Feast of Trumpets This Weekend!!

[Grace777x70]

great and precious promises

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
(2 Peter 1:3-4)​

dude, have you seen my avatar?

or my alias?

"posthuman"

post-human

pōst/
preposition: post-

• subsequent to; after.
  
  
  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

​(2 Corinthians 5:17)




​

​

Amen....the only thing that matters is a new creation in Christ.

Those who walk by the rule of the new creation will experience peace and mercy in this life.

Galatians 6:14-16 (NASB)
[SUP]14 [/SUP] But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

[SUP]15 [/SUP] For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

[SUP]16 [/SUP] And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

 

[posthuman]

wanting to keep magnifying Christ, but leaving for work in ~ 7hrs

goodnight!

When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid:
yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
(Proverbs 3:24)​

 

[miknik5]

I sometimes kinda wish Christians observed Jewish holidays, to some extent. Id like to see what they are like.

I once listened to a Christian radio talk show where they tried to convince Christians that they should not observe Jewish holidays, and the reason was because something something legalism not grace. While I understand the importance of grace, it just didnt seem to have anything to do with these holidays. I cannot remember a verse where we are commanded to celebrate holidays or die. And they didnt use any verses to back up what they were saying so I didnt learn anything from it.

But yeah, anywho, I think it would be way cool to participate in something like that.

I kinda wish we would all celebrate together

 

[Karraster]

Proverbs 3-1My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct[a] your paths.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

8 It will be health to your flesh,[b]
And strength[c] to your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.

11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor detest His correction;
12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.

19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;
20 By His knowledge the depths were broken up,
And clouds drop down the dew.

21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes—
Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
22 So they will be life to your soul
And grace to your neck.
23 Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
26 For the Lord will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”When you have it with you.
29 Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.
30 Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.

31 Do not envy the oppressor,
And choose none of his ways;
32 For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord,
But His secret counsel is with the upright.
33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the just.
34 Surely He scorns the scornful,
But gives grace to the humble.
35 The wise shall inherit glory,
But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

..because it's nice to keep things in context.

 

[miknik5]

ok, so the froward kind jump in.
maybe someone could leave a book about Holy Days under your tree on Dec25.

In my opinion, Messiah has shown us a fulfillment of the Spring Feasts: Passover/Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost.

I wonder what it will be like when He returns to fulfill the Fall Feasts: Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles.
Could be a worthwhile study if you have never done it.
I could be wrong, of course.

Let everyone celebrate as they wish. It is done to honor the LORD.

 

[Karraster]

I know some of you do not observe it.
This thread is for those who do.

Although anyone can comment.
I am not the comment-police.

Yom Teruah!

"Speak to the people of Israel, saying,
In the seventh month, on the first day of the month,
you shall observe a day of solemn rest,
a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation.

Leviticus 23:24 (ESV2011, MBM)

bump...responding to this thread because we do observe the appointed times of our Creator. Doing so has brought us much joy and peace along with better understanding of what is written. All the years of going to church with the masses never taught me about these festivals, rather stepping back and asking Him to teach me, led me to many things that are glossed over in mainstream church.

Folks will laugh and mock and scorn, (as per this thread) but I'd much rather be obedient to the One who died for me. For the record, only on CC do I see such disdain for worshiping as I am led. People in person, tho they may not understand, do respect our decision.

 

[miknik5]

I never really understood what the feast of trumpets was really for or how one keeps it to begin with, I know that the feast of trumpets to many is day when they expect the trumpets to sound and Christ rides in to take his bride but what was it originally meant for?

But isn't that beautiful. A trumpet sounding and still pinging firward to HIS RETURN? Isn't it almost a form of preaching to men and women to consider and take note of this coming "far off" event?

 

[miknik5]

It is also considered to begin the "Ten Days of Awe" which leads up to the Day of Atonement. (the next prophetic rehearsal).

The ten days of awe? Can you point to the scriptures regarding this

 

[prove-all]

[SUP]7 [/SUP] so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs
according to the hope of eternal life.

heir not yet inherited, we are still mortal,
we are begotten, we do not yet have inmortality.


the hope of eternal life- when our change comes,
we will be born into his kingdom. not before

 

[Grace777x70]

heir not yet inherited, we are still mortal,
we are begotten, we do not yet have inmortality.


the hope of eternal life- when our change comes,
we will be born into his kingdom. not before

1 Peter 1:3 (NASB)
[SUP]3 [/SUP] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,


1 Peter 1:23 (NASB)
[SUP]23 [/SUP] for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.



You must think with your spiritual mind which is of Christ. We have eternal life now. The new body that we get will be the manifestation of what is already true in the Spirit now.

