|
Author
|
Topic: Ye must be born again !
|
Carol Swenson
Admin
Member # 6929
|
posted
Eisegesis = bad stinky relish
Exegesis = good fruit
Eisegesis is the approach to Bible interpretation where the interpreter tries to "force" the Bible to mean something that fits their existing belief or understanding of a particular issue or doctrine. People who interpret the Bible this way are usually not willing to let the Bible speak for itself and let the chips fall where they may. They set off with the up-front goal of trying to prove a point they already believe in, and everything they read and interpret is filtered through that paradigm. Stated another way, they engage in what the Bible refers to as "private interpretation".
In the end, eisegesis is an exercise that in most cases leads to wrong interpretation, and therefore improper applications of those verses in the person's life.
Exegesis is the process of approaching Bible interpretation with a humble spirit, and an open mind. In order to gain a true understanding of God's Word, one must be willing to allow God's Word to speak for itself, and be willing to abandon cherished beliefs if they are in conflict with God's Word.
Exegesis is not merely an intellectual exercise we do all alone. God tells us that in order to properly understand His Word, we need the help of a) the Holy Spirit and b) others who have strong theological training. We are also cautioned to be careful about who we allow to influence us.
On needing the counsel of others:
Where no counsel [is], the people fall but in the multitude of counsellors [there is] safety.
Proverbs 11:14
On being careful about who you allow to teach you:
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Timothy 42-4
It is vital that we approach Bible interpretation with humility. Much of God's truth and wisdom are in sharp contrast with today's political correctness and tolerance movements. When practicing true exegesis, be prepared to be viewed as foolish by an ignorant world that has placed its confidence in fallible human knowledge instead of the infallible knowledge of our all-knowing God and Creator.
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged | 
|
|
WildB
Moderator
Member # 2917
|
posted
quote:
Originally posted by Carol Swenson:
We don't need someone here who refuses to fellowship with other members and who just writes post after post of his own eisegesis.
Had to look that one up BigC.
Word Origin & History
eisegesis
the reading of one's own ideas into scripture, 1878, from Gk. eis "in, into" + ending from exegesis.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
![[rapture]](graemlins/rapture.gif)
--------------------
That is all.....
Posts: 8775 | From: USA, MICHIGAN | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
|
|
Carol Swenson
Admin
Member # 6929
|
posted
We don't need someone here who refuses to fellowship with other members and who just writes post after post of his own eisegesis.
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
|
|
WildB
Moderator
Member # 2917
|
posted
quote:
Originally posted by beloved57:
More on Regeneration !
6And hath raised us up together,[with Christ] and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
This is the regeneration of the Church, collectively, with their Head.
It is by this regeneration, the elect, who were in Christ when He arose, receive their New Birth.
This is heresy. You are not a BASFC!
For the text reads Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Consider yourself rejected. Your own words condemns you!
Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
Your adding of
[with Christ]
Makes the verse read Christ is in Christ.
That would make 2 separate Christs!
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Profile for beloved57
Member Status: Advanced Member
Member Number: 8666
Registered: May 14, 2011
Posts: 61
Location: Georgia
Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ?: Yes
Are you a male or female?: Male
Started Spamming the Board June 15, 2011
--------------------
That is all.....
Posts: 8775 | From: USA, MICHIGAN | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
|
|
beloved57
unregistered
|
posted
More on Regeneration !
Now I have previously shown how the word regeneration can and does mean a renewing, a reviving, a restoring to Life after death, and that Christ's rising from the dead was a regeneration, whereby afterwards He entered into His Glory.
Again, the word regeneration is composed of two greek words, one being :
the word genesis which means: genesis
source, origin
a) a book of one's lineage, i.e. in which his ancestry or progeny are enumerated
2) used of birth, nativity
Notice, its a birth.
Now how many scriptures are there that indicates Jesus Christ being a birth or begotten ?
Acts 13:33
God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
The word begotten here is the greek word gennaō and means:
to be born
b) to be begotten
1) of women giving birth to children
The raising up again and the begotten thee are analogous.
