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To: Mr Rogers
I’ve NEVER met a Protestant who believes in taking ‘born again’ literally.

Then you've never met a protestant.

Being "born again" is an act unto itself, not a repetition of birth. Look up "church" in the phone book, and pick one. They'll explain it to you.

627 posted on 06/29/2009 2:25:29 PM PDT by papertyger (A difference that makes no difference is no difference)
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To: papertyger
Being "born again" is not a literal phrase; it is a metaphor for a spiritual action. Please see John 3:1-21.

You are not physically "born again"; you are born in the Holy Spirit. Nicodemus got it wrong, he misunderstood and took it literally. Not the figurative/illustrative way in which the Lord said it.

Perhaps that same mistake can be made with the phrase "this is My body given for you, do this in remembrance of Me"; perhaps Jesus meant to reflect on the sacrifice He would make by re-enacting the action. Not actual transubstantiation of the host and wine?

Jesus spent most of His ministry talking in parables, preaching and teaching allegorically. To deny that extending that understanding is a valid position for this one phrase is quite close-minded and restrictive.

But ultimately, the action of Communion, while an important and building action for a Christian, is NOT required for salvation. That is by faith alone, as Jesus specifically said. No allegory, no parable, direct statement with no further clarification asked or offered.

635 posted on 06/29/2009 2:39:10 PM PDT by PugetSoundSoldier (Indignation over the sting of truth is the defense of the indefensible)
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