What is a born again christian and can I be one?

[Light of the East]

Welcome, Chgz!

I agree with the responder who suggested you might find all the varied answers confusing. I also agree with Percivale that starting with reading the New Testament is a good idea. Here's my take on the best things you can do for yourself:

Truly believe that God is real and that he is described accurately by the Bible. Why you should trust the Bible and not something else is a huge topic. The short answer is that "it works." Everything in it is true, and various people alive today have experienced most of the hard-to-believe (usually supernatural) things described. God speaks to millions or tens of millions of Christians around the world every day. The "mad fit" you refer to sounds similar to a supernatural experience that many (not all) Christians have. (There's also supernatural experiences that aren't from God, plus experiences that are from God but are twisted in some fashion because of human sin. Discerning which is which is a highly controversial topic among Christians.)

The first responder to your original post did a great job, and if you are reach information overload, I'd go back to that.

It is important to note that it isn't your actions that save you, but actions will always result if you are saved. Part of what it means to believe in Jesus, be born again, be saved (there's many ways to refer to it) is to yield control of every area of your life to the will of the Lord Jesus. When that results in actions, it is evidence you are born again and are on the right path.

One difficulty is when someone wants to become a Christian, but "just doesn't believe." God requires obedience (because he loves you and it is what will be best for you in the long-term), but one effect of taking obedience seriously is that he will grant you to genuinely believe in him through it.

There's a million things that will work against you continuing your path to Jesus. One way or another, it comes down to a daily decision of whether to follow (obey and imitate) the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Developing the habit of reading the Bible and praying (talking to God) frequently (every day is best) will help you grow in your knowledge of God and your strengthen (your two-way) connection to him (a relationship). By the way, it is valuable to lean on God himself when you are trying to choose a church to go to. It's worth asking where he wants you to go regularly during your daily prayer time.

Salvation is by faith. No works are needed. But eternal life is not salvation. And Jesus says that at the Last Judgment, He will reward with eternal life those who have done good works (Matthew 25: 31-46, Romans 2: 5-10, John 5: 28-29, and Rev. 20: 12-14). So you are half right. Salvation is free and without works. Eternal life is dependent upon what we do.

 

[hiphopopotomus]

I watched a Louis Theroux episode, where he went to go find out what born again Christians in America are like. The episode didn't fully explain what one is, and I was left a little confused. Before watching this I had never even heard of a born again Christian and I think it expected me to have already heard about them. To be honest I don't think it was serious and probably aimed to take the Mickey out out of how crazy they can come across.
I was left rather impressed by how these people came across though, they seemed like the most happy and peaceful people ever. I was amazed at how sincere and devoted to Jesus they where. I can't help but want to share the same passion they have for Jesus and life!
One thing that really sticks in my head was seeing people "accepting Jesus" and then start having some kind of mad fit after a priest touched their heads.
I was baptised and raised Christian until I was about 12, then I converted to wiccan until I was about 17 when I started following the bible again. Dose this make me a born again Christian or do I have to go through some kind of ritual? I don't go to church but I feel very spiritual and try to find the time each day to pray to god and thank him for everything he made.
If I am not a born again Christian, then how to I become one? Do I have to go to church or anything special?

The essence of Christianity is that it requires self sacrifice.It is not about what it can do for me but more about what I can do for others.Nobody has a monopoly on that.

 

[Ian16]

You might need to add to your conversion a definite time place and physical experience, which God has provided for you. We talk about being “Born again”, which comes from Nicodemus encounter with Christ (John 3 :1-21):


Being “born again” is what Jesus told Nicodemus he need to do. This requires some thinking, because Jesus does not address the questions or comments that are verbalized, but directs his comments to the persons next step in their personal spiritual development (what is on their heart spiritually). Jesus is not making some general philosophical statement (like Buddha might make) but is always addressing the audience He is talking to. We have to get into the context.

What did Nicodemus need to do next in his spiritual development?

What does Nicodemus need to be doing next? (study the Old Testament, become one of the followers of Jesus right then and there, Confess, repent, etc.)

