Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: editor-surveyor
Nobody has yet been “born of the spirit.” Only those that “endure to the end” will be “born of the spirit.” That is what Yeshua told us in Matthew 24, and it is also what all of the apostles writings tell us. If anyone were already “born of the spirit,” Matthew 7:23 would be a lie. The persons that Yeshua mentions in that chapter confessed his name, and worked in the gifts of the spirit, yet he said that “I never knew ye.”

That is simply an assertion based upon the false premise already refuted. As shown, the only birth the NT knows of is that of being born of God, which is by the Spirit and into the spiritual kingdom of God.

Neither Mt. 24 or 7:23 speaks of being spiritually born, but the resurrection will merely change the bodies of believers who have already been born into the family of God and in His kingdom, and accepted in the Beloved and seated with Christ in heaven. (Eph. 1:6; 2:6)

And as said, having been born of God then those who die in faith will therefore will be resurrected and see the physical manifestation of the kingdom. Thus one must be born again to receive his new body, but which is not being begotten again by the word of truth unto a living hope. (Ja. 1:18; 1Pt. 1:3)

The judgment of Matthew 7:23, "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity," is obviously not due to having a body of flesh and blood, but due to the unregenerate dying in their sins, whom the Lord never knew.

The redeemed are already washed, sanctified and justified, (1Cor. 6:11) and whom the Lord knows, and while Scripture warns believers against casting away their faith, (Gal. 5:1-4; Heb. 3:12; 10:26,38) the cause of their damnation is that they were immoral unbelievers who merely did signs, as Judas likely did, but whom the Lord knew not, not having a spiritual relationship with.

"But if any man love God, the same is known of him." (1 Corinthians 8:3)

"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." (Galatians 4:6-7)

"But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain." (Galatians 4:10-11) (Galatians 4:9)

Even texts which do warn believers against casting away their faith is not contrary to them having been born from above, which is necessary to see the resurrection and the literal kingdom.

And it remains that the only spiritual birth is that which occurs in conversion, and is shown by love for God and each other, not just doing some signs.

"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him." (1 John 5:1)

690 posted on 07/29/2014 2:15:38 AM PDT by daniel1212 (Come to the Lord Jesus as a contrite damned+destitute sinner, trust Him to save you, then live 4 Him)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 687 | View Replies ]


To: daniel1212
I agree with all you said. I must say that in all my years of Bible study, including learning about other religions and cults, this is the first time I've heard of the doctrine that those "born again/from above" aren't really until the general resurrection when the redeemed receive their glorified bodies (as long as they have "endured to the end"). Do you know which denomination teaches this or is this just the beliefs of a few?
777 posted on 07/29/2014 2:30:38 PM PDT by boatbums (God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 690 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson