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NASB | John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 3:3 Jesus answered him, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above--spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God." |
Subject: Born Again - Mind Change - Repentance |
Bible Note: This is a new thread ... off of post 101654. seeking4truth, I don't know the original very well either. I do use http://bible.crosswalk.com/ to aid my study. You ask, "As I understand it, repentance also means 'to change one's mind.' So what is the difference between repentance and being born-again?" That is a very good observation. Metanoia ( Strong's 3341) is the word for repentance ... from Metanoeo (3340) repent. Both are to changing one's mind. -- You then write ... "Also, could you clarify this concept a little concerning who does what? In other words, I could change my mind or God could change my mind. But is it proper to say that I can cause myself to be born-again or is it something that God does for and in me? What is my role in the event?" 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 may show His part and ours ... "I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death". Luke 5:32 says He calls sinners to repentance. We know the kindness of God leads you to repentance (Rom 2:4) ... Though some disagree, we have the choice (free will) to choose Him, else we would be robots. Joshua asked the people to choose who they will serve (Jos 24:15). Luke 13:3 does tell us we must repent. We cannot make ourselves born-again ... God has already sent His Son to die for our sins, and then He arose. Romans 10:13-15 shows the process is reverse order. -- Finally, you ask ... "Do you think that being born-again is merely a non-substantive change in the way one thinks or do you think that there is actually a substantive (although not physical) change in the nature or spirit or soul? In other words, is being born-again really being a 'new creation' in Christ or is it just a new-improved creation or is it just the same old creation who tries to think and act differently?" There is a change ... Romans 7:14-25 is an excellent passage that may answer your question. I encourage you to study further yourself ... look at the context of the passages cited and look up related passages. Always check our what people say, to see if it is true (Acts 17:11). Searcher Do you think that being born-again is merely a non-substantive change in the way one thinks or do you think that there is actually a substantive (although not physical) change in the nature or spirit or soul? In other words, is being born-again really being a "new creation" in Christ or is it just a new-improved creation or is it just the same old creation who tries to think and act differently? |