What does born again mean?
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I habe been wanting to answer this but havent had time. Born again is a strange term and kind of hard to think of. It no wonder why Nicodemus was confused. The answer Jesus gave, unless one is born of water and of The Spirit can still leave us wondering. You have understamd it through not only the context of the passage of origin, but also by other passages. I think Romans chapters 6, 7 and 8 really does clarify what Jesus was talking about when he spoke of being born again.
Hello @ephfourfive, the Lord seemed to chide Nicodemus a bit (as not only a Pharisee, but much more, as the "teacher of Israel") for not knowing what it meant to be "born again" .. e.g. John 3:9-10. I believe that the OT does a more thorough job of defining what that term means (and what it entails) in the following passage (the passage that I believe the Lord Jesus was referring to as the one that Nicodemus should have known very well).
"Regeneration" or "quickening" refers to bringing something that is dead to life, in this case to "spiritual" life. While we are born alive "physically", the Bible tells us that we are born dead "spiritually" (as a result of our progenitor's sin in the Garden of God). This is why we need to be "born again" or "born from above" to "spiritual" life, so that we can finally understand and accept both God and the things of God, which are all, of course, "spiritual" in nature .. e.g. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16 (please take special note of v14's description of a "natural" rather than a "spiritual" man or woman).
"Regeneration/quickening" is also referred to as God "making us alive" (spiritually) in Christ (see v5 below).
(your user name and favorite verse, Ephesians 4:5 & Luke 1:38 respectively, being a bit of a give-away too ). Assuming that this is indeed the case, I won't waste my time or yours trying to tell you why I believe that it isn't true, since it is certainly one of the central tenets of your church, and as such, a belief that you, no doubt, will continue to stand firm in.
God bless you!!
~Deuteronomy
p.s. - this is mostly a blind post, so I apologize if everything that I just said has already been discussed!!
Ezekiel 36
26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”
"Regeneration" or "quickening" refers to bringing something that is dead to life, in this case to "spiritual" life. While we are born alive "physically", the Bible tells us that we are born dead "spiritually" (as a result of our progenitor's sin in the Garden of God). This is why we need to be "born again" or "born from above" to "spiritual" life, so that we can finally understand and accept both God and the things of God, which are all, of course, "spiritual" in nature .. e.g. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16 (please take special note of v14's description of a "natural" rather than a "spiritual" man or woman).
"Regeneration/quickening" is also referred to as God "making us alive" (spiritually) in Christ (see v5 below).
Ephesians 2
1 You were dead in your trespasses and sins,
2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were ~by nature~ children of wrath, even as the rest.
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 ~even when we were dead~ in our transgressions, ~made us alive~ together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).
As far as the waters of baptism being salvific, I assume that you hold to that belief because you are Roman Catholic, yes (your user name and favorite verse, Ephesians 4:5 & Luke 1:38 respectively, being a bit of a give-away too ). Assuming that this is indeed the case, I won't waste my time or yours trying to tell you why I believe that it isn't true, since it is certainly one of the central tenets of your church, and as such, a belief that you, no doubt, will continue to stand firm in.God bless you!!
~Deuteronomy
p.s. - this is mostly a blind post, so I apologize if everything that I just said has already been discussed!!
How can God bringing us to life in Christ not be salvific?
