Being "saved" and being "born again"?

[Alexandra Chris TD]

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to know what being saved and what being born again means?

Thanks

 

[GrayAngel]

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to know what being saved and what being born again means?

Thanks

Being saved means that God will withhold the judgement we've earned because of Christ's sacrifice. Being born again is the result of being saved, when we're transformed into something different. This is when the Holy Spirit comes to live in us.

Adam was our first father, and we inherited death through our natural birth. But being born of the Spirit means that we inherit eternal life through Jesus, our second father.

 

[1watchman]

Another way to express this is the following:

The word: "saved" in Scripture means kept or preserved. A true "born again" believer (one who has the Holy Spirit within self by receiving the Lord Jesus into their heart, and thus has a new spiritual birth by the Spirit) is then saved --kept from condemnation to Hell and kept for Heaven; also has the blessings of the Creator-God, the believer's Father.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to know what being saved and what being born again means?

Thanks

Different groups of Christians are going to define these terms differently based on differences in interpretation. I can try to offer as best a generic set of definitions as possible which virtually any Christian would agree with, but it will be exceptionally generic and even then no guarantee that everyone here will agree with it:

"Saved" referring to salvation refers to the rescuing work of God accomplished through Jesus Christ whereby His dying on the cross and rising from the dead rescues us from the slavery of sin and death and thereby reconciling us to God.

"Born again" refers to spiritual new birth; that is that renewal of life which we receive from God making us new persons in Jesus. It is the imparting of God's regenerating and creative life and energy into us by the power of the Holy Spirit, God Himself working, creating, regenerating and making things new in us.

There is, of course, much more that could be said about both, but that's going to mean getting into areas where Christians have some significant theological disagreements.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Alexandra Chris TD]

Thank you very much for all your answers! Now I understand what it all means

 

[hedrick]

Be aware that different Christians understand these terms in somewhat different ways.

Salvation is something God does to help us. Everyone agrees with that. But for some people the focus of salvation is avoiding hell. For others (including Jesus, in my view) it's a broader concept. Salvation describes God's whole activity to renew us, and all of creation. The first group will tend to see someone being saved as a one-time event, when they do something that qualifies them to go to heaven. The others will see it as a process that takes our whole lives.

Reformed theology uses salvation in the broader sense. It uses "justification" to refer to our status as one of God's people, and salvation to the whole work of renewing us. While being one of God's people does mean that we will be with God eternally, that's not all it means, and focusing on just that one thing can lead to a lop-sided Christianity.

Similarly, being born again is seen by different people in different ways. Everyone agrees that becoming a follower of Jesus means that we have a new life, not just physical life but spiritual life, from the Holy Spirit. But the term is sometimes used by folks who think everyone follows the same path to being a Christian, and that that always involves a moment when we experience a change from unsaved to saved, i.e. that we are born again. I think this is misleading. Plenty of Christians grow up as part of the Church and never really experience life without Christ. Those people still need to take responsibility for their own faith, but they may well come to do so gradually as they mature, and not have a single moment in which they are born again. Such people can still experience the second, spiritual, life. Just not at a single moment.

 

[Emmy]

Dear Alexandra Chris TD. You had some very good replies, yet sadly, Christian`s Love for our neighbour is hardly ever mentioned. It is true that the Holy Spirit within us helps greatly to love God with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds.
In Matthew, chapter 22, verses 35-40, Jesus gives us two Commandments: 1) Love God with all our beings; and 2) Love our neighbour as ourselves. Jesus gives us this fact: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Love is a Christian`s weapon to show that we are " born again," we have become different people, we started to treat all others, friends or not friends, as we would love to be treated. God sees our sincere efforts to love and care, and God will bless our love for God, by following His Commandments to Love: selflessly with no conditions asked.
Jesus told us to " ask and ye will receive," then we thank God and share all with our neighbour. The world at large, will know us for God`s children/sons and daughters, because we are truly loving and caring.
We might stumble and forget sometimes, but we ask God for forgiveness, and God will forgive us, as we will forgive others. God made us all in His image, God is our Heavenly Father, and we are God`s only representatives. I say this with love, Alexandra. Greetings from Emmy, sister in Christ. P.S. Being saved and being born again, that is us: loving children of a Loving Heavenly Father.

 

[Alexandra Chris TD]

Salvation is something God does to help us. Everyone agrees with that. But for some people the focus of salvation is avoiding hell. For others (including Jesus, in my view) it's a broader concept. Salvation describes God's whole activity to renew us, and all of creation. The first group will tend to see someone being saved as a one-time event, when they do something that qualifies them to go to heaven. The others will see it as a process that takes our whole lives.

Do you mean like let's say someone does one good action once, they get saved and are allowed to go to Heaven and they don't need to prove they "deserve" to go
to Heaven anymore? And does it mean the others never feel sure to be saved?
In your opinion, are you saved and how do you know it?

Emmy, I like what you say about love. Do you feel saved? And if you do, do you feel like it makes you a more loving and caring person?

For those who are "born again", when did you realized you were actually "born again"? Was there a special moment/thing that made you say "ok, now I'm born again"?