The first thing Nicodemus might do at least is what he already knows he should do? Is that not where you would start? So what is that?

Since Nicodemus is still part of the Sanhedrin, he would not have been immersed baptized by John’s baptism. That would have got him thrown out of the Sanhedrin.

John’s baptism would have been a hot topic among the religious scholars, yet the answer was obvious and they all know it (remember Jesus using it against them and causing them to quit asking him questions?)

Jesus is not going to blare the answer out to Nicodemus, since Nicodemus knows the answer, but he will make Nicodemus think about it hard, since it would already be on his mind.



Christian water baptism as seen in scripture: Is always adult (there are only two examples that “might include infants” but nothing definite, all the others are adult believers) water immersion to be a physical outward representation of what had or is happening spiritually in the person being baptized. It is mainly to help the individual being baptized to better grasp what is going on, but it can “witness” to others observing the baptism. It has the elements of going down under the water (burying the old man), placing your dependence in another; the person baptizing you (surrendering your life to God), being washed (having your sins washed away), rising out of the water (rising from the dead), and stepping forth out onto the earth (a new person). The person is walking out into the hugs of his new family. It is also a sign of your humility, since it is a humbling act anyone can simple allow someone to do it to them (so not a work) and since humility has been shown in the accept of charity (God’s free gift of undeserving forgiveness) it should just support and add to the memory of that acceptance. To refuse Christian water baptism when it is readily available might mean you are not ready to handle other responsibility like having the indwelling Holy Spirit.

The Western “Christian” Churches are all over the board, but other countries experiencing sever persecution of Christians (Underground churches: China, Southeast Asia, some of India, Iran) are for as far as I can see consistently requiring adult believer immersion baptism. These churches are growing rapidly (estimated at 100 million in China).


Is the real problem with humility, since adult water baptism is a humbling act?

Is the problem with “witnessing” since baptism help other Christians remember what they went through?

The whole “argument” about the “one” baptism having to be “spiritual baptism” so we do not need to (or even shouldn’t) be water immersed is not supported by scriptural examples, since everyone that was “baptized” by the Holy Spirit seems to have also been water baptized.

In an effort to emphasis God’s unconditional (salvation), water baptism of believers has been avoided as a subject. People have “argued” that water baptism is a work and since “works” are not required for salvation, water baptism must be avoided. Most “Christian” religious groups “allow” immersion of believers if they want it.

The problem with this reasoning is adult believer immersion is not something you “do” (work), but is something you allow to be done to you. It is not something “done” as some requirement, but is something you get to do for your sake (to help you) and the sake of others.

Hi check out my website right here http://www.iansideas.com and find the post. How I came to know Jesus. You can come to know Jesus today

 

[enigmadi]

Well, I wouldn't exactly want to be a "born again Christian." As those types are Protestant and although Protestantism has a lot of truth it doesn't have the fullness of the truth.

What you speak of is "religion" while we are called by the Word to come to God in a personal relationship. One must search His Word prayerfully, testing what one hears in church against His inspired Word. No one is capable in this life of knowing the fullness of God yet we are invited to lay Dow self and turn to Him.

 

[enigmadi]

But who will tell her what the Word means? She has to have a faithful interpreter of that Word to properly understand it.


No where in the Word...no where...does it tell us to have an "interpreter"! We have teachers but it is OUR responsibility to " study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (from Greek: t handle correctly) the Word of truth.". 2 Timothy 2:15. Our understanding comes through the Holy Spirit.

 

[enigmadi]

The specifics of what you believe or what church you belong to does not matter.Belief alone will not save you.What is important is how you live your life.
Jesus was very clear on this-https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjzsICXz7fLAhUN02MKHfaLDrAQFggfMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.biblegateway.com%2Fpassage%2F%3Fsearch%3DMatthew%2B25%3A31-46&usg=AFQjCNEkvkudtz8QIo-E9ugnUDf-KCvqEA&sig2=zzsN9l94CsrYp5x6nzH3cQ

Even Satan and his demons "believe"... " FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1.