Refer to Mk 16:16 and 1 pet 3:21
For those who don’t believe baptismal regeneration but “faith alone”
Scripture references to baptismal regeneration: “water”
Psalm 1:3
Psalm 23:2
Song of Solomon 4:15
Jer 2:13
Jer 17:13
Zech 14:8
Jn 5:3
Rev 7:17
Rev 22:1
Water flowing from the temple
Rev 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Baptismal regeneration:
Matt 28:19
Mk 16:16
Jn 3:5
Acts 2:38-39
Acts 8:36:38
Acts 22:16
Gal 3:27
Titus 3:5
Eph 1:13
1 pet 3:20:21
Baptism vs faith alone
Prophecy
“Baptism” / “Faith alone”
Ez 36:25-27 Nothing in scripture
Scripture
“Baptism “ / “Faith alone”
Matt 28:19 nothing found
Mk 16:16 “
Jn 3:5 “
Acts 2:38-39 “
Acts 8:36-38 “
Acts 22:16 “
Rom 6:3 “
Eph 4:5 “
Col 2:12 “
1 cor 12:13 “
Gal 3:27 “
2 Tim 1:10 “
eph 2:1 and 5 “
2 cor 5:17 “
Eph 1:13 “
Eph 5:26 “
Titus 3:5 “
1 pet 1:2 “
1 pet 2:9 “
1 pet 3:20-21 “
2 pet 1:11 “
Not “faith alone”
1 cor 13:2 even all faith (alone) without charity avails NOTHING.
Phil 1:29 not called to “faith alone”
But also to suffer for the sake of Christ.
James 2:24 justified by work and not by “faith alone”.
James 2:20 Faith without works is dead.
“Faith alone” accomplishes nothing.
“Faith alone” not found in scripture.
Three things are eternal; faith, hope, and charity. 1 cor 13:13
Not “faith alone”.
Jesus Christ is Our salvation:
Truth / doctrine Jn 14:6
Sacrifice / sacraments Jn 1:16-17 Jn 1:29
Christ is in His person is our salvation Lk 2:30
How can it be “faith alone” Christ is not only a doctrine or set of beliefs but He is our Passover sacrifice and He is our salvation, His person, Lk 2:30 I have seen my Salvation!
We must have union with Christ by faith and baptism.
Faith & Love:
Faith:
Intellectual accent to the truths revealed by Christ and taught by His church. Matt 28:19 eph 4:5 Jude 1:3
Love:
Thy will be done: Matt 6:10 heb 10:9
Matt 21:28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
Must bear Fruit:
Luke 13:9
And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
Jn -5:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
1 cor 13:2 not faith alone
Deut 6:5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
1 cor 13:13 THREE things are eternal, faith, hope, and charity.
Faith and baptism required for salvation: Mk 16:16 Matt 28:19 Jn 3:5 & 3:22 acts 2:38-39 acts 8:36-38 acts 22:16 Titus 3:5 1 pet 3:20-21
“Faith alone” Questions
where does scripture says we have died with Christ by “faith alone”?
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
where does scripture say we are members of Christ and his church by “faith alone”?
1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
where does scripture says we put on Christ by “faith alone”?
Galatians 3:27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Where does scripture say our sins are washed away by “faith alone”?
Acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
where does scripture say we are saved or justified by “faith alone”?
1 pet 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us!
The only reference in scripture to “faith alone” is James 2:24 NOT BY “FAITH ALONE”?
2 pet 1: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
How can you enter by your own if it must be ministered to you? Baptism is done unto you, “not do it yourself by faith alone”
Jn 3:5 born again by faith alone?
Where is “Accept Christ as your personal lord & savior” is found in scripture?
They did not go preaching this line but went immediately to the river and baptized Jn 3:22
Acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Galatians 3:27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Eph 4:5 one baptism
Why don’t it say one teeny tiny little act of “faith alone”???
When we first believed we are saved?
Romans 13:11
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
How can salvation be nearer than when we first believed if you’re saved by believing?
1 pet 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Matt 24:13 endures to the end Shall be saved.
How can salvation happen when we first believed if it’s the end?
If salvation is by “faith alone” then faith would be the greatest!
1 cor 13:13 charity is the greatest!
Even all faith much less “faith alone” without charity avails nothing!
1 cor 13:2
“Faith alone” unbiblical!
