In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” JOHN 3:3
Regeneration is a New Testament concept that grew, it seems, out of a parabolic picture-phrase that Jesus used to show Nicodemus the inwardness and depth of the change that even religious Jews must undergo if they were ever to see and enter the kingdom of God, and so have eternal life (John 3:3-15). Jesus pictured the change as being “born again.”
The concept is of God renovating the heart, the core of a person’s being, by implanting a new principle of desire, purpose, and action, a dispositional dynamic that finds expression in positive response to the gospel and its Christ. Jesus’ phrase “born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5) harks back to Ezekiel 36:25-27, where God is pictured as symbolically cleansing persons from sin’s pollution (by water) and bestowing a “new heart” by putting his Spirit within them. Because this is so explicit, Jesus chides Nicodemus, “Israel’s teacher,” for not understanding how new birth happens (John 3:9-10). Jesus’ point throughout is that there is no exercise of faith in himself as the supernatural Savior, no repentance, and no true discipleship apart from this new birth. READ MORE
The following is an edited transcript of the audio.
If at the end of your life you could say one thing to the next generation of church leaders, what might it be?
This is risky, because I know how it could be misused by people who don’t like me anyway. But I think I’m going to say to them on my death bed, “Make the Bible the supreme intellectual and emotional authority in your life, for the sake of magnifying Christ in the fullness of his person and his work, so that generation after generation preserves the foundation and the capstone of the glory of God in Christ, and the grace that is the apex of that glory.”
“Man’s basic problem is preoccupation with self. He is innately beset with narcissism, a condition named after the Greek mythological character Narcissus, who spent his life admiring his reflection in a pool of water. In the final analysis, every sin results from preoccupation with self. We sin because we are totally selfish, totally devoted to ourselves, rather than to God and to others.”
“The matter is quite simple. The Bible is very easy to understand.
But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers.
We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly. Take any words in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself to act accordingly. My God, you will say, if I do that my whole life will be ruined. How would I ever get on in the world? Herein lies the real place of Christian scholarship. Christian scholarship is the Church’s prodigious invention to defend itself against the Bible, to ensure that we can continue to be good Christians without the Bible coming too close. Oh, priceless scholarship, what would we do without you? Dreadful it is to fall into the hands of the living God. Yes, it is even dreadful to be alone with the New Testament.”
Objection is sometimes made to the doctrine of total depravity. If men turn away from God in anger, I can understand it. If men turn aside form God in justice, I can understand it. But when they so hate God that they will not even have his salvation, when they refuse pardon through the precious [...]
For over forty years, Pastor Albert N. Martin faithfully served the Lord and His people as an elder of Trinity Baptist Church of Montville, New Jersey. Due to increasing and persistent health problems, he stepped down as one of their pastors, and in June, 2008, Pastor Martin and his wife, Dorothy, relocated to Michigan, where [...]
Matthew 7:13-14; 1 Samuel 16:7; Matthew 18:15-20 How should we act toward those who profess to be Christians but seem indifferent to spiritual things? Your question reveals you realize just how truly narrow the way is (Matthew 7:13-14). It can be frightening to think that many people in the church (including many whom we love) [...]
Are you poor? Seek treasure in heaven and be rich. Are you old? Be ready for your end, and prepare to meet your God. Are you young? Begin well, and seek in Christ a never-failing friend, who will never forsake you. Are you in trouble, anxious about this life? Seek Him who alone can help [...]
The chief point in view in the old and new covenants is to form and organize a community of people that are distinctively separated unto God. In Gods plan of redemption He decrees a people truly His own: The sheep never choose the shepherd, But the shepherd chooses His sheep! John 10:25-30, Exodus 6:7, Jeremiah [...]
Originally published by James White of Alpha & Omega Ministries. All right remain his. This was published without permission, however none of the content has been altered. Enjoy! I. Introduction The doctrine of the Trinity requires a balanced view of Scripture. That is, since the doctrine itself is derived from more than one stream of [...]
Everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does NOT do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.” Matthew 7:26 (emphasis added) The house built on the sand symbolizes a spiritual life build on the foundation of human opinions, attitudes, and wills, which are ALWAYS shifting and unstable…Don’t [...]
Sin so often seeks to do two things—express itself and excuse itself. Here’s an example: we’ve heard those stories in which an unbelieving or disobedient husband makes life miserable for his Christian wife. We’ve also heard the world’s counsel to those women—“You deserve better than this! Leave the bum! God doesn’t expect you to submit to him! Take the kids […]
The issue of authority and submission in the home—especially wives submitting to their husbands—is not appealing to our fallen culture. The world responds with ridicule, resistance and even rejection. Of course we expect those kinds of reactions from people hostile to divine authority; but what happens when the church falls prey to that mindset? […]
What makes a family work? Is it authority—a firm-ruling father who keeps the peace? Activity—weekly date nights and regular family outings? Availability—members who make time for one another? According to Scripture, a key ingredient for a successful family is submission. Society scoffs at the very mention of the word, but God places submission at the top of […]
After God created the first couple and brought them together in the first marriage ceremony, there was perfect harmony, fellowship, and joy. Adam had a wife to fellowship with; the two of them exercised dominion together. Eve had her husband to protect, provide, and care for her. All was well in Eden, for the moment . . . […]
No sane Christian questions the origin of the family. The Bible lays it out before us in unambiguous terms. God created the family—period. But why? God answered that question in the Old Testament long before any New Testament writers took up their pen. To get the divine perspective on the family, we have to go back, way back, to the very beginning. […]
Where do you turn when your family is in trouble? Some confide in a friend; others call a marriage “expert,” like a pastor or counselor. Many people in the world consult a psychologist, only to come away with theories and five-step plans; or more commonly, they call a psychiatrist and get themselves a prescription. God’s Word has a lot to say about the famil […]
Dobson and Beck form an alliance, Beck says - http://ht.ly/2ydXC //Seriously? Is it April 1st? 2010/09/01
@korevec not a developer...a designer @mooreplusone - love to help. I love ur site, wish I could take it w/ me when Im out. Check @subsplash 2010/09/01
RT @jwmoss: @TheCity plans for an iPhone app? time table? // +1 I hear that...you guys need an app stat. Only company slower is @dailymile 2010/09/01
@Tedashii that's awesome bro - our first is 6 months and it's incredible to see them develop. #evolutionfail Praise God for His gifts :) 2010/09/01
RT @reachrecords: Check out the Rehab "Idols" video. Its almost time to check in! http://bit.ly/bz2BaE // You don't have to sell me @lecrae 2010/09/01
RT @PastorMark: A good perspective on Beck’s Mormon moralism God & country inanity that naïve evangelicals are sadly supporting http://o ... 2010/09/01
@lecrae you can't drop a single like that and make us wait till the END of september. Praise God brother - Passing it around the office.. 2010/08/31
RT @jaredcwilson: A graceless Calvinist is like Baum's man of tin: squeaky and heartless // well said. 2010/08/31
Regeneration: The Christian is Born Again
by Jason Moore on July 24, 2010
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” JOHN 3:3
Regeneration is a New Testament concept that grew, it seems, out of a parabolic picture-phrase that Jesus used to show Nicodemus the inwardness and depth of the change that even religious Jews must undergo if they were ever to see and enter the kingdom of God, and so have eternal life (John 3:3-15). Jesus pictured the change as being “born again.”
The concept is of God renovating the heart, the core of a person’s being, by implanting a new principle of desire, purpose, and action, a dispositional dynamic that finds expression in positive response to the gospel and its Christ. Jesus’ phrase “born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5) harks back to Ezekiel 36:25-27, where God is pictured as symbolically cleansing persons from sin’s pollution (by water) and bestowing a “new heart” by putting his Spirit within them. Because this is so explicit, Jesus chides Nicodemus, “Israel’s teacher,” for not understanding how new birth happens (John 3:9-10). Jesus’ point throughout is that there is no exercise of faith in himself as the supernatural Savior, no repentance, and no true discipleship apart from this new birth.
READ MORE
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