Born Again Experience What does it really mean?
BORN AGAIN a conversion from gentile to jew before their circumcision (OT times) used to refer to Christians that are twice born, once of the biological parents and then once of the Holy Spirit when he or she accepts Christ having a renewed commitment to Jesus (freedictionary.com)
JOhn 3:1-8 1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”[d]
UNLESS A MAN BE BORN AGAIN, can’t get in (verse 3)
NICODEMUS’ IDEA (v4) Literal Aspect He didn’t need it because he’s a jew already based on the first definition. GO BACK TO THE WOMB????! (v4)
JESUS’ IDEA (v5) Spiritual Aspect born of water and of the Spirit
Is baptism a requirement for salvation? Catholics prescribe this doctrine.
2 Theories *water is interpreted as Holy Baptism Born of water and Spirit is not 2 distinct birth but one by the Holy Spirit “water” = amniotic fluid, and “Spirit” = spiritual birth
What If you are nicodemus? what would u be thinking?
NEED FOR BORN AGAIN EXPERIENCE (v6) Adam = sin nature Holy Spirit = Sinless nature (“ Spirit gives birth to spirit”) KEY POINT : Nicodemus was denied eligibility despite being a jew.
WIND =SPIRIT (v8) Nicodemus shouldn’t be surprised (v7) “PNEUMA” = greek word that was used for Spirit and same as wind SPIRIT is not seen but we the effects are evident one of the effects is....
SALVATION Is a sovereign work of God (Eph 2:8) “ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—”
KEY TERMS CONVERSION = change of belief system, sinfulness to righteousness ELECTION = chosen to a specific purpose, can also mean predistined for slavation (Eph :3-11. Rom 8:28,11:36)
KEY TERMS REGENERATION = new birth,process of repenting and accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior and is Born again by the Holy Spirit SANCTIFICATION = Greek “ Hagaismos” which means separation or setting apart. The continuing of spiritual growth