Is it possible to be born again more than one time?

[zoidar]

The Bible refers as we know to be born again as to when a believer comes to saving faith in the living God. We also know that some believers lose their faith to later in life come to faith again. Does this mean such a person has been born again twice?

One scenario might be that the believer never was born again the first time. But then how do we know the second time is a true rebirth?

It may also be so that the first time was a real rebirth, but the Holy Spirit was quenched, and the person left Christianity practically, but still had faith somewhere down inside (possibly denied), and coming back to faith "again" was simply relighting the spark, the Holy Spirit that was there inside.

The third option is that the person was reborn, then lost his faith which got the Holy Spirit to leave, to later in life be born again a second time and once again receiving the Holy Spirit.

Can a person be born again more than one time? Please back up with scriptures (and, or with Church fathers).

Christ love,
P

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

No.
The Scriptures often is in conflict with other sources.

Being born again is once for all time by the will of the Father from heaven - a circumcised heart (OT and NT) .

Not by man's will, nor by the flesh - not accomplished by man.

If someone , somehow, becomes "un-born again", then by all that is in all Scripture, they are , sorrowfully, left with no sacrifice** for their sin. Thus no chance for redemption. No atonement for their sins (and the penalty is death).


**
Hebrews 10:26 If we deliberately go on sinning after we have ...
Hebrews 10:26 If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains,
For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, if. Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, …

 

[BBAS 64]

Good day,zoidar

Can we agree on this definition of the term Born-again?

The term Born Again refers to new birth enjoyed by Christians upon conversion and regeneration. It is a work of the Holy Spirit within a believer. It is related to faith in Christ and Him crucified (John 3:3-5). It means that the person is no longer dead in sins (Eph. 2:1), no longer spiritually blind (1 Cor. 2:14), and is now a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17).

What do you believe the purpose of God is when by His will he Re-births a person by the Spirit?

In Him

Bill

 

[Ken Rank]

The Bible refers as we know to be born again as to when a believer comes to saving faith in the living God. We also know that some believers lose their faith to later in life come to faith again. Does this mean such a person has been born again twice?

One scenario might be that the believer never was born again the first time. But then how do we know the second time is a true rebirth?

It may also be so that the first time was a real rebirth, but the Holy Spirit was quenched, and the person left Christianity practically, but still had faith somewhere down inside (possibly denied), and coming back to faith "again" was simply relighting the spark, the Holy Spirit that was there inside.

The third option is that the person was reborn, then lost his faith which got the Holy Spirit to leave, to later in life be born again a second time and once again receiving the Holy Spirit.

Can a person be born again more than one time? Please back up with scriptures (and, or with Church fathers).

Christ love,
P

My answer is yes... BUT... here is the deal. We only have John 3 in terms of being "born again" using that phrase. We have other scriptures where "born anew" and other phrases are used. However, in that day, the word was used many places outside of Scripture and was fairly common in the culture which might explain why Yeshua was, in part, troubled by Nicodemus' answer?

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

why Yeshua was, in part, troubled by Nicodemus' answer?

Was Jesus troubled? Nicodemus was a 'scholar' wasn't he? he 'should have' known, but said he didn't know, that throughout Israels history having their hearts circumcised was , for them , "born again", or so I've been told ....
A heart unto Yahuweh , then, circumcised by Him , not by human hands, as also in the NT.....

 

[BBAS 64]

Good Day, Zoidar

1Jn 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.

Being born of God, results in believing.


In Him,

Bill

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Good Day, Zoidar

1Jn 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.

Being born results in believing.


In Him,

Bill

Everything born of the flesh


is flesh


and profits nothing... The spirit (when alive) and the flesh war every day. (until death)

 

[Ahermit]

Sorry that you only listen to scriptures and/or church fathers, and not to the common folk who are reborn.

Reborn is to be awakened by spirit. Most are still in rebirth, not fully awakened. These often think they are awakened, but there is so much more to awaken to. It is a life-long awakening, but it is awakening.

Some have not awoken to the truth about patience, endurance, unconditionality, and other things. In their impatience, they get side-tracked by their own self-will. Until they let go absolutely, to awaken themselves to the presence of the Holy Spirit, they discover that the Holy Spirit has never left them. This becomes another spiritual awakening, not from scratch, but a wider more open reborn experience than before.