The biblical word for hope means " a confident expectation of good"...it is not like the world uses the word "hope" as in - it might be...it's a gimmie for us believers in Christ with the Christian scriptural usage of the word hope.

The new body will put on immortality but it is a formality because it is a done deal - we are sealed with the Holy Spirit for this beautiful time when the manifestation of what already is - takes place.

1 John 5:13 (NASB)
[SUP]13 [/SUP] These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

You have eternal life is in the present tense.

 

[prove-all]

1 Peter 1:3 (NASB)
[SUP]3 [/SUP] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,


1 Peter 1:23 (NASB)
[SUP]23 [/SUP] for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.

3Blessed 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 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible,
by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

-The word used here for "Being born again" is: G313

a??a?e??a´?
anagennao¯
an-ag-en-nah'-o
From G303 and G1080; to beget or (by extension) bear (again): - beget, (bear) X again.
Total KJV occurrences: 2


It means begettal, not birth. If you don't understand the difference, ask your wife,
if she has had children, she will make it very clear to you there is a BIG difference.

 

[prove-all]

-One will certainly know when they are born again, they will be spirit...

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old?
can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water
and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst
not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

-One does not inherit the Kingdom in the flesh...

1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit
the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

-Flesh and blood are visible. So if you are still flesh and blood,
you have not inherited the Kingdom and therefore are not born again.

1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound,
and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Paul explains when, at the last trump. We will be CHANGED to spirit, changed
such that we do not see corruption. Changed to immortal.


For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Co 15:53-corruptible:G5349

f?a?t?´?
phthartos
fthar-tos'
From G5351; decayed, that is, (by implication) perishable: - corruptible.
Total KJV occurrences: 6

incorruption:G861

a?f?a?s?´a
aphtharsia
af-thar-see'-ah
From G862; incorruptibility; generally unending existence; (figuratively) genuineness: - immortality, incorruption, sincerity.
Total KJV occurrences: 8

mortal:G2349

???t?´?
thne¯tos
thnay-tos'
From G2348; liable to die: - mortal (-ity).
Total KJV occurrences: 6

immortality:G110

a??a?as?´a
athanasia
ath-an-as-ee'-ah
From a compound of G1 (as a negative particle) and G2288; deathlessness: - immortality.
Total KJV occurrences: 3

It will be quite evident at the resurrection when one is BORN again.
Now if you want to discuss being begotten, that is something that does occur in this lifetime.

-
3Blessed 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 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible,
by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

-The word used here for "Being born again" is: G313

a??a?e??a´?
anagennao¯
an-ag-en-nah'-o
From G303 and G1080; to beget or (by extension) bear (again): - beget, (bear) X again.
Total KJV occurrences: 2


It means begettal, not birth. If you don't understand the difference, ask your wife,
if she has had children, she will make it very clear to you there is a BIG difference.
-

That which is born of the flesh is flesh: in a physical birth, we are physical beings.
But that which is born of the Spirit is spirit: in a spiritual birth, we are spiritual beings!


“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God;
neither doth corruption inherit incorruption” (I Cor. 15:50).

-Flesh and blood are visible. So if you are still flesh and blood,
you have not inherited the Kingdom and therefore are not born again.

1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit
the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

-As long as we have flesh that is subject to decay, we cannot enter the Kingdom.
We enter the Kingdom at the resurrection...

1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits;
afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

-
To be born of the spirit is made plain in this passage...

1Co 15:35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up?
and with what body do they come?
1Co 15:36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

1Co 15:37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be,
but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
1Co 15:38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

1Co 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
1Co 15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
1Co 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof,
but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth:

-wind is invisible, you can not see it.
so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

if you where born again you would be an invisible spirit.
we are begotten not yet born, still growing from that seed he planted in you

2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:
but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

-

The Prophet Daniel wrote of this Kingdom of God.

“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall
never be destroyed … but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms,
and it shall stand for ever” (Dan. 2:44).

