, therefore that prerequisite is rendered absolutely unnecessary today?
Remember, Christ has not yet been crucified as at the time he was taking to Nicodemus, so what he told Nicodemus to do by saying you must be born again does not apply anymore today.
It's like someone is say unless you pass jamb you cannot enter university, now that you are already in the university passing jamb is therefore rendered unnecessary.

We are born again not by man's effort but by God's declaration (God's word)

you are not born again, you are already a Christian.
Disciples who were born again in bible days never had the opportunity to be Christians until Jesus was crucified, John the Baptist was one of the born again, the least person in Christianity today is far greater than John the Baptist and all the disciples of that time, while they in turn were greater than all the prophets of the old testament, you see the diffence now?

1Pet 1:23: "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and stays for ever."

Being Born Again is therefore the same as Salvation from the old nature of Sin and the consequence of sin. The message of salvation is the gospel (good news of God's grace to man for his salvation)

1 Peter 1:23 is referring to a different thing enterly. It is not the same thing Jesus discussed with Nicodemus, don't be carried away that the same phrase(born again) is used by Paul here.
If what Paul said here is basis of Christians calling themselves born again today, then they are right. But that thing Jesus told Nicodemus, it is aberration and shouldn't be part of Christianity.
That thing refers to the days of John the Baptist where Jesus said right from the days of John the Baptist the kingdom of God suffered violence and the violent(referring to the disciples) taketh it by force

Rom 1:16:
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

Eph 1:13:
"In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"

In summary, the gospel show us the way. We believe by FAITH in God's solution, AND God speaks His word which is the empowerment to become His child
John 1:12:
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"

John 3:36:
"He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God stays on him."

1Jn 5:13:
"These things have I written to you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God."

I believe you know that Jesus and the Disciples didn't always quote the scriptures unless it is required or important. Don't forget I gave a LAYMAN ILLUSTRATION...to make thinks simple to comprehend as Jesus will use parables to illustrate the kingdom of Heaven

you have done well by rightly quoting the scriptures, but i wish that Christians should understand that their salvation is just one Jesus Christ for everyone who believe, irrespective of whether they are sinners or not. Therefore one should not say I'm born again Christian and another Christian is not, simply because he is a sinner.

paxonel:
what if i tell you that the kingdom of God is already with us, therefore that prerequisite is rendered absolutely unnecessary today?
Remember, Christ has not yet been crucified as at the time he was taking to Nicodemus, so what he told Nicodemus to do by saying you must be born again does not apply anymore today.
It's like someone is say unless you pass jamb you cannot enter university, now that you are already in the university passing jamb is therefore rendered unnecessary.
you are not born again, you are already a Christian.
Disciples who were born again in bible days never had the opportunity to be Christians until Jesus was crucified, John the Baptist was one of the born again, the least person in Christianity today is far greater than John the Baptist and all the disciples of that time, while they in turn were greater than all the prophets of the old testament, you see the diffence now?
1 Peter 1:23 is referring to a different thing enterly. It is not the same thing Jesus discussed with Nicodemus, don't be carried away that the same phrase(born again) is used by Paul here.
If what Paul said here is basis of Christians calling themselves born again today, then they are right. But that thing Jesus told Nicodemus, it is aberration and shouldn't be part of Christianity.
That thing refers to the days of John the Baptist where Jesus said right from the days of John the Baptist the kingdom of God suffered violence and the violent(referring to the disciples) taketh it by force
you have done well by rightly quoting the scriptures, but i wish that Christians should understand that their salvation is just one Jesus Christ for everyone who believe, irrespective of whether they are sinners or not. Therefore one should not say I'm born again Christian and another Christian is not, simply because he is a sinner.

I think you complicate simple spiritual truths

Jesus explained to Nicodemus what being Born Again is
John 3:14-15:
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life."