Similarly, the prodigal son returns home, to find home an even better place than when he left. Only to discover that the father has always loved him from the start.

 

[d taylor]

No, a person, trust in The Messiah for the gift of His Eternal life and that one time act of belief and person becomes born again, a child of God.

You have one physical birth and one spiritual birth.

The only exception is a person who never believes in The Messiah for Eternal life they only have a physical birth they never have a spiritual birth.

 

[BBAS 64]

Everything born of the flesh


is flesh


and profits nothing... spirit (when alive) and the flesh war every day. (until death)

Good Day, Jeff

Thanks... edited to read "Being born of God, results in believing."

In Him,

Bill

 

[BBAS 64]

No, a person, trust in The Messiah for the gift of His Eternal life and that one time act of belief and person becomes born again, a child of God.

You have one physical birth and one spiritual birth.

The only exception is a person who never believes in The Messiah for Eternal life they only have a physical birth they never have a spiritual birth.

Good Day, d taylor

You seem to suggest here that the act of believing is the cause of the Born again (effect)?

Would you unpack this a bit please?

IN Him,

Bill

 

[98cwitr]

No. Explanation is:

Hebrews 6:4-6 New International Version (NIV)

4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen[a] away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

 

[zoidar]

Good day,zoidar

Can we agree on this definition of the term Born-again?

The term Born Again refers to new birth enjoyed by Christians upon conversion and regeneration. It is a work of the Holy Spirit within a believer. It is related to faith in Christ and Him crucified (John 3:3-5). It means that the person is no longer dead in sins (Eph. 2:1), no longer spiritually blind (1 Cor. 2:14), and is now a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17).

What do you believe the purpose of God is when by His will he Re-births a person by the Spirit?

In Him

Bill

We can basically agree on that definition.

To save this person from eternal death and welcome him/her to His Kingdom, that the person will live according to His will on Earth and share the gospel so heaven will invade Earth so to speak, that as many as possible might be saved.

 

[Aussie Pete]

The Bible refers as we know to be born again as to when a believer comes to saving faith in the living God. We also know that some believers lose their faith to later in life come to faith again. Does this mean such a person has been born again twice?

One scenario might be that the believer never was born again the first time. But then how do we know the second time is a true rebirth?

It may also be so that the first time was a real rebirth, but the Holy Spirit was quenched, and the person left Christianity practically, but still had faith somewhere down inside (possibly denied), and coming back to faith "again" was simply relighting the spark, the Holy Spirit that was there inside.

The third option is that the person was reborn, then lost his faith which got the Holy Spirit to leave, to later in life be born again a second time and once again receiving the Holy Spirit.

Can a person be born again more than one time? Please back up with scriptures (and, or with Church fathers).

Christ love,
P

"My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. 28I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. 29My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.…" John 10.

"They will never perish". I love that.
This question arises because there is much confusion about the definitions of salvation. Nicodemus asked how it was possible to go back into the womb and be born again. We now know that being born again is spiritual. It's easy to snigger at Nicodemus. Don't. He may have been the first person to hear about being born again. In order to be born again, we have to die first. God includes us in Christ's death so that we could be rid of the old, sinful nature. Then we are included in the resurrection of Christ so that we become new creations. (Galatians 2:20)

Eternal means just that. Now it is possible to lose the experience of being born again, and lose the blessings of being a Kingdom Christian. Being born again is instant. The confusion arises because there is a progressive aspect to salvation, the salvation of the soul. I prefer to think of it as deliverance. The word "saved" has come to mean going to heaven when you die.

Our soul is programmed from birth to be a citizen of the of the world, the system that Satan set up in competition with God. It's been put like this: "God got His people out of Egypt. Then He set about getting Egypt out of His people". God saves us out of the world. He then works to get the world out of us. We need renewed minds so that they do not argue with God's word. We need an unencumbered will so that we are free to choose God's way instead of the world's ways. We need to be convinced that God's ways are higher than our ways.

It is a lifetime journey. Our sin and failure, weakness and foolishness, are used by God to bring us into more dependence on Him. Our works are dead. What is done in the power of the Life of Christ within will endure forever.

