What does born again mean?

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amadeus

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how does one become “born again”?

Born Again. What is it and why is it necessary?

First, why we need to attain it:

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3

Here is explained what it is:

"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him." I John 5:1

We were all born to our natural mother. but we were all born dead because our parents were dead, were they not?

"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Gen 2:17

"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat." Gen 3:6

So then to God they were dead even though they continued to walk around and talk and also had children and acted among themselves as if they were alive. Would not the children of dead people also be dead? That's you and me. For this reason, God sent His Son so that we could be born again this time to the real Life that Jesus brought for us...

So where do we go from being born again? How about overcoming the world as Jesus did?

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" I John 5:4

Jesus did this, [overcame the world] and He paid the price to make it possible that we also may overcome the world:

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

The world that Jesus overcame was NOT planet Earth as we should be able to see by looking around us. The world he overcame was the one within his own flesh which tempted him to sin.

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." I John 2:16

He overcame all of those attractions, which, when followed, lead a person to sin. He made it possible for you and me to also overcome the world, our own little world, within each of us, of the "lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes & the pride of life". One of the rewards for us doing that is shown here:

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Rev 2:7

When we are able to and do eat of the "tree of Life", the one that Adam and Eve skipped in Eden then we'll understand what Jesus meant here:

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10
 
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Curtis

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1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

The above text is the baptism with the Holy Spirit that John prophesied that Jesus will do.

Trying to equate spiritual baptism with ceremonial water baptism is quite unlearned.

Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with WATER unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with FIRE.

Note that fire and water aren’t compatible, and note that John contrasts water baptism that HE performed on people, with the spirit baptism of Jesus.

You’re trying to make the verse say this:

For by water are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit

But it’s spiritual baptism:

FOR BY ONE SPIRIT are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one SPIRIT.

Not close, and no cigar.
 
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quietthinker

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What does born again mean?
I see it as a radical expression signifying an understanding of something we cannot do ourselves.
There is no formula
I can follow to initiate it, however just as in our natural birth we are pushed from one environment into another which then requires us to breath, something we've never done before....and if we don't, continuing to live ceases.....we must breath.

We are birthed by God and now we must continue to ingest a new oxygen.....we must eat of the only bread that nourishes.
 

Robert Gwin

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what does it mean to be made in the image and likeness of God?

It means to have the qualities of God; love, justice, wisdom, and power. It is rather easy to understand what it means to simply compare yourself to the rest of live creation. We create, as did our heavenly Father. To a degree some animals display some of the qualities of God, but I think the distinction is quite observable. Thanks for the great question Faith.
 

Robert Gwin

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Are you aware that all are one in Christ Jesus,? In Jesus Christ there is neither male or female, bond or slave, Jew or Greek (meaning gentile), all are one in Christ Jesus.

Jesus came only for the lost sheep the house of Israel, and gentiles- meaning all non Jews- have now been included in the plan of salvation, because most of the house of Israel rejected their own Messiah, so salvation was also given to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous, still in Romans 11.

Today Gentiles who believe are grafted onto the olive tree of Israel, as wild branches grafted in with the the natural branches, per
Romans 11.

There are no Separate flocks of sheep today: all believers now, both Jew and gentile, Are all one in Christ Jesus, and in the kingdom.

I see you don't, the two groups are in fact Christians, as you stated one in unity with Jesus as their King. Some attach names to those two groups, and will call them Israel and gentiles, which is not totally incorrect. The little flock are the Israel of God mentioned at Gal 6:16, and in Revelation it gives us their purpose, as well as their dwelling place. They have been purchased by the blood of Jesus and taken into a new covenant, baptized by holy spirit (born again) and selected to be Kings and Priests with Jesus in the Kingdom of God. Rev 5:9,10. They have been bought/redeemed from the earth to reside in heaven, and are numbered at 144k Rev 14:1-3.

The second group of which some call gentiles, are the citizens of the Kingdom, who will reside on the earth under the Kingdom which is ruled in the heavens. Jesus referred to these as the meek who will inherit the earth Mat 5:5 (Ps 37:11,29).

Those two groups like you said are in fact one flock, under one shepherd. Hope that helps Curt.
 