 

[hedrick]

Do you mean like let's say someone does one good action once, they get saved and are allowed to go to Heaven and they don't need to prove they "deserve" to go
to Heaven anymore? And does it mean the others never feel sure to be saved?
In your opinion, are you saved and how do you know it?

This seems like it might be a response to me. If so, no that's not what I mean.

First, I disagree with this once-only concept of "saved." Salvation, as I noted above, it much broader than that.

As for justification, which recognizes our status before God, the classic Reformed position is that this is not a consequence of "one good action," at least not by us. Being right with God is a result of Christ dying, and us being grafted into him. Paul sees this as part of a faithful life. Both he and Jesus seem to see faithful Christians as people who have "repented", or reoriented their lives towards God. It is this basic faithful orientation that show us as justified.

There are differences among Protestants whether this change is unilaterally due to the action of the Holy Spirit in us, or whether we have some responsibility for it. But none of us think that we're justified because of a "good action."

 

[Emmy]

Dear Alexandra Chris TD. I know hat I am saved, and to love all others, ( my neighbour) is becoming easier and easier, in fact, I am gradually changing into a different, more loving and caring person. Jesus is always ready to help and guide, and when I do forget and stumble, God always forgives me and I carry on trying to be the person, which God wants me to be. People around me notice and are very kind and loving, too. I say this with love, Alexandra. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ. May I wish you and your loved ones: Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

 

[dbcsf]

Be aware that different Christians understand these terms in somewhat different ways.

Salvation is something God does to help us. Everyone agrees with that. But for some people the focus of salvation is avoiding hell. For others (including Jesus, in my view) it's a broader concept. Salvation describes God's whole activity to renew us, and all of creation. The first group will tend to see someone being saved as a one-time event, when they do something that qualifies them to go to heaven. The others will see it as a process that takes our whole lives.

Reformed theology uses salvation in the broader sense. It uses "justification" to refer to our status as one of God's people, and salvation to the whole work of renewing us. While being one of God's people does mean that we will be with God eternally, that's not all it means, and focusing on just that one thing can lead to a lop-sided Christianity.

Similarly, being born again is seen by different people in different ways. Everyone agrees that becoming a follower of Jesus means that we have a new life, not just physical life but spiritual life, from the Holy Spirit. But the term is sometimes used by folks who think everyone follows the same path to being a Christian, and that that always involves a moment when we experience a change from unsaved to saved, i.e. that we are born again. I think this is misleading. Plenty of Christians grow up as part of the Church and never really experience life without Christ. Those people still need to take responsibility for their own faith, but they may well come to do so gradually as they mature, and not have a single moment in which they are born again. Such people can still experience the second, spiritual, life. Just not at a single moment.

Well said, ty

 

[Alexandra Chris TD]

This seems like it might be a response to me. If so, no that's not what I mean.

First, I disagree with this once-only concept of "saved." Salvation, as I noted above, it much broader than that.

As for justification, which recognizes our status before God, the classic Reformed position is that this is not a consequence of "one good action," at least not by us. Being right with God is a result of Christ dying, and us being grafted into him. Paul sees this as part of a faithful life. Both he and Jesus seem to see faithful Christians as people who have "repented", or reoriented their lives towards God. It is this basic faithful orientation that show us as justified.

There are differences among Protestants whether this change is unilaterally due to the action of the Holy Spirit in us, or whether we have some responsibility for it. But none of us think that we're justified because of a "good action."

I feel relieved. I mean I think that believing your saved just because you did one "good action" is very hypocrite. I agree with the Protestant point of view
Thank you very much! Merry Christmas

Dear Alexandra Chris TD. I know hat I am saved, and to love all others, ( my neighbour) is becoming easier and easier, in fact, I am gradually changing into a different, more loving and caring person. Jesus is always ready to help and guide, and when I do forget and stumble, God always forgives me and I carry on trying to be the person, which God wants me to be. People around me notice and are very kind and loving, too. I say this with love, Alexandra. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ. May I wish you and your loved ones: Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

I really like this. I'm always trying to be as good to everyone as I can and those who know me knows how much I care about them and how I'm always willing to show them I do. Accepting God may help me being a more loving and caring person and I really like this idea.
When did you know you were saved/born again?
Merry Christmas and have an amazing year

 

[Cuddles333]

John 3:1-8




1There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.


Merry Christmas everyone!


The New Testament teaches that the spirit of the child is pure. That as the child matures, a hardening (or encasing) of this spirit occurs due to the work of Satan. This spirit loses it's zoe life. In order for this spirit to enter into heaven it will have to be regenerated. Before it can be regenerated, the casing or shell that the person allowed to be built around it, must be broken, in order for the Holy Spirit to operate upon it. This is where the person must lower their false pride enough to allow the Holy Spirit to enter in and regenerate us. (Eph.1:3,7) (1Cor.12:13)

 

[Jamesja]

For those who are "born again", when did you realized you were actually "born again"? Was there a special moment/thing that made you say "ok, now I'm born again"?[/quote]

In my own experience I knew when God forgave me and I became his child.

