Questions

What does it mean to be born again? I've heard a few different things about this.

How do I know if I'm truly born again?

Should I get baptized? When? I feel a a strong desire to do it, but at the same time feel that I'm not ready enough to do so because of sins.

What will happen when I am baptized? Spiritually, I mean.

What happens if I get baptized but I still sin?

Are sins judged differently after baptism?
 
To be "born again" means to be baptized. Baptism symbolizes death and rebirth. You die to your old life and are reborn to a new life in Christ. If you truly desire to follow Christ you are born again. You should get baptized, it is required to be and grow as a Christian. When you are baptized all of your old sins die with your old self and you are washed clean.
You will however still commit sins, but with God as your Father now, He is willing to forgive those who are repentant.
Remember that the Christian journey is just that, a journey. Growing in faith takes time and effort.
As a child of God you may be chastized for sins, whereas before baptism you were dead in your sins.
How God deals with each person varies depending on that persons faith and personal virtue. He is much harder on some than others. Thicker skulls require harder pounding.:p
 
What does it mean to be born again? I've heard a few different things about this.
and you always will. Born again means a rebirth. It means that you are sealed by the Holy Spirit.
How do I know if I'm truly born again?
You know because of the witness of the Holy Spirit with your spirit. Don't think this means that you have sirens blaring in your head at 2am or something. You will know, you will have confidence 6toward the Lord. You will know you belong.
Should I get baptized? When? I feel a a strong desire to do it, but at the same time feel that I'm not ready enough to do so because of sins.
then you never will be baptized If you feel led/convicted to be baptized then go for it
What will happen when I am baptized? Spiritually, I mean.
big question, big answer the short answer is that you feel no different, though I'm sure someone will give you a well grounded answer about being buried with Christ and to be raised with Christ.
What happens if I get baptized but I still sin?
You confess your sin/s and He is faithful and just to forgive you
Are sins judged differently after baptism?
No. sin is sin is sin
 
I had always thought my self a Christian. I was on a forum and the subject of baptism came up. I came to be pressed by the Lord. Obedience. Baptism is a symbol of that obedience, but it is also much, much more. It is a covenent between you and God. You are pledging yourself to Him and He to you. Never get yourself baptized until the Lord pulls you to do so. Never tell someone to get baptized just for it's own sake. But like you've been told, if the Lord is moving in your heart to be baptized, then you should not resist. He wants to move your relationship with Him to the next level. I call myself a new Christian because I was only baptized a few years ago. It took me a year to finally get baptized in our pool in the backyard by my wife. From that point my life with Christ was just like the little mustard seed. It is still just a little sappling now, but it is growing to be the largest tree pushing all else out. My fears and worries, doubts, resentments, hurts will find rest in it's branches. Peace and love, forgiveness will replace them. My sexual addiction has all but dried up. I look forward to my anxiety disorder fading so that someday I may serve the Kingdom.
IF the Lord is pulling your heart toward baptism, then I highly recommend it. It's just what the doctor ordered.
But a warning as well. Baptism is no game and not to be taken lightly. Remember. You will be moving your relationship with our Lord into one of discipleship. He will be showing you things (and relationships) to add and remove from your life. You will feel spiritual tugs to do so. Loving, caring but firm tugs. You will be moving into obedience.
 
and you always will. Born again means a rebirth. It means that you are sealed by the Holy Spirit. You know because of the witness of the Holy Spirit with your spirit. Don't think this means that you have sirens blaring in your head at 2am or something. You will know, you will have confidence 6toward the Lord. You will know you belong. then you never will be baptized If you feel led/convicted to be baptized then go for it big question, big answer the short answer is that you feel no different, though I'm sure someone will give you a well grounded answer about being buried with Christ and to be raised with Christ. You confess your sin/s and He is faithful and just to forgive you
No. sin is sin is sin

You seem to take a different stance on Baptism,...care to share Calv?
 
To be "born again" means to be baptized. Baptism symbolizes death and rebirth. You die to your old life and are reborn to a new life in Christ. If you truly desire to follow Christ you are born again. You should get baptized, it is required to be and grow as a Christian. When you are baptized all of your old sins die with your old self and you are washed clean.
You will however still commit sins, but with God as your Father now, He is willing to forgive those who are repentant.
Remember that the Christian journey is just that, a journey. Growing in faith takes time and effort.
As a child of God you may be chastized for sins, whereas before baptism you were dead in your sins.
How God deals with each person varies depending on that persons faith and personal virtue. He is much harder on some than others. Thicker skulls require harder pounding.:p
Dear Sister if you says that to be born again means to be baptized then what about the thief to whom Jesus said to day you shall be With me in paradise? then we would have a problem because in John 3 Jesus clearly state that you cannot inhearit God Kingdom if you are not born again. Evidently to be born again is not to be baptized. The experience of the New birth is when you receive Jesus Christ as Your Lord and saviour, as it's written in Romans 10:9 Notice that the passage talk about salvation but not of baptism of water (dont get me wrong i know how much it's important the baptism of water), InFact the batism of water is a consequense of salvation(New birth), Some People get baptize and never they were born again Like in Acts 8:14-24, I must says something tho i really like and appreciate everything that you said, be blessed Amen!!!
 
