What does it mean to be born again?

[Episkopos]

Correct, the Forum is not diabolic--it's your cult that's diabolic

My "sect" is the same as the one Paul ascribed to himself..... described as... " this sect that is everywhere spoken against" or... T.S.E.S.A.

Acts 28: 22 "But we desire to hear of you what you think: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against."

How the truth is viewed says much about the ones that hate it being preached.

All one has to do is see WHO is speaking against it, and all becomes clear. Only religious posturers hate the fellowship in the truth.

 

[Johann]

Shame on you! You claim to be a Christian?!? How is your post edifying to the thread?? God help you! Is this the biblical method you speak of?

Who is goading and soliciting here--breaking Forum rules?

 

[Episkopos]

Who is goading and soliciting here--breaking Forum rules?

You can't help yourself. Always accusing me of what you're doing. Seek help.

 

[Mjh29]

I do. I thank God for the privilege of being hated for speaking as He tells me to speak. I don't want to see people judged. But how will they turn from their ways unless they are warned?

And you are also hated... so then you are standing in the truth by trusting the Lord.

So we HAVE started a “Hated for speaking the Truth” club! I’m disappointed I was not invited lol.

 

[Lizbeth]

There is a temptation among the "born-again" crowd to look down on the Jews. Of course, there are Jews that do likewise to the Gentiles. But all this is carnal and impedes an understanding of the bible and its teachings.

If we negate the Jews as being God's people under the Old Covenant, we won't have any idea what we are about as God's people under the New Covenant.
Did God so hate the Jews that He made it very hard for them and very easy for non-Jews? Or, are we being fooled in our assumptions in the very same way that religious Jews become smug in their own superiority?

God is very wise...and He catches the foolish ones in their folly.

It is far better to respect the Jews as God's people and learn from their mistakes....considering ourselves lest we also be puffed up in a religious mindset.

It is wise to read the Exodus story...and then Hebrews to see that the unbelieving were God's people and not those who don't have their theological ducks in a row.

This is one way in which you err.....you assume that every time a word is used in scripture that that word is always referring to the same thing. Sometimes words in the bible are used interchangeably, or the same word can be referring to different things. Need very much to look at the context of the verses to see what the Lord is communicating. For example in 2 Cor 10, it is a letter to Corinthian believers, not to Jewish believers and it is clearly talking about them being separate from pagan idol worshipers who are called unbelievers in this passage:

2Co 6:14-17

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you

I think you need to look at the words righteousness and holiness as well and check to see if they are not used interchangeably at times.

The unbelieving who will be thrown into the lake of fire in the end will be Jewish and Gentile, it won't matter "for there is no difference". The warnings in scripture, as well as the gospel itself, are all to the Jew first then the Gentile. Sadly Jews are not excluded from the warnings any more than Gentiles are:

Rom 2:8-12

But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

For there is no respect of persons with God.

For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

 

[Eternally Grateful]

You can't help yourself. Always accusing me of what you're doing. Seek help.

you need to start reading the way you talk to people.

you can't look down on someone who talks to you the same way you talk to others.. Again, Practice what you preach

 

[Johann]

There is a temptation among the "born-again" crowd to look down on the Jews.

Fancy yourself a Jew?

 

[Eternally Grateful]

There is a temptation among the "born-again" crowd to look down on the Jews.

so are you admitting you are not "born again"? or are you tempted to look down on jews??

 

[Episkopos]

So we HAVE started a “Hated for speaking the Truth” club! I’m disappointed I was not invited lol.

Always willing to welcome someone who actually speaks the truth...in love. :)

 

[Johann]

so are you admitting you are not "born again"? or are you tempted to look down on jews??

Ditto!

 

[Episkopos]

This is one way in which you err.....you assume that every time a word is used in scripture that that word is always referring to the same thing. Sometimes words in the bible are used interchangeably, or the same word can be referring to different things. Need very much to look at the context of the verses to see what the Lord is communicating.

You'd have to be able to correctly divide the word to see the difference between what gets somebody cut off from God for eternity and what is practical and avoids difficulties in this life. And you never admitted that Hebrews 3 and 4 are about unbelieving believers...and God's wrath being directed at God's own people. If you could TRY to be honest....

For example in 2 Cor 10, it is a letter to Corinthian believers, not to Jewish believers and it is clearly talking about them being separate from pagan idol worshipers who are called unbelievers in this passage:

What it doesn't say is that believers who marry unbelievers are under God's wrath. Do you understand that, at least? It is not very practicable to be unequally yoked. Does that mean if a believer marries an unbeliever that he/she is under God's wrath? Not at all. We see Hosea being directed towards marrying a harlot. Is Hosea under God's wrath? I hope you can see that he is not.