To “stand for ever” it will, of necessity, be a Kingdom of immortals, not mortals.
It will be a world-ruling Kingdom! Daniel’s 7th chapter portrays it again—and shows
the connection with being “born again.” The four world empires—Babylon through
Rome and its coming resurrection in Europe—are pictured as four beasts—wild animals

Verses 17-18: “These great beasts, which are four, are four kings [kingdoms],
which shall arise out of the earth.

But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever,
even for ever and ever.” To possess it for ever, the saints will have to be immortal!

“made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days
[Christ at Second Coming] came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High;
and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom” (vv. 21-22). Read also verse 27.

The Second Coming of Christ is described thus: “And the seventh angel sounded;
and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become
the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever”
(Rev. 11:15).

Jesus said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh: and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (v. 6).
Man is now flesh—human. He is material substance.

“[D]ust thou art,” said God to Adam, “and unto dust shalt thou return.” Again,
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into
his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Gen. 3:19 and 2:7).

Jesus plainly said , when one is born of the Spirit he will BE spirit!
Look at it! Read it in your own Bible.

The Kingdom of God will be composed of spirit beings—not of humans!
When born of the Spirit, one will be delivered from the Church of God (physical)
into the Kingdom of God (a Kingdom of spirit beings!).

Of the next age when the Kingdom of God will rule the world— the next life—Jesus said,
“[T]hey neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God …” (Matt. 22:30).

Marriage is a physical, fleshly union. In the age of God’s Kingdom—when “born again”
we shall be spirit, not flesh. Born of God as spirit beings, no longer human.
Angels are spirits—composed of spirit (Heb. 1:7).

“The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell
whence it cometh, and whither it goeth:so is everyone that is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).

You cannot see wind. Wind is compared to spirit. It is invisible.
That’s why mortal flesh, as we now are, cannot see the Kingdom of God.
Those who inherit it will be spirit—normally invisible to eyes still human.

The Apostle Paul made clear that the Kingdom of God is something a human
may inherit, but not in this age—not while he is composed of material flesh.
He may, now, become only an heir, not yet an inheritor!

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God;
neither doth corruption inherit incorruption” (i Cor. 15:50).

Leading up to this verse, Paul had made it very clear. “The first man is of the earth,
earthy [human]: the second man is the Lord from heaven [a divine God Being]” (v. 47).

“And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall [future—resurrection]
also bear the image of the heavenly” (v.-49).

As we are now flesh, we shall be spirit—at the resurrection. That is when we shall be
“born again”—when we shall see, enter into, the Kingdom of God—when we are spirit
—at the resurrection!

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God;
neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep [be dead], but we shall all be changed,
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound,
and the dead shall be raisedincorruptible, and we [the then living] shall be changed” (vv. 50-52).

There is the time when we may be born again—when we may see,
enter into, inherit the Kingdom—when “born again”—and NOT BEFORE!

“For this corruptible”—flesh, as we now are—“must put on incorruption”—
spirit—that which is born of God is spirit—“and thismortal must put on immortality”
—be changed from material flesh to spirit!


Until born again, we cannot see the Kingdom of God
(Jesus to Nicodemus, John 3:3).

Until born again, we cannot enter into the Kingdom of God
(Jesus to Nicodemus, John 3:5).

Until no longer flesh, but changed into spirit, we cannot enter into the
Kingdom of God (Jesus to Nicodemus, John 3:6-8).

While still flesh and blood (as Nicodemus was and we are) we
cannot inherit the Kingdom of God (Paul to the Corinthians, i-Cor.15:50).

Until the resurrection, at Christ’s coming, we shall not be changed
from corruptible flesh into incorruptible spirit (Paul—i Cor. 15:50-53 and verses 22-23).

Until the resurrection, therefore, we cannot see, enter into, or inherit
the Kingdom of God. We cannot be born again until the resurrection!

 

[prove-all]

God’s Spirit entering and dwelling in one comparesto the physical sperm impregnating
the ovum—the imparting of eternal spirit life, later to produce—to bring forth—
a spirit person! A fertilized ovum—an embryo—is not a born human person.

Life from the father has been imparted to it—he has begotten it—but neither
embryo nor fetus is yet a born person. In the same manner, the Spirit-begotten human
is not, yet, a spirit person or being, as Jesus said he shall be when born again!

