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sdtouchton
Guest
Ref:Matt 7:21,Titus3:5, Mark 11:30,John3:5, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 4:5, Num 8:5-6, Ezek 36:24-27, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16,
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cathopologist
Guest
Most definitely! But i would prefer to say that baptism has washed off the cloak of ignorance and rejuvenated my body and soul with faith and hope in Christ.
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LynnGM
Guest
Thanks for posting! I have always wondered about being “born again” as a Catholic.
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Hisalone
Guest
Are all Catholics born again?
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ralphinal
Guest
If you use the definition that Jesus gave, yes, they are.
To be Born Again, per Jesus, is to be born again of Water and the Spirit. This is to be Baptised. All Catholics are baptised.
Now, if you use the definition that many non-Catholics use, which is to accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior (and I am waiting for the verse on that one), then no, not all of them are.
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thunderballs75
Guest
As far as I know, Catholics do profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, n’est-ce pas?
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look3467
Guest
What if: There was two men thrown in jail. They were both in there for minor penalties.
The only way to punish (cleanse) them was to through them in jail for a period of time.
Both came out after a time period to which one repented to do any evil thing again, while the other repented not and continued in his evil ways.
Now, if we apply jail time to being baptized, we could say that both got baptized the same way, yet one had not a repentant heart.
Does that mean that because both were thrown in jail (Symbolism for baptism) both are considered born again?
The repented one had a change of heart didn’t he?
Therefore, it is the change of heart does the rebirth make.
Blessings, AJ
The only way to punish (cleanse) them was to through them in jail for a period of time.
Both came out after a time period to which one repented to do any evil thing again, while the other repented not and continued in his evil ways.
Now, if we apply jail time to being baptized, we could say that both got baptized the same way, yet one had not a repentant heart.
Does that mean that because both were thrown in jail (Symbolism for baptism) both are considered born again?
The repented one had a change of heart didn’t he?
Therefore, it is the change of heart does the rebirth make.
Blessings, AJ
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ralphinal
Guest
That is not what Jesus said, though. Jesus did speak of internal change and repentance, but never as part of baptism.
And, it is a bad analogy for a few reasons.
First, Baptism is an instantanious event in your life. The jail time is not.
Second, the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to those who receive baptism, including faith, hope, and charity. It is up to the person to act upon them. Jail does nothing like that.
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Bookworm88
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Thanks for starting this thread, since I have a question about the Catholic understanding of what being “born again” actually means. I’ve been posting in a “once saved/always saved” thread, but it seems to me that Catholics have a OSAS-type position when it comes to baptism, right? Once a person is baptized, they are always baptized, right? Does that mean that once a person is “born again,” they are always “born again”? So what exactly is a Catholic person born into? I have always understood spiritual birth to be that a person is born into spiritual life, that is, they are no longer dead in their sins, but are alive unto God. So if a Catholic commits a mortal sin, do they go back to deadness again? Can a Catholic have spiritual life and deadness at the same time?
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Cluny
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Are all Catholics born again?
Keep in mind, HisAlone, that there’s a great deal of difference between what YOU mean by being born again, and what the BIBLE means by being born again.
You didn’t actually think they were the same, did you?
Keep in mind, HisAlone, that there’s a great deal of difference between what YOU mean by being born again, and what the BIBLE means by being born again.
You didn’t actually think they were the same, did you?
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ralphinal
Guest
Two different concepts. Totally different. Baptism removes the stain of original sin, restores the soul into the pre-fallen state (where it can be a Temple of the Holy Spirit), and creates a new being. It is not the same as being sactified, which is the process whereby we become holy. A baptised person can still choose sin. Baptism does not remove free will.
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ricko
Guest
Catholics were being “born again” 1700 years before the phrase “born again” became popular.
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Bookworm88
Guest
So once a baptized person chooses to sin, does that person go back to the fallen state?
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2John1vs3
Guest
For a “Calvinist” perspective on what the Bible ACTUALLY says and means about being “born again” please take the time to download and listen to the sermon “Born Again” by Pastor Nelson Turner at :
(Anti-Catholic site link not directly related to topic removed per Banned Topics )
(There are several there so you’ll have to look for the "“Born Again” listing. I think it’s the second one down. Right click on the file name and select “Save Target”; then save the file to a place you can retrieve it on your computer.)
It’s an hour long sermon, so you’ll have to be motivated to want to understand the perspective of your “Protestant” brethren. After listening, consider if the Catholic concept of Baptism and the Lord Jesus Christ’s revelation of the principle of being “born again” are as identical as Catholics seem to believe (judging from the posts above.)
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17
(Anti-Catholic site link not directly related to topic removed per Banned Topics )
(There are several there so you’ll have to look for the "“Born Again” listing. I think it’s the second one down. Right click on the file name and select “Save Target”; then save the file to a place you can retrieve it on your computer.)
It’s an hour long sermon, so you’ll have to be motivated to want to understand the perspective of your “Protestant” brethren. After listening, consider if the Catholic concept of Baptism and the Lord Jesus Christ’s revelation of the principle of being “born again” are as identical as Catholics seem to believe (judging from the posts above.)
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17
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graceandglory
Guest
But, are all Catholics CONVERTED? is what you really mean to ask.
For born-again evangelical protestant types, that is what they are concerned about.
When you become converted in your heart and your life to the GOSPEL, they say you are BORN AGAIN. When Catholics become converted in their heart and their life to the GOSPEL, they are converted.
Same thing, different words. That would be my linguistic degree talking.
Here’s your Bible verse:
Romans 10:9 “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.”
Catholics confess Jesus as Lord every time they go to Mass.
Catholics believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead, as PROFESSED in the Nicene Creed every Sunday, or in the Apostles Creed.
Sad thing is, so many Catholics, don’t let those words they are speaking make a dent in their lives and hearts.
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graceandglory
Guest
ralphinal, you needed one of these
in your sentence for full effect.**
if you use the definition that many non-Catholics use, which is to accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior (and I am waiting for the verse on that one
) , then no, not all of them are**
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