AS ETERNALLY GRATEFUL has raised the subject of BORN AGAIN Let us use Scripture and see what is Born Again.... This must be the most misunderstanding concept in the Bible. I will use ONE VERSE to show you just how powerful BORN AGAIN is.
Let us read 1 John 3:9... Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Born again, means a person is BORN OF GOD! That means God is your Father that gave you life, existance, and HIS SEED! Not one single person that is born again is born to be the OLD person he was. You are not born again to be you AGAIN! If God gives you life, HE gives you HIS LIFE... Jesus Christ!
Let us break up 1 John 3:9...
1. God says ANY PERSON that is born of GOD, doth not commit sin. I wonder how many here want to change this simple straight foreward statement God makes here. ANY REBORN DOTH NOT COMMIT SIN.... Just accept it, or you will always be in a twirl of confusion!
2. The reason why this person cannot sin God gives as...FOR HIS SEED REMAINETH IN HIM.... This seed is the SAME SEED Jesus was born of... The Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit of God has to commit sin before this person can sin. The Holy Spirit is the ONLY SEED in this person. And this Holy Spirit CANNOT SIN...
3. HE CANNOT SIN, BECAUSE HE IS BORN OF GOD..... LOOK!!!! He did not grow in God and sin less and less, the moment HE WAS BORN OF GOD, he became SINLESS and PERFECT. How many people teach we should GROW in God? Plenty! But God says clearly here that the BORN OF GOD, cannot sin. He did not say those that matured in ME cannot sin, He says those BORN of me CANNOT sin.
Well that makes it very easy to understand.... REBIRTH happens at THE END OF SANCTIFICATION.
I have one huge request from all that reads this.... If a person reads John 17, and 1 John 3, with an open heart, then we can clearly see what God does to make a person BORN OF GOD. To read these two chapters, gives a person the best vision and revelation on BORN AGAIN.
Shortly put BEN IS BORN AGAIN OF GOD THEN.... JESUS IS BORN AGAIN IN BEN=BEN IS BAPTIZED IN/OF HOLY SPIRIT=BEN IS FILLED WITH HOLY SPIRT=BEN IS BORN OF GOD=JESUS IS PLANTED INSIDE BEN=ONLY JESUS LIVES IN BEN=FATHER AND SON MADE ABODE IN BEN=GOD IS IN BEN=BEN IS IN GOD=NO SATAN CLOSE AND VERY SCARED OF BEN/JESUS IN BEN=NO SIN IN GOD NO SIN IN BEN = BEN IS MADE BY GOD IN PERFECTION. BEN = JESUS CHRIST IN IMAGE, HOLINESS AND SONSHIP OF GOD. BEN IS AS MUCH A SON OF GOD AS JESUS IS! THIS IS WHAT BORN OF GOD/REBIRTH IS. NOTHING LESS!
So many people confuse the calling with rebirth. Calling of God is the first step God performs to save you. Rebirth is the last. There is NO HOLY SPIRIT IN YOU BEFORE GOD GIVES YOU REBIRTH AT THE END OF SANCTIFICATION!
Cobus,
Have your sins been forgiven?
The reason I ask is that you are teaching that actual rebirth (being born again) comes with being perfected. I reference this passage...
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
I am aware of others who teach this doctrine (namely Truecore08 on Youtube
TrueCore08's channel - YouTube ). The problem I have with this doctrine though is that the scriptures clearly teach that the remission of sins is tied to rebirth. If you carefully examine what Peter writes in 2 Peter chapter 1 he speaks of "adding to our faith" which is no doubt the equivalent of the "growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ" through the application of what we learn yet Peter makes a reference to the man who does not do this in verse 2Pet 1:9 as forgetting that his sins have already been purged. Thus the purging of sin comes BEFORE one adds to their faith and is thus perfected.
If you compare this to Hebrews 9:13-15 where it speaks of how the blood purges our consciences of dead works and how that relates to the remission of transgressions under the first covenant. In other words it is dealing with past misconduct ala Rom 3:25.
The blotting out of sins is connected in scripture with the refreshing which in the Greek is...
anapsuxis
From G404; properly a
recovery of breath, that is, (figuratively) revival: -
revival.
Act 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that
your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
You can also see that the forgiveness of sins is connected with "being quickened together with Him."
suzōopoieō
From G4862 and G2227;
to reanimate conjointly with (figuratively): - quicken together with.
Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh,
hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Here are some more relevant scriptures which are good to compare.
Act 26:18
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God,
purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and
the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Mat_26:28 For this is
my blood of the new testament,
which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Rom 3:24 Being
justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in
his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
I have read many of your posts and it appears that you believe that the Old Man is crucified over a long period of time and that this period of time is sanctification. Then at the end of this sanctification process or the perfecting of the saints is when one actually becomes born again.
I think that is a very dangerous error because it undermines the purpose of repentance (which is to purge the heart of rebellion and prepare an individual to receive the implanted word) and thus puts an individual into a state of waiting on God to change them and conform them into His image.
I have communicated these issues with those who teach this doctrine but have yet to receive a response directly addressing my queries.
Romans 6:6 teaches that the body of sin is destroyed via the old man being crucified with Christ. It is something that happens at a moment in time once and for all. The Bible does not teach it is a gradual thing. Those that are Christ's HAVE crucified the flesh with its passions and desires and this is directly related to the death of the old man. This is where the yielding to sin stops and the yielding to God begins. It is where the enslavement to sin ceases and we become a slave to righteousness.
2Co 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Read the next passage carefully as Peter refers to the "trial of faith" and he is speaking in context with those who are "born again." I think you have confused "being born again" with "being granted entrance into the kingdom."
Being being born again is not a guarantee that one will enter the kingdom simply because we have to remain steadfast and endure to the end. Eternal life is a hope and promise if we do this. We are kept by the power of God through faith which means as long as we are doers of the word and remain steadfast in faith we will receive the promise. God will deliver us from all temptation and preserve us to the end so long as we do not turn away from Him.
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath
begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1Pe 1:5
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1Pe 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
1Pe 1:7
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1Pe 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1Pe 1:9
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
1Pe 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
1Pe 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
1Pe 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
1Pe 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1Pe 1:14
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
1Pe 1:15 But as
he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1Pe 1:17 And if ye call on the Father,
who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that
ye were not redeemed [the reconciliation has already taken place]with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
1Pe 1:19
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1Pe 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
1Pe 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
1Pe 1:22
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1Pe 1:23
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1Pe 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
1Pe 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Look at this...
1Pe 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
1Pe 2:2
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word,
that ye may grow thereby:
The perfecting of the saints and coming into the unity of the faith is this growth. Yet rebirth comes first. Rebirth is simply being raised up by God from darkness to light by His power and it follows a genuine repentance experience whereby one forsakes their rebellion through a broken godly sorrow. This is where the axe is laid to the root cause of sin in one's life.
When one is born again they are not perfect. They need to be perfected. What they are though is no longer rebellious to God. The rebellion has ceased and in its place is a willingness to yield to the instruction of God whereby one may grow.
Please consider these things and I look forward to your response.
God bless.