What does "born again" mean?

thelord's_pearl · Jun 20, 2023

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.

Lambano · Jun 20, 2023

What does "born again" mean?

That's a darn good question, and I don't think the answer is simple. (Sorry, TLP!) I hear that phrase being tossed about so casually in Christian circles without people really thinking about what it means. Is being "born again" metaphorical, or metaphysical? That is, is it just a way of sayin' that you're starting a new life now that you trust Jesus and maybe you got baptized to publicly show it, or did something really change inside you? Or maybe a little of both?

Jesus said:

7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again’ (or 'born from above'). 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:7-8)

I take that to mean you sense that SOMETHING happened to you, but you don't know what, and you don't know how, and you don't what comes next. Which I can sorta relate to. (But if you can't relate to that, TLP, don't let it worry you. You're normal.)

quietthinker · Jun 21, 2023

It is an awakening tl_p. ....and just as in a physical birth in that it is the beginning of understanding, so is this awakening to learning a new reality.
For some it is a marked event, for others it is by 'osmosis'; they can't really put their finger on when it started.....but it is just as real.

thelord's_pearl · Jun 21, 2023

Yes, I think the steps/process to being born again are first to start with having faith in Jesus Christ and to being baptized, full immersion in water, being buried in Christ and then risen again anew and then once you go onto following Jesus and repenting God has to give you His Spirit inside of you and there is then change on the inside of you, an awakening like Lambano and quietthinker has said. Thank you Lambano and quietthinker to have replied and given me more insight and to have found this topic worth discussing. I am still a little confused so more replies are welcome, nice to have this discussion.

amadeus · Jun 21, 2023

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 what it is explained:

"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 once we have been 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 might 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. e was certainly tempted, but he never sinned. [See Heb 2:18 & 4:15 ]

"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 over 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

Raccoon1010 · Jun 21, 2023

The bible teaches us to be baptized yes. But born again is being born thru the spirit. It is a baptism of the spirit probably. We live carnal lives until we are reached by the Holy Spirit which guides us to live spiritual lives for God's will.

Keturah · Jun 21, 2023

Well said ! Amen & thank you.

DJT_47 · Jun 22, 2023

Belief/faith
Confession of belief
Repentance
Baptism (immersion in water)

The above are all necessary

GTW27 · Jun 22, 2023

The moment The Holy Spirit enters in, one is born again(born from above). The old has passed away, and all things become new. This is when the true journey begins. "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and sup(eat) with him and he with Me." Rev 3 vs 20.

liafailrock · Jun 22, 2023

That is the moment of one's resurrection, when they are born into the family of God. In the meantime, to compare this to human reproduction, we are embryos the moment we have the Spirit of God, a spark of life enters and we carry this (as Mary carried Jesus Christ) until our body dies and then is resurrected a new life (c.f. Paul's analogy when the seed is sown as grain and a new, different life springs from it 1Corinthians 15). So God reproduces Himself in us the same way until like Jesus, who at his resurrection became the firstborn among many brethren, we likewise will be born. But don't let that concern anyone here if this sounds different than what is commonly taught. Even as embryos, one is still a person (forming) and as such is still a son and has the Spirit. It's all semantics. This is why I am so much against abortion - some deceived Christians think this is OK when in fact, Satan contorted the meaning of reproduction and family because it's the physical form of what happens spiritually. Destroy proper relations between a man and woman and the definition of the family, and one cannot discern spiritual things.

liafailrock · Jun 22, 2023

BTW on the subject of baptism, it's not needed for salvation, but is proof of one's salvation because of obedience. So while it's not needed, I have to question why someone would not make the effort at some time to give such a public testimony of their faith? I can see if you are all alone on an island and a bible came floating to you but there was no baptizer. But even then, one can baptize themselves as a last resort - the Jews did that ritually called the Mikvah.

DJT_47 · Jun 22, 2023

On the contrary it, baptism, is ABSOLUTELY needed for salvation per the scriptures. And it's not for public testimony. That's modern day man made-up unscriptural nonsense. The Ethiopian eunuch was in the middle of nowhere with just he and Philip.

Mark16:15-16

15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

belief + baptism = salvation

Jim B · Jun 22, 2023

You do not have to be baptized (in water). That is a symbolic ritual, a statement that your old "man" (either gender) is buried and you have risen as a new person in Christ. If you believe that Jesus died for your sins, then your are saved and have eternal life.

John 3:16, "“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life."

Romans 6:4, "Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life."

Keturah · Jun 22, 2023

Ephesians 2:8

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

Jim B · Jun 22, 2023

You're changing the subject. Nobody is discussing abortion here. However, a embryo or fetus cannot survive without being physically connect to the placenta which is connected to the mother. So it has no life of its own.

This is not the thread to discuss abortion!

DJT_47 · Jun 22, 2023

You're totally wrong, inconsistent with scripture, and teaching error. The only way according to scripture that sins are remitted is by baptism (Acts2:38) not simply by belief as you stated. 1st Peter 3:20-21 says baptism saves us. The Lord says belief and baptism are required to be saved (Mark 16:15-16). So who's right, you or the written word of God?

Baptism is symbolic but necessary.

07-07-07 · Jun 22, 2023

Being born again means that God has given you a new heart and a new spirit; all the hate, grudges, envy, lust, etc. are now put aside because you have a new love — Jesus. It's truly a miracle! Then, you begin to delve into His word to learn all about Him and apply those things to your life. Consistent prayer, fastings and living in the Word are the key steps to maturing in the Lord Jesus.

TheOneHeLoves · Jun 22, 2023

I think the answer is simple just like the question. Humans try to add and add and use big words but it is super simple.

To be born again- to die to your fleshly self and live in and with Jesus.

Romans 6 : The entire chapter will discuss being born again.

v4- We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. NIV

today I heard a Pastor speak on the metamorphosis. Think of a caterpillar. it must die to self and be transformed to a butterfly. The butterfly must not try to live like a caterpillar again nor can the caterpillar live like a butterfly without dying to it old body.

GRACE ambassador · Jun 22, 2023

Precious friend, Great question - simply:

"By Grace Through faith" In The Death ( God's ALL-Sufficient BLOOD/Finished Work ), Burial,
and Resurrection, According To The Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4),

The Complicated and Confusing part is tradition 'adding' the OT ritual of water to the equation.
God Has Disallowed this Confusion By Plainly And Clearly Teaching His Body That:

There is Only ONE ( Spiritual ) Baptism, Today, Under Grace! (Ephesians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 12:13)

Thus, The One is, simply: not water

Please Be Very Richly Encouraged And Edified In God's Word Of Truth, Rightly Divided.

Again, simply, for water baptism

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From “Things That Differ” (online)

Spiritual Baptism, see Next Post

Amen.

GRACE ambassador · Jun 22, 2023

And, Again, simply, for us who are "born again" ( Baptized From Above ), here is
God's Encouragement And Edification:

God's OPERATION On All HIS New-born babes In CHRIST

Amen.

What does "born again" mean?

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member