It seems in this need to argue against what is actually Written, Bart ignores the question Christ posed to Nicodemus in John 3:10 ...."Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? This lesson was not a new revelation and it was not given to have a slogan to be stated and/or ask 'are you born again'. Because IF the question is to one in a flesh body the answer is obvious and apparent ... that flesh body did get born from above.
So there was not a language barrier in what was Written down, there is a ignoring of what is actually being instructed. Nicodemus a Pharisee came 'secretly' to Christ to acknowledge WHO Christ was. And Christ picked the subject matter He intended to teach Nicodemus as well as future readers of the encounter.
John 3:13 Written as summation of the lesson states in a quite concise manner what Christ said ..."And no man ascended up to heaven, but He That came down from heaven, even the Son of man Which is in heaven.
The first requirement to 'see' the kingdom of heaven is to come through this flesh journey which those fallen angels of Genesis 6 and Jude (as well as in Revelation) describes will not survive to see or enter the kingdom of heaven.
We have Christ saying what is required to 'see' and then 'enter into the kingdom of God' regardless of what Bart claims.
What does that word 'saint' literally mean? From the Hebrew and the Greek? Only God keeps the perfect record from the beginning to put any of His children in the 'saint' category. Paul says in Ephesians 1:4 They were chosen/elected before the foundation of the world or before the overthrow - casting down of the devil. They stood against the serpent when he rebelled, as described in Genesis 1:2.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. When Christ returned to heaven the Holy Spirit was given to any who would through GOD/WORD be comforted, led, instructed. The Holy Spirit would not argue against God and/or Christ's instructions. Such as Bart did.
Well, I know exactly what born again means as Jesus taught it even if Nicodemus did not.
I have absolutely no problem using that term in regards to spiritual rebirth and being filled with the Spirit.
So you guys can debate the two terms all you like, but it is not important to me.
It takes my focus off Jesus and telling others about Him.
God bless,
jodyel