Pithy article on being born again

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derekohachey

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Hello Folks,

I’m looking for a good pithy bible based article that answers the question: Are Catholics Born Again?
I hope that the article hits these points:
-Being born again is Baptism
-The distinction from having an (ongoing) Inward Conversion to Christ
-The relationship between Baptism and Inward Conversion for adult converts (most common case in New Testament because it shows the church’s beginning) and people who are born into Christian families.

I know there are good long articles out there on Catholic.com, but I hope that there is a pithy article that I can share with my fellow Knights of Columbus on our e-newsletter.

God Bless,
Derek
 
**From the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Baptism= born again
**
vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c1a1.htm

1270 “Reborn as sons of God, [the baptized] must profess before men the faith they have received from God through the Church” and participate in the apostolic and missionary activity of the People of God.80

1277 Baptism is birth into the new life in Christ. In accordance with the Lord’s will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism.

AND

Article re Scripture, Catholics born again in baptism, and from Church Father re born again in Baptism

scripturecatholic.com/baptism.html
 
III. THE CONVERSION OF THE BAPTIZED

1427 Jesus calls to conversion. This call is an essential part of the proclamation of the kingdom: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel."16 In the Church’s preaching this call is addressed first to those who do not yet know Christ and his Gospel. Also, Baptism is the principal place for the first and fundamental conversion. It is by faith in the Gospel and by Baptism17 that one renounces evil and gains salvation, that is, the forgiveness of all sins and the gift of new life.

1428 Christ’s call to conversion continues to resound in the lives of Christians. This second conversion is an uninterrupted task for the whole Church who, "clasping sinners to her bosom, [is] at once holy and always in need of purification, [and] follows constantly the path of penance and renewal."18 This endeavor of conversion is not just a human work. It is the movement of a “contrite heart,” drawn and moved by grace to respond to the merciful love of God who loved us first.19

1429 St. Peter’s conversion after he had denied his master three times bears witness to this. Jesus’ look of infinite mercy drew tears of repentance from Peter and, after the Lord’s resurrection, a threefold affirmation of love for him.20 The second conversion also has a communitarian dimension, as is clear in the Lord’s call to a whole Church: "Repent!"21

St. Ambrose says of the two conversions that, in the Church, "there are water and tears: the water of Baptism and the tears of repentance."22 …from the Catechism of the Catholic Church

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P49.HTM

It is hard for anyone else to say what you would find most helpful.
You may need to draw out the specific information that you need yourself.

catholic.com/tracts/born-again-in-baptism

catholiceducation.org/articles/apologetics/ap0022.html

newadvent.org/cathen/02258b.htm

http://fisheaters.com/baptism2.html
 
John 3:6 That which is begotten by the flesh is flesh, and that which is begotten by the spirit is spirit.

Being born again is receiving the Holy Spirit. How will you know that you have the Holy Spirit ? Acts 2:4. Not only did the twelve apostles speak in tongues but the other 108 as well !!

But quickly, time is running out. Hell is looming. Repent and receive the Holy Spirit before it is too late !
 
InDefense said:
John 3:6 That which is begotten by the flesh is flesh, and that which is begotten by the spirit is spirit.

Being born again is receiving the Holy Spirit. How will you know that you have the Holy Spirit ? Acts 2:4. Not only did the twelve apostles speak in tongues but the other 108 as well !!

But quickly, time is running out. Hell is looming. Repent and receive the Holy Spirit before it is too late !
Click to expand...
That is not complete born again is not just recieve the holy spirit, it is ‘born of water and the holy spirit’. It is 'repent, be baptised for the remission of sins and the reception of the holy spirit.
Ubenedict.
 
The funny thing about the term, “Born Again”, is that people that use this phrase are doing the same thing Nicodemus does in Chapter 3 of John’s Gospel. They are misinterpreting Jesus’ words.

You see, Jesus used the word “anothin” when saying “no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above”. The Greek word “anothen” can be rendered “again” or “from above”. Nicodemus shows that he thinks it means “again” by his response, “How can a person once grown old be born again?”

But the Apostle John uses the word “Anothen” 3 other times in his Gospel and every time he uses it, he means “from above”. For instance, John will use “Anothen” in verse 31 of the same chapter - “The one who comes from above (“anothen”) is above all.”

Hence, in my opinion, “Are you born again?” should be answered with, “No, but I’ve been born from above!”.
 
John 3
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.

What sound can be heard that happens to “every one that is born of the Spirit” ?
 
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