I was 17 years old and living a life that I knew was wrong. Drinking, parties,
disrespectful, just a selfish self centered life.

I was raised in a Christian home and my father was a minister so I didn't want to disappoint them. l was putting on a front of being a Christian but I was far from being one.

One day I was riding with a friend that commented about how miserable it was to be a hypocrite. That struck my heart like a dart. I knew that is what I was and that I was miserable.

That night when I went to bed the was a terrible battle. On one hand God told me so gently, "Give me your heart and I will give you peace."

Satan was also there, "Don't do it. What will your friends think?"

Satan had many, many reasons why I shouldn't give my heart to Jesus.

My reputation, my honor, the fact that I would have to stand alone, and on and on.

God would always say the one gentle thing, "Give me your heart and I will give you peace."

After a long difficult battle I finally committed my life to God.

There was gentle peace that flooded my heart. I was changed.

The desire for the old life was gone. Now I wanted to do the right thing.

I have lived for over thirty years as a Christian. I haven't always done everything right but I have never looked back. My determination is to serve God.

God has kept his promise. Through the many trials and tests he as always given a deep peace in my heart.

May God bless you with peace.

 

[SpiritlMuse]

From how I see it, salvation is an on going thing, something I strive for day in and day out, working to be more and more in communion with God. As for being born again. I believe and have been taught that is at baptism. You are born again in water, your old life is washed away and a new life comes out. When Jesus was baptized, he was "born again" the the Holy Spirit ascended upon him.

 

[ViaCrucis]

From how I see it, salvation is an on going thing, something I strive for day in and day out, working to be more and more in communion with God. As for being born again. I believe and have been taught that is at baptism. You are born again in water, your old life is washed away and a new life comes out. When Jesus was baptized, he was "born again" the the Holy Spirit ascended upon him.

Just to second this and expand upon it for the sake of the OP and others reading. This is the historic and traditional Christian understanding of being born again. The new birth happens, normally, in the waters of Baptism as this corresponds to Jesus saying we must be born of "water and Spirit", where "water and Spirit" is one thing and corresponds to the new birth which we receive in the Sacrament of Baptism. This is something outside of ourselves, outside of our works, it is a passive thing which God alone does as it is His work and His work alone.

We Lutherans refer to Baptism as a "Means of Grace", that is the normative vehicle by which God confers saving grace to us according to His mercy which He imparts and creates faith in us and operates and imputes His righteousness to us so that we are justified and made children of the Father, new creations in Christ, and filled with the Spirit who lives and dwells in us to conform us to the image of Christ and to sanctify us.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Faulty]

Ephesians 2:1-10

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
​

According to the scriptures, not born again means:

1. dead in sins
2. following after the lusts of our own minds and flesh
3. following after the passions of the devil
4. following after the lusts of the world
5. an object of God's wrath
​

born again means:

1. being made alive, from death to life in Christ (regenerated in spirit or born again)
2. seated with Jesus
3. objects of His forgivness, grace, and mercy forever
4. saved by grace alone, not by our doing
5. prepared to walk in good works
​

Biblically-speaking, only one who is born again can even do good works. An unregenerate does none in the sight of God, there is no works one can do to "earn" heaven.

Being born again is not a club. One can't decide they are a christian today, but not next week, but maybe occasionally on selected Thursdays and holidays. Same as a pregnant woman cannot decide on which days of the week she'll be pregnant.

We are born again, period, or we are are not. An ex-christian is a non-entity. Born again is an actual irrevocable change in being, the difference between a living person and a corpse, either alive or dead, there is no in-between.

 

[Alexandra Chris TD]

Thanks your answers!

I went to church the other day and took some flyers. One was about the Holy Spirit. Here's what it said:

"The Holy Spirit was there since the Creation:
"And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." (Genesis 1,2).
Therefore the Holy Spirit is in every man. The presence of the Holy Spirit in us is what constitutes us in our human nature (what makes us human beings/men), no man is excluded from it but each man has his own way to respond to it. God's ways are various like the situations in our lives. There aren't two similar lives and God's love adapt itself to every one of them."

I've tried translating it the best way I could.

What do you think about this?
It seems quite in contraction with a lot of your statements.

 

[GrayAngel]

Thanks your answers!

I went to church the other day and took some flyers. One was about the Holy Spirit. Here's what it said:

"The Holy Spirit was there since the Creation:
"And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." (Genesis 1,2).
Therefore the Holy Spirit is in every man. The presence of the Holy Spirit in us is what constitutes us in our human nature (what makes us human beings/men), no man is excluded from it but each man has his own way to respond to it. God's ways are various like the situations in our lives. There aren't two similar lives and God's love adapt itself to every one of them."

I've tried translating it the best way I could.

What do you think about this?
It seems quite in contraction with a lot of your statements.

The Bible says that we receive the Holy Spirit via baptism. The Holy Spirit is most certainly not in every man. Also, the Holy Spirit didn't become available until after Jesus' resurrection, and He made His first appearance to the Christians gathered on the day of Pentecost.