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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | 'Born again' a moment in time? | 1 Pet 1:3 | charis | 6910 | ||
Saints, Is 'born again' a moment in time? Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3 NASB. I have never met a person who 'saw the kingdom of God' in it's fullness the moment they were apprehended by (or knew) Jesus. I have had glimpses of the kingdom in the midst of the church for years, but I doubt if I have seen fullness yet. Nor have I met many who could claim that they were 'filled with the Spirit' and free from all sin immediately after saying "Amen!" to the 'sinner's prayer.' I am still pursuing these blessings, and from what I observe, so are most Christians. It seems to me that the 'born again experience' in Christ Jesus has a starting point (meeting Him), a body (our life in Him), and a finale (when we meet the Lord Jesus, upon our 'giving up this earthly body' or 'meeting Him in the air.' Comments? In Jesus' name, charis |
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2 | 'Born again' a moment in time? | 1 Pet 1:3 | Searcher56 | 6945 | ||
Charis ... Just as our phyiscal birth was a moment in time, so is our spiritual birth. And that is what I think the Greek verb means. Saying the prayer doesn't save ... it is a change of heart, tho the mouth solidifies it. Our 'born again experience' begins with conception - when we hear the gospel ... we begin our life when we accept Him ... I do not think it will ever end, tho when we meet Him in the air and the marriage supper will be very special. Some will be with Him if they die before He returns. In Acts we see that being 'filled with the Spirit' occurs at different points (2:4, 4:8, 31, 9:17, 10:44). It can happen more than once (13:9, 52). We do need to be filled with Him (Eph. 5:18). We are pure, cleansed from sin, when we recieve Him ... and every time we confess our sins. Yes, we will sin - it is a struggle. Steve |
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3 | Are we done? | 1 Pet 1:3 | charis | 7012 | ||
Dear Steve, From God's viewpoint, born-again may be an absolute. I don't think such can be said from our limited prospect. When we claim that we are 'born again,' the world sees and unfinished product. If we persist and say that all our sin has been wiped clean, we are re-created, we are led by the Spirit of God (or Spirit-filled), we speak of the hope that has been placed in our hearts. "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48 NASB. I pursue this goal, and God may see it as accomplished, but as Paul spoke, " And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2 NASB. This indicates a work-in-progress. I believe we are being more honest to ourselves and to potential Christians to clarify that 'born-again' is not an adjective describing present state, but a hope, a beginning. I have heard this term used in a sense of ultimate arrogance, and unbelievers are frightened away by this proud claim. That is why we always have to backpedal or use disclaimers in our evangelism. Many Christians are 'so heavenly bound they are no earthly good.' So brainwashed that they are 'perfect' they deny real sin and the necessity to pursue righteousness. "But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does." James 1:25 NASB. We are first born as flesh, and we are indeed flesh at that moment. However, when we are born again as Christians, it is a birth of faith. But you are still flesh until you meet Jesus. Are we done? In Christ Jesus, charis |
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4 | Are we done? | 1 Pet 1:3 | glory777 | 7070 | ||
Charis- I am not an expert, but I believe that, as physical birth is at a moment in time, and the birth itself is complete, so is being born again. It happens at a deffinite moment. When Jesus says, "I stand at the door and knock" in Rev. 3:20 it is also implying a moment in time. I think at the time you admit you are a sinner, that you are so far below a perfect God and can never attain righteousness on your own, you are glimpsing the perfectness of the kingdom of heaven. As physical birth is a process of growing, so is spiritual birth. You are born, just not adult. |
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Questions and/or Subjects for 1 Pet 1:3 | Author | ||
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charis | ||
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Searcher56 | ||
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charis | ||
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glory777 | ||
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Morant61 | ||
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David122 | ||
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David122 |