Col 1:18
18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
The word for firstborn here in describing the resurrection of Christ, is the word tiktō and means:
to bring forth, bear, produce (fruit from the seed)
a) of a woman giving birth
Rev 1:5
5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
So, it can be biblically established that Christ Resurrection from the dead was a Birth or a Generation.
Now, with that mind, He was the Federal Head of a seed that was in Him, and when He rose from the dead, His seed rose to, that is His regeneration from the dead, was also there regeneration from the dead, for He rose not as a private individual, but as the Great Shepherd of the Sheep Heb 13:20
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
This is what paul means also in Eph 2:6, that we were raised up together with Christ. Eph 2:6
6And hath raised us up together,[with Christ] and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
This is the regeneration of the Church, collectively, with their Head.
It is by this regeneration, the elect, who were in Christ when He arose, receive their New Birth.
1 Pet 1:3
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,
Now notice this word begotten us again here, its the same word used in Acts 13:33, and peter uses the plural pronoun us, meaning He and all those who rose up with Christ from the dead.
The NIV translates 1 Pet 1:3 as this:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
ESV Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
GWT Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! God has given us a new birth because of his great mercy. We have been born into a new life that has a confidence which is alive because Jesus Christ has come back to life
And so, this is the regeneration of the Church, collectively with Christ's resurrection from the dead, and this sets the stage for each member of that seed in Christ, to be born again individually and experimentally.. This is why they are said to be born from above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Cp Jn 3:3
3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again[from above], he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Col 3:1
1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
To be born again is to be born of that regenerated seed of Christ, where He sitteth on the right hand of God with all of His seed with Him.
IP: Logged |
|
|
Carol Swenson
Admin
Member # 6929
|
posted
quote:
This word revive means the same as regeneration, a restoration of life after death.
Regeneration has nothing to do with physical death. Regeneration is not resurrection. The moment we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, His Holy Spirit indwells us and regenerates us.
Regeneration
(Gk. paliggenesia, “a being born again”). The spiritual change wrought in man by the Holy Spirit, by which he becomes the possessor of a new life. It is to be distinguished from justification, because justification is a change in our relation to God, whereas regeneration is a change in our moral and spiritual nature. The necessity, in the one case, is in the fact of guilt; in the other, depravity. They coincide in point of time and are alike instantaneous, and thus are both covered by the general term conversion, as that term is popularly and loosely applied (see Conversion). Still they are distinct in that the one is the removal of guilt by divine forgiveness, and the other is the change from the state of depravity, or spiritual death, to that of spiritual life. Regeneration is also to be distinguished from sanctification, inasmuch as the latter is the work of God in developing the new life and bringing it to perfection, whereas the former is the beginning of that life. See Sanctification.
Regeneration is represented in the Scriptures principally by such terms as “born again,” “born of God,” “born of the Spirit” (see John 3:3-13; 1 John 3:9; 4:7; 5:1; 1 Peter 1:23). There are also other forms of expression of deep significance with reference to the same great fact (see Ezekiel 36:25-26; Ephesians 4:22-24; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:9-10).
The work of regeneration is specially ascribed in the Scriptures to the Holy Spirit (see John 3:5-8; Titus 3:5). This is in full accord with the whole tenor of special revelation in representing the agency of the Spirit in the economy of salvation. (See Holy Spirit.)
Regeneration by baptism, or baptismal regeneration, has been a widely prevalent error. This is due in part to an improper use of the term. A proselyte from heathenism to the Jewish religion was said to be “born again.” A corresponding use of the term crept into the early Christian church. Those who received baptism, the initiatory rite of church membership, were said to be regenerated; but this was probably without any intention of denying the deeper work of the Holy Spirit. It was only a loose and improper way of indicating the change in a man’s external relationship. And it is proper to say that some of the advocates of the baptismal regeneration in the Church of England still use the term in this sense and make a distinction between regeneration as effected by baptism and the great work of spiritual renewal. But the error has its broader basis in an unscriptural idea of the character and efficiency of the sacraments. And thus it is held not only by Roman Catholics but also by many Lutherans and many in the Church of England.
