Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / New
Stats: 3,153,238 members, 7,818,806 topics. Date: Monday, 06 May 2024 at 04:47 AM

What Does It Mean To Be Born Again? - Religion - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Religion / What Does It Mean To Be Born Again? (340 Views)

Daddy Freeze Reacts To Born Again Lady Using Knife To Cut Her Tattooed Hand / Born Again Lady Uses Knife To Cut Her Tattooed Hand After Using Hot Iron / Born Again Lady Removes Her Tattoo With Hot Iron (Photos) (2) (3) (4)

(1) (Reply) (Go Down)

What Does It Mean To Be Born Again? by Jokanem(m): 1:16pm On Apr 29, 2023
What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?

The term “born again” refers to a new beginning in the relationship between God and the person who is born again. (John 3:​3, 7) God adopts those born again as his children. (Romans 8:​15, 16; Galatians 4:5; 1 John 3:1) Similar to those who are legally adopted, they experience a change of status, becoming part of God’s family.​—2 Corinthians 6:​18.

Why is a person born again?

Jesus said: “Unless anyone is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

So being born again prepares a person to rule with Christ in God’s Kingdom. This Kingdom rules from heaven, so the Bible describes the “new birth” as providing an inheritance that is “reserved in the heavens.” (1 Peter 1:​3, 4)

Those who are born again are given the conviction that they will “rule together as kings” with Christ.​—2 Timothy 2:​12; 2 Corinthians 1:​21, 22.

How is a person born again?

When Jesus discussed the subject, he said that those born again would be “born from water and spirit.” (John 3:5) This expression refers to baptism in water followed by baptism with holy spirit.​—Acts 1:5; 2:​1-4.

Jesus was the first person to be born again. He was baptized in the Jordan River, after which God anointed (or, baptized) him with holy spirit.

Jesus was thus born again by holy spirit as a son of God with the hope of returning to life in heaven. (Mark 1:​9-​11) God fulfilled this hope by resurrecting Jesus as a spirit creature.​—Acts 13:33.

Others who are born again are also baptized in water before they receive the holy spirit.(Acts 2:​38, 41) They then have the sure hope of life in heaven, which God will fulfill in the resurrection.​—1 Corinthians 15:42-​49.

Misconceptions about being born again

Misconception: A person must be born again to gain salvation or to be a Christian.

Fact: Christ’s sacrifice provides salvation not only for those who are born again as the ones who will rule with Christ in heaven but also for the earthly subjects of God’s Kingdom. (1 John 2:​1, 2; Revelation 5:​9, 10)

That second group of Christians have the opportunity to live forever in Paradise on earth.​—Psalm 37:29; Matthew 6:​9, 10; Revelation 21:​1-5.

Misconception: A person can choose to be born again.

Fact: The opportunity to have a relationship with God and gain salvation is open to all. (1 Timothy 2:​3, 4; James 4:8 )
However, God chooses those who will be born again, or anointed with holy spirit.

According to the Bible, being born again “depends, not on a person’s desire or on his effort, but on God.” (Romans 9:​16) The expression “born again” can also be rendered “born from above,” confirming that the selection of those who are born again comes “from above,” or from God.​—John 3:3.
Re: What Does It Mean To Be Born Again? by Kobojunkie: 2:59pm On Apr 29, 2023
Jokanem:
What Does It Mean to Be Born Again?
The term “born again” refers to a new beginning in the relationship between God and the person who is born again. (John 3:​3, 7) God adopts those born again as his children. (Romans 8:​15, 16; Galatians 4:5; 1 John 3:1) Similar to those who are legally adopted, they experience a change of status, becoming part of God’s family.​—2 Corinthians 6:​18.
Why is a person born again?- Jesus said: “Unless anyone is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) So being born again prepares a person to rule with Christ in God’s Kingdom. [s]This Kingdom rules from heaven, so the Bible describes the “new birth”[/s] as [s]providing an inheritance that is “reserved in the heavens.”[/s]
[s](1 Peter 1:​3, 4) Those who are born again are given the conviction that they[/s] [s]will “rule together as kings” with Christ.​—2 Timothy 2:​12; 2 Corinthians 1:​21, 22.[/s]
Religion indeed thrives on changing the narrative given by God in order to sell that which will instead work to deceive and delude the masses of gullible out there.