Curtis

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I see you don't, the two groups are in fact Christians, as you stated one in unity with Jesus as their King. Some attach names to those two groups, and will call them Israel and gentiles, which is not totally incorrect. The little flock are the Israel of God mentioned at Gal 6:16, and in Revelation it gives us their purpose, as well as their dwelling place. They have been purchased by the blood of Jesus and taken into a new covenant, baptized by holy spirit (born again) and selected to be Kings and Priests with Jesus in the Kingdom of God. Rev 5:9,10. They have been bought/redeemed from the earth to reside in heaven, and are numbered at 144k Rev 14:1-3.

The second group of which some call gentiles, are the citizens of the Kingdom, who will reside on the earth under the Kingdom which is ruled in the heavens. Jesus referred to these as the meek who will inherit the earth Mat 5:5 (Ps 37:11,29).

Those two groups like you said are in fact one flock, under one shepherd. Hope that helps Curt.
The other flock were the gentiles that were not part of the covenant at that time, but Jesus knew would be.
 

Robert Gwin

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The other flock were the gentiles that were not part of the covenant at that time, but Jesus knew would be.

Yes sir, many have labeled them as gentiles as I mentioned, and you are quite correct they are not covenanted, yet Jesus did identify them as sheep of that one flock, under one shepherd. In other words, although not covenanted they are Christians. They are the citizens of the earthly Kingdom of God, who inherit everlasting life right here on earth.
 

Curtis

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Yes sir, many have labeled them as gentiles as I mentioned, and you are quite correct they are not covenanted, yet Jesus did identify them as sheep of that one flock, under one shepherd. In other words, although not covenanted they are Christians. They are the citizens of the earthly Kingdom of God, who inherit everlasting life right here on earth.
One is either in the covenant or damned/condemned. There’s not two different destinies for Gods people, one in heaven, one on earth.

Paul was the apostle to the gentiles, yet he taught the kingdom everywhere he went, to Jew and gentile, and wrote that they all are one in Christ Jesus.

Paul told the gentiles in Ephesians 2 that they were once without a covenant and separated from God (gentile in fact means Godless) and alienated from Israel - but the blood sacrifice of Jesus has reconciled both Jew and gentile and made of them ONE NEW MAN.

There is no longer two groups with two destinies, they both are in the covenant now and share the same destiny through Jesus, and are melded together into one new man:

Eph 2:11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—

Eph 2:12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Eph 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

Eph 2:15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,

Eph 2:16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

Eph 2:17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Eph 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

There are not two separate flocks any longer.

All of God’s people will dwell with both God and Jesus on the new earth in the city New Jerusalem which comes down out of heaven, for eternity.

There is not going to be one group of only 144,000 in heaven and one on the earth.

Read Revelation 21 and 22 carefully.
 

Robert Gwin

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One is either in the covenant or damned/condemned. There’s not two different destinies for Gods people, one in heaven, one on earth.

Paul was the apostle to the gentiles, yet he taught the kingdom everywhere he went, to Jew and gentile, and wrote that they all are one in Christ Jesus.

Paul told the gentiles in Ephesians 2 that they were once without a covenant and separated from God (gentile in fact means Godless) and alienated from Israel - but the blood sacrifice of Jesus has reconciled both Jew and gentile and made of them ONE NEW MAN.

There is no longer two groups with two destinies, they both are in the covenant now and share the same destiny through Jesus, and are melded together into one new man:

Eph 2:11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—

Eph 2:12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Eph 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

Eph 2:15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,

Eph 2:16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

Eph 2:17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Eph 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

There are not two separate flocks any longer.

All of God’s people will dwell with both God and Jesus on the new earth in the city New Jerusalem which comes down out of heaven, for eternity.

There is not going to be one group of only 144,000 in heaven and one on the earth.

Read Revelation 21 and 22 carefully.

No sir, sheep are not damned or condemned. Both of those groups of sheep, are Christians.

The covenant was offered only to anointed Christians Curt, they are the little flock, which will rule with Jesus, and will reside with him. The other group are those who will inherit the earth. Jehovah did not fail, and His earth will be populated with humans just as intended.
 

theefaith

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Yes the Holy Spirit has revealed the truth to me and many others who have been chatting to you @theefaith but you don't recognise it.