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up
Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you”

Jesus said, that which is born of the flesh is flesh—a born human.
That which is bornof the Spirit (God) is spirit—a born spirit person!

A mortal human life starts when a sperm cell from the body of the father impregnates
—imparts physical life to—an ovum (egg cell) in the mother. At this point the father
begets, sires. He does not “bring forth”: the mother does that, later. His part in the
process leading to final birth is then done. But there is a time element.

At the time of begettal, birth (parturition) has not yet occurred.

It is necessary to make this explanation, at this point, because the popular deception
of a deceived traditional “Christianity” is to claim that when one “receives Christ”
—“accepts Christ”—“professesChrist”—or first receives God’s Holy Spirit to dwell
in him, that he is already “born again.”

The church our mother
http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/132613-t-he-c-h-u-r-c-h-our-m-o-t-h-e-r.html

We are now flesh—vile corruptible flesh subject to rotting and decay.
But at Christ’s coming, when we shall be born of God, this vile body shall be changed,
and made exactly like Jesus in His glorified body!

Now what shall He be like? If you can know that, you can know what born-again
Christians shall then be like—for they shall be like Him!

What does the glorified Christ look like? His eyes blaze forth like flames of fire!
His feet glow like finely burnished brass. His face shines like the sun, in full strength
—so bright, it would blind your eyes if He were visible to you now!
(Rev. 1:14-16; 19:12-13; Matt. 17:2).

 

[prove-all]

You have eternal life is in the present tense.

Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body of Christ.


the "things to come" is a future tence but you reject that, why?

 

[posthuman]

Life begins before birth.

 

[prove-all]

Life begins before birth.

yes when we are begotten by or sired by our father,
not yet born, the mother has not given birth yet.

 

[psalm6819]

I acknowledge the feasts because they all represent Jesus, those that have been fulfilled and those which have not.

It's not a being under the law thing for me. It's like I celebrated the birth of my kids and every year I still do.

I married Tom but once but we still celebrate our anniversary.

It's not a compulsary, I do it because it reminds of Christ who was, is and is to come!!!!

 

[Grace777x70]

3Blessed 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 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible,
by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

-The word used here for "Being born again" is: G313

a??a?e??a´?
anagennao¯
an-ag-en-nah'-o
From G303 and G1080; to beget or (by extension) bear (again): - beget, (bear) X again.
Total KJV occurrences: 2


It means begettal, not birth. If you don't understand the difference, ask your wife,
if she has had children, she will make it very clear to you there is a BIG difference.

I disagree...the Greek word in 1 Peter 1:3 actually means to produce again - or to be born again.

ἀναγεννάω anagennaō verb ( notice the "ana" in front of "gennao" which means to be born )

Beget again, to produce again.

Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary, The - The Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary – Alpha-Gamma.

This word come from the root Greek word "to be born"....the "ana" in front of the word above just means "again".

....hence - "being born again" - once born in the flesh - 2nd time born in the spirit.

[FONT="Galatia Sil" !important]γεννάω[/FONT] [FONT="Gentium" !important]gennaō[/FONT] verb

Beget, give birth to, produce, effect.

Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary, The - The Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary – Alpha-Gamma.

Two births are talked about....unless you don't count being born physically as really being born? Which is foolishness of course.

 

[prove-all]

I disagree...the Greek word in 1 Peter 1:3 actually means to produce again - or to be born again.

.

“Being born again …” (i Pet. 1:23).
Being—in process of—not having been—not yet an immortal person
—but being “born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible
(Other translations use the term “begotten.”)
Greek: annagennao—to beget anew (Young).

Peter is here referring to the process having started within us by the
incorruptible Spirit of God—not as our human life was begotten by human
physical sperm. Peter here shows that the Spirit of God is the incorruptible
“seed” that imparted the presence of eternal life within us. Continue:

“by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”

Peter continues, chapter 2: “Wherefore … As newborn babes-…”
(vv. 1-2). Not that we are already-born perfect divine spirit persons
having entered into and inherited God’s Kingdom.

He is comparing the Christian’s spiritual “gestation” period to the growth of
a newborn human physical baby simply because it would be awkward indeed
to compare it to a physical embryo or fetus. He is not saying we are already
born babes in God’s Kingdom—but as—or like newbornnhuman babes.

