What does "born again" mean?

Johann said:

His Birth and Ours
by Pastor J. C. O'Hair
For more articles by Pastor J. C. O'Hair, visit the J. C. O'Hair Online Library.

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“NOW THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST WAS ON THIS WISE: WHEN AS HIS MOTHER MARY WAS ESPOUSED TO JOSEPH, BEFORE THEY CAME TOGETHER, SHE WAS FOUND WITH CHILD OF THE HOLY GHOST”. Matthew 1:18.

“FOR THAT WHICH IS CONCEIVED IN HER IS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT”. Matthew 1:20.

“BEHOLD, I WAS SHAPEN IN INIQUITY; AND IN SIN DID MY MOTHER CONCEIVE ME.” Psalm 51:5.

“BUT THE SCRIPTURE HATH CONCLUDED ALL UNDER SIN,” Galatians 3:22. “BY NATURE THE CHILDREN OF WRATH.” Ephesians 2:3. “THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE FLESH IS FLESH”, John 3:6. “THEY THAT ARE IN THE FLESH CANNOT PLEASE GOD.” Romans 8:8.

“FOR I KNOW THAT IN ME (THAT IS IN MY FLESH) DWELLETH NO GOOD THING.” Romans 7:18.

“But as many as received Him (Christ), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, to them that believe on His name; which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God.” John 1:11 and 12. “Ye must be born anew.” John 3:7. Concerning our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ we are told, in Colossians 1:15, that He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature. What ever truth the Holy Spirit would convey to our minds and hearts in this blessed truth we are sure that He would not have us follow the error of some teachers of the Bible; that the eternal Christ, before the ages was created by God, He was in the form of God, He was with God, He was God. “He is before all things and by Him all things consist.”

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:14. “The Second man is from heaven.” I Corinthians 15:47. He shared the Father’s glory before the world was. John 17:5. He was made lower than the angels for the suffering of death. Hebrews 2:9.

Although made in the likeness of sinful flesh, the Son of God, born of the virgin Mary, was holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners. He knew no sin. The holy child Jesus was not born within the natural law of procreation. He had no human progenitor. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, He inherited none of Adam’s sin. This sinless Saviour was made sin on the cross. II Corinthians 5:20 and 21.

Some one has estimated that 20 billion people have descended from Adam. By Adam sin and death have passed unto and upon all men.

Inasmuch as we were not born as the Holy Child was born, we cannot live as the Holy Child lived. It is worse than folly to talk about becoming holy by walking in His footsteps. We can only walk in Adam’s footsteps until we undergo a spiritual change, a Divine transformation, “God’s workmanship created in Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 2:9 and 10. God has told us how to become holy. “By the which will we are sanctified (made holy) by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10.

To be sure the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, His once-for-all sacrifice, would have been valueless to accomplish our eternal redemption, had He not lived a sinless life, for He had to be God’s Lamb without spot or blemish. But His sinless life could have accomplished nothing but condemnation for sinful humanity apart from His death and resurrection After we die with Christ we are raised with Him to walk it newness of life. Then we are told to put off the old man and to put on the new man. Ephesians 4:22 to 24. Then we can say “Christ liveth in me.”

To Nicodemus the Messiah said, “except a man be born from above he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3, “Marvel not that I said, ye must be born again”. John 3:7. How? By looking to the Son of man on the tree. John 3:13 and 14. Paul wrote that we are saved by the washing of regeneration. Titus 3:5 to 7. He was directed by the infallible Holy Spirit when he wrote, “if any man be in Christ Jesus, there is a new creation.” II Corinthians 5:17. He wrote, no hope, no cure in religion; only in the new creation. Galatians 6:15. The sinner’s place of refuge, blessing, salvation, security is in Christ Jesus unto good works”. Ephesians 2:5 and 10.

There may be both a difference and distinction between the new birth which Christ, proclaimed to the ruler of Israel, and the new creation, He committed with the ministry of reconciliation to Paul for us. But let us not argue with the sinners whether it is regeneration or the new creation. Let us get them to Calvary, where the Lord of glory was crucified and became the Saviour of the world; and persuade them to appropriate by faith so they can with assurance say, “He is now my Saviour.”

As many as received Him to them He gave the right to become the sons of God. If you are among the unredeemed members of Adam’s family, why not celebrate this Christmas 1935 by beginning to live? You can never live until you live in Christ and with Christ. You must first die with Him by accepting His death.

For more articles by Pastor J. C. O'Hair, visit the J. C. O'Hair Online Library.

Hope this is helpful @Bob Estey
Johann.

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Bob Estey said:

Could you explain your point, please?

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Johann said:

I can give you examples where some were Spirit filled FIRST and then got baptized-yes?
Johann.

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07-07-07 said:

Yes, some receive the Holy Ghost before water baptism. God works in mysterious ways. However God works with people, one thing is for sure: it's the Holy Ghost who draws people to Jesus and convicts them of their sins unto repentance. Glory to God!

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Johann said:

I thought you asked about what does it mean to be reborn-but never mind brother.
Johann.

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07-07-07 said:

Yes, some receive the Holy Ghost before water baptism. God works in mysterious ways. However God works with people, one thing is for sure: it's the Holy Ghost who draws people to Jesus and convicts them of their sins unto repentance. Glory to God!

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Bob Estey said:

I don't think the Lord puts us all on the exact same path. For some, being "born again" is a huge event. For others, having God enter their lives is a huge event. I might suggest they are one and the same.

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thelord's_pearl said:

Here you go @Bob Estey, Johann wanted me to sent/give you these, even though I don't know why as he already tagged you. ~confused~
That was very kind @Johann.

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Triumph1300 said:

Acts 10:44-45-46 Gift of the Holy Spirit poured out.
With the evidence of speaking in tongues.

Acts 10:47 Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit.


An example of water baptism a f t e r receiving the Holy Spirit.

They were filled with the Spirit before water baptism.

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Jim B said:

I disagree. Baptism is a ritual that demonstrates that the person has buried their old "flesh" identity and has arisen as a new, Spirit-filled person in Christ.

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DJT_47 said:

A ritual for the purpose of demonstration? That's nonsense! When the Ethiopian eunuch was converted as recorded in Acts 8, it was in the middle of nowhere with just he and Philip there.

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DJT_47 said:

That's really not the case.

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thelord's_pearl said:

Hi all,
Does "born again" mean that you simply believe in faith or simply chose to believe in faith in Jesus Christ, or does it also mean that you have to be baptized? I hope this is a simple answer. Thank you.

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Triumph1300 said:

Being such an important event for him, I am sure he would have told everybody he would meet during his travels.

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Triumph1300 said:

Well, that's your opinion, you contradict scripture.
It does say they were speaking in tongues and were baptized later.

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DJT_47 said:

Why, what was the purpose of the unconverted Gentiles speaking in tongues

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