What does this term "born again" mean to you?
Born again means God's Spirit lives in you- you are now a child born of God. It's redundant to say Born again Christian. All are. If we don't have the Spirit how can we belong to Him? Christ in us- It's not anything we can do ourselves. It's God's gift that comes by faith in Jesus.
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 1 Jo 5:1
We are first born of the flesh and then spiritually reborn by God thru Christ. We were
dead in our sins and now
made alive. Eph 2:5
And how can you be sure you are "born again"?
It's not by what we do but God does. I think you just know. The Spirit speaking to you is one indicator. He guides, convicts, encourages, warns, reminds, protects and teaches us.. We walk in newness of life.- being changed as we go. The way we think begins to transform and what we want to do also changes. We can fight against this but it's not recommended.
How does "water and spirit" apply to your understanding of being born again?
We are first born by water-the flesh- then born anew again by God who gives us His Spirit. It is for all believers.
The term comes from the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3. What do you make of the fact that the rest of the chapter, immediately aftet this conversation, is focused on baptism?
Well, I think Romans chapter 6 is a beautiful picture of what it means to be born again.-and Paul does equate it with baptism there in a visual. We die to sin and walk anew. We die and go down under water (buried) and are raised up with Christ- I know people disagree with that but it's what Paul wrote.
I did not notice a difference at water baptism, although I know some people who did for sure. For me, the
knowing - that came later. I don't think it is always exactly the same way for everyone, but to know is likely similar.
Just look at Acts- it wasn't always the same exact way.
There are different gifts but the same Spirit. You can pray for different gifts. Pray about all things. I don't think you always necessarily know immediately. I can only speak to myself and a few others. I also don't involve myself over the semantics of it all. I only know it is of God, and not from me. When the spirit is in control- there wont be bickering and nastiness. That's our flesh and we do battle. It's not something I have perfected. Sometimes, I know and sometimes it seems the Spirit left me for a time- but returns. It does seem to be like the wind in that way- I know He doesn't leave me totally but it feels that way sometimes. I am probably not the right one to answer this. I don't have the hang of it all. I only can say for sure that you do know when you know. When I take time to draw close to Him- He is there. Many days I fail to take the time and He is still there while other days I feel alone. Sorry if that's confusing. I'm a work in progress.
On occasion I have felt an extra fill of the Spirit and those were times when I was suddenly moved to give the gospel to someone. It's as if He carries me. I don't fight it. Once I speak the words- it's gone.