 

[ToBeLoved]

Born again is a reference to being 'spiritually' born again into the family of Jesus Christ.

We are born 'physically' into this world by our mothers, but we are born again spiritually when we enter the family of Jesus Christ. When we are spiritually born again, our sins are forgiven and we become 'new' creation in Jesus Christ.

This article will give you the scriptural references and more information, it explains it very well (much better than I could in the morning) http://www.gotquestions.org/born-again.html

 

[AlexDTX]

I watched a Louis Theroux episode, where he went to go find out what born again Christians in America are like. The episode didn't fully explain what one is, and I was left a little confused. Before watching this I had never even heard of a born again Christian and I think it expected me to have already heard about them. To be honest I don't think it was serious and probably aimed to take the Mickey out out of how crazy they can come across.
I was left rather impressed by how these people came across though, they seemed like the most happy and peaceful people ever. I was amazed at how sincere and devoted to Jesus they where. I can't help but want to share the same passion they have for Jesus and life!
One thing that really sticks in my head was seeing people "accepting Jesus" and then start having some kind of mad fit after a priest touched their heads.
I was baptised and raised Christian until I was about 12, then I converted to wiccan until I was about 17 when I started following the bible again. Dose this make me a born again Christian or do I have to go through some kind of ritual? I don't go to church but I feel very spiritual and try to find the time each day to pray to god and thank him for everything he made.
If I am not a born again Christian, then how to I become one? Do I have to go to church or anything special?

The new birth is the transformation of your life by the entrance of the Holy Spirit into your heart. This comes when these things happen in your heart: you see your need for a Saviour; you believe that Jesus is God who became the Saviour; and you believe that Jesus both died for your sins and was resurrected from the dead. When you believe these things in your heart you then need to ask him to come into your heart believing that He will.

Theologically speaking (and the reality of what happens) is that we die with Christ by his faith and are raised with Christ. This happens in our spirits, not our bodies, though. The giving of the Spirit into our hearts is considered by God to be a pledge of his promise that we will also be bodily resurrected at Christ's return.

Faith does not save us. Nor does grace. Faith has to be in His grace. Grace is the gift of life already available to anyone who wants it, but it is not given automatically. It your your faith in His grace that acquires salvation. The new birth is the very presence of God in your heart. God becomes your constant companion and goes through all your life experiences with you. He intervenes in your life on his own initiative in some things, and in others waits for you to seek him in the matter. This is our relationship with him and is the basis of that peace and joy you saw in those born again Christians in that show.

 

[ViaCrucis]

I watched a Louis Theroux episode, where he went to go find out what born again Christians in America are like. The episode didn't fully explain what one is, and I was left a little confused. Before watching this I had never even heard of a born again Christian and I think it expected me to have already heard about them. To be honest I don't think it was serious and probably aimed to take the Mickey out out of how crazy they can come across.
I was left rather impressed by how these people came across though, they seemed like the most happy and peaceful people ever. I was amazed at how sincere and devoted to Jesus they where. I can't help but want to share the same passion they have for Jesus and life!
One thing that really sticks in my head was seeing people "accepting Jesus" and then start having some kind of mad fit after a priest touched their heads.
I was baptised and raised Christian until I was about 12, then I converted to wiccan until I was about 17 when I started following the bible again. Dose this make me a born again Christian or do I have to go through some kind of ritual? I don't go to church but I feel very spiritual and try to find the time each day to pray to god and thank him for everything he made.
If I am not a born again Christian, then how to I become one? Do I have to go to church or anything special?

It depends on what what means. The term "born again Christian" is a term that came into vogue in the United States in the mid 20th century as a result of the Neo-Evangelical Movement. But the idea of being born again, what is often called in theological discussion regeneration (which, really, just means to be "born again") has always been part of Christian thought. Though for most of Christian history the new birth has been identified with the Christian Sacrament of Baptism, this thinking comes from certain key biblical passages, such as John 3:5 and Titus 3:5.