Some Christians will suffer great loss on the day of Judgement. "Hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord." 1 Corinthians 5:5

Christians who refuse to allow God to change them will have a saved spirit. They will have no reward and no placement in God's kingdom. This life sets us up for the next. Once we are born again, we do well not to waste the wonderful opportunity that we have in Christ. We get one shot at it. Hand over your life to Christ completely. Let Him transform you!

 

[St_Worm2]

The Bible refers as we know to be born again as to when a believer comes to saving faith in the living God. We also know that some believers lose their faith to later in life come to faith again. Does this mean such a person has been born again twice? One scenario might be that the believer never was born again the first time. But then how do we know the second time is a true rebirth?

Hello Zoidar, the question that you asked, "how do we know" (if we are born again) is an important one, since we are commanded to make sure that we are, yes .. see 2 Corinthians 13:5. As for whether or not I believe that someone can be born again twice, see below.

Can a person be born again more than one time?

No! God causing us to be born again once is all that's possible, since God gives us "~eternal~ life" (not temporal or probationary life) from the moment that we first believe. So there would never be a need for someone to be born again .. twice (or more).

John 5
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, ~has~ eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

John 6:37-40 (excerpt)
All that the Father gives Me will come to Me and .. of all that He has given Me, I LOSE NOTHING, but raise it up on the last day.

John 10
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;
28 and I give ~eternal~ life to them, and they will ~never~ perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.​

Also, the Bible makes it clear that 'if' such a scenario was possible (that a person who is truly born again lost their salvation, that is), that it would be "impossible" for them to be born again a 2nd time/to renew them again to repentance.

Hebrews 6
4 In the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,
6 and then have fallen away, it is ~impossible~ to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.
​

--David

Chapter XVII. Of the Perseverance of the Saints

Section I.–They whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.

Section II.–This perseverance of the saints depends, not upon their own freewill, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ; the abiding of the Spirit and of the seed of God within them; and the nature of the covenant of grace; from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.

Section III.–Nevertheless they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalence of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their perseverance, fall into grievous sins; and for a time continue therein: whereby they incur God's displeasure, and grieve his Holy Spirit; come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts; have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded; hurt and scandalise others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves.

~Westminster Confession of Faith​

 

[BBAS 64]

We can basically agree on that definition.

To save this person from eternal death and welcome him/her to His Kingdom, that the person will live according to His will on Earth and share the gospel so heaven will invade Earth so to speak, that as many as possible might be saved.

Good Day, Zoidar

So if that is the purpose of God in re-birthing a person.. can he fail in that completion of that purpose?

I say he can not....

Isa 46:8"Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,' calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.

In Him,

Bill

 

[d taylor]

Good Day, d taylor

You seem to suggest here that the act of believing is the cause of the Born again (effect)?

Would you unpack this a bit please?

IN Him,

Bill

It is simple when a person believes that Jesus is the promised Messiah from Old Testament prophecies and trust in The Messiah for the Gift of The Messiah's Eternal Life. They have been given Eternal Life, Jesus is Eternal Life and Jesus is the only person, a person can look to for life.

The Gospel of John states this many times and that is the same place that is found the idea of being born again.

From the same chapter

John 3:14,15 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should
not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

John 3:18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

 

[zoidar]

Good Day, Zoidar

So if that is the purpose of God in re-birthing a person.. can he fail in that completion of that purpose?

I say he can not....

Isa 46:8"Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,' calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.

In Him,

Bill

Then you would say if a Christian loses his faith and comes to faith again he was never born again the first time?

 

[BBAS 64]

Then you would say if a Christian loses his faith and comes to faith again he was never born again the first time?

Good Day, Zoidar

Forgive me... this is the best answer I have seen...

 

[zoidar]

No.
The Scriptures often is in conflict with other sources.

Being born again is once for all time by the will of the Father from heaven - a circumcised heart (OT and NT) .

Not by man's will, nor by the flesh - not accomplished by man.

If someone , somehow, becomes "un-born again", then by all that is in all Scripture, they are , sorrowfully, left with no sacrifice** for their sin. Thus no chance for redemption. No atonement for their sins (and the penalty is death).


**
Hebrews 10:26 If we deliberately go on sinning after we have ...
Hebrews 10:26 If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains,
For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, if. Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, …

Do you then hold to a person dying with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit may still end up in hell?