Scripture references to baptismal regeneration: “water”
Psalm 1:3
Psalm 23:2
Song of Solomon 4:15
Jer 2:13
Jer 17:13
Zech 14:8
Jn 5:3
Rev 7:17
Rev 22:1
Water flowing from the temple
Rev 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Baptismal regeneration:
Matt 28:19
Mk 16:16
Jn 3:5
Acts 2:38-39
Acts 8:36:38
Acts 22:16
Gal 3:27
Titus 3:5
Eph 1:13
1 pet 3:20:21
Baptism vs faith alone
Prophecy
“Baptism” / “Faith alone”
Ez 36:25-27 Nothing in scripture
Scripture
“Baptism “ / “Faith alone”
Matt 28:19 nothing found
Mk 16:16 “
Jn 3:5 “
Acts 2:38-39 “
Acts 8:36-38 “
Acts 22:16 “
Rom 6:3 “
Eph 4:5 “
Col 2:12 “
1 cor 12:13 “
Gal 3:27 “
2 Tim 1:10 “
eph 2:1 and 5 “
2 cor 5:17 “
Eph 1:13 “
Eph 5:26 “
Titus 3:5 “
1 pet 1:2 “
1 pet 2:9 “
1 pet 3:20-21 “
2 pet 1:11 “
Not “faith alone”
1 cor 13:2 even all faith (alone) without charity avails NOTHING.
Phil 1:29 not called to “faith alone”
But also to suffer for the sake of Christ.
James 2:24 justified by work and not by “faith alone”.
James 2:20 Faith without works is dead.
“Faith alone” accomplishes nothing.
“Faith alone” not found in scripture.
Three things are eternal; faith, hope, and charity. 1 cor 13:13
Not “faith alone”.
Jesus Christ is Our salvation:
Truth / doctrine Jn 14:6
Sacrifice / sacraments Jn 1:16-17 Jn 1:29
Christ is in His person is our salvation Lk 2:30
How can it be “faith alone” Christ is not only a doctrine or set of beliefs but He is our Passover sacrifice and He is our salvation, His person, Lk 2:30 I have seen my Salvation!
We must have union with Christ by faith and baptism.
Faith & Love:
Faith:
Intellectual accent to the truths revealed by Christ and taught by His church. Matt 28:19 eph 4:5 Jude 1:3
Love:
Thy will be done: Matt 6:10 heb 10:9
Matt 21:28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
Must bear Fruit:
Luke 13:9
And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
Jn -5:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
1 cor 13:2 not faith alone
Deut 6:5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
1 cor 13:13 THREE things are eternal, faith, hope, and charity.
Faith and baptism required for salvation: Mk 16:16 Matt 28:19 Jn 3:5 & 3:22 acts 2:38-39 acts 8:36-38 acts 22:16 Titus 3:5 1 pet 3:20-21
“Faith alone” Questions
where does scripture says we have died with Christ by “faith alone”?
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
where does scripture say we are members of Christ and his church by “faith alone”?
1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
where does scripture says we put on Christ by “faith alone”?
Galatians 3:27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Where does scripture say our sins are washed away by “faith alone”?
Acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
where does scripture say we are saved or justified by “faith alone”?
1 pet 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us!
The only reference in scripture to “faith alone” is James 2:24 NOT BY “FAITH ALONE”?
2 pet 1: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
How can you enter by your own if it must be ministered to you? Baptism is done unto you, “not do it yourself by faith alone”
Jn 3:5 born again by faith alone?
Where is “Accept Christ as your personal lord & savior” is found in scripture?
They did not go preaching this line but went immediately to the river and baptized Jn 3:22
Acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Galatians 3:27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Eph 4:5 one baptism
Why don’t it say one teeny tiny little act of “faith alone”???
When we first believed we are saved?
Romans 13:11
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
How can salvation be nearer than when we first believed if you’re saved by believing?
1 pet 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Matt 24:13 endures to the end Shall be saved.
How can salvation happen when we first believed if it’s the end?
If salvation is by “faith alone” then faith would be the greatest!
1 cor 13:13 charity is the greatest!
Even all faith much less “faith alone” without charity avails nothing!
1 cor 13:2
“Faith alone” unbiblical!
op: "born again"?
Literally "born from (God) Above"
Discussions?: {water} baptismal regeneration? water and spirit?
believe and be baptized (in water) for salvation?
believe, be saved, then water for testimony/membership?
other (as yet unknown) theories?
