Whats it like to be born again?

[Della]

Hope 7

You’re right – a person CAN be born-again and Not be baptised as well as the other way around. It’s the Heart decision / belief that IS necessary for salvation.

This is the common belief of Evangelicals, but it’s not what the early Church taught or believed. Nor is it scriptural, as we’ve already demonstrated.

You are confusing redemption with salvation and negating baptism. You and Hope7 have such a tangled knot of mixed up theology it’s hard to know where to begin. This is not your fault–it’s what you’ve been taught and what seems right to you. I understand completely because I once held these same beliefs as rock solid and indisputable. But then I learned what these terms really mean and what really happens within the heart and soul in the conversion process.

There are Two baptisms.-- One is spiritual. At the moment of our heart belief – the Holy Spirit comes to indwell the person – That is Spiritual baptism – That involves the joining of our ‘soul’ with all the other ‘souls’ that are united together in Christ / the universal body of Christ. That ‘sealing’ of the Holy Spirit Keeps us until we are really With Christ for eternity.

No, this is simply not the case. According to St. Paul there is but one baptism: Eph. 4[4] There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of us all… What you are describing is an awakening to faith. For many this comes before baptism, it’s true, but it’s not necessary for salvation.

The Other baptism is the physical baptism that we can observe – That is showing physically by our body being immersed in a body of water. Showing that we already believe that Christ died on the cross for our sins – we are physically lowered into a body of water – then we are physically raised back Up showing we believe that Christ rose from the dead – giving us New Life / in and through Him.

Physical baptism IS important – but is Not Part of the salvation process. And I already know that LOTS of people Don’t agree.

This again is simply not true: 1Pet.3[21] Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

There is only one baptism into Christ. Water is the normal physical means of baptism. This is what Christ established and what the Apostles did and taught.

What is confusing you is the fact that God can and does work apart from the sacraments when he chooses. How is the compatible with the teaching that baptism saves us? By the graces won for us by Christ’s redemption.

When Jesus died on the cross he redeemed us, thus making salvation possible. He justified us before God so that we could be saved. Now, all who use the graces God gave them may be saved through the redemption of Christ. This is called a baptism of desire–which is what you are really talking about, you see. But, when we have the sacrament available to us, we are to employ it as the ordinary means of cleansing us of original sin. The other form of baptism that saves is that of blood, such as several martyrs underwent in the early Church or in areas in which, because of persecution or other factors, baptism is not possible.

But, we cannot say that baptism is not part of salvation because Scripture clearly tells us that it is.

Christ founded his Church in order to give us all that we need for our salvation. We need nothing else. We don’t need enthusiasm, as good as it is, or to be baptized again and again–which does nothing but get us wet since one baptism is all that is needed, nor do we need a “personal relationship with Christ,” although that too is fine. We don’t need to understand anything. Severely retarded people, young children, or the illiterate may not understand the Gospel, but still, they can be saved. How? Through baptism, which saves us. The other sacraments imbue us with saving grace, as well, sustaining us in faith.

I wish time and space would allow me to explain this better and further. But, there are good resources, especially the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The CCC is not just an instruction manual for Catholics, it is the compendium of the Catholic faith–the faith once handed on to the Apostles and on to us through their successors. If you want to understand the Catholic faith, you need to read the relevant paragraphs: Baptism. As you can see, the Church has quite a lot to say about this sacrament that is “unimportant.”

 

[Church_Militant]

The kids came home from that camp and talked about how they’d been challenged about being Secure in their salvation. If any of them had Questioned their salvation. And several of them Had. And they were told that they Could be Sure they were Really born-again – just talk to God about it - where Ever they were. Just tell Him about your doubt and insecurity and If they hadn’t actually accepted Christ, then they wanted to Now. And they Did. And Now they Knew they were – they had personal assurance of their own salvation – and they requested to be Re-baptized

.Can you show me any place in the New Testament aside from Cornelius’ gentile household, (which was a special circumstance) where such a practice is found?