It is an analogy, which Webster says is a comparison or “likeness between
two things … consisting in the resemblance not of the things themselves,
but of two or more attributes, circumstances or effects.”

Peter is simply showing that, as a newborn human babe must be nourished
and grow physically (even, for that matter, as must the unborn fetus), so

Christians must grow spiritually. Continue: “… desire the sincere milk of
the word” [rsv has, “long for the pure spiritual milk”], that ye may grow thereby”

Paul styled it “unto a perfect man” (Eph. 4:13)—unable to sin. When born again,
we shall not be helpless spirit babes, but spirit beings of perfection unable to sin.

This Christian spiritual growth is in spiritual character and knowledge in this
present human life. As a physical babe must grow physically, so we in the
Christian life must grow in spiritual knowledge and character (see ii Pet. 3:18)
to become perfect, which we shall never attain until born as spirit beings.

—the firstborn of many brethren. That was His second birth,
as the resurrection will be ours!

 

[prove-all]

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:14).
The unborn child in his mother’s womb is the child of his father and mother, though
not yet born—delivered from the womb. So are we, if God’s Spirit dwells in us
—if we are being led by God’s Spirit—children of God. Yet, at this time, we are
in the gestation state, not yet that parturition. And only heirs. Not inheritors!

Continue: “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and jointheirs with Christ;
if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be [future—at resurrection] also
glorified together” (v.-17). Now see how this passage designates the resurrection
into glory—when we shall be spirit—as a birth!

“For the earnest expectation of the creature [creation] waiteth for the manifestation of
the sons of God”—that is the time of Christ’s coming to reign, and of the resurrection to
(being born of) spirit composition—“ because the creation itself also shall be delivered
[a birth] from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now”

Another comparison: We shall be delivered from this world (the Church is in, though not
of, this world) into the glorious World Tomorrow and the Kingdom which shall rule it.

The creation is waiting for this time of Christ’s coming, the resurrection, and the Kingdom
of God. Because the creation shall be DELIVERED from the bondage of corruption.

Not now delivered—shall be—at the resurrection time! Although this is not referring
directly to our being born again, it is a direct comparison to the birth of a child being
delivered from its mother’s womb.

The resurrection—the time when we are changed to be spirit and to inherit the Kingdom
will be a time of delivery from the bondage of corruptible flesh and from this world of sin
—a real birth!

Romans 8: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to
the image of his Son, that he [Jesus]might be the firstborn among many brethren” .

Now compare with Romans 1:3-4: “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
which was made of the seed of David according the flesh;
And declared to be the Son of God … by the resurrection from the dead.”

Jesus was, in the human flesh—His first birth—a descendant of David, and, by the
resurrection from the dead (born again) —the Son of God, now no longer human, but
composed of spirit—a spirit being. He thus became the first so born of many brethren
who shall be born again at the time of the resurrection of those who are Christ’s.

Of course we understand, and so did Paul in writing the above, that Jesus was also
the Son of God while in the human flesh. Though born of a human woman, He was
sired by God. But this is comparing the two births—the one from the human Mary,
as descended from the human David—the other, by His resurrection to glory,
as Son of God by His resurrection, in the same manner we may be.

Emphatically this does not imply that Jesus was a sinner needing salvation.
He was the pioneer, setting us the example, that we, too, may be born of God.

“For our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for
the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body [flesh],
that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body …” (Phil. 3:20-21).
And what is Christ’s glorious body like? His eyes are as flames of fire
—His face bright as the sun atfull strength (Rev. 1:14-16).

Just What Do You Mean Born Again? that being born of God is a process,
inwhich there is a time element. Just as being born of the human flesh a process.

At the time when the father begets and the mother conceives—of the union of
sperm cell and ovum—the fertilized ovum becomes an embryo. But it is not yet
delivered from the womb—not yet born! And will not be for nine months.

A pregnancy is in progress. Yet during this period of physical development and
growth, it is the unborn child of its parents. In like manner, at the time when

the Spirit Father, God, begets a human with the Spirit (the spiritual counterpart
of the physical sperm)—the Holy Spirit—he becomes a son of God!

He is then already a son of God.

But he is still human—he is still material flesh and blood. He must now
undergo a period (until death, the resurrection) of spiritual development
and growth. He is in the gestation state in the process toward being born.