Born-Again

[Dream]

What do people mean when they say they are "born-again" Christians? I hear this term so often, but I don't really know what it means.

 

[Skripper]

What do people mean when they say they are "born-again" Christians? I hear this term so often, but I don't really know what it means.

It's generally used as a Protestant slogan meaning one has "accepted" Christ as Lord and Savior. Catholics understand it differently, that we are truly born again through baptism.

 

[Dream]

It's generally used as a Protestant slogan meaning one has "accepted" Christ as Lord and Savior. Catholics understand it differently, that we are truly born again through baptism.

So any Evangelical who accepts Jesus considers themselves "born-again?"

 

[Skripper]

So any Evangelical who accepts Jesus considers themselves "born-again?"

I would say, generally speaking, yes. Though there may be some rare exceptions.

 

[frettr00]

I think it's when you start to have a personal relationship with Christ, going beyond just the usual "organized religion" part of it.

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

They tend to skip over John 3:1-15

 

[Dream]

Ok. Thanks guys. I thought it was more involved.

 

[Anthony]

What do people mean when they say they are "born-again" Christians? I hear this term so often, but I don't really know what it means.

They get from the Bible

JN 3:3
In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. "

 

[JeffreyLloyd]

[bible]John 3:4-6[/bible]

 

[frettr00]

I think there is a literal "change" that happens with being born again. What I mean is being filled with the Holy Spirit and feeling it, it transforms your soul from the inside out.

 

[Rising_Suns]

I believe Protestants equate being born again, receving the Holy Spirit, and salvation to all mean the same thing, and all happen in the same moment.

Catholics are born again at Baptism, receive the holy spirit at Confirmation, and are saved once every opportunity to deny God is taken away (i.e., at death).

 

[Lutherrunner]

Does the "born again" concept involve "Decision Theology"? As a Lutheran, I am trying to get a grasp of this myself. I have been dating a woman with a baptist background and I have tried to explain this to her, but we both seem somewhat befuddled. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Lutherrunner]

I think it's when you start to have a personal relationship with Christ, going beyond just the usual "organized religion" part of it.

Now there's another one of those buzz phrases that I don't get....what does that mean to have a "personal relationship with Jesus"?....is that like getting a cup of coffee with him or playing golf with him?.....

 

[kayanne]

Now there's another one of those buzz phrases that I don't get....what does that mean to have a "personal relationship with Jesus"?....is that like getting a cup of coffee with him or playing golf with him?.....

To me it means knowing and appreciating that Jesus died for MY sins--yes, He died for everyone's sin--but I have to examine my own heart and my own sin and know that my sins sent Jesus to the cross. And it means that I have a daily relationship with Jesus, through prayer, reading His word, living in a way that He would want.
There are a lot of people who go to church, who would say they "believe" in God, but they don't have an actual intimate relationship with Him.
I'm not saying that you don't "have a personal relationship" with Christ; maybe you just use different terminology. But I don't see it as a buzz phrase that's difficult to understand. I think it clearly sums up the role that Christ has in the lives of those who are His--a close and personal relationship.
blessings, kayanne

 

[PioMagnus]

So, you would say that those of us (even catholics) who know that our sins sent Jesus to die, and pray daily are saved?---(This next part may sound offensive, please rest assured that I do not mean it that way.) I'm not sure what kind of Baptist you are---but many Baptists deny that Catholics can be saved without leaving the Church. Using your description of "personal relationship" which, I believe, can be equated with "Born Again" or "Saved" would include many Catholics. What is your take on this?

God Bless you, and thank you for answering my post,
Pio Magnus

 

[Benedicta00]

Not Keyanne, she has been great at asking [honest] questions trying to understand Catholics. I'm sure she didn't mean it like that.

 

[PioMagnus]

Shelb5,
I was not meaning it as an accusation or anything of the sort, just asking for a clarification.

God bless,
Pio Magnus

 

[Rising_Suns]

To me it means knowing and appreciating that Jesus died for MY sins--yes, He died for everyone's sin--but I have to examine my own heart and my own sin and know that my sins sent Jesus to the cross. And it means that I have a daily relationship with Jesus, through prayer, reading His word, living in a way that He would want.
There are a lot of people who go to church, who would say they "believe" in God, but they don't have an actual intimate relationship with Him.
I'm not saying that you don't "have a personal relationship" with Christ; maybe you just use different terminology. But I don't see it as a buzz phrase that's difficult to understand. I think it clearly sums up the role that Christ has in the lives of those who are His--a close and personal relationship.
blessings, kayanne

Agreed. Having a "personal relationship" with God is important no doubt, as long as we always keep in mind that we are called to obedience as well. A lot of people conveniently forget that.