(Unger's)
As to the nature of the change, it consists in the implanting of a new principle or disposition in the soul; the impartation of spiritual life to those who are by nature "dead in trespasses and sins." The necessity of such a change is emphatically affirmed in Scripture (John 3:3; Rom. 7:18; 8:7-9; 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:1; 4:21-24).
(Easton's)
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
|
|
WildB
Moderator
Member # 2917
|
posted
quote:
Originally posted by Carol Swenson:
Being born again not of color red?
And here I thought the plectra was purple,lol.
![[cool_shades]](graemlins/cool_shades.gif)
--------------------
That is all.....
Posts: 8775 | From: USA, MICHIGAN | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
|
|
beloved57
unregistered
|
posted
In coming to a biblical understanding of the word regeneration, we shall define the word. Its used only Twice in the NT :
Matt 19:28
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
The word in the greek is the feminine noun paliggenesia:
) new birth, reproduction, renewal, recreation, regeneration
a) hence renovation, regeneration, the production of a new life consecrated to God, a radical change of mind for the better. The word often used to denote the restoration of a thing to its pristine state, its renovation, as a renewal or restoration of life after death
Its made up of two greek words palin which means:
anew, again
a) renewal or repetition of the action
b) again, anew
And the word genesis which means:
source, origin
a) a book of one's lineage, i.e. in which his ancestry or progeny are enumerated
2) used of birth, nativity
3) of that which follows origin, viz. existence, life
It also means generation as in Matt 1:1
1The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
So the word can mean a New Generation, A new beginning, A New existence, or origin, A New source, a New reproduction.
Again, the New Birth is a outcome of this Regeneration.
One of the definitions of regeneration is :
a renewal or restoration of life after death
This Our Lord experienced, in His resurrection.
Acts 3:15
And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
Acts 13:34
And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
Rom 6:9-10
9Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
I could multiply scriptures, but the point is to show that in the sense of restoration of life after death, Christ experienced a regeneration.
I believe this is what He meant in Matt 19:28, when He says in the regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit on the Throne of His Glory.
When did this occur if not after His resurrection ? Scripture plainly intimates that after His suffering, His death and resurrection, He shall enter into His Glory. Lk 24:26,20
26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
Suffer what things ? see vs 20
20And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
When He rose from the Dead He became Lord of both the dead and the Living Rom 14:9
For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
This word revive means the same as regeneration, a restoration of life after death.
After Christ's humiliating death, and His resurrection, He entered into His Mediatorial Glory as both Lord and Christ Acts 2:36
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
He was invested with [from the Father] all power in both Heaven and Earth Matt 28:19
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
If these things were not entering into His Throne of Glory as stated in Matt 19:28, I don't know what is ?
And if so, thats the regeneration He spake of.
Now one more thing about the Matt 19:28, in the original there is no punctuation, that is the translators supply them as they deem it best to their Judgment. In light of that, there should have been a period after the words followed me instead of the comma.
And so it would read Matt 19:28
28And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me. In the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Jesus was specifically telling His Disciples, the ones who followed Him, the Twelve, that they would be Co Rulers with Him in the Spread of His Gospel Kingdom throughout the Earth. Perhaps what Jesus had in mind was this what He spake unto them earlier in Matt 16:17-19
17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
This I believe is a direct fulfillment of Isa 32:1
1Behold, a king[Jesus Christ] shall reign in righteousness, and princes[The Twelve] shall rule in judgment.
Now the main point hitherto is that Jesus Christ resurrection from the dead, is a regeneration and entering into His Glory !
IP: Logged |
|
|
WildB
Moderator
Member # 2917
|
posted
quote:
Originally posted by beloved57:
Regeneration and being born again !
I find it to be no better time to include in this thread the Truth of regeneration while witnessing to the need of being born again. The truth of the matter is this, in order to be born again, one must first be regenerated. I know many think they are the exact same thing, but they are not, however they are related or connected to one another. Only those being regenerated by their Union with Christ shall be born from above . Now understand this, Regeneration is corporate or collective, and occurred all at once for the entire body of Christ or seed together, by virtue of their union with the risen Christ.