In John 3:5 Jesus is having a discussion with Nicodemus, this is where Jesus says that if anyone wants to enter God's kingdom they must be "born again" or "born from above", Nicodemus is confused and asks how a man can be born again and if he must re-enter his mother's womb. Jesus clarifies by saying, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." this phrase "born of water and the Spirit" has been understood by most Christians throughout history as referring to Baptism, where there is both water and the Holy Spirit (c.f. Acts 2:38, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

St. Paul in Titus 3:4-5 writes,

"But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."

If one then looks at what Christians have written over the last two thousand years, from those who lived immediately after the Apostles until now, they consistently speak of Baptism as the new birth, where we are united to Christ in His death and resurrection, made new creations, forgiven our sins, etc.

So from a traditional Christian perspective--agreed upon by Catholics, Lutherans, Orthodox, Anglicans, etc--your baptism makes you born again, and so you are already a born again Christian. Every baptized Christian has received this new birth from God, as a free gift, apart from our works.

Though many modern Christians, mostly Evangelicals, have a different understanding of what the new birth is, which is what I imagine you will hear a lot of in answer to your question. But I thought it was worth to offer what the consistent and historic Christian understanding is. If you were baptized then you belong to God, therefore trust in Christ you belong to Him, and no power on earth can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39), this is His promise to you, and it is Gospel; Christ suffered, died, and rose again, for you, and so you are truly and freely forgiven, believe this good news.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[1213]

It is acknowledging that one is a sinner who cannot by one's own actions ...

I agree with you, righteousness doesn’t come by actions. It can come by hearing what Jesus said.

And if person is righteous, it will show in his actions.

He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever is born of God doesn't commit sin, because his seed remains in him; and he can't sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn't do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn't love his brother.
1 John 3:7-10

 

[Dave B]

I watched a Louis Theroux episode, where he went to go find out what born again Christians in America are like. The episode didn't fully explain what one is, and I was left a little confused. Before watching this I had never even heard of a born again Christian and I think it expected me to have already heard about them. To be honest I don't think it was serious and probably aimed to take the Mickey out out of how crazy they can come across.
I was left rather impressed by how these people came across though, they seemed like the most happy and peaceful people ever. I was amazed at how sincere and devoted to Jesus they where. I can't help but want to share the same passion they have for Jesus and life!
One thing that really sticks in my head was seeing people "accepting Jesus" and then start having some kind of mad fit after a priest touched their heads.
I was baptised and raised Christian until I was about 12, then I converted to wiccan until I was about 17 when I started following the bible again. Dose this make me a born again Christian or do I have to go through some kind of ritual? I don't go to church but I feel very spiritual and try to find the time each day to pray to god and thank him for everything he made.
If I am not a born again Christian, then how to I become one? Do I have to go to church or anything special?

I watched a Louis Theroux episode, where he went to go find out what born again Christians in America are like. The episode didn't fully explain what one is, and I was left a little confused. Before watching this I had never even heard of a born again Christian and I think it expected me to have already heard about them. To be honest I don't think it was serious and probably aimed to take the Mickey out out of how crazy they can come across.
I was left rather impressed by how these people came across though, they seemed like the most happy and peaceful people ever. I was amazed at how sincere and devoted to Jesus they where. I can't help but want to share the same passion they have for Jesus and life!
One thing that really sticks in my head was seeing people "accepting Jesus" and then start having some kind of mad fit after a priest touched their heads.
I was baptised and raised Christian until I was about 12, then I converted to wiccan until I was about 17 when I started following the bible again. Dose this make me a born again Christian or do I have to go through some kind of ritual? I don't go to church but I feel very spiritual and try to find the time each day to pray to god and thank him for everything he made.
If I am not a born again Christian, then how to I become one? Do I have to go to church or anything special?

 

[Kutte]

One can be born again in many ways, it has to do with a change in attitude, belief. I once met a former Christian who was upset with many teachings the Christian religion has to offer. What happened? He became a born again Atheist.