It's a shame really. You need Jesus to be your personal Saviour. You need the Holy Spirit to lead you into the full gospel truth and you need to put aside the teachings you hold on to so adamantly and start to wonder if we might be right.

If we are wrong you have nothing to lose BUT if we are right you have everything to lose. Please my friend come humbly before your creator and ask him to speak to you; ask him to show you if I am right or not and be open minded as you won't hear anything if you have already shut your mind.

I am an old lady and I'm not intent on arguing with you but this is so very important. It's like if you were hungry and somebody offered to share a delicious feast with you and you walked away. Please theefaith don't walk away from this. What I have said has been out of love. Shalom, Pat.

thanks Pat

what you do t realize is that for 1500 before luther all Christians believed as I do in the doctrine of the apostles. acts 2;42
 

theefaith

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Born Again. What is it and why is it necessary?

First, why we need to attain it:

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3

Here is explained what it is:

"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him." I John 5:1

We were all born to our natural mother. but we were all born dead because our parents were dead, were they not?

"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Gen 2:17

"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat." Gen 3:6

So then to God they were dead even though they continued to walk around and talk and also had children and acted among themselves as if they were alive. Would not the children of dead people also be dead? That's you and me. For this reason, God sent His Son so that we could be born again this time to the real Life that Jesus brought for us...

So where do we go from being born again? How about overcoming the world as Jesus did?

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" I John 5:4

Jesus did this, [overcame the world] and He paid the price to make it possible that we also may overcome the world:

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

The world that Jesus overcame was NOT planet Earth as we should be able to see by looking around us. The world he overcame was the one within his own flesh which tempted him to sin.

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." I John 2:16

He overcame all of those attractions, which, when followed, lead a person to sin. He made it possible for you and me to also overcome the world, our own little world, within each of us, of the "lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes & the pride of life". One of the rewards for us doing that is shown here:

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Rev 2:7

When we are able to and do eat of the "tree of Life", the one that Adam and Eve skipped in Eden then we'll understand what Jesus meant here:

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10

it’s baptismal regeneration
 

amadeus

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it’s baptismal regeneration
Meaning that once one is immersed in the Holy Spirit and follows the lead of the Holy Spirit the new man within will kill the old finally and completely resulting in an overcomer! {=Regenerated}

And overcomers?

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." Rev 2:7
 

Pearl

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thanks Pat

what you do t realize is that for 1500 before luther all Christians believed as I do in the doctrine of the apostles. acts 2;42
My friend I know nothing about Luther, my own faith is based on the early first century Church described in Acts who met together informally in homes. I don't follow a particular doctrine or tradition I follow a man; the Master, the Good Shepherd whose name is Jesus.

I can do that without the trappings of religion because Jesus has set me free of all that sort of stuff. I believe you can have this relationship with Jesus whatever church background you belong to but first you need to be spiritually renewed in the ways I have previously set before you. That is vital - because without that people are just church goers but not Christians although they may sincerely believe in God and in the virgin birth etc and have received infant baptism as you yourself have.

Once we have been renewed in this way we have a wonderful story to tell, which will continue throughout our lives to the very end.
 
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theefaith

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The above text is the baptism with the Holy Spirit that John prophesied that Jesus will do.

Trying to equate spiritual baptism with ceremonial water baptism is quite unlearned.

Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with WATER unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with FIRE.

Note that fire and water aren’t compatible, and note that John contrasts water baptism that HE performed on people, with the spirit baptism of Jesus.

You’re trying to make the verse say this:

For by water are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit

But it’s spiritual baptism:

FOR BY ONE SPIRIT are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one SPIRIT.

Not close, and no cigar.

no such thing in the Christian language as spiritual baptism
The fire is not literal but the love of God

the Christian ritual of baptism is required for membership in Christ and his new covenant church
 

theefaith

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It means to have the qualities of God; love, justice, wisdom, and power. It is rather easy to understand what it means to simply compare yourself to the rest of live creation. We create, as did our heavenly Father. To a degree some animals display some of the qualities of God, but I think the distinction is quite observable. Thanks for the great question Faith.

try intellect and will