The New Birth is Individual and occurs to each of the regenerated appointed time by God. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2A time to be born, and a time to die
This applies equally to spiritually being born. The word born here is the hebrew word yalad and means:
to bear, bring forth, beget, gender, travail
to beget
The word is used in Isa 66:8
8Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
Each of the regenerated shall be brought forth in their New Birth. Remember when James wrote James 1:18
18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
The word beget here means to bring forth, James here is describing the New Birth of those who had been regenerated. The word of Truth, which is the Gospel brings this New Birth to light or to manifestation.
Again, Regeneration is corporate, its the sum total of every member of Christ seed, having been in Him when died, was buried, and risen again, they rose together with Him, that was their regeneration from the dead as well, and their being seated together with Him in the Heavenlies [above]. You see when Christ laid down His Life for the Sheep, the Life of the church was laid also [ 2 Cor 5:14], and when He took it again and rose from the dead [Jn 10:17], it was a reproduction or regeneration. Isa 26:19
19 Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
This is the describing in prophecy, the regeneration of Christ [after death] and His Church in Union with Him see [ Eph 2:6] !
Razzle dazzle double talk, who are you really trying to impress.
Lets make it simple.
Ephesians 4
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Application is Individual by a personal relationship.
This spamming of your own personal twist/interpretation with many posts a day will never change the real truth of the Bible rightly divided...
Don't you find it revealing that you plug your handle beloved57 into Google and there are so many different places you have sowed your weed seed? Im talking pages...
Haven't you learned anything?
Why do you think you can do it here?
--------------------
That is all.....
Posts: 8775 | From: USA, MICHIGAN | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
|
|
beloved57
unregistered
|
posted
Regeneration and being born again !
I find it to be no better time to include in this thread the Truth of regeneration while witnessing to the need of being born again. The truth of the matter is this, in order to be born again, one must first be regenerated. I know many think they are the exact same thing, but they are not, however they are related or connected to one another. Only those being regenerated by their Union with Christ shall be born from above . Now understand this, Regeneration is corporate or collective, and occurred all at once for the entire body of Christ or seed together, by virtue of their union with the risen Christ.
The New Birth is Individual and occurs to each of the regenerated appointed time by God. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2A time to be born, and a time to die
This applies equally to spiritually being born. The word born here is the hebrew word yalad and means:
to bear, bring forth, beget, gender, travail
to beget
The word is used in Isa 66:8
8Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
Each of the regenerated shall be brought forth in their New Birth. Remember when James wrote James 1:18
18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
The word beget here means to bring forth, James here is describing the New Birth of those who had been regenerated. The word of Truth, which is the Gospel brings this New Birth to light or to manifestation.
Again, Regeneration is corporate, its the sum total of every member of Christ seed, having been in Him when died, was buried, and risen again, they rose together with Him, that was their regeneration from the dead as well, and their being seated together with Him in the Heavenlies [above]. You see when Christ laid down His Life for the Sheep, the Life of the church was laid also [ 2 Cor 5:14], and when He took it again and rose from the dead [Jn 10:17], it was a reproduction or regeneration. Isa 26:19
19 Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
This is the describing in prophecy, the regeneration of Christ [after death] and His Church in Union with Him see [ Eph 2:6] !
IP: Logged |
|
|
beloved57
unregistered
|
posted
So to be born, one must have had a existence before in the seed that they are brought forth out of. To have been born physically, one had to have had a existence in Adam before they could have been born out of his corruptible seed.
IP: Logged |
|
|
|
|
beloved57
unregistered
|
posted
To be born, one must first be in something, in order to be born out of it.
Peter said 1 Pet 1:
23Being born again, not[COLOR="Red"] of [/COLOR]corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
The word of here is the greek word ek and it means:
out of, from, by, away from
This denotes that being born is out of a seed ! Those who are born physically out of Adam, the corruptible seed, they were in Adam from the beginning of creation. Their physical lives were included in the them . Gen 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Gen 5:2
Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.
When Adam was first created he had created within him his wife and his offspring that he was to bring forth, this we know because God said to him after He created him Gen 1:27-28
27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it:
Adam had a seed to bring forth of his kind as all living creatures did.