Oh well, Kutte

 

[Dave B]

Our mission on earth is to share in God's Heavenly Kingdom and a life with Him for all eternity. Adam and Eve sinned and they became separated from God and became slaves to sin. They suffered death and lost the right to eternal life.

A covenant is not only an agreement and contract with God, but it is making an oath to God. As God as also a partner in a covenant, what God agrees to, He cannot take back. God cannot go back on His word. If He did so He would commit a lie and God cannot go against Himself and His true nature. an example of a covenant is the Sacrament of marriage. It performed by 3 persons with the participation of Jesus, the bride and the groom. It is asking God to verify what you have taken an oath to.

Christianity was founded by Jesus, who was a Jew and with 12 Jews that we call Apostles. It is a Jewish faith that was made available to all humanity. It shares its history with the Israelites.

The Old Testament foreshadows the events of the New Testament. In the Old Testament Book, "Exodus", salvation is foreshadowed with the Israelites, after crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites died of the old life of slavery in Egypt and given a new life of freedom. The men were circumcised as a symbol of accepting a new covenant with God.

The Old Testament was fulfilled by Jesus in the New Testament. With Baptism (through Jesus), we become reconciled to the Father and die from the old life of slavery of sin. We become new creature and given a new eternal life. Baptism is to the new perfected covenant what circumcision was in the Old Testament.

A "born again Christian" is one who accepts Jesus as his Lord and Savior and repents of his/her sins and becomes reborn by entering a new covenant by the Sacrament of Baptism.

A Sacrament is an act or ritual that was performed with Jesus presence while He was on earth. By taking part in these events, Sacraments were instituted.

 

[sparow]

I watched a Louis Theroux episode, where he went to go find out what born again Christians in America are like. The episode didn't fully explain what one is, and I was left a little confused. Before watching this I had never even heard of a born again Christian and I think it expected me to have already heard about them. To be honest I don't think it was serious and probably aimed to take the Mickey out out of how crazy they can come across.
I was left rather impressed by how these people came across though, they seemed like the most happy and peaceful people ever. I was amazed at how sincere and devoted to Jesus they where. I can't help but want to share the same passion they have for Jesus and life!
One thing that really sticks in my head was seeing people "accepting Jesus" and then start having some kind of mad fit after a priest touched their heads.
I was baptised and raised Christian until I was about 12, then I converted to wiccan until I was about 17 when I started following the bible again. Dose this make me a born again Christian or do I have to go through some kind of ritual? I don't go to church but I feel very spiritual and try to find the time each day to pray to god and thank him for everything he made.
If I am not a born again Christian, then how to I become one? Do I have to go to church or anything special?

There is a religious sect called "Born again Christians", whether they are born again only God would know. Being born again is an experience, a transformation and is probably the same thing as receiving the Holy Spirit; this enables us tho use the pronouns, we and us when talking about the kingdom of God; the kingdom of God is among us or we are saved. Jesus explains being born again and that explanation is a type of which the resurrection of the righteous to eternal life on the last day is the anti-type

 

[Just Ben]

I watched a Louis Theroux episode, where he went to go find out what born again Christians in America are like. The episode didn't fully explain what one is, and I was left a little confused. Before watching this I had never even heard of a born again Christian and I think it expected me to have already heard about them. To be honest I don't think it was serious and probably aimed to take the Mickey out out of how crazy they can come across.
I was left rather impressed by how these people came across though, they seemed like the most happy and peaceful people ever. I was amazed at how sincere and devoted to Jesus they where. I can't help but want to share the same passion they have for Jesus and life!
One thing that really sticks in my head was seeing people "accepting Jesus" and then start having some kind of mad fit after a priest touched their heads.
I was baptised and raised Christian until I was about 12, then I converted to wiccan until I was about 17 when I started following the bible again. Dose this make me a born again Christian or do I have to go through some kind of ritual? I don't go to church but I feel very spiritual and try to find the time each day to pray to god and thank him for everything he made.
If I am not a born again Christian, then how to I become one? Do I have to go to church or anything special?

