THE REDUNDANCY OF BEING A "BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN"

by Todd Clippard

It is not uncommon to hear the term “born again Christian” in religious discussions today. Such language reflects a misunderstanding of the Scriptures and what it means to be “born again.”  In truth, when one is born again, he is a Christian.  If one is a Christian, he became one by being born again.  Conversely, one cannot be a Christian without being born again, and one cannot be born again without becoming a Christian.  Thus, the term “born again Christian” is a redundancy. (A redundancy is unnecessarily saying the same thing twice.)

In like fashion, one does not anywhere read in the New Testament of an unbaptized Christian. Obedience to the gospel requires baptism (immersion in water) to receive remission of sins (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 22:16).  Disciples are made by the means of baptism (Matt 28:19-20).  Acts 11:26 says “the disciples were called Christians at Antioch.”  So, when one finds disciples, he finds Christians, and when he finds Christians, he finds those who have been baptized to receive the forgiveness of sins. When one finds different terms used to describe a similar or identical result, it should be assumed the terms are synonymous.  The following examples are noteworthy:

Jesus said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Jesus clarified in verse 5, “Except a man be born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” This being the case, two things need to be understood: 1) being “born again” is the same as being “born of water and Spirit.” There is not one birth in verse 3 and two in verse 5. “Born” is singular in both verses; and 2) to “see the kingdom of God” is the same as to “enter the kingdom of God.” However, this does not fully answer what is meant by being born again / born of water and Spirit.  We must further search the Scriptures for clarity.

In Titus 3:5, Paul declared our salvation is according to God’s mercy “by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit.” The word regeneration literally means “new birth.”  So we find similar terms used in the two passages, “water (John 3:5) and “washing” (Titus 3:5); we also see born again (John 3:3) and new birth (Titus 3:5). Thus, the results are also to be considered the same; seeing / entering the kingdom of God is equal to being saved by God’s mercy.

In 1 Peter 1:22, God says our souls are purified by obedience to the truth through the Spirit. In verse 23, that process is described as being “born again” by the incorruptible seed, which is the word of God (cf Lk 8:11).  Likewise, Ephesians 5:26 says that Jesus sanctifies and cleanses His church “with the washing of water by the word.” Mark 16:16 says we must be baptized in order to be saved, and Acts 2:38-47 teaches that only those who are baptized for remission of sins are saved and added to the church by the Lord.

In understanding these texts in harmony with one another, we can know that being born again is the same as: (1) being born of water and Spirit; (2) the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit; (3) the washing of water by the word; (4) purifying our souls by obeying the truth through the Spirit; and (5) baptism (immersion) in water to receive remission of sins.

Have you truly been born again? 

Todd Clippard

Hamilton AL

Todd’s Bio:  Todd Clippard is married to the former Rhonda Bridges of St Louis, MO. They have two children, Shelby and Jeffrey. Todd has served as the preacher for the Burleson Church of Christ near Hamilton AL since February, 1996.  

Links:

www.burlesonchurchofchrist.com 

www.housetohouse.com

GIVE, BESTOW, CONFER, & GRANT

By: Deltom Lequernaqué

When one hears the word “giving” in the modern day, this word is automatically related to financial or material action. 

The bible talks about giving but not only in the physical way as if we were machines but also with our thoughts and mind. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 the word iJlaros (HILAROS) is translated as cheerful but root is also related to the word hilarious, extremely happy.  In the American English Thesaurus they put it in this way:

You give a birthday present, grant a favor, bestow charity, and confer an honor. While all of these verbs mean to convey something or transfer it from one's own possession to that of another, the circumstances surrounding that transfer dictate which word is the best one. Give is the most general, meaning to pass over, deliver, or transmit something (give him encouragement). Grant implies that a request or desire has been expressed, and that the receiver is dependent on the giver's discretion (grant permission for the trip. Bestow implies that something is given as a gift and may imply condescension on the part of the giver (bestow a large sum of money on a needy charity). To confer is to give an honor, a privilege, or a favor; it implies that the giver is a superior (confer a knighthood; confer a college degree).

When Christians come to worship we are to give our praises to God (Ps. 92:1, Acts 2:42) for He has granted us the privilege to be with Him in His throne (Rev. 3:21). This was done because He has bestowed on us a privilege (1 John 3:1). Through the obedience in Christ we have been conferred the teachings of the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:30-32) that is the good news (gospel) of Christ Jesus that brings salvation to them that obey it  (Mark 16:15-16).

Deltom's Bio: Deltom Lequernaqué, a 2012 MSOP graduate, was born in Peru. He was the 5th son out of 6 children, son of Juan Lequernaqué and Mrs. Paula Solórzano. Married to Summer Lequernaqué (Gill). Works for the Stuart church of Christ in Stuart, FL. As Associate Minister.He recently obtained his american citizenship.

Links: 
http://www.stuartchurchofchrist.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/123641201249/

Teaching His Truth In Love

In the letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul writes of unity based on a platform of seven “ones” (Eph. 4:1-6) and the purpose and length of spiritual gifts (vs. 7-16) for the benefit of the early church in its work.  In verse fifteen, we find a passage coupling the idea of truth and love together.  “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

Ephesians 4:15

While the phrase “speaking the truth” is found in the original to be “truthing in love,” it is the opposite of what is found by deceivers lying in wait (v. 14).  “Truthing in love” brings forth the idea that not only what we speak, but how we deal with one another as Christians is important to God.  In verse fifteen, the apostle Paul joins Truth and Love together.  There have been plenty of examples where truth without love & compassion for a soul has been expressed with a harshness that has left the hearer (whether a Christian or not) repelled, revolted, and now “hell-bound” as a result.  On the other hand, there have certainly been instances where because of love (so-called) trying not to hurt one’s feelings, the truth was never stated, taught, preached, or even seen in example.  Both extremes should be avoided and a healthy balance should be sought.  

Near the end of this chapter, Paul writes: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (v. 29).  Paul continues to admonish his readers with: “and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (v. 32).

In the next chapter, Paul sums up his thoughts and writes: “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love...”  So, not only our speaking, but our walking must be coupled together with love.  We do so for the spiritual maturing of the church, as well to be a “sweet-smelling savour” unto God.

~Wayne Rodgers