We know God had given them a seed from these words Gen 3:15
15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her [Eve] seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Of course Eve's seed was Adam's seed.
Gen 4:25
25And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
Now hopefully we see the concept of being born entails first having a existence in a seed. Unfortunately being of ones seed is not determined by the offspring.
For instance, Levi did not determine himself to be of the seed of Abraham, to be in Abraham's loins as here Heb 7:9-10
9And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
10For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
Who determined that Levi was of the seed of Abraham ?
IP: Logged |
|
|
Carol Swenson
Admin
Member # 6929
|
posted
Caretaker ![[thumbsup2]](graemlins/thumbsup2.gif)
What does it mean to be a born again Christian? The classic passage from the Bible that answers this question is John 3:1-21. The Lord Jesus Christ is talking to Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin (a ruler of the Jews). Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night. Nicodemus had questions to ask Jesus.
As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He said, “’I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again’” (John 3:3-7).
The phrase "born again" literally means "born from above." Nicodemus had a real need. He needed a change of his heart—a spiritual transformation. New birth, being born again, is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4, 18). John 1:12,13 indicates that "born again" also carries the idea "to become children of God" through trust in the name of Jesus Christ.
The question logically comes, "Why does a person need to be born again?" The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:1 says, "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins..." (NKJV). To the Romans in Romans 3:23, the Apostle wrote, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." So, a person needs to be born again in order to have their sins forgiven and have a relationship with God.
How does that come to be? Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." When one is "saved," he/she has been born again, spiritually renewed, and is now a child of God by right of new birth. Trusting in Jesus Christ, the One who paid the penalty of sin when He died on the cross, is what it means to be "born again" spiritually. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
If you have never trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, will you consider the prompting of the Holy Spirit as He speaks to your heart? You need to be born again. Will you pray the prayer of repentance and become a new creation in Christ today? "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God" (John 1:12-13).
If you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and be born again, here is a sample prayer. Remember, saying this prayer or any other prayer will not save you. It is only trusting in Christ that can save you from sin. This prayer is simply a way to express to God your faith in Him and thank Him for providing for your salvation. "God, I know that I have sinned against you and am deserving of punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness—the gift of eternal life! Amen!"
http://www.gotquestions.org/born-again.html
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
|
|
Caretaker
Advanced Member
Member # 36
|
posted
Predestination versus Free Will
By Michael A. H. Back
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love
Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew,
He PREDESTINED to be conformed to the likeness of His son, that He might
be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He PREDESTINED, He also
called; those He called, He justified; those He justified, He also glorified."
Romans 8:28-30
The question of "Free will versus predestination" is a long-standing
conflict in Christianity.
One side, traditionally so branch of the Calvinists, says that the scriptures
clearly state that God predestines our fate, and thus, the ultimate destiny of
each individual is predestined by God. Some are predestined for glory,
some for wrath. Some have been predestined for salvation, and some for
damnation.
The other side insists that this cannot be true, as it would negate free will,
and if there is no free will, then there is no justice in condemning those who
go down the path of evil, since they had no choice. They were predestined
by God to be evil. It is unjust for the same God who predestined them to
be evil to condemn them for a decision HE made that they could not resist.
And as defined here, underlying disagreement stems from the fact that
these two positions are mutually exclusive.
And this is the source of the error. They are NOT mutually exclusive. Primarily
because the word translated "predestine" does NOT mean what the Calvinists
claim it does.
The truth is that we have complete and total free will . . . AND God has
predestined all of us to be like Christ.
The reason that sounds contradictory is that we THINK "predestine" means
that what "HAPPENS" has been determined in advance, and once something
is "predestined," there is "no choice" (no free will): it WILL happen, whether
we like it or not.
While that IS what "predestination" means in English, that is NOT what the
word means in the Bible.
The word translated "predestine" and "pre-ordain" literally means "to plan,
determine or ordain in advance." It does NOT mean that what was ordained or
planned in advance will automatically HAPPEN like it was planned. It might, but
whether or not it does is not a part of the meaning of this word.
