Post by James Blankenship on Apr 5, 2012 14:56:22 GMT -5
This is without a doubt, one of the most misunderstood terms in all of Scripture.
First, let's take a look at where this term comes from:
John 3:1-7 (New International Version)
1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
Now, catholics will say that this refers to infant baptism-a doctrine that is clearly UNbiblical. (I will explore this more fully in the category labeled "BAPTISM")
catholics don't bother to read the whole section of this passage, (what is known as reading something out of context).
They only read to verse 5. But if they DID read this FULL passage, they would see this:
" 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ "
What gives what to what here?
FLESH gives birth to flesh.
What happens to a woman right before she gives birth? Her "water" breaks".
It is obvious that verse 5:
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
is refering to THIS kind of water-not baptism, & certainly NOT infant baptism!
How do we know this?
Look at verse 6
6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
The breaking of a woman's water, is clearly of the "flesh" It is a natural part of childbirth.
But what does verse 6 say?
"The Spirit gives birth to spirit"
This is clearly not anything man can do, because man is not God-it is "SPIRITUAL" NOT physical.
Being "BORN AGAIN" is clearly a SPIRITUAL event, & has NOTHING to do with baptism.
James
First, let's take a look at where this term comes from:
John 3:1-7 (New International Version)
1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
Now, catholics will say that this refers to infant baptism-a doctrine that is clearly UNbiblical. (I will explore this more fully in the category labeled "BAPTISM")
catholics don't bother to read the whole section of this passage, (what is known as reading something out of context).
They only read to verse 5. But if they DID read this FULL passage, they would see this:
" 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ "
What gives what to what here?
FLESH gives birth to flesh.
What happens to a woman right before she gives birth? Her "water" breaks".
It is obvious that verse 5:
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
is refering to THIS kind of water-not baptism, & certainly NOT infant baptism!
How do we know this?
Look at verse 6
6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
The breaking of a woman's water, is clearly of the "flesh" It is a natural part of childbirth.
But what does verse 6 say?
"The Spirit gives birth to spirit"
This is clearly not anything man can do, because man is not God-it is "SPIRITUAL" NOT physical.
Being "BORN AGAIN" is clearly a SPIRITUAL event, & has NOTHING to do with baptism.
James