The Nicene Creed just for instance tells us that the early church saw it much differently. Only one baptism and that for the forgiveness of sins, just as St. Paul was told in Acts Of Apostles 22:16

I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins

There are Two baptisms.-- One is spiritual. At the moment of our heart belief – the Holy Spirit comes to indwell the person – That is Spiritual baptism – That involves the joining of our ‘soul’ with all the other ‘souls’ that are united together in Christ / the universal body of Christ. That ‘sealing’ of the Holy Spirit Keeps us until we are really With Christ for eternity.

This is severe error CL. You cannot provide any scriptural support for this belief or practice. And, if, as I believe you are, you are an adherent to any form of Sola Scriptura, then you have to realize that that violates that very fundamental doctrine of your religion that proves that both are unscriptural errors.

See It’s NOT in the Bible, okay? & It’s NOT in the Bible, okay? (Part II) & “If anyone teaches/preaches something that is not in scripture”

The Other baptism is the physical baptism that we can observe

– That is showing physically by our body being immersed in a body of water. Showing that we already believe that Christ died on the cross for our sins – we are physically lowered into a body of water – then we are physically raised back Up showing we believe that Christ rose from the dead – giving us New Life / in and through Him.

Physical baptism IS important – but is Not Part of the salvation process. And I already know that LOTS of people Don’t agree.No kidding…including the Word of God itself. If it isn’t “Part of the salvation process” then why are we commanded to do it in the great commission? "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"

 

[Theophilous]

Hello,

I would like to put forward a theory of interpertation that made sense to me regarding the concept of being born again.

When God created Adam, Adam was a direct creation of God. As such he could be refered to as a “Son of God.” All of Adam’s progeny were not directly created by God. They were the creation of the natural processes of human reproduction. As such they were refered to as “Sons/Daugthers of Man”, or “Sons of Adam” or “Daughters of Eve”.

The angels are direct creations of God. As such they are refered to as the “Sons of God”

Genesis 6:1-2 “And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.”

When we are saved, we become new creations.

2nd Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

This new creature, this new creation is the second birth, to be born again, made as a direct creation of God. We change from being sons of Adam, to Sons of God.

If we are born twice, born again, then at most we will taste of death just once. But for those that are only born once, they will experience the second death.

Revelation 21:8 “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

I hope that clearly states my reasoning.

 

[Church_Militant]

Okay, but we have no disagreement that being born again mandates a metanoia that will demonstrate a conversion that changes ones behavior. Without it then the seed has fallen upon poor soil.

 

[Della]

Hello,

I would like to put forward a theory of interpertation that made sense to me regarding the concept of being born again.

When God created Adam, Adam was a direct creation of God. As such he could be refered to as a “Son of God.” All of Adam’s progeny were not directly created by God. They were the creation of the natural processes of human reproduction. As such they were refered to as “Sons/Daugthers of Man”, or “Sons of Adam” or “Daughters of Eve”.

The angels are direct creations of God. As such they are refered to as the “Sons of God”

Genesis 6:1-2 “And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.”

When we are saved, we become new creations.

2nd Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

This new creature, this new creation is the second birth, to be born again, made as a direct creation of God. We change from being sons of Adam, to Sons of God.

If we are born twice, born again, then at most we will taste of death just once. But for those that are only born once, they will experience the second death.

Revelation 21:8 “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

I hope that clearly states my reasoning.

This is fine, however, what is the process by which we are “born again?” What does Scripture and the constant teaching of the Apostles and the Church which Christ founded upon them say? Baptism. Without baptism, in one of it’s forms, we cannot presume we are born again merely because we state belief in Christ. That’s fine, or course, but even the devils believe in Christ. No, we need to do what Christ commanded we do, which is to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. If we don’t do this we cannot claim to have been born of “water and the spirit” but only to have had a seed tossed into our souls–a seed that can be quickly devoured by earthly cares or which even if it takes root can be dry up and die without the water of baptism. We need the saving grace that baptism provides to truly take root and produce fruit.

 

[Church_Militant]

Also – we pray Through Jesus Christ – Anyone here on earth can pray at any time to God, just that it’s Through Jesus Christ rather than through Mary or any other person who is with Christ. Jesus Christ isn’t praying For us – we are praying Through Him.