God has a plan for each believer's life. That plan was made long before any of us
actually existed. However, we have free will, so we can choose NOT to follow the
plan God has for our lives.
Notice that scripture only talks about God "predestining" believers. Because
God has a plan and a purpose that only believers can tap into, and fulfill. If you
are not a believer, you cannot tap into that purpose, the one that God planned
for you in advance.
So the Bible never says that what will HAPPEN in our lives has been set in
advance. It merely says that for believers, God has a wonderful purpose, one
that was set up in advance. And if we yield to His will, we can actually LIVE
that purpose.
Sometimes God makes sure that what he has "PREPLANNED" happens
exactly like He plans it to (such as end time events, prophetic messages, etc.).
God does take a hand in the history of our planet to ensure that it will eventually
return to Him. As a race, you can see what God has planned for us in Revelation.
As individuals, however, God does not often "force" His plan for our lives upon us.
In fact, in scripture, most personal prophecies are conditional ("IF you do such
and such, THEN such and such will happen."). There are a couple examples in
which God intervened in an individual's life and made SURE His plan happened
(Mary, Paul, etc.). But even they had the option to reject God's plan.
It is important to note that God never sets up a "general principle" that says each
person's life has been 'determined' in advance, and their lives cannot deviate
from that plan. That is NOT what the Greek word translated "predestine" means.
God "desires" for all men to become saved. For those that do, God has a
wonderful plan for their lives. They now have access to that plan. Those that
do not become saved do not get to see God's purpose for their lives, and will live
lives that are largely meaningless and pointless, because they MISSED what God
had predestined for them.
It is really that simple, and as far as I can tell, not all that controversial once you
understand what it is talking about.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him,
who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew, He
PREDESTINED to be conformed to the likeness of His son, that He might be the
firstborn among many brothers. And those He PREDESTINED, He also called;
those He called, He justified; those He justified, He also glorified."
Romans 8:28-30
Where you see "PREDESTINED" you can substitute the words "set up a plan in
advance." I don't think the fact that God planned in advance for us to become like
His son is all that controversial.
"No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and
that God DESTINED for our glory before time began."
I Corinthians 2:7
Here we see that there is a secret wisdom that has been hidden, and that God
planned in advance to give to us, and that will change and glorify us. And this
plan was made before time began.
"For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and
blameless in His sight. In love He PREDESTINED us to be adopted as His
sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will . .
Ephesians 1:4-5
God planned in advance for us to be adopted as His sons.
NOTICE: It does NOT say that he planned in advance for others to NOT
become His sons, which is how this "pre-determination" argument usually
runs. The Bible never says that ANYWHERE.
That plan was for all of mankind. Those that become believers now have
access to that plan, and to the purpose God has for their lives. Those that
do not become believers missed out - because of their free will choice NOT
to do what God "pre-ordained" (pre-planned) for them to do.
They will MISS God's purpose for their lives.
Don't miss God's plan for YOUR life.
--------------------
A Servant of Christ,
Drew
1 Tim. 3:
16: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh..
Posts: 3978 | From: Council Grove, KS USA | Registered: Jun 2002
| IP: Logged |
|
|
beloved57
unregistered
|
posted
John 3:7
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
When Jesus told Nicodemus that except a man be born again he cannot see [perceive] the Kingdom of God as per vs 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.
In essence, what Jesus meant, except ye are of that seed in Me, by being Chosen in Him before the foundation of the World [Eph 1:4] ye cannot see or understand the Kingdom of God, which is to include it's Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom or of the Kingdom of God. Matt 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mark 1:14
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Which are also the Kingdom Mysteries Luke 8:10
And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
Now, even though Jesus was giving a condition " except ye be born again ", yet He was not giving a imperative or duty for one to perform to become born again; because there is nothing a person can do to be born; even if it was for us to go back into our mothers womb, [ which its not] how could we accomplish that ? Could we make ourselves fetuses again ? Would that be in our ability ?
But nevertheless, Christ meant what He said in stating that 'Ye must be born Again " !
IP: Logged |
|
|
|
Printer-friendly view of this topic