Man was born flesh and blood from his mother's womb. Jesus Christ told you this in His Gospel, affirming what God said in the beginning when He pointed out that man was made from the clay of this earth, not spirit - Genesis 2 vs 6 - 7. So in order to become a citizen of the Kingdom of God, a Kingdom where only those who are born of spirit can gain access, a first step in becoming a Son of God and eventually a partaker in the blessings and rewards of the Kingdom of God, one must first be born-again. And as broken down carefully in His Gospel by Jesus Christ, one must first be born-again before one can then become a citizen of the Kingdom of God.
1 There was a man named Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees. He was an important Jewish leader.
2 One night he came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a teacher sent from God. No one can do these miraculous signs that you do unless they have God’s help.”
3 Jesus answered, “I assure you, everyone must be born again. Anyone who is not born again cannot be in God’s kingdom.”
4 Nicodemus said, “How can a man who is already old be born again? Can he go back into his mother’s womb and be born a second time?”
5 Jesus answered, “Believe me when I say that everyone must be born from water and the Spirit. Anyone who is not born from water and the Spirit cannot enter God’s kingdom.
6 The only life people get from their human parents is physical. But the new life that the Spirit gives a person is spiritual.
7 Don’t be surprised that I told you, ‘You must be born again.’
8 The wind blows wherever it wants to. You hear it, but you don’t know where it is coming from or where it is going. It is the same with everyone who is born from the Spirit.” - John 3 vs 5 - 8
Born of Water — Is an acknowledgment of the message spread by John the Baptist whose call for repentance as found in Matthew 3 vs 2 Jesus Christ was reiterated beginning at the start of His own Kingdom mission, "Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand" found in Matthew 4 vs 7 & Mark 1 vs 15.

As John explained in his conversation with the Pharisees, to be born of water — baptized — there is a need for repentance, a visible transition from following God's Old Law of Moses to following God's New agreement of peace —Jesus Christ. In verse 8 of the passage below, John instructs the Pharisees to change their hearts and show by the way that they live that they have in fact changed from following the Old Way to following the New way — Jesus Christ. undecided
7 Many Pharisees and Sadducees came to where John was baptizing people. When John saw them, he said, “You are all snakes! Who warned you to run from God’s judgment that is coming?
8 Change your hearts! And show by the way you live that you have changed.
9 I know what you are thinking. You want to say, ‘but Abraham is our father!’ That means nothing. I tell you, God could make children for Abraham from these rocks.
10 The ax is now ready to cut down the trees. Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
[b]11
“I baptize you with water to show that you have changed your hearts and lives. But there is someone coming later who is able to do more than I can. I am not good enough to be the slave who takes off his sandals. - Matthew 3 vs 7 - 11
Suffice to say, the kind of repentance God desires is not simply an abandoning of one's sinful ways but more importantly, an abandoning of the hold the Old Law had on one to embrace instead a full commitment to following and abiding by the direct teachings and commandments of Jesus Christ alone. Once one is baptized in water after this, one is said to have concluded the work of obedience necessary for one to be Born of water. undecided
Born of Spirit(Eternal Life) - In John 3 vs 16, Jesus Christ elucidated that all those who believe in Him will receive Eternal Life in place of the condemnation of Death which they formerly lived under as a result of God's judgment against sinners of Old - Deuteronomy 30 vs 15 - 20. The Spirit of Eternal life, the spirit those who are in fact born again are born of, as described by Jesus Christ in the context of John 3 vs 1 - 21 is not a passive spirit. Rather, He is an uncontrollable invasion of those of the individual who is born of Him — a possession so to speak. This can be vividly seen in what Jesus Christ said of those who are born of the Spirit of Life in John 3 vs 5 - 8 undecided
7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.”
8 (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.)
9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)
10 Jesus answered, “You don’t know what God can give you. And you don’t know who I am, the one who asked you for a drink. If you knew, you would have asked me, and I would have given you living water.”
11 The woman said, “Sir, where will you get that living water? The well is very deep, and you have nothing to get water with.
12 Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob? He is the one who gave us this well. He drank from it himself, and his sons and all his animals drank from it too.”
13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again.
14 But anyone who drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again. The water I give people will be like a spring flowing inside them. It will bring them eternal life.”
15 The woman said to Jesus, “Sir, give me this water. Then I will never be thirsty again and won’t have to come back here to get more water.” - John 4 vs 7 - 15
In the above passage, Jesus Christ equally describes the Spirit of Eternal life as living water on the inside of those who drink from Him again implying that one does not get a passive spirit but a conscious spirit wielding power inside of them when born of Spirit.