It has everything to do with the ATONEMENT by the blood on the cross

shadeyinka:

I think you complicate simple spiritual truths

no, it is not simple at all.
It is far more complex than we all thought, infact these things are more complex than studying fluid mechanics picturing the situation behind Jesus and Nicodemus from reading just one scripture. To have a full understanding of what conspired between Jesus and Nicodemus, one have to read and understand everything in Matthew, mark, Luke and John(the gospel) and try to relate it with what Jesus was telling Nicodemus, you must be born again..
So, it's not that simple,

If everything about what happened during Jesus life on earth was to be expantiated, infact it will not contain the whole book called the bible that we are reading today. So, for the purpose of convenience it is summarized, that's why we today
can afford to just pick only John 3:3 except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God, then we just conclude that it meant except a man is morally upright in Christ, it goes beyond that.

Jesus explained to Nicodemus what being Born Again is
John 3:14-15:
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life."

It has everything to do with the ATONEMENT by the blood on the cross

very true!
Have heard that John the Baptist was the fore runner of Jesus Christ? Meaning, he came to prepare the way and make the part straight for men to start believing in Christ for the atonment of their sins.
The same John the Baptist did not made it to God's kingdom.
Judas iscariot too was a disciple, but he couldn't made it and many others too.

Now, let me tell you what Jesus meant by God's kingdom in all his parables and all his sayings.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD ARE PEOPLE

Born again are also people.
John the Baptist, Judas iscariot and every other disciples who couldn't made it into Christianity falls into what were known as born again, while the few disciples who made it to Christianity(only about 120 of them. Act 1:15) falls into what Christ meant by God's kingdom.
Meaning, there was a separation

You have also heard that few PEOPLE will enter heaven too?

Think!

Saying I'm born again is only affirming what God has done. It's not boastful

paxonel:
no, it is not simple at all.
It is far more complex than we all thought, infact these things are more complex than studying fluid mechanics picturing the situation behind Jesus and Nicodemus from reading just one scripture. To have a full understanding of what conspired between Jesus and Nicodemus, one have to read and understand everything in Matthew, mark, Luke and John(the gospel) and try to relate it with what Jesus was telling Nicodemus, you must be born again..
So, it's not that simple,

If everything about what happened during Jesus life on earth was to be expantiated, infact it will not contain the whole book called the bible that we are reading today. So, for the purpose of convenience it is summarized, that's why we today
can afford to just pick only John 3:3 except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God, then we just conclude that it meant except a man is morally upright in Christ, it goes beyond that.
very true!
Have heard that John the Baptist was the fore runner of Jesus Christ? Meaning, he came to prepare the way and make the part straight for men to start believing in Christ for the atonment of their sins.
The same John the Baptist did not made it to God's kingdom.
Judas iscariot too was a disciple, but he couldn't made it and many others too.

Now, let me tell you what Jesus meant by God's kingdom in all his parables and all his sayings.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD ARE PEOPLE

BBC again are also people.
John the Baptist, Judas iscariot and every other disciples who couldn't made it into Christianity falls into what were known as born again, while the few disciples who made it to Christianity(only about 120 of them. Act 1:15) falls into what Christ meant by God's kingdom.
Meaning, there was a separation

You have also heard that few PEOPLE will enter heaven too?

Think!

I say, you complicate that which is simple. If John the Baptist is not in the Kingdom how about Abraham, Isaac, Jacob?

I don't know where you got this your doctrine that

BBC again are also people.
John the Baptist, Judas iscariot and every other disciples who couldn't made it into Christianity falls into what were known as born again, while the few disciples who made it to Christianity(only about 120 of them. Act 1:15) falls into what Christ meant by God's kingdom.
Meaning, there was a separation

Mat 8:11: "And I say to you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven."

Luk 13:28: "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God , and you yourselves thrust out."


The kingdom of God is not people but an assembly of God's people where the rule of God is observed completely.

No. If you know it you know it.

shadeyinka:

I say, you complicate that which is simple. If John the Baptist is not in the Kingdom how about Abraham, Isaac, Jacob?

I don't know where you got this your doctrine that

Matthew 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding HE THAT IS LEAST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS GREATER THAN HE

Meaning, John the Baptist didn't see heaven

Mat 8:11: "And I say to you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven."

Luk 13:28: "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God , and you yourselves thrust out."

I specifically mentioned John the Baptist

The kingdom of God is not people but an assembly of God's people where the rule of God is observed completely.

people or assembly of people, what's the diffence?

paxonel:

Matthew 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding HE THAT IS LEAST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS GREATER THAN HE

Meaning, John the Baptist didn't see heaven
I specifically mentioned John the Baptist
people or assembly of people, what's the diffence?

No sir. It means exactly what it says: "in the kingdom of heaven, the least person is greater than John the Baptist"!
Why?
The least person entered by grace paid for by God Himself (the perfect sacrifice). However, John the Baptist is the last of those who made heaven through their faith that produces obedience to God. In the rank of this include Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and all the renown of faith.

Didn't I give you scriptures of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of Heaven? Whatever will not make John the Baptist qualify will not make Abraham, Isaac and Jacob qualify for heaven.

Why do you think John the Baptist will not be in the kingdom of heaven but Abraham will be?

shadeyinka:


No sir. It means exactly what it says: "in the kingdom of heaven, the least person is greater than John the Baptist"!
Why?
The least person entered by grace paid for by God Himself (the perfect sacrifice). However, John the Baptist is the last of those who made heaven through their faith that produces obedience to God. In the rank of this include Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and all the renown of faith.

Matthew 11:3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

A man who could asked Jesus a question like this does it shows that he still had faith in him?
John the Baptist lost his faith in Christ from the moment he had expected Christ to come and deliver him from prison and Christ was not coming forth to deliver him, therefore he lost the kingdom.

Didn't I give you scriptures of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of Heaven? Whatever will not make John the Baptist qualify will not make Abraham, Isaac and Jacob qualify for heaven.

why will you think that whatever will disqualify Abraham will also disqualify John, did God had any covenant with John the Baptist like the one he had with Abraham?

Why do you think John the Baptist will not be in the kingdom of heaven but Abraham will be?

John the Baptist lost his faith in Christ due to the situation he found himself in the prison but Abraham didn't lose his faith in God

paxonel:


Matthew 11:3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

A man who could asked Jesus a question like this does it shows that he still had faith in him?
John the Baptist lost his faith in Christ from the moment he had expected Christ to come and deliver him from prison and Christ was not coming forth to deliver him, therefore he lost the kingdom.
why will you think that whatever will disqualify Abraham will also disqualify John, did God had any covenant with John the Baptist like the one he had with Abraham?
John the Baptist lost his faith in Christ due to the situation he found himself in the prison but Abraham didn't lose his faith in God

Probably you did not know that Jesus had a high regard for John the Baptist as a man of faith (not a reed/pliable man) but a prophet!

Luk 7:25-26:
24: "And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak to the people concerning John, What went you out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?"

25: "But what went you out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts. But what went you out for to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and much more than a prophet."

Mat 11:11:
"Truly I say to you, Among them that are born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

John the Baptist didn't loose faith. Salvation is so simple that, it is meant for the simple

Mar 10:15:
"Truly I say to you, Whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."

Salvation is a gift (to those who will ask for/receive it)
Eph 2:8-9:
"For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Don't be like the greek as the gospel is simple enough even for a child
1Cor 1:22-23:
"For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness;"

shadeyinka:

Probably you did not know that Jesus had a high regard for John the Baptist as a man of faith (not a reed/pliable man) but a prophet!

Luk 7:25-26:
24: "And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak to the people concerning John, What went you out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?"

25: "But what went you out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts. But what went you out for to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and much more than a prophet."

Mat 11:11:
"Truly I say to you, Among them that are born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

John the Baptist didn't loose faith. Salvation is so simple that, it is meant for the simple

Mar 10:15:
"Truly I say to you, Whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."

Salvation is a gift (to those who will ask for/receive it)
Eph 2:8-9:
"For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Don't be like the greek as the gospel is simple enough even for a child
1Cor 1:22-23:
"For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness;"

i know Jesus had high regards for John the Baptist.
But that notwithstanding, John the Baptist missed the kingdom because at a point he disbelief.

Do you know it means when Christ will say blessed is he that is not offended in me? Matthew 11:6
it means blessed is he that do not lose his belief in me.

paxonel:
i know Jesus had high regards for John the Baptist.
But that notwithstanding, John the Baptist missed the kingdom because at a point he disbelief.

Do you know it means when Christ will say blessed is he that is not offended in me? Matthew 11:6
it means blessed is he that do not lose his belief in me.