LORD Jesus, By Your Spirit, Please open our hearts to Your Only
Bible Answer To ALL this Confusion. Amen:
Divided, Within God's Contexts:
(1) Prophecy/Covenants/Law for ISRAEL:
►►► The Twelve Were Sent to {water} baptize! ◄◄◄
The TWO Main (of 12) baptismS =
A) water, For remission of sins/induction into Israeli "priesthood!":
(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, 22:16; Ezekiel_36:25)
+
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; Acts_2:17-18, 38, 8:15-17, 11:16)
Prophecy/Covenants/Law
Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From “Things That DIFFER!” {online}:
(2) Mystery/GRACE! =
our "apostle to the Gentiles" for The Body Of CHRIST:
►►► Paul Was Not Sent to {water} baptize! Why Not?: ◄◄◄
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 KJB! ◄◄◄)
-----------------------------------------------------
Then, within His Context Of Grace/Mystery, we find the
"Washing Of Regeneration" Today, is not by water, But By
The Holy Spirit, As Confirmed By "What Saith The Scripture?":
a) not physical water, as that would be a "work of righteousness
that we ['man's operation' would] do," and Scripture Declares:
(Colossians 2:11), Sanctification, and Justification
(God's Spiritual OPERATION), we have:
born from (God) Above, Correct?
--------
Conclusion:
1) No Confusion is necessary When Scripture is Rightly Divided,
and kept (rule #3 BSR) in God's Context, as demonstrated above.
2) The ONE (Spiritual) Baptism Into The One Body, By The One Spirit
Definitely Vanquishes all of man's Confusion of water, Correct?
3) Mixing Up/Confusing These Two Different 'Contexts' Is Most Likely
Why God Gave us This, eh?:
Additional study:Water That Divides
--------------------------------------
Precious friend(s):
Please Be Very RICHLY Encouraged And Edified In
The LORD JESUS CHRIST, And His Word Of Truth, Rightly
Divided (+ I and II).
Grace, Peace, And JOY!
Literally "born from (God) Above"
Discussions?: {water} baptismal regeneration? water and spirit?
believe and be baptized (in water) for salvation?
believe, be saved, then water for testimony/membership?
other (as yet unknown) theories?
LORD Jesus, By Your Spirit, Please open our hearts to Your Only
Bible Answer To ALL this Confusion. Amen:
"Study to shew thyself Approved Unto God, a work-
man that needeth not to be ashamed, Rightly
Dividing The Word Of Truth!" (2 Timothy 2:15):
3 baptisms (not misinterpreted/explained away), but Rightly Divided, Within God's Contexts:
(1) Prophecy/Covenants/Law for ISRAEL:
►►► The Twelve Were Sent to {water} baptize! ◄◄◄
The TWO Main (of 12) baptismS =
A) water, For remission of sins/induction into Israeli "priesthood!":
(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, 22:16; Ezekiel_36:25)
+
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; Acts_2:17-18, 38, 8:15-17, 11:16)
Prophecy/Covenants/Law
Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From “Things That DIFFER!” {online}:
(2) Mystery/GRACE! =
our "apostle to the Gentiles" for The Body Of CHRIST:
►►► Paul Was Not Sent to {water} baptize! Why Not?: ◄◄◄
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 KJB! ◄◄◄)
-----------------------------------------------------
Then, within His Context Of Grace/Mystery, we find the
"Washing Of Regeneration" Today, is not by water, But By
The Holy Spirit, As Confirmed By "What Saith The Scripture?":
a) not physical water, as that would be a "work of righteousness
that we ['man's operation' would] do," and Scripture Declares:
"...Not by works of righteousness which we have done..."
(Titus 3:5)
b) Along With "Circumcision [without hands] of the heart"(Colossians 2:11), Sanctification, and Justification
(God's Spiritual OPERATION), we have:
“And such were some of you: but ye Are Washed, but ye Are
Sanctified, but ye Are Justified In The Name Of The Lord
Jesus, And By The Spirit Of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)
born from (God) Above, Correct?