The born-again process is clearly not of the mind but of acts of obedience and also of invasion by the controlling power of the Spirit of Eternal Life who then guides one into the Kingdom of God where eventually — if one continues in submission and obedience — one is able to become a son of God, moving on to attain righteous by seeking first the Kingdom of God(holiness) and God's righteousness as commanded by Jesus Christ. However, none of this will be possible if one is not first born-again. So, ask yourself today, are you born-again? Can you confirm today that the Spirit of Eternal life has invaded your person and is actively working in you pushing you in whichever direction He chooses? or are you pretending to be born again in order to fit into the religious circles of men? undecided
Re: What Does It Mean To Be Born Again? by Emusan(m): 11:50am On May 02, 2023
Jokanem:
Why is a person born again?

Jesus said: “Unless anyone is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

So being born again prepares a person to rule with Christ in God’s Kingdom.

But this contradict your definition above.

Besides, Jesus said "Unless ANYONE..."

So how come "... cannot see the Kingdom of God" later change to "prepare a person to rule with Christ in God's kingdom"?

Also, the kingdom of God will still be on earth, so how come non-born again persons will still enter God's kingdom?

Jesus was thus born again by holy spirit as a son of God with the hope of returning to life in heaven. (Mark 1:​9-​11) God fulfilled this hope by resurrecting Jesus as a spirit creature.​—Acts 13:33.

But Jesus returned to life ON EARTH and not in heaven.

Others who are born again are also baptized in water before they receive the holy spirit.(Acts 2:​38, 41) They then have the sure hope of life in heaven, which God will fulfill in the resurrection.​—1 Corinthians 15:42-​49.

But Watchtower claimed those who will rule with Christ has started resurrecting since 1914

That second group of Christians have the opportunity to live forever in Paradise on earth.​—Psalm 37:29; Matthew 6:​9, 10; Revelation 21:​1-5.

However, God chooses those who will be born again, or anointed with holy spirit.

If God is the one who chooses those who are born again, them Jesus statement of "Unless ANYONE is born again" is of no use.

Jesus would have openly told the man.

According to the Bible, being born again “depends, not on a person’s desire or on his effort, but on God.” (Romans 9:​16)

According to your explanation, being born again is to be baptized with water and Holy spirit.

Yet all believers are baptized by water and are born from God. 1 John 3:9

So definitely, all believers are born again.

The expression “born again” can also be rendered “born from above,” confirming that the selection of those who are born again comes “from above,” or from God.​—John 3:3.

This confirms that you don't read your Bible, all believers are BORN FROM GOD. 1 John 3:9, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 John 2:29, 1 John 5:1
Re: What Does It Mean To Be Born Again? by correctguy101(m): 1:50pm On May 02, 2023
One man for my area marry new shabé wife from Ebonyi, import straight to Lagos. The first year the woman born twins shaparly. My gee dey happy and he bought drinks for everyone with peppersoup to take enjoy the celebration.

