"I’M A BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN”
The Above Is A Popular Slogan Today. Okay, But What Does It Mean To
Be
Such? Are You Sure You Know?
Did You Know That ALL New Testament “Christians” were “Born
Again”? In Other Words There Are No Other Kinds.
Either You Are A “Born Again” Christian Or You Aren’t a
Christian at all - period!.
But Many Today Who Are Making The Claim To Being A “Born Again” Christian,
According To The Bible, Are Really Not.
Like Many Other Bible Subjects Men Have Cheapened and Changed
The Real The Reall Meaning of "born again."
What Does Not Constitute Being Truly “Born Again”:
1. “Turning Over A New Leaf,” Or Merely An “About Face.”
2. Making Some Changes..Even Some Drastic Ones, In Your Life.
3. Quitting Drinking, Smoking or Drugs (The AA type programs may
do a lot of good for
many addicted people, and result in changed
lives but it does not constitute being Biblically “born again”).
4. Making and keeping New Year’s resolutions Or Falling in Love.
5. Becoming a member of some denomination.
6. Being baptized as a mere church ritual, etc.
7. Nor Does It Mean Any Of The Following: “Accepting Or Receiving
Christ”-- in the popular manner of such i.e., -- “Giving The Sinner’s
Prayer,” “Coming To The Alter,” “Coming Before The
Preacher,”
·
It Is Imperative That We Are “Born Again.” Jesus Taught That We “Must
be born again” - Jn. 3:3-8.
· It is clear that Jesus was speaking here, as He often did during His
ministry, in “figurative language” - Jn.16:25 (NKJ); Mtt. 13:34.
·
In the light of “the time” that He said was “coming” whereby
He
would “no longer” teach in such a way, but rather He would tell
us“plainly” we learn that to truly be “born again” is put
this way:
(a) “He who believes (the gospel) and is baptized (immersed in water)
shall be saved” - Mk.16:16
(b) “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus
Christ for (unto) the remission of sins..”- Acts 2:38
·
Modern day churches and preachers do not teach
that gospel obedience requires one to “be baptized” to be “born again.” -
Lk.6:46.
·
We Are “Born Again” By “The Water” (as we are buried
and raised in water baptism) “And The Spirit” (as ous spirits have
been taught and moved by the words of the “Spirit”- Eph.6:17; 1
Cor.12:13).
- “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth..” James
1:18
- “I have begotten you through the gospel” - 1 Cor. 4:15;
Acts 18:8
- “Being born again...through the word of God” - 1 Pet. 1:23
· To Be “Born Again” Then Is Not “by faith only,” nor is it some sort of better-felt-than-told experience; nor is it something that is done to you miraculously -- but it is something that we “do” or “obey” in response to the gospel of God’s great love -- Acts 2:40; 9:6-18 with 22:16.
· Evidence Of Being “Born Again” Is Seen In The Effects
Of One’s Changed Life As Wrought By The Gospel:
- Illustration of Jesus. We cannot see the wind, only its effects - Jn.3:7-8. “So
(in this way) “is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
· The Result Is A “New Creation” - 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15;
Rom. 6:3-4: “All Things Are New” ; “newness of life”:
(a) New Name - “Christian” and that only, not any denominational
and divisive name - Acts 11:16; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16.
(b) Member of Christ’s church...the one we can read about in the Bible
and none other - Mtt.16:18; Acts 20:28.
(c) Citizen of Christ’s kingdom, not the Devil’s - Col.1:13-14;
Rev.
1:9; 1 Pet. 2:9-10.
(d) Worshipping God “in spirit and in truth” -Jn.4:23-24; 2 Cor.7:1.
(e) Hope is of Heaven, not this earth - Col.3:1-4,1:5,23; 2 Pet. 3:13.
(f) Life will show Repentance - Mtt. 5:4; 2 Cor. 7:9-10.
(g) Restitution will be made where needed and is possible - Acts 19:18-
19; Acts 17:30; Mk. 6:18; Rom. 7:2-3.
(h) A Lifestyle worth of the gospel of Christ will be obvious and a daily practice
(Rom.12:1-2).
Now Then Seriously, Are You Scripturally “Born
Again”?
