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By God's grace, still presenting the same old message from the same old Book...

This page edited for content and clarification August 9, 2005.

The question:

“Born Again, is this eternal life or does Born again reveal that eternal life that was already placed in the Soul by the Holy Spirit like the Seed of a man in a woman's womb?”

Answer:

Myself, I think to be born again is to commence eternal life. When one is born again, they are born of the Spirit of God. Eternal life is to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ. Until a person has the new life, they are not able to know, for things of the Spirit are foolishness to them. God is a Spirit (John 4:24), therefore as I understand it, new life must be granted and at that time, a person knows the only true God, and Jesus Christ. It is my belief that not every person that has eternal life and testifies of that life is able to identify the very time their new life began.

The question:

Does Born Again mean a birth?

Answer:

Yes, I believe it does.

The question:

Does eternal life begin at Conception by the Holy Spirit at quickening?

Answer:

Yes, I believe it does.

The question:

Does the preached word induce the Seed planted by the Holy Spirit within the Soul to come forth in a birth?

Answer:

To clarify my understanding, I believe the word is the seed. With that said, my short answer is, in some way I believe the Scriptures, the word of God, is used instrumentally with those that have been born again, but is not used to create the new life. Only those that have heard, and have learned of the Father come to Christ (John 6:45). While conversion might be very clear, new birth sometimes is not, IMHO. When one is granted life, as I understand, they then know the only true God, and Jesus Christ. Initially, at the very first when granted new life, a person might not be aware of all the things that have transpired, and understanding increases in time. Faith comes by hearing, hearing by the word of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto Jesus Christ (John 6:45). As it is written, the elect are “..born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” The word of God is clear, there are many that corrupt the word of God. The new birth is wholly accomplished apart from means, directly by the Holy Spirit. The preached word of God makes manifest the new life but does not create the new life (2Tim 1:9-10).

John 6:45 (KJV) It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

2 Timothy 1:9 (KJV) Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

The order is regeneration first, then faith, yet in practical understanding at the moment one is regenerated they immediately are granted salvific faith of the operation of God (Col 2:12; Phil 1:29). As I understand, this can happen with the babe in the womb, and results in complete and sure salvation, nothing lacking regarding the new life from the second birth. There is no such thing as a regenerate unbeliever, and there is no such thing as a believer that is not regenerate. Subsequent conversion and growth in faith at hearing the word preached is the normal experience with the regenerate (2Pet 3:18; 1Pet 2:2; 2Thess 1:3). God acts direct apart from means for the new birth, yet as the usual experience is generally understood, especially with adults, it is safe to say that God directly regenerates a man apart from the use of means at the same time the preached word is being received (1Thess 2:13).

Colossians 2:12 (KJV) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Philippians 1:29 (KJV) For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

2 Peter 3:18 (KJV) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

1 Peter 2:2 (KJV) As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

2 Thessalonians 1:3 (KJV) We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

2 Thessalonians 2:13 (KJV) But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

When the new birth is being accomplished, man is passive, the dead being made alive, immediately of God apart from means, and instantly made alive and not in stages and not over a period of time. Those that were dead are made alive, in an instant, by immediate action of God. When one is born again, the mind is cognizant and discovers that some things are abhorred and some things desired, and that there is hungering and thirsting, and clearly these things are not part of the natural unregenerate man (2Cor 2:14; Rom 8:5-11). With the new birth there is faith, otherwise why would there be a thirsting, hungering, that hopes for new things, and causes a man to think different and act different (Heb 11:1-6). 

2 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV) Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

Romans 8:5 (KJV) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

The Scripture is instrumentally God’s word. While men read it, and repeat it, it is nevertheless God’s word (John 6:63). As it is written, this word can be corrupted (2Cor 2:17), so it is important that one not fall in the trap of confusion of corrupted words.

John 6:63 (KJV) It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

2 Corinthians 2:17 (KJV) For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

By the operation of the Holy Ghost, the new birth, new life, is established, and that never apart from the will of the Father. Those chosen before the foundation of the world, the elect, shall hear (John 6:45) . The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are active in our salvation, the new birth accomplished by the Holy Ghost, and as I understand, the word, at the same time, being heard and understood because of the operation of the Spirit. New life springs forth. While the passage from 2 Timothy 3:16 dos not explicitly state that new life is granted by the instrumentality of the Scripture, the Scripture is clearly identified as the word of God in that passage. The passage, 1 Peter 1:23 says, “...born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” As recorded in the New Testament, the words Jesus spoke is not His, but the Fathers. Only the elect receive the words, for they are foolishness to the natural man. It is often clear to identify the time a person is converted whereby they will make a public confession of their faith, but it is not so clear just when the new life began. This is my understanding. A person might not be able to clearly identify just the very moment he has been given granted new life, but when it is God’s time, they shall be granted new life, eternal life. As men grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, these things don’t always become clear, that they can easily say one thing and another happened at such and such a time. As I said, I believe the conscience and subconscious are at work, sometimes with our being ignorant regarding being able to identify such things, our lacking understanding. 

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

John 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

John 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

The Question: 

“Have you ever thought that there might be two types of seeds.”

Answer: 

Yes, I have thought about two types of seed, for example, among other things, I have read in the Bible about wheat and tares. 

Matthew 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

The Question: 

“Have you not thought that the Gospel is also a type of seed that brings forth fruit out of the conception seed? (Gal:5:22-23).”

Answer: 

I don't recognize the term, conception seed, in regards to the new birth. People are born of the Spirit immediate apart from means, and are granted life instantaneous, and not in stages. With regeneration there is faith and repentance accomplished, and that an immediate result of the new life.

The gospel is preached using the word. My understanding is the word of God is seed (1Pet 2:2; Luke 8:11), yet I believe that seed brings forth fruit from good ground, i.e., fruit of the Spirit with those that have been born again, and that additional conversion is accomplished after regeneration, and growth in faith occur in the one that is saved. Life is not created by the gospel, but instead, our so great salvation is made manifest by hearing the word preached. 

2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

The Question: 

“Is not Faith a type of fruit that come forth after the one quickened hears it? (2:Cor:4:4, 6-7)”

Answer: 

Faith is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). Faith cometh by hearing, hearing by the word of God. The word is living, and men are made alive, quickened, by the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

The Question: 

Do you not realize that if the Gospel is the seed unto salvation or eternal life then it could be snatched out of the soul by Satan and that person could be still lost? (Matt:13:19)

Answer: 

My understanding is that wicked one comes by and catcheth away that which was sown, when the seed is sown by the way side. I do not believe those chosen by the Father, the elect, will ever be lost. 

The Question: 

Have you not realized that there must be good ground (Quickened good ground) before the gospel seed can take root to bring forth fruit unto Christ. (Matt:13:23).

Answer: 

Yes, I have realized there must be good ground. By the operation of the Holy Ghost, there is new life, and that never apart from the will of the Father. The Father elects, the Son redeems those that are elect, and the Holy Ghost regenerates those the Son redeems. The sheep hear.

§

Bible Study Letters

A message of comfort from the Scriptures,
that we through patience and comfort
of the scriptures might have hope.

Come and hear, all ye that fear God,
and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Psalms 66:16

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Bob Krajcik
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