Why would people in heaven be praying for Us? We would be praying for those we know - our loved ones that are here on earth. For people we know who are sick or having problems or thanking God for something.

Because the New Testament enjoins them to and then tells us that they are witnesses to our journey of faith?! See The Intercession & Communion of Saints on my blog.

 

[Theophilous]

"This is fine, however, what is the process by which we are “born again?”

The process seems to me to be defined in scripture.

2nd Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

If you are in Christ, then the born again process occurs.

Now we can ask, is baptism in water required to be in Christ?

While I can agree that baptism is desireable, I don’t know if it is required.

Christ told the thief on the cross with him that he would be with him that day in paradise. No baptism was required of him.

 

[Della]

Baptism is more than desirable, it was commanded by Our Lord and practiced by the Apostles. Whole households were baptized. Scripture plainly tells us that baptism saves us. What further evidence do we need that God’s own written word?

And the thief was baptized by his desire for absolution and was given it–by Christ himself. God may set aside the sacraments to do his will because he is God. But we are bound to do what God has commanded us to do whenever it is possible. I gave a link to the paragraphs in the Catechism of the Catholic Church that refer to baptism in my last post. If you go to them you will find ample Scripture references for baptism and its necessity.

 

[hope_7]

Baptism in water for the believer is a command it is not an option.
Jesus commanded the apostles to baptize all nations in the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost.
Peter in Acts 2: 28 said repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall recieve the Holy Ghost
In Acts 3:19 Peter said repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out.

Another thing that Jesus said in John 3:3 except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Being born again is a miracle given by God through Jesus Christ His son it is not an emotional
experiance, even though we may get emotional in some way because of the miracle of grace that the Holy Spirit is doing.

Being born again is the inward work inside you when a person repents of their sin and recieves Christ as their saviour and baptism is the outward witness of the transforming work of grace that God has done within you. The old man was buried with Christ which is the old you, dead in trespasses and sins, a concience dark and alienated from god. The new person who has been born again through union with Christ is alive because Christ now lives in them

I have been both born again and baptised in water and can tell you of both and also show thease things in scripture as God enables me. I can also tell you what it is like to be baptised in the Holy Ghost. I am not trying to boast but when one experiances thease things they just know. Thease are works of Grace that God does in us Those who have recieved thease miracles of God’s grace arent anything. It is Christ that we witness to.

Cant catholics have thease things that we are talking about

Being born again is something that I thank God for all the time. It means so much to me that He would forgive me of my sins and that I have the peace that passes understanding that the bible talks about. I have a real relationship with God through Jesus Christ His Son. I am so thankful for that.

 

[campbellronald7]

There is not an after life though there are certain things that happen that our soul is born again after our death, but not the whole body .

 

[Della]

Baptism in water for the believer is a command it is not an option.
Jesus commanded the apostles to baptize all nations in the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost.
Peter in Acts 2: 28 said repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall recieve the Holy Ghost
In Acts 3:19 Peter said repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out.

Another thing that Jesus said in John 3:3 except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Being born again is a miracle given by God through Jesus Christ His son it is not an emotional
experiance, even though we may get emotional in some way because of the miracle of grace that the Holy Spirit is doing.

Being born again is the inward work inside you when a person repents of their sin and recieves Christ as their saviour and baptism is the outward witness of the transforming work of grace that God has done within you. The old man was buried with Christ which is the old you, dead in trespasses and sins, a concience dark and alienated from god. The new person who has been born again through union with Christ is alive because Christ now lives in them.

You are so close! But not quite there. Baptism does more than give witness to what God has already done in us–it cleanses us of our sins. Why? Because God says so. Jesus established sacraments to imbue his saving graces into our souls, not merely to give us an outward sign of grace. The sacraments do what they intend to do. This is why we need not feel anything–because our emotions don’t always tell us what is happening in our souls, as you cited. We have to trust that what God has said is true, even if it means accepting what we cannot understand or feel.