Nine months later the woman born single grin shocked

As correctguy wey I be, I no dey like miss something light like that, I carry my dear self go join the enjoyment. grin
E no too tey, the woman born twins again. And another twins and another twins in just a span of 5yrs, the woman don troway sure nine children for ground.

The thing choke my guy to the extent he dey quarrel with the woman, ahn ahn, na everytime I touch you, you go troway 2sure for ground? angry grin grin

He no dey touch the wife again and if you go tell someone like that to go and BORN AGAIN, no be palava you dey find be that.. grin cheesy

As I dey tell you so, the rope someone use hang himself as life don tire am, someone shady has stolen the rope and left the body there, we still dey find the thief... grin grin

Abeg, my wrist don dey pain me... grin grin cheesy
Re: What Does It Mean To Be Born Again? by MindHacker9009(m): 2:18pm On May 02, 2023
.

Re: What Does It Mean To Be Born Again? by Kobojunkie: 2:23pm On May 02, 2023
MindHacker9009:
.....
So, casting the God of the Law as a fool who didn't mean any of what He really decred in order that you might satisfy your whim -- pretending you in fact have something to do with Him --- is what you term wisdom? undecided
Re: What Does It Mean To Be Born Again? by MindHacker9009(m): 2:26pm On May 02, 2023
Kobojunkie:
So, casting the God of the Law as a fool who didn't mean any of what He really decred in order that you might satisfy your whim is what you term wisdom? undecided

Ephesians 6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
Re: What Does It Mean To Be Born Again? by Kobojunkie: 2:26pm On May 02, 2023
MindHacker9009:

■ Ephesians 6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
1. What am I supposed to do with this response? undecided
Re: What Does It Mean To Be Born Again? by MindHacker9009(m): 2:38pm On May 02, 2023
Kobojunkie:
1. What am I supposed to do with this response? undecided

Re: What Does It Mean To Be Born Again? by Kobojunkie: 2:51pm On May 02, 2023
MindHacker9009:
...
You no fit read English at all or what? undecided
Re: What Does It Mean To Be Born Again? by MindHacker9009(m): 3:52pm On May 02, 2023
Kobojunkie:
You no fit read English at all or what? undecided

Re: What Does It Mean To Be Born Again? by Kobojunkie: 3:56pm On May 02, 2023
MindHacker9009:
...
So, casting the God of the Law as a fool who didn't mean any of what He really decreed in order that you might satisfy your whim -- pretending you in fact have something to do with Him --- is what you term wisdom? undecided
Re: What Does It Mean To Be Born Again? by MindHacker9009(m): 4:08pm On May 02, 2023
Kobojunkie:
So, casting the God of the Law as a fool who didn't mean any of what He really decreed in order that you might satisfy your whim -- pretending you in fact have something to do with Him --- is what you term wisdom? undecided

Re: What Does It Mean To Be Born Again? by Kobojunkie: 4:10pm On May 02, 2023
MindHacker9009:
...
Wait... is this not coming from the same person who earlier posited that becoming a slave/servant of God was of wisdom? Or many I am not getting exactly what your obsession with slaves is about here. undecided
Re: What Does It Mean To Be Born Again? by sonmvayina(m): 4:12pm On May 02, 2023
Are you actually taking this guy serious?

Meeeen.

If he lived now, he would be confined to an asylum..and the key thrown away..

(1) (Reply)

FINALLY: Mohbad's Killer Caught, Bestfriend Turned Hired Killer 4 Naira Marley / A Change For Good / Happy Mothers Sunday!

(Go Up)

Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health
religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket

Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)

Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 70
Disclaimer: Every Nairaland member is solely responsible for anything that he/she posts or uploads on Nairaland.