What does it mean to be "born again"?

  • Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.

    You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Apr 7, 2026
526
79
28
75
Lexington KY
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Gender
Male
IMO:
o "Baptize" stems from Greek βαπτιζειν = "Immerse in water." Similarly Latin batizare = "immerse in water."

o It's a ritual of acknowledging and cleansing iniquities, and it is enjoined in Matthew 28:19-20.

o Baptism indicates that Jesus paid our penalty for us, hence we are "cleansed" of sins. The prophet Isaiah noted: "he (Jesus) will bear their iniquities." (Isaiah 53:11).

o Acts 1:5 indicates baptism in the Holy Spirit, which is not a ritual, rather a reality.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Armour of God

GRACE ambassador

Well-Known Member
Mar 1, 2021
2,829
2,035
113
74
Midwest
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Gender
Male
born again [ becoming "a child Of God" ] by water?

Precious friends, yes, and no:

Yes, If you are "Israel, under The Law"; No, If you are a Gentile, Under God's Dispensation of Grace, Today!
i.e.:

Three Baptisms Scriptural Summary!:

LORD JESUS, please open our hearts to All of Thy Truth. Amen:


Prophecy/Law: ►►► The Twelve WERE SENT to {water} baptize! ◄◄◄
The TWO "Main" (of 12) baptismS =
A) water, For remission of sins!:
(Matthew 3:5-6; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; John 1:31; Luke 7:29-30; Acts 10:37)
(Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Ezekiel 36:25 AV)
+
B) "WITH" The Holy Spirit, Poured Out By CHRIST, for power, signs And wonders!
(Isaiah 44:3; Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8, 16:17-18; Luke 24:49; Joel 2:28;
Acts 2:17-18, 38; Acts 8:15-17; Acts 11:16 AV)
Prophecy / Covenants / Law

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From “Things That Differ” (God's Word: The Big Picture! )

Mystery / GRACE!:
►►► Paul Was Not Sent to { water } baptize! Why Not?: ◄◄◄
Does not God Specifically Teach:

Today: Only One Baptism = "BY" The One Spirit = God's Operation,
Spiritually "Identifying" members In ( The One Body Of ) CHRIST!!
(Ephesians 4:5; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:27;
Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13 AV)

Timing
Of This One and Only One Spiritual Baptism, Today, Under Grace?:

"That we should be to The Praise Of His Glory, who first trusted In Christ.
In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard The Word Of Truth, The Gospel
of your Salvation: In Whom also after that ye believed, ye Were Sealed With
That Holy Spirit Of Promise, Which Is The Earnest Of our inheritance Until The
Redemption Of The Purchased Possession, Unto The Praise Of His Glory."

Thus. for Gentile Grace believers Today, Under God's Amazing Grace, God Has No :

water,​

But "men / denominations [ Mixing Up God's Two Different / Distinct Programs ]"
have Many and Various Confusing traditions, eh?​

Amen.

Be Blessed!

----------

And, precious friend(s), Please Be Very Richly Encouraged and Edified
In The Lord Jesus Christ and In His Precious Word Of Truth, Rightly
Divided:


The Bible: The BIG Picture

Baptized Into Christ.png

Amen.
 
Last edited:

Armour of God

Well-Known Member
Mar 6, 2026
1,186
754
113
47
Adelaide
Faith
Christian
Country
Australia
Gender
Male
Paul Was Not Sent to { water } baptize! Why Not?

Paul did indeed get baptized by Ananias

Acts 9:18
18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,

My friend, all baptism is by water and spirit.
It's is what born again means, as interpreted by the ancients in the early church and most Christians today.
It's why the rest of John 3 is focused on baptism, immediately after Christs conversation with Nicodemus. That's not to be ignored or dismissed

God bless
 
  • Haha
Reactions: JimKnox

Rockerduck

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2022
4,377
3,489
113
71
Marietta, Georgia.
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Paul did indeed get baptized by Ananias

Acts 9:18
18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,

My friend, all baptism is by water and spirit.
It's is what born again means, as interpreted by the ancients in the early church and most Christians today.
It's why the rest of John 3 is focused on baptism, immediately after Christs conversation with Nicodemus. That's not to be ignored or dismissed

God bless
Do you own a study bible?
 
  • Loveit!
Reactions: GRACE ambassador
Apr 7, 2026
526
79
28
75
Lexington KY
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Adam wasn't born a sinner.
IMO:
A person does not become a sinner when he/she sins, rather we sin because we are all natural sinners. It's called the "natural man."

Likewise a dog does not become a dog when it barks, rather a dog barks because it is a dog.
 
Last edited:

JimKnox

Member
Jun 27, 2026
73
40
18
Western Idaho
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Paul did indeed get baptized by Ananias

Acts 9:18
18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,

My friend, all baptism is by water and spirit.
It's is what born again means, as interpreted by the ancients in the early church and most Christians today.
It's why the rest of John 3 is focused on baptism, immediately after Christs conversation with Nicodemus. That's not to be ignored or dismissed

God bless
Do you understand how to answer a question?
Study Bible is not related to taking a bath (water baptism).
Just directly answer the dude's question for a change.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GRACE ambassador

Hillsage

Well-Known Member
Feb 20, 2023
736
487
63
77
Western Kansas
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Hillsage notes:
<Adam wasn't born in sin>
The above is still correct. He wasn't born a sinner, he was created the first..Adam the son of God. (Luke 3:38) and he was not a sinner.
Critically thinking, Adam wasn't even the first sinner of mankind....right? Eve was! Let's apply that truth to your "Rom 5" comment.