Dear Sister if you says that to be born again means to be baptized then what about the thief to whom Jesus said to day you shall be With me in paradise? then we would have a problem because in John 3 Jesus clearly state that you cannot inhearit God Kingdom if you are not born again. Evidently to be born again is not to be baptized. The experience of the New birth is when you receive Jesus Christ as Your Lord and saviour, as it's written in Romans 10:9 Notice that the passage talk about salvation but not of baptism of water (dont get me wrong i know how much it's important the baptism of water), InFact the batism of water is a consequense of salvation(New birth), Some People get baptize and never they were born again Like in Acts 8:14-24, I must says something tho i really like and appreciate everything that you said, be blessed Amen!!!

Thank you Boniface! I'm know that to be born again does not mean you have to get baptized... I just know that in all the churches around here, including the church I go to, people get baptized.I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior! However, I didn't know that's the same thing is being born again... Forgive my ignorance on the subject, sometimes I wish they would just say it means the same thing if it does. I didn't know that baptism and being saved go hand in hand for some people, but according to your post it seems too. Good to know. Many blessings to you :)
 
Just tentatively, When Jesus told nicodemus that one must be born by water and the Spirit, some take that to mean baptism. That is an absolutely incorrect interpretation.
 
You seem to take a different stance on Baptism,...care to share Calv?
Actually....probably not a different stance, I was well overdue for some 'shut eye' and wasn't going to go posting a lot of Bible verses and explanation.
But I'm happy to discuss things in more depth.
 
Hmmmmm....

John 3:1 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. 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. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.


Acts 2:37-41 Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls.

Acts 8:36-38 And as they went on [their] way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Acts 9:10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

Acts 10:47-48 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
 
Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

Acts 19:3-5 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Romans 6:3-4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.


1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Ephesians 4:5 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 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.

What do you think you should do Tink?

Matthew 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
 
Ummm, OK Dirty I will have to read through all of it. I'd appreciate some cliff notes though! By the way, I have accepted Jesus as my savior. Been der done date. :)
 
Here's what I don't get-what's the big deal? If you want to publicly announce your allegiance and obedience to Christ-the water baptism is the 'traditional' way to do this. Usually (like at our church) it is also your membership into the Church body-and should you move on, as with salvation, baptism is a one time deal.

Why do people make a huge deal about getting dunked? I don't know-I guess I was happy to do it.

What happens is people start casting titles 'oh you're a "BAPTIST" now!' Like it is somehow a crime in Christianity? Makes no sense to me. That's why I like our little independent Church-we rely on the Word for doctrine-not some corporate head church council. Our members fund and support the Church-not some outside organization or association of Churches.

When people start bringing up 'Baptism doctrine', it usually means there are Church political agendas involved. So here is my best advice-study the scripture, seek good counsel with the Spirit, and decide for yourself.

My decision was easy-the Bible says get baptized....
 
Not to discourage you Tink, not one little bit. If you feel the urging of the Holy Spirit to be baptized....go for it.
(I was)
There will be blessing for you......
But please do not yourself have baptism or listen to anyone who is telling you to have baptism because it is necessary for your salvation.
People who say that baptism is necessary for salvation are really saying that the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus didn't quite ring the bell. There was that something extra needed. Flee from such ones Tink.
Jesus did it all for us on the Cross, and we have the guarantee that it was sufficient by His Resurrection.
 
What happens if I get baptized but I still sin? Are sins judged differently after baptism?
Water baptism is just a public declaration like marriage. The change takes place in your heart. We can ask the question in reverse, why would someone who truly loves someone else not want to marry? If we are born again we will want to get baptized.

As for sin, you have to understand who you are in Christ. You are now an adopted child of God and Christs bride. You have moved on from being the 'neighbours kid'. Like marriage / engagement the decision to accept Christ and be born again shows a depth of intent. Because He has our hearts, it is always just a matter of time before we repent. The only risk now is giving our hearts over to sin. If my wife continues in adultery I have to let her go. But if she continues in swearing, I will live with it and try work on it with her. We no longer look at all sin as sin but rather discern the level of inner rebellion (degrees of sin).
 
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