Making heaven is not by perfection. Abraham married Hagar!
David commited adultery!
How about Samson!
Salvation through Christ is ONLY through His Death. John the Baptist could never have been saved through Christ's Blood because he died before Christ. That's why Jesus first commended John as not being a Reed of a man and the statement "blessed is he who is not scandalised because of me" was a chastisement to John
Did you also read this scripture!?

Mat 11:13-14:
"For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come."

What you are plainly saying is that John the Baptist's name is not written in the book of life? So, what happens to John!? Does he go to the Lake of fire!?

Rev 20:15:
"And whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

shadeyinka:

Making heaven is not by perfection. Abraham married Hagar!
David commited adultery!
How about Samson!
Salvation through Christ is ONLY through His Death. John the Baptist could never have been saved through Christ's Blood because he died before Christ. That's why Jesus first commended John as not being a Reed of a man and the statement "blessed is he who is not scandalised because of me" was a chastisement to John
Did you also read this scripture!?

Mat 11:13-14:
"For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come."

What you are plainly saying is that John the Baptist's name is not written in the book of life? So, what happens to John!? Does he go to the Lake of fire!?

Rev 20:15:
"And whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

I wouldn't know whether John went to lake of fire or Abraham's bossom like Lazarus did according to Jesus parable.
But certainly, John didn't make heaven.

Jesus send his disciples back to him telling him BLESSED IS HE THAT IS NOT OFFENDED IN ME.
meaning, John the Baptist has already becoming offended in Christ

paxonel:
I wouldn't know whether John went to lake of fire or Abraham's bossom like Lazarus did according to Jesus parable.
But certainly, John didn't make heaven.

Jesus send his disciples back to him telling him BLESSED IS HE THAT IS NOT OFFENDED IN ME.
meaning, John the Baptist has already becoming offended in Christ

And that means that John the Baptist has been cast out to outer darkness!?

paxonel:
Saying "I'm born again " implies that you are saying that you are justified by your works or works of the law against being justified by your faith.

Romans 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

From your understanding of what born again is: To be born again means to be morally upright in Christ, which means to keep the law and not being sinful unlike others who commit sin. But meanwhile,

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

But what says the scripture?

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by FAITH without the deeds of the law.

Now, mark the word FAITH.
As used in scriptures, the word FAITH simply means religion.

That means, even before Christ came, men where always justified by their religion and not by how good or bad they were. For instance, Abraham was justified by his religion.

Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.

Now, this offering of Isaac by Abraham was the origin of the religion of the Jews called Judaism today. It was the beginning of a long lasting covenant between God and Abraham which also was terminated by the on-set of the new covenant that brought another religion called Christianity through Christ.

Romans 11:6 But with faith(religion) it is impossible to please God..

That bring us to the critical question : what did Jesus Christ meant by born again to Nicodemus in John 3:3?
Was Jesus Christ meant that Nicodemus should be morally upright not committing sin for him to see God's kingdom and become boastful that it was because he was morally good that's why he is in heaven?
Certainly not!

what then did Jesus Christ meant by born again to Nicodemus?

a question left for you to answer to yourself.

"Jesus answered and said to him,
"Truly, truly, I say to you, except anyone be born from above, (i.e. born again)
he is not able to see the kingdom of God.""
- John 3:3

Being born again (i.e. born from above or on high) according to Jesus, is a condition, that one is in, at a specific and/or particular time. Metaphorically speaking, Jesus was saying, except reborn, in a spiritual sense of it, Nicodemus wouldn't be able to acknowledge, admit and confess, the seeing of the demonstrated power and move of the kingdom of God, done by Jesus.

The arising of the born again mention, by Jesus three times only, was incidental, it was never a focal point of discussion, teaching or preaching about, in Jesus' 3¹/₂ years of earthly ministry, before and after the clandestine in the middle of the night meeting Nicodemus had with Jesus.

It is a statement of fact that, every believer automatically is born from above, such that him/her, is regenerated by God, to appreciate, from seeing, hearing and feeling with other senses, the dynamism of power and move of the kingdom of God, lmao

doggedfighter:
Confused lot and their jargons

What does your Jero know

cc: shadeyinka

paxonel:
Saying "I'm born again " implies that you are saying that you are justified by your works or works of the law against being justified by your faith.

