What is the purpose of being born again?

Wingof...

Born again and Mechanism:

The term born again is defined as a person repenting from their sins and asking Jesus for forgiveness. They are sincere about it and must be because God doesn't play games. Then they get baptized with water - because the Bible says this shows a good conscience towards God and its symbolic of Christs burial. (Our old sin nature is buried with Christ). Then one asks for the Holy Spirit so that one can live a christian life. Without it - its impossible to live a christian life. One must have Gods power to do so.

Difference between the two of one who isn't born again versus one who is:

Jesus said you will know them by their fruits. This means fruits of the Holy Spirit which is faith, love, longsuffering, temperance, gentleness, meekness, patience, joy, and peace. They desire to be like Christ and worship Him. It will come very natural to want to worship God and not yourself. One has a biblical worldview and looks at life like Christ did.

Those who arn't born again. They have an antichrist spirit and desire just the opposite of Christ which is living life their way and not the way Christs intends for them to. Their old nature controls them.

Is being born again a requirement? Yes, because the Word of God (Bible) says it is. I'm just the messenger.

Where did born again originate? From the Bible. God came up with this plan. Mankind is separated from God and must be born again to enter the Kingdom of God.

PRAISE GOD!

WooT!

I only wish I had more reputation to spend!
hahahaha!

WingsOfTheNeophyte said:

What does it feel like, can you describe the feeling, in any way?

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Euphoria, comfort and peace. The feeling that you are not disconnected and alone. That someone knowns and even likes you as a person, that someone being God.

WingsOfTheNeophyte said:

In this instance, it appears not only is the person loving Jesus, but also obeying the two great commandments

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Loving Jesus is not the born again experience, but it is the means God uses to show us His love. Gods outpouring of love through the Holy Spirit we come to know and love God. The end result is that we become God-centered instead of being self-centered, therefore everything a Christian does is for the love of God.

Before Adam and Eve ate the fruit form the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they were God-centered but when they ate of its fruit they were poisoned by self-centeredness and eternally separated themselves and their decedents from God. Jesus came to enable use to once again become God-centered through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Now looking at God's two main commandments (love Him and love your neighbor), both demonstrates the surrender of self to God's will. When Jesus says what you do for others, you do for Him is teaching about being God-centered. Doing good to others to justify and receive praise for one's own sake will not make anyone closer to God because it is a self-centered activity. No one can buy themselves a place with God by doing good. Only those who are God-centered can draw close to Him and all of their works are a form of worship to Him.

WingsOfTheNeophyte said:

Sorry to keep bothering you guys like this, but it seems I will never run out of questions

What is the purpose of being "born again"

What is the mechanism by which one is born again?

How do you tell the difference between a normal person and one who is born again?

Is it a requirement to enter the kingdom of God? (in your personal view)

Where do you think, the idea of being born again originated?


(Please again, if you choose to respond, using your own words without quoting would be preferable)

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1. The purpose of being 'born again' is to enter 'heaven'.

2. The mechanism is prayer, repentance and an open heart to God.

3. Jesus said you will know the difference by the moral fruits produced in the person's life.

4. To enter the kingdom of heaven is synonymous with salvation. So, it is not a requirment, it is the process of salvation itself.

5. The idea of being born again originated with God/Jesus...

I have come to the conclusion that being born again is a sudden supernatural cleansing change acted upon a willing seeker of God, via the Holy Spirit through the word. The word of God is the sword of the Holy Spirit. (Eph.6:17) and it is through this 'sword' the Holy Spirit circumcised our heart. (Col.2:11)

Here is what some other Christian groups believe about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Born_again