I watched a Louis Theroux episode, where he went to go find out what born again Christians in America are like. The episode didn't fully explain what one is, and I was left a little confused. Before watching this I had never even heard of a born again Christian and I think it expected me to have already heard about them. To be honest I don't think it was serious and probably aimed to take the Mickey out out of how crazy they can come across.
I was left rather impressed by how these people came across though, they seemed like the most happy and peaceful people ever. I was amazed at how sincere and devoted to Jesus they where. I can't help but want to share the same passion they have for Jesus and life!
One thing that really sticks in my head was seeing people "accepting Jesus" and then start having some kind of mad fit after a priest touched their heads.
I was baptised and raised Christian until I was about 12, then I converted to wiccan until I was about 17 when I started following the bible again. Dose this make me a born again Christian or do I have to go through some kind of ritual? I don't go to church but I feel very spiritual and try to find the time each day to pray to god and thank him for everything he made.
If I am not a born again Christian, then how to I become one? Do I have to go to church or anything special?

Hey great question. Your story sounds similar to mine. I went to the way of spirituality and always categorized myself as a spiritualist until I was 21. I had gotten sick and fed up with everything in this world even religion. One night I prayed and asked God to send me someone to show me the way back to him. I admired being too stupid to handling my own life and send God to just show me if he was real and if so to show me a way to Him.
About 3 days later a man from Nepal started working with me. At first I didn't like this gut but long story short; he showed me things and shared things with me about myself that he had no way of knowing.
Basically to be born again you have to admit to God that he is going to be in control of your life and not you. That's the scary first step. Then you have to reject everything in this world you were ever taught to believe and be open minded and soft hearted and receptive to the Gospel. Being a try believer means that you believe Jesus is literally alive and is the Messiah that was the only capable human to die for your wrongs. He rose again to show us that if we follow him that we to will have that glorious redirection.
The extreme joy and peace you saw were Christians that are spiritually mature. I didn't experience this until a couple of years after giving up my life. The scariest thing in this world is being able to give up this life for the sake of Gods kingdom. The peace I have is from the unconditional love God has for us. He loves us more than even our own earthly parents do. I have faith that Gods love will never be taken away from me. Faith comes from constant prayer and fasting. Also being a christian means you'll have to endure longsuffering until the day you die. This suffering is even considered a joy to a true christian.
I literally wanted to die; so I decided to follow Jesus. Now I have a new life that is beautiful with new friends and everyday is a new hope in Jesus. Isn't that odd that I went from wanting to die to having a life full of joy and peace?
Don't get me wrong I have many struggles in this world. I have a lot of things that I suffer. I get rejected by even my own family. But; now this is a big but; But the peace and joy is an inward joy. Its like joy and peace just comes of my heart as naturally as I breathe. I don't have the feeling of being weighed down with guilt or shame any more.
Yes you can have that experience but you have to be genuine with God. You have to mean what you pray and you must pray as often as possible. Not because you have to but because you want to.
Sorry for so many words.
Pray to God and pray often.

 

[Just Ben]

