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John 3:3 - 10/12/2008 3:47:08 PM
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jonas049
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From: Harrisburg, PA
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When Jesus says to Nicodemus, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God", what exactly does He mean? And how exactly do you know if you've been "born again" or not?
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RE: John 3:3 - 10/12/2008 4:44:58 PM
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creationtalk
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The phrase "born again" may be better translated "born from above". And Jesus answered the first of your questions a little farther along: John 3:5 Jesus answered "...You must be born of water [the birth process] and born of the spirit"
And John also answers your second question, also using Jesus' words: John 3:16-18 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."
The proof that you believe in Jesus is that you love him--he has saved your eternal life, raised you from eternal death into life. If a person here on earth saved your temporary life here on earth, you would love that person. So if you truly believe in Jesus, you will love him.
And if you believe in Jesus, then you will follow his instructions John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command."
You can accept Jesus in private, but if you love Him, then you cannot deny him. You will want him to shine through what you do.
As far as KNOWING that you are saved, if you have accepted Jesus and believe on his name, believe that he was born of a virgin, was crucified, died and rose again the third day, then the keeping of your salvation is no longer in your hands. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 "Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him
If we endure,
we will also reign with him
If we disown him,
he will also disown us
If we are faithless,
he will remain faithful
for he cannot disown himself."
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RE: John 3:3 - 10/12/2008 5:05:07 PM
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jonas049
Posts: 17
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From: Harrisburg, PA
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quote:
ORIGINAL: creationtalk
The phrase "born again" may be better translated "born from above". And Jesus answered the first of your questions a little farther along: John 3:5 Jesus answered "...You must be born of water [the birth process] and born of the spirit"
Oh, ok...I assumed by saying "born of water", he meant baptized by water.
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RE: John 3:3 - 10/12/2008 5:48:43 PM
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bob97
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From: Kansas
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jonas049...your question is answered very easily.
Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?
Do you believe He was crucified and was resurrected from the dead?
Do you believe that Christ died for your sin?
Do you accept Christ as your savoir?
If you answered yes to these 4 questions you are saved and are a child of God because the bible says;
Rom 10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Bob
_____________________________
The LORD clears the road for me!
The LORD is my high ridge, my stronghold, my deliverer!
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RE: John 3:3 - 10/12/2008 8:18:04 PM
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Liveloved
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quote:
When Jesus says to Nicodemus, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God", what exactly does He mean? And how exactly do you know if you've been "born again" or not?
Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him. I Cor 2:9
He means that only God can give us eyes that see His kingdom. It is revealed, imparted to us. And it is given to those who love Jesus. We cannot know God apart from this---that is true sight, that is true hearing.
How do you know? His Spirit testifies to your spirit. You will know.
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RE: John 3:3 - 10/12/2008 9:05:38 PM
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ta_mosquito
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From: from MN, now in Ontario :D
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quote:
Oh, ok...I assumed by saying "born of water", he meant baptized by water.
That's debatable. Some say that to assume this means that you must be baptized (a work) to be saved. In that case, being born of water would be to be born physically (the "water" being amniotic fluid). Others do agree that it means baptism.
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Tricia
"There's a fine line between being open-minded and empty-headed." ~Michael Coren
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RE: John 3:3 - 10/12/2008 10:07:58 PM
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colliefan
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From: Raleigh, NC
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quote:
In that case, being born of water would be to be born physically (the "water" being amniotic fluid). Others do agree that it means baptism.
Tricia is correct. This is why Nick asked how one could go back into his mother's womb.
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RE: John 3:3 - 10/12/2008 10:54:36 PM
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bob97
Posts: 2019
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From: Kansas
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jonas049...
If you are a sinner, then in God's eyes you are already dead. You are dead in sin.
If you accept Jesus Christ as your savior you have been resurrected with Him...from the dead and you have been born again.
Rom. 6:4-8 We were crucified with him, died with him, buried with him and united with him in his death.
Rom. 6:5, 8 We will live with him, united with him in his resurrection.
Bob
_____________________________
The LORD clears the road for me!
The LORD is my high ridge, my stronghold, my deliverer!
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RE: John 3:3 - 10/20/2008 4:18:31 PM
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Bluethread
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It is my understanding that the Messiah was explaining that being born a son of Abraham was not sufficient to be saved. This common belief appears to be Nicodemus' understanding at the time. That is why, I believe, he was confused. After all he had already been born into the Creator's family. Did he have to been born into the family again, as he had been he first time. It is not enough to be born physically into the nation of Israel, but one must also be born spiritually. He would not have said this to a gentile, for they did not have this misunderstanding. However, doctrine of "the church" has lead many gentiles to a similar misunderstanding. In that case, the passage could be applied in the same way.
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"Show me wherein I have errored and I will hold my tongue." Iyov(Job)
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RE: John 3:3 - 10/21/2008 7:24:17 AM
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greatdivide46
Posts: 1313
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Opp, Alabama
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Jonas049
Oh, ok...I assumed by saying "born of water", he meant baptized by water. Your assumption is correct. It is only by second thoughts that one comes up with "water" meaning something other than "water."
Jesus is here contrasting the physical birth with the spiritual birth, i.e., the birth from above, as some one appropriately termed it. When we are born physically we are born of water and the flesh; in the same way when we are born from above we are born of water and the Spirit. The birth from above is the only birth that Jesus is referring to in John 3:5. A single birth that involves water and the Spirit.
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greatdivide46
SFC, USA (Ret)
The reflections of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD -- Proverbs 16:1
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