I have been both born again and baptised in water and can tell you of both and also show thease things in scripture as God enables me. I can also tell you what it is like to be baptised in the Holy Ghost. I am not trying to boast but when one experiances thease things they just know. Thease are works of Grace that God does in us Those who have recieved thease miracles of God’s grace arent anything. It is Christ that we witness to.

What you have experienced is an awakening to faith, not being “born again.” When you were first baptized you were born again because of the efficaciousness of the sacrament and not because you believed and then were baptized. Even people who are severely retarded may receive the graces of baptism and infants, who cannot understand what they are receiving and have no beliefs of any kind. Baptism initiates us into the faith, putting an indelible mark of God’s grace upon us. This does not require belief or knowledge, only doing what God has asked us to do in faith–in this case the actions of parents/caregivers for the other person.

Cant catholics have thease things that we are talking about

Being born again is something that I thank God for all the time. It means so much to me that He would forgive me of my sins and that I have the peace that passes understanding that the bible talks about. I have a real relationship with God through Jesus Christ His Son. I am so thankful for that.

Catholics call “being born again” as you describe it, but wrongly, as “consolations” or “awakenings to faith.” But this is made possible by two things: firstly, the redemption Christ gained for us on the cross–all graces and blessings flow from his one time offering of himself as propitiation for our sins. Secondly, they are enhanced and enriched by sacramental faith.

If only you knew the richness of the sacramental life. It’s depths and joys are incomprehensible to those who do not have it. If you read the writings of our great saints you would see there spiritual depth and wisdom that would inspire in you the desire to have what they had–what we all can have through the sacramental life of the Church. That phrase sounds so mundane, but it’s like saying you cannot know the joys of the married life until you are married.

For myself, I employ the prayer life the Church has provided for our benefit–the Liturgy of the Hours, the Mass, the daily Mass readings (that’s apart from any other Bible reading regime), spiritual reading, plus the community life of fellow believers and service to others. Through these I have come to have a relationship with Christ that I never dreamed possible when I was a Pentecostal Protestant. I love him more than my life or anything else in this world or any other realm of existence. He is everything to me–my Beloved, my source of joy, my source of grace, my all.

If you think Catholics suffer lack of spirituality due to our sacramental life, you are gravely mistaken. Just ask any committed Catholic be they laypeople, religious, priests or whoever. They will tell you that loving God and our brothers is everything to us. It is our life, our hope, our profound joy.

 

[fhansen]

Baptism in water for the believer is a command it is not an option.
Jesus commanded the apostles to baptize all nations in the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost.
Peter in Acts 2: 28 said repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall recieve the Holy Ghost
In Acts 3:19 Peter said repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out.

Another thing that Jesus said in John 3:3 except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Being born again is a miracle given by God through Jesus Christ His son it is not an emotional
experiance, even though we may get emotional in some way because of the miracle of grace that the Holy Spirit is doing.

Being born again is the inward work inside you when a person repents of their sin and recieves Christ as their saviour and baptism is the outward witness of the transforming work of grace that God has done within you. The old man was buried with Christ which is the old you, dead in trespasses and sins, a concience dark and alienated from god. The new person who has been born again through union with Christ is alive because Christ now lives in them

I have been both born again and baptised in water and can tell you of both and also show thease things in scripture as God enables me. I can also tell you what it is like to be baptised in the Holy Ghost. I am not trying to boast but when one experiances thease things they just know. Thease are works of Grace that God does in us Those who have recieved thease miracles of God’s grace arent anything. It is Christ that we witness to.

Cant catholics have thease things that we are talking about

Being born again is something that I thank God for all the time. It means so much to me that He would forgive me of my sins and that I have the peace that passes understanding that the bible talks about. I have a real relationship with God through Jesus Christ His Son. I am so thankful for that.

Baptism is the first formal step of faith in obedience to Jesus’ command, for those physically able to obey it, and therefore the act of being born again. It goes without saying that the person’s faith is critical-it must be genuine. From there his further actions-how he lives his life-whether or not he continues in faith, following Christ, responding to grace, is part of the process of justification. We’re not to sit still, but rather to invest the “talents” we’re given with the opportunities: the time and grace, available. God judges how we did in the end.