Hey great question. Your story sounds similar to mine. I went to the way of spirituality and always categorized myself as a spiritualist until I was 21. I had gotten sick and fed up with everything in this world even religion. One night I prayed and asked God to send me someone to show me the way back to him. I admired being too stupid to handling my own life and send God to just show me if he was real and if so to show me a way to Him.
About 3 days later a man from Nepal started working with me. At first I didn't like this gut but long story short; he showed me things and shared things with me about myself that he had no way of knowing.
Basically to be born again you have to admit to God that he is going to be in control of your life and not you. That's the scary first step. Then you have to reject everything in this world you were ever taught to believe and be open minded and soft hearted and receptive to the Gospel. Being a try believer means that you believe Jesus is literally alive and is the Messiah that was the only capable human to die for your wrongs. He rose again to show us that if we follow him that we to will have that glorious redirection.
The extreme joy and peace you saw were Christians that are spiritually mature. I didn't experience this until a couple of years after giving up my life. The scariest thing in this world is being able to give up this life for the sake of Gods kingdom. The peace I have is from the unconditional love God has for us. He loves us more than even our own earthly parents do. I have faith that Gods love will never be taken away from me. Faith comes from constant prayer and fasting. Also being a christian means you'll have to endure longsuffering until the day you die. This suffering is even considered a joy to a true christian.
I literally wanted to die; so I decided to follow Jesus. Now I have a new life that is beautiful with new friends and everyday is a new hope in Jesus. Isn't that odd that I went from wanting to die to having a life full of joy and peace?
Don't get me wrong I have many struggles in this world. I have a lot of things that I suffer. I get rejected by even my own family. But; now this is a big but; But the peace and joy is an inward joy. Its like joy and peace just comes of my heart as naturally as I breathe. I don't have the feeling of being weighed down with guilt or shame any more.
Yes you can have that experience but you have to be genuine with God. You have to mean what you pray and you must pray as often as possible. Not because you have to but because you want to.
Sorry for so many words.
Pray to God and pray often.

Typos:
I meant to say; I admitted to God that I was too stupid and asked him to send someone to show me the way. Sorry about that, auto correct strikes again.

 

[shakewell]

I watched a Louis Theroux episode, where he went to go find out what born again Christians in America are like. The episode didn't fully explain what one is, and I was left a little confused. Before watching this I had never even heard of a born again Christian and I think it expected me to have already heard about them. To be honest I don't think it was serious and probably aimed to take the Mickey out out of how crazy they can come across.
I was left rather impressed by how these people came across though, they seemed like the most happy and peaceful people ever. I was amazed at how sincere and devoted to Jesus they where. I can't help but want to share the same passion they have for Jesus and life!
One thing that really sticks in my head was seeing people "accepting Jesus" and then start having some kind of mad fit after a priest touched their heads.
I was baptised and raised Christian until I was about 12, then I converted to wiccan until I was about 17 when I started following the bible again. Dose this make me a born again Christian or do I have to go through some kind of ritual? I don't go to church but I feel very spiritual and try to find the time each day to pray to god and thank him for everything he made.
If I am not a born again Christian, then how to I become one? Do I have to go to church or anything special?

All you have to do is believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. You don't have to do anything else (such as go to church or go through any ritual). Salvation is a free gift through Jesus; He paid the full price for your sin on the cross.

 

[ToBeLoved]

One can be born again in many ways, it has to do with a change in attitude, belief. I once met a former Christian who was upset with many teachings the Christian religion has to offer. What happened? He became a born again Atheist.

Oh well, Kutte

How is that so?

Born again is used in the Bible, which is why a lot of Christians use this term.

There is no born again atheist.

 

[Light of the East]

No where in the Word...no where...does it tell us to have an "interpreter"! We have teachers but it is OUR responsibility to " study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (from Greek: t handle correctly) the Word of truth.". 2 Timothy 2:15. Our understanding comes through the Holy Spirit.

Nope. Our understanding comes through the congregation of God, aka "the Church." It was that way in the Old Covenant and it is that way in the New Covenant. God works through his community, not through Lone Rangers who get some sort of "revelation" which opposes centuries of established Christian belief that goes back to the Apostles.

Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Notice that the promise that the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church. Says nothing about the individual being immune from deception and deceit. And given the long history of heretics who have come and gone, we can see that this promise indeed is not to individuals.

1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

The Church is the pillar and ground of truth, not the individual. There is no promise to any individual in the world that he or she will be the pillar and ground of truth. In other words, the Holy Spirit speaks through the Church and not through the delusions of individuals.

The hundreds of differing doctrines of Protestantism, all claiming to be from the Holy Spirit and the Bible and all contradicting each other, is moot testimony to this fact.

 

[ToBeLoved]

Typos:
I meant to say; I admitted to God that I was too stupid and asked him to send someone to show me the way. Sorry about that, auto correct strikes again.

God answers prayer! Amen brother or sister!