But first let's see what the Greek def of "man/men" is, in verse 12.

0444 anthropos: man-faced, i.e. a human being
Question? Was Eve a human being?

ROM 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man/anthropos sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men/anthropos, for that all have sinned:

Does this verse you're leaning on say a male named Adam? No, it does not. Does the definition of "man" even mean a male? No, it does not. When this verse says "death passed upon all men/anthropos" Do you think that Romans 5 means WOMEN don't sin and die? I'm trusting you don't. But I'm also hoping that you can see the problem I'm seeing concerning this one verse.

My thinking has no problem concerning what Paul WROTE to the church in Rome. Just a problem with what we've been TAUGHT from Rome since then.

I hope you can see why your use of "Rom 5" really doesn't prove to me what it does for you.

Bible notes:
"in Adam all sinned" (Romans 5:)
So you say, but where is the 'name' "Adam" at, in 5:12 above. I am seeing a lot of things differently this last year. I'm looking, not to justify 'our' indoctrination with roots from Rome. But I am looking for 'the truth' wherever it will take me.


The question is, do we sin because we are sinners, or do we become sinners when we sin.
I still think we are born with a sin nature. Does that mean we HAVE to sin? I believe we choose to sin, from the womb to the grave. Jesus didn't say "go and commit ?,?,? adultery, anymore." He said: "Go and sin no more."

God ordains everything, including human behavior: "for who resists his will" (Romans 9:19)
CONTEXT; ROM 9:18 So then he has mercy upon whomever he wills, and he hardens the heart of whomever he wills.

Context; you/I initiate sin and God decides whether to "harden" you/I, in that sin or not "harden" you. What influences GOD's decision? I believe it's 'whether or not' YOU REPENT when the holy spirit in you, first CONVICTS you of "righteousness, sin and judgment." If you don't repent (and turn) He turns you over to the "torturers" who He will LET "scourge" you until you do repent, or die in refusal to fighting sin. God made the laws, but He doesn't enforce them, the enforcers do.

Check out also Psalm 51:3.
I did check it. Unfortunately, with that verse, I now have to circle back to the beginning, concerning what happened in the Garden.

PSA 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

Transgression
isn't sin. And Eve wasn't judged for a "transgression" leading to her sin, which led to 'death'. But Adam was, in this verse below. I'm asking WHY?

ROM 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

2CO 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.


Adam's sin was not because of being "bequiled" with "subtilty" like Eve. He sinned because of a "transgression" and that was "the figure of him that was to come." And "the figure" would be JESUS. Who was a 'transgressor' and "numbered with the transgressors. I'll just stop there. :hmhehm

And probably best to just deal with what was before you mentioned Psa. 51:3. clfh
 

Rockerduck

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2022
4,377
3,489
113
71
Marietta, Georgia.
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Do you understand how to answer a question?
Study Bible is not related to taking a bath (water baptism).
Just directly answer the dude's question for a change.
A KJV study bible will tell you the difference between Baptism of the Holy Spirit and water baptism. 'that's why I suggested it.
 
  • Love
Reactions: JimKnox

Hillsage

Well-Known Member
Feb 20, 2023
736
487
63
77
Western Kansas
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Gender
Male
IMO:
A person does not become a sinner when he/she sins, rather we sin because we are all natural sinners. It's called the "natural man."

Likewise a dog does not become a dog when it barks, rather a dog barks because it is a dog.
Hmm, a dog analogy? Let me try this; But we 'unlike a dog' have two minds. We have a "natural/soulish" "carnal mind" and a "spiritual mind".

ROM 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7* Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

We can be 'carnal', or might I say 'dog minded', which leads to death. Or we can be 'spiritual' and God minded to life and peace.

We can choose between a soulish minded instinct, like a dog, only has. Or we can choose by inspiration as a manifesting son of God. But trying to walk in both???? Not good.

YLT JAM 1:7 for let not that man suppose that he shall receive anything from the Lord -
8 a two-souled man {is} unstable in all his ways.


EDIT; WB, we're really 'off topic' with this. Please don't even respond.
 
Last edited:

JimKnox

Member
Jun 27, 2026
73
40
18
Western Idaho
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Gender
Male
A KJV study bible will tell you the difference between Baptism of the Holy Spirit and water baptism. 'that's why I suggested it.
I understand why you suggested it.
My post was meant for the fellow who dodged your question by obstinately repeating his prior posts.
Over the years, I have had a few different study Bibles, (Ryrie, Schofield, World Teachers, etc) and have at last landed on 3 helps but no commentaries.
KJV Bible, Webster's 1828 Dictionary, Strongs Concordance, Cruden's Concordance. (I have others but don't use them anymore due to incorrect doctrine slant).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rockerduck

Rockerduck

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2022
4,377
3,489
113
71
Marietta, Georgia.
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Gender
Male
I understand why you suggested it.
My post was meant for the fellow who dodged your question by obstinately repeating his prior posts.
Over the years, I have had a few different study Bibles, (Ryrie, Schofield, World Teachers, etc) and have at last landed on 3 helps but no commentaries.
KJV Bible, Webster's 1828 Dictionary, Strongs Concordance, Cruden's Concordance. (I have others but don't use them anymore due to incorrect doctrine slant).
I agree. I only use a bible with the Holy Spirit teaching.