 

[jmcrae]

Can you No kidding…including the Word of God itself. If it isn’t “Part of the salvation process” then why are we commanded to do it in the great commission? "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"

That is such a good point. The Bible contains no “fluff” - every word contained in it is for our salvation. Every time Jesus says, “Do this …” it is for our salvation. Omit even one thing, and we will not be saved. We must obey all of His commands; not just one or two.

 

[jmcrae]

Now we can ask, is baptism in water required to be in Christ?

Absolutely, yes. It is in Baptism that we are joined with Christ on the Cross and die to our old self. The water from His heart pours out over our souls and washes us of all our sins, including Original Sin.

Christ told the thief on the cross with him that he would be with him that day in paradise. No baptism was required of him.

1. It is perfectly possible that at some point in his life, the thief was baptized. After all, St. John had been baptizing people in the Jordan for years.
2. The thief (whose name was Dismas, by the way) was joined with Christ on the Cross in a most literal way, doing in his body what we do in our souls when we are baptized; he was being crucified with Christ, which is what St. Paul tells us Baptism is all about.

 

[jmcrae]

Baptism in water for the believer is a command it is not an option.

And thus, it is required for salvation, since disobedience leads to loss of salvation.

Another thing that Jesus said in John 3:3 except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3 is a discussion about Baptism. “Water and the Holy Spirit” is how the Apostles described Baptism.

 

[SeekerPaul]

That is such a good point. The Bible contains no “fluff” - every word contained in it is for our salvation. Every time Jesus says, “Do this …” it is for our salvation. Omit even one thing, and we will not be saved. We must obey all of His commands; not just one or two.

Hmmm… You’d make a good pharisee, jmcrae.
Jesus castigated the ultra-legalistic Jewish pharisees and chief priests for making “religion” so complicated and difficult to observe that the common man just gave up trying. At one point Jesus even warned the chief priests solemnly, “Amen, I say to you,tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom before you!” (Matt 21:31)
What does this tell you about who can be saved?

I like the way “Pope Peter I” said it in Acts 10:34f, 43 when he was preaching to gentile Cornelius’ household: “Peter proceeded to speak and said, 'In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him… [E]veryone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.” This statement is confirmed in the next verse (44), “While Peter was still speaking these things, the holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word.”

So, a simple childlike faith in Jesus Christ must come first… That’s why the Gospel is such “Good News”!

 

[SeekerPaul]

Hi Paul75.

Welcome to Catholic Answers Forums.

I Googled what you said (because I’ve read the Gospels many times and didn’t recall that quote anywhere in the Bible) and wasn’t sure which verse you were alluding to. Search came up virtually empty (three hits, one was yours).

… And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Which verse were you talking about in post 107?

Yes, that’s the verse I was trying to quote without first looking it up… Sorry.

In re-reading this forum’s question, “What’s it like to be born again?”,
a simple but profound answer I’ve heard comes to mind:

After a person is born again, (s)he hates the things (s)he once loved
and loves the things (s)he once hated .

 

[hope_7]

Again I have to state that being baptised and being born again are two distinct things.

When I was baptised I first stood before the church and confessed my faith in Christ I was standing beside the pastor of the church in water. After I had confessed that I believed in Jesus Christ that pastor then said the I baptise you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. He then pushed me backward and under the water and then lifted me back out by standing me back up and I walked out of the water. Needless to say I was compleately wet. This is what it was like to be baptised.

I notice that many keep saying that baptism is what saves us.

If I am understanding what many of you who are catholic are saying then what I have just described to you is a born again experiance.

I do not think that I am describing the experiance that the title to this thread is asking .

Do you who are talking about baptism think that I am answering the question that this thread is asking which is titled
WHATS IT LIKE TO BE BORN AGAIN?

 

[Church_Militant]

Again I have to state that being baptised and being born again are two distinct things.

Which is your personal opinion to which you are entitled, though you are sincerely wrong.

When I was baptised I first stood before the church and confessed my faith in Christ I was standing beside the pastor of the church in water. After I had confessed that I believed in Jesus Christ that pastor then said the I baptise you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. He then pushed me backward and under the water and then lifted me back out by standing me back up and I walked out of the water. Needless to say I was compleately wet. This is what it was like to be baptised.