So you need to learn how to divide the words of God in right manner.

Hope this helps!

 

[Mjh29]

Even if I personally do not agree with someone’s beliefs, I have more or less gotten to the point where I will explain what I believe, if you wanna ask me questions I am HAPPY to talk - but if it gets to full out argument, I’ll be honest I’ll most likely just ignore them lol. It is better to remove yourself from an argument in situations like that - but at the same time, if I disagree with you cordially and you disagree back with equal respect, I’ll chat with anyone all day!

 

[Episkopos]

Even if I personally do not agree with someone’s beliefs, I have more or less gotten to the point where I will explain what I believe, if you wanna ask me questions I am HAPPY to talk - but if it gets to full out argument, I’ll be honest I’ll most likely just ignore them lol. It is better to remove yourself from an argument in situations like that - but at the same time, if I disagree with you cordially and you disagree back with equal respect, I’ll chat with anyone all day!

What you are saying is that you will not follow all my threads and hurl abuse and all manner of evil on me for simply speaking the truth?

Oh. OK! ;)

 

[Mjh29]

What you are saying is that you will not follow all my threads and hurl abuse and all manner of evil on me for simply speaking the truth?

Oh. OK! ;)

Honestly, even if I disagree, I think we can all agree Scripture calls us to yes, present the truth as we understand it, but also do it in such a way as to reflect Christ - Christ ate with those who were considered the outcast and filth of the world; I’m pretty sure that I can manage a civil conversation with someone with whom I don’t agree. So that would be a yes from me

 

[Episkopos]

Honestly, even if I disagree, I think we can all agree Scripture calls us to yes, present the truth as we understand it, but also do it in such a way as to reflect Christ - Christ ate with those who were considered the outcast and filth of the world; I’m pretty sure that I can manage a civil conversation with someone with whom I don’t agree. So that would be a yes from me

I have not seen such civility...even among "believers". :)

 

[Laurina]

you should give it a try, might help--the biblical method.

Again, Practice what you preach

Once again for the cloud of witnesses, this time with love.

Matthew 5:43-48
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and ‘Hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,s 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?

48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Just a reminder of Jesus' words....as you are a follower of Him. Hope this helps, Since you treat and see Episkopos as your enemy.

 

[Mjh29]

I have not seen such civility...even among "believers". :)

Honestly, a very common and real problem. There are certain doctrines that I believe are necessary to be counted amongst the children of God - BUT at the same time, as a professing reformed Presby, I also hold that it is God who will changed hearts, not me. I can share what I believe about ANY doctrine, but ultimately God will or won’t place it upon another’s heart. Along with being a presby, I am also…. Human. I can (believe it or not) be wrong about things, even things concerning my faith. So when you think about it, especially for someone of my personal branch of the Tree of Christ, there is very little to be gained from me arguing or hurling insults at another.

 

[Episkopos]

Honestly, a very common and real problem. There are certain doctrines that I believe are necessary to be counted amongst the children of God - BUT at the same time, as a professing reformed Presby, I also hold that it is God who will changed hearts, not me. I can share what I believe about ANY doctrine, but ultimately God will or won’t place it upon another’s heart. Along with being a presby, I am also…. Human. I can (believe it or not) be wrong about things, even things concerning my faith. So when you think about it, especially for someone of my personal branch of the Tree of Christ, there is very little to be gained from me arguing or hurling insults at another.

Well you are very unlike the people that religiously invade my threads. What gets spoiled believers in a big snit is for them to be told that "to whom much is given MORE (not less) is required." As long as your eyes are not rolling in the back of your head upon hearing that...I think we can discuss pretty much anything! :)

 

[Mjh29]

Well you are very unlike the people that religiously invade my threads. What gets spoiled believers in a big snit is for them to be told that "to whom much is given MORE (not less) is required." As long as your eyes are not rolling in the back of your head upon hearing that...I think we can discuss pretty much anything! :)

It is absolutely true that to those whom more ability, knowledge, even wealth and prosperity - more is certainly required of them. Whether you believe like I that is is Gods predestination or not makes no difference - the end result is that those who are TRULY of the faith will show the fruit, wherever you believe this fruit comes from.

 

[Episkopos]

It is absolutely true that to those whom more ability, knowledge, even wealth and prosperity - more is certainly required of them. Whether you believe like I that is is Gods predestination or not makes no difference - the end result is that those who are TRULY of the faith will show the fruit, wherever you believe this fruit comes from.

Also grace. If we have been given mercy and grace, we are required to extend that mercy and grace to others. We are to see ourselves as a conduit of God's love to others and not its final destination.

God is selfless...and those who would be with Him should also learn to be as selfless.

(at this point I usually get called a deceiver, a devil and such)