I thought I was Born Again?
So many churches and individuals today have lost the meaning of what it takes to be truly born again.
They will tell you, all you have to do is believe on the Lord Yeshua (Jesus), choose Yeshua (Jesus), or say a sinner's prayer and you are born again. Is this true? What does the Bible say?
In this age of mis- and dis-information, I often hear myself saying, “I don’t know if this is true, but I read…” This applies to anything from diets to investments to political issues. However, there are some things I know to be true.
It is not too late to adhere to the words of Yeshua. He is the author and finisher of our faith.
The Narrow and Wide Gates (Matthew 7)
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
"For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves."
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'
"And then I will declare to them, 'I NEVER KNEW YOU; "depart from me, you who practice lawlessness."
These churches and individuals will mislead MANY. Yeshua will say to them and all that listened to them. I never knew you.
Why? Because they were never really born again! Doesn't a father know his son or daughter? They are still carrying their sins. So you must HEAR the words of Jesus and you must ACT on what he tells you to do.
The Two Foundations
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock."
A Bible answer
The term “born again” refers to a new beginning in the relationship between YHVH (God) and the person who is born again. (John 3:3, 7) YHVH adopts those born again as his children. (Romans 8:15, 16; Galatians 4:5; 1 John 3:1) Similar to those who are legally adopted, they experience a change of status, becoming part of Yehovah God’s family.(2 Corinthians 6:18).
Yeshua answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of Yehovah.
"That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
"Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
Why is a person born again?
There is a necessity to be rebirthed of those who are the called of YHVH (God). By regeneration only, can the truth be understood; as for others that don't act on the word of the Lord, they neither can, nor will be born again. But the people of Yehovah (God) "MUST"; partly because it is the will of Yehovah; it is his purpose and resolution, that they shall be regenerated; he has chosen them. How? (through sanctification of the Spirit), unto salvation by Messiah (Romans 8:30).
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. (John 15:16)
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. (Ephesians 1:4)
This is the way and method of saving sinners he has fixed upon, namely, not to save them by works of righteousness, but by grace, and according to His abundant mercy. By repentance (death to your old ways) and baptism in Yehoshua's name (buried with Messiah) and the washing of regeneration, and the infilling of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Ghost) evidenced with speaking in other tongues.
Partly because of the case and condition of men, which requires it; for whereas the chosen people of Yehovah (God), are predestinated to the adoption of children, and are taken into the family of Yehovah, and are heirs to the inheritance.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1 Peter 2:9
It is necessary they should have a nature, temper, and disposition of mind, suitable to the inheritance they are to enjoy; which they have not in their natural estate, and which is conveyed to them in regeneration and after they have grown in Messiah (Christ).
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, Yehovah sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against Elohim: for it is not subject to the law of Elohim, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please Elohim. (Romans 8:3-8)
The carnal mind is enmity against YeHoVaH and not subject to the Torah of Yehovah. It’s a mindset that will constantly war against what Yehovah has said to prevent people from knowing the truth. To be carnally minded is death according to Yehovah. When someone is born again they are no longer suppose to listen to the stranger’s voice because Yehovah has given the believer the mind of Messiah and tells them to be spiritually minded! Without it, no man can either see, or enter into the kingdom of YHVH. (1 Corinthians 2:16 )
So the question is how were they born again in the bible?
When Yeshua discussed the subject, he said that those born again would be “born of the water and spirit.” (John 3:5) This expression refers to baptism in water followed by baptism with the Holy Ghost.—Acts 1:5; Acts 2:1-4.
Yeshua gave us the example. He was baptized in the Jordan River, after which God anointed (or, baptized) him with holy spirit.
3000 were added to the church (or born again) on the Day of Pentecost.
Others who are born again are also baptized in water before they receive the holy spirit. (Acts 2:38, 41) They then have the sure hope of life in heaven, which Elohim will fulfill in the resurrection.—1 Corinthians 15:50-58.
The gentiles were born again. Acts 10:44-48
Misconceptions about being born again
Misconception: A person can choose Yeshua and be born again.
Fact: The opportunity to have a relationship with YeHoVaH (God) and gain salvation is open to all. (1 Timothy 2:3, 4; James 4:8) However, Yehovah chooses those who will be anointed with His spirit (1 Peter 2:9). According to the Bible, being born again “depends, not on a person’s desire, but on God.” (John 15:16) The expression “born again” can also be rendered “born from above,” confirming that the selection of those who are born again comes “from above,” or from God.—John 3:3.
Steps to being born again
1. Believe in Yehoshua (Acts 10:43; 13:38). There can be no true forgiveness without this because he has paid the price for our sins to be forgiven (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 3:5), and he is the one who delivers us from sin (Matthew 1:21; Acts 3:26; 1 Peter 2:24).
2. Repent - We ask Yehovah God to forgive us of our sins past and present. When we repent we die to our old self.
A. Pray to Yehovah for forgiveness (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 32:5-6; Acts 8:22).
B. Confess each sin to Yehovah (Psalms 32:5; 51:2-3; Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9).
C. Be sorry for your sin (Psalms 38:18; Ecclesiastes 7:3; 2 Corinthians 7:8-11).
D. Forsake the sin (Isaiah 1:16-18; Jeremiah 36:3; Ezekiel 18:21-22; 2 Timothy 2:19).
E. Destroy all association with past sin (Joshua 7:11-12; Isaiah 27:9; Acts 19:18-19).
F. Make restitution where possible (Exodus 22:1-7; Ezekiel 33:14-16; Luke 19:8).
3. Baptism in water
This was always done as soon as possible in the New Testament (Acts 8:36-38; 10:47; 19:1-5). The correct method is by immersion, typifying us following Yehoshua the Messiah into:
(1) His death (going down into the water) (Romans 6:3; 6:4),
(2) His burial (going under the water) (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12), and
(3) His resurrection (rising from the water) (Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21).
The correct name (meaning authority) to be baptized in is Yehoshua Hamashiach, His true Hebrew name.
Mat 1:21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Yehoshua, [which means 'Yehovah saves,'] because he will save his people from their sins."
Using His Hebrew name is the way the apostles always baptized in the 1st century. (Acts 2:38; 10:48).
Using the name (Jesus Christ) is a Greco-Roman-English name not used by the 1st century believers.
Act 4:11 "This Yehoshua is the stone rejected by you builders which has become the cornerstone.
Act 4:12 There is salvation in no one else! For there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by whom we must be saved!"
4. Receiving God's Spirit
This can sometimes be an experience that people get when they first believe - Cornelius and his household for example (Acts 10:44-46) - but in the vast majority of cases this is an experience which follows some time after being born again (Acts 8:5-17; 19:1-6).
It is an experience which all True Believers need in order to be successful in their walk with Messiah, because it provides the supernatural power that we need to live spiritual lives, and be witnesses for Messiah (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). The evidence that shows whether a person is baptized in the Ruach HaKodesh or not is (almost invariably) whether they speak in tongues or not (Acts 2:4; 10:44-46; 19:6). John_3:8
Joh 3:8 The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but you don't know where it comes from or where it's going. That's how it is with everyone who has been born from the Spirit."
By Leahcim Yesnik