This just means that what you did doesn’t conform to what the New Testament actually teaches about baptism and the rebirth.

You see it as (and have been errantly taught that) a merely symbolic confession/profession of faith, but that is definitely not what the Word of God says about it, or else why does it say…

"And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’ " (Acts 22:16)

Were you taught that baptism is a sacrament that washes away sins as this passage of the New Testament clearly tells us? If not then your belief and practice are unscriptural, are they not?

Also the New Testament tells us…

---

"Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, " (1st Peter 3:21)***

Baptism now saves us! That means it is vital to salvation which means that it is definitively part of the process of rebirth in Christ. Again, if this is not what yoou have been taught and it conflicts with the Word of God (as it obviously does…) then you need to question your sources.

Even your own current theology of Sola Scriptura, where you ascribe to the Bible the final and ultimate authority for all you believe and practice conflicts here because if the scriptures say what I have shown you (and they obviously do…) and yet you believe something else because you have been taught so…then what does that tell you about those teachers and preachers?

I notice that many keep saying that baptism is what saves us.

We didn’t. Like I just showed you, the scriptures say so. Why do you disagree?

If I am understanding what many of you who are catholic are saying then what I have just described to you is a born again experiance.

Not according to the Word of God…

I do not think that I am describing the experiance that the title to this thread is asking

.

Do you who are talking about baptism think that I am answering the question that this thread is asking which is titled

WHATS IT LIKE TO BE BORN AGAIN?

Several of you n-Cs brought all this up, and so in order to avoid allowing the OP to be misled by unscriptural teachings we have and to address this issue properly.

Remember, just because your preacher says so and you believe him does not make it correct doctrine. You must obey St. Paul’s mandate to timothy when he tells us.
"Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

 

[jmcrae]

Hmmm… You’d make a good pharisee, jmcrae.
Jesus castigated the ultra-legalistic Jewish pharisees and chief priests for making “religion” so complicated and difficult to observe that the common man just gave up trying.

Sorry, no, that’s not what the Pharisees did. What the Pharisees did was actually the opposite - they created man-made rules that provided “outs” so that people could avoid following God’s law. For example, they created the law of “korban” so that people could get out of the law (Honour thy father and thy mother) that says adult children are required to take care of their elderly parents. God commands us to take care of our elderly parents, but the Pharisees said, “No, that’s too hard. But if you pay Korban, we will let you kick your parents out, and you don’t have to put up with them any more.”

Jesus condemned them for that; not for following God’s law too strictly.

At one point Jesus even warned the chief priests solemnly, “Amen, I say to you,tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom before you!” (Matt 21:31)
What does this tell you about who can be saved?

Those who repent of their sins and begin to follow God’s law, in its entirety. Zacchaeus, for example, didn’t just “accept Jesus into his heart” and then continue on with business as usual.

He gave up his lifestyle; he restored everything he had stolen four times over. Considering that the only way he got money was by theft, this means he emptied out his bank account, sold everything he had, let go all of his staff, and still remained in debt for three times that amount. Not only that, he gave up his job, which means that not only was he homeless, but he was also unemployed. Hardly “easy.”

I like the way “Pope Peter I” said it in Acts 10:34f, 43 when he was preaching to gentile Cornelius’ household: “Peter proceeded to speak and said, 'In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him… [E]veryone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.” This statement is confirmed in the next verse (44), “While Peter was still speaking these things, the holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word.”

Again, there is no easy believin’ happening here. These people are also making radical changes to their lives, and following a stricter law than they had before. Bear in mind that this is the generation that Nero fed to the lions.

Reread the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5 through 7) - Jesus isn’t calling us to something easier than the Old Covenant Law, but something radically more challenging. Not only does He consider it a sin to kill, He considers it a sin to be angry with someone - even if you don’t actually kill them. Jesus tells us that it is still a sin to swear at people, and not only that, it is also a sin to call them a fool. Not only is it a sin to sleep with someone to whom you are not married, it is a sin to look at that person and lust after them.