Born Again

"Ye must be born again."

John 3:1-7
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
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.
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?
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.
6 That 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.

"Ye must be born again." This is a very profound statement when it comes to salvation. It is not a suggestion, It is imperative, it is very important. For anyone to be saved, he must be born again.

But may be this phrase is one of the most misinterpreted verse in the Bible.

Misinterpretation #1: The phrase "born again" became a religious sect.

Misinterpretation #2: That to be born again is to be baptized.

There has been a vast confusion brought to us by religious leaders who have used Bible terms to mislead people from the gospel.

"BORN AGAIN" A RELIGIOUS SECT

Have you heard the statement, "born again din ba kayo?" It seems that being born again is being a part of a certain sect or denomination. This refers to a religious group of people who believes that salvation is by baptism, maintain salvation by good works, if you commit sin you will lost salvation, dancing is worship, speaking in tongues is a must, etc. This group is often calls for religious unity and it is known as ecumenical movement.

Born again is never a sect or a denomination. It is a personal experience in Christ: to be born in the family of God.

Two families:
The devil's family
John 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

The family of God
John 1:12-13
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

"BORN AGAIN" A BAPTISMAL EXPERIENCE

There has been must misinterpretation in this passages (John 3:1-7) because many "Bible teachers" used this passage of the scriptures salvation by baptism. The word "water" was misinterpreted as baptism.

Is there really baptism in John 3:1-18? Read the whole chapter and there was no baptism in this passage. Salvation is the clearest doctrine in the Bible. If baptism is part of our salvation it should be mentioned in this passage.

Why water is not baptism in this passage:
#1: No mention of the word baptism in the conversation of Nicodemus and Jesus.
#2: Salvation verses such as John 3:15-18 wasn't accompanied by baptism.

But what really the "water" in this passage. We believe that the Bible will interpret itself. Passages that explains the word "water":
Ephesians 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
So, the Bible speaks for itself. The water this is the Word of God. It is not water baptism.

"BORN AGAIN" BUT NOT SURE OF GOING TO HEAVEN

One thing that is funny is that those people who believe to be "born again" are these same people who believes that they need to maintain their salvation by their works. That if you commit sin you will not be saved and you need to be "born again" again. Therefore, you need to be born again and again and again since these people cannot gurantee themselves that they can no more commit mistakes.

I think the right word would be "burn again".

There is no salvation if there is no assurance of salvation.

Isaiah 32:17  And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

The work of righteousness refers to what Jesus has done.

Romans 10:4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Romans 3:21-22
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

There is assurance of salvation to all who believed.

John 10:28-29
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

John 6:37
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Religions cast out anybody but Jesus will never cast anybody.

A BORN AGAIN IS A NEW CREATURE

2 Corinthians 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.

Religion says, do good to be saved; the Bible says, be saved and you will do good.