--------
Conclusion:
1) No Confusion is necessary When Scripture is Rightly Divided,
and kept (rule #3 BSR) in God's Context, as demonstrated above.
2) The ONE (Spiritual) Baptism Into The One Body, By The One Spirit
Definitely Vanquishes all of man's Confusion of water, Correct?
3) Mixing Up/Confusing These Two Different 'Contexts' Is Most Likely
Why God Gave us This, eh?:
Rom 11:6
"And if By Grace, Then is it no more of works: Otherwise Grace
is no more Grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more Grace:
Otherwise work is no more work." Amen.
Additional study:Water That Divides
--------------------------------------
Precious friend(s):
Please Be Very RICHLY Encouraged And Edified In
The LORD JESUS CHRIST, And His Word Of Truth, Rightly
Divided (+ I and II).
Grace, Peace, And JOY!
"If baptism is to prepare for Christ then Christ is received in baptism". So when John baptized Jesus, then Jesus received Himself? Interesting (and incorrect) concept.
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." Clearly, Christ is not received in baptism.
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." Clearly, Christ is not received in baptism.
John 3 water and the Spirit..
Things to notice...
Nicodemus asks about being born again 2nd time regarding the womb.
Jesus doesn't say the water of the womb isn't what He is talking about.. buy ADDS being born of the Spirit.
So ... born of water and the Spirit..
That's born first naturally by water of the womb.. then later at believing in Jesus as God.. being born of the Spirit.
This isn't water baptism by immersion.
Things to notice...
Nicodemus asks about being born again 2nd time regarding the womb.
Jesus doesn't say the water of the womb isn't what He is talking about.. buy ADDS being born of the Spirit.
So ... born of water and the Spirit..
That's born first naturally by water of the womb.. then later at believing in Jesus as God.. being born of the Spirit.
This isn't water baptism by immersion.
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Well, Christ getting baptized was something he needed to do to fulfill a prophecy.
John 1
33And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
In this way they were able to identify who Jesus is among all of the many people who were also getting water baptized. The water baptism also served the purpose of a righteous act of obedience, it being from heaven and not from man.
John 1
33And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
In this way they were able to identify who Jesus is among all of the many people who were also getting water baptized. The water baptism also served the purpose of a righteous act of obedience, it being from heaven and not from man.
Being born of “water and Spirit” is certainly about water baptism and being born of the Spirit. This is evident because flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Thus, being born of water isn't a natural birth and it isn’t an essential component of entering the kingdom of God.
John 3
5Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
Paul tried to make it clearer here, but he also noted it’s a mystery. However, a careful study of the baptism shows that it’s required to be resurrected. I haven’t seen many people even attempt to try to understand this, but that’s common.
1 Corinthians 15
50I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
John 3
5Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
Paul tried to make it clearer here, but he also noted it’s a mystery. However, a careful study of the baptism shows that it’s required to be resurrected. I haven’t seen many people even attempt to try to understand this, but that’s common.
1 Corinthians 15
50I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
L
This makes no sense at all. Why would Jesus refer to natural birth. The implication there is that there is a question concerning people that dont exist, He was talking to Nic, about being born again. So the idea that the person had obviously already been born and exists, but needs born again. Jesus' answer is about being born again. It goes without saying that in order to be born again that a person was already born once or there would be no conversation. When Jesus answers the question about being born again He is answering the question at hand; how is one born again?. His answer is one must be born of water and the Spirit. This is born again. Being born again is being born of water and the spirit. All who want to remove baptism disregard the baptism of Jesus Himself.
No it does not. Regeneration is the supernatural work of God the Holy Spirit who takes a vile sinner and makes him or her a child of God (John 1:12,13; Tit 3:4-7). Thus that person is "born again", "born of the Spirit", "born from above", and "born of God". This makes the sinner "a new creature (or creation) in Christ".
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Cor 5:17) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. (Gal 6:15)
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Cor 5:17) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. (Gal 6:15)