The TV preacher admonished the viewers to pray this simple prayer - the “Sinner’s Prayer”:

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.

---

I think you are overreacting in saying that those who care to tell all and sundry that they are “born-again” are boastful.

Typically, after the “Sinner’s prayer” the preacher declares to the viewers or those in the congregation who “took a step of faith” to accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour, that if they said the prayer verbatim, then they have become “born again”. Now, the questions one should ask are these: did they really become born again? What message or sermon was preached to those who “took a step of faith” before they took the step?

Regarding salvation, any message other than the message of the redemptive work of Christ at Calvary is falsehood. If the message is falsehood, then the step taken is of no effect. If the step taken is of no effect, then the “Sinner’s prayer” is offensive to God.

However, the preacher’s pronouncement after such a prayer creates an “illusory truth effect” in the sinner. As one continues to get exposed to the falsehood and prayers intended to lead the laity into Heaven (as many of us were when we were babes, giving our lives to Christ a million times with every “Sinner’s prayer” trumped into our ears every Sunday), the effect influences such a one till his/her “confession” fashions him/her.

Declaring to people that one is “born again” isn’t boasting but a symptom of the falsehood the asserter is exposed to - it should call for your pity and prayers rather than a label.

paxonel:
I wouldn't know whether John went to lake of fire or Abraham's bossom like Lazarus did according to Jesus parable.
But certainly, John didn't make heaven.

Jesus send his disciples back to him telling him BLESSED IS HE THAT IS NOT OFFENDED IN ME.
meaning, John the Baptist has already becoming offended in Christ

None of those servants of God that lived and died before Pentecost is going to heaven! Matthew 11:11

So John the baptist will join billions of faithful servants of God including the thief Jesus promised Paradise on earth!

The effect of heavenly life for the chosen began at Pentecost down to our day, only 144,000 Christians will go and rule with Jesus in heaven {Matthew 5:3} the rest of Obedient mankind will inherit everlasting life here on earth! Matthew 5:5

MuttleyLaff:
"Jesus answered and said to him,
"Truly, truly, I say to you, except anyone be born from above, (i.e. born again)
he is not able to see the kingdom of God.""
- John 3:3

Being born again (i.e. born from above or on high) according to Jesus, is a condition that one is in at a specific and/or particular time. Metaphorically speaking, except reborn in a spiritual sense of it, Nicodemus wouldn't be able to acknowledge, admit and confess the seeing the demonstrated power and move of the kingdom of God, done by Jesus.

The arising of the born again mention was incidental, it was never a focal point of teaching or preaching about in Jesus' 3¹/₂ years of earthly ministry. It is a statement of fact that every believer automatically is born from above, such is regenerated by God to appreciate from seeing, hearing and feeling with other senses the dynamism of power and move of the kingdom of God, lmao

cc: shadeyinka

I think his error is his understanding of
1. being born again(born of God) AS "Rightous living"
2. Faith AS Religion

paxonel:
Saying "I'm born again " implies that you are saying that you are justified by your works or works of the law against being justified by your faith.
...
Now, mark the word FAITH.
As used in scriptures, the word

Romans 11:6 But with faith(religion) it is impossible to please God..

That bring us to the critical question : what did Jesus Christ meant by born again to Nicodemus in John 3:3?
Was Jesus Christ meant that Nicodemus should be morally upright not committing sin for him to see God's kingdom and become boastful that it was because he was morally good that's why he is in heaven?
Certainly not!

what then did Jesus Christ meant by born again to Nicodemus?

a question left for you to answer to yourself.

If the foundation is wrong, no structure will be able to stand on it.
1. Faith simply is TRUSTING on God's INTEGRITY
2. Being Born Again is simply being CLAIMED by God (because you have faith in His provision for atonement)

shadeyinka:
I think his error is his understanding of
1. being born again(born of God) AS "Rightous living"
2. Faith AS Religion

If the foundation is wrong, no structure will be able to stand on it.
1. Faith simply is TRUSTING on God's INTEGRITY
2. Being Born Again is simply being CLAIMED by God (because you have faith in His provision for atonement)

Let's without straying and why unneccesarily reading more into the meaning stay within the evolution, circumstance and context of how the phrase came about, erhn.