Dear Hunters,
No commentaries this time. I"m shooting straight from the heart. Saint John 3:1-8. Nicodemus, a ruler, came to Jesus by night for fear of being excommunicated by the Pharisees. Think about it, there weren"t a lot of churches to choose from and the only one there was at this time was royally messed up. Most didn"t even recognize God when He was standing right in front of them. Nicodemus, in the Greek, means victorious among his people. He says, " Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God because of the miracles." Did you see the we? Where were the others? Verse 3 - Jesus doesn"t even go there. He deals with the serious thing. "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Verse 4 - Nick says, "How can this happen?" Verse 5 - This time Jesus mentions water. Jesus answered, "Verily, verily I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God." Verse 6 - "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit." Verse 7 - "Marvel not that I said unto thee, you must be born again." Nick must have been marveling, folks. This new terminology must have really perplexed him. Let"s stop at verse eight, folks, and talk about this born again phenomena. Verse 8 - "The wind bloweth where it listeth," (Greek - where it chooses) "and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whitherest it goeth: so is everyone that is born of the Spirit."
Okay. What does it mean to be born by the water and the Spirit. Since 1976 I have run into a lot of various teachings. I would like the readers to please write down what being born of the water and the Spirit means to you. This should solve all debates. This is what it means to Chuck7.
I believe it was a very serious ordeal to be dunked underneath the water. I have done this three times. The second two were rededications. All felt very special. My last was in the Jordan River. I felt very clean - like I had a clean slate. The Spirit part, I believe, is summed up in this verse. Acts 5:32 - "And so is the Holy Ghost whom God hath given to them that obey Him." I believe those who read and practice God"s word find themselves being led like the wind. I believe God can do for you like he did for the believers in Acts 2 or make you into a mighty prayer warrior and preacher like Dwight L. Moody and Billy Graham. People who are consumed by God"s word, I believe, are born of the Spirit. John 6:63 - "It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you THEY ARE SPIRIT, AND THEY ARE LIFE." John 14:23 - "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."
During the last sumble I was in I said I was baptised twice and still couldn't was the heathen off. I said this as both a joke and as a matter of fact statement. I do remember thinking much like you speak Chuck. I however do believe I am a better person today for my current beliefs. Not in anyway saying you or others of your belief are inferior, thats not what I mean by it.
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The steel must suffer to become the blade.
Bear Master,
I always respect people who have read the Word as yourself. I don't put much stock in folk who scoff at Christianity but have never read the Word.You are a rare breed.I have never known a person to pick up the Word ,read it and deny it. I am perplexed at your unbelief. Did you read the entire New testament? I don't like bashing denonminations but I think in you r case you would have been better to have been like Paul.Start from fresh and "gone to the desert." I think church could have messed you up brother. My wife and I do not go.We have a Bible study on Sunday mornings. There is one opening up on June 5th.I plan to do my best to try and be part of that group.However; if it causes me to drift from God ,I'll leave that one too. However; I will never leave the Lord. I honestly don't know how you survive without Him. This forum is a good example of what church is. Apart from love there is no way to have fellowship with these folks.We all disagree on everything. The common denonminator is Christ commandment of love.THAT is the only thing that keeps us together. Again,have you read the entire New Testament. Two of my friends were also Catholic. there were some parts of the Bible that they couldn't believe because they believed their church doctrine above the Word no matter how plain and simple the Word appeared..
Brother Chuck, I was Baptised when I was 23, as I went below the water there was an indescribable feeling that overcame me, as my head broke the surface the spirit filled me, I was moved to tears, my chest swoll with the spirit, the whole world was brighter. I can honestly say I was born again, of both water and the spirit.
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The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog
I would like the readers to please write down what being born of the water and the Spirit means to you. This should solve all debates.
Chuck, when you first started this bible study, you requested that you would be able to do this unmolested. From what I have seen, you have been given that leeway. So now you want to solve all debates? I don't believe that will happen unless you think you can shut down petecostalism or non pentecostalism. I'm not being argumenative. I just wonder if you realize that many of us have been staying out of this so as not to bring confusion into your efforts here.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Leaf ,
The word I used wasn't that I would solve ,but "This should solve", meaning if everyone shares their experience then what is the arguement.That way it's not mine alone but everyones.Taz shared his which was very different than mine but of the same God. Please share yours.
On the other thing you brought up.If you disagree simply reply.If you think it's going to generate bad feelings you might want to start a new Post such as..John 2 :35-49 Another opinion. That would be fine Leaf. You are my brother.
I think church could have messed you up brother.
Chuck
Ya think,Bro Chuck? I believe inmy heart, that CHURCHES are being used by the Evil 1, moreso today than anytime since the Pharisees/Saducees/other losers. Jesus recognized what had happened to the church of his day, what the leaders were doing to the "body"..how they abused the authority they were given. Even Paul recognized how Satan was infiltrating the "church". Remember the dude sleeping with his mom..? the "body" was accepting this behavior! Now the enemy has been successful in planting the seeds of Pride/Ridicule/Rebellion/...enter other names here.../ and we've accepted it..ESPECIALLY when it comes from the PULPIT!!! I've visited the same church of about 400 or so for the past 4/5 yrs, and I can see NO REAL DISPLAY OF GENUINE LOVE!!! jumping and waving and shouting isn't a display.. that's Worship... Walking to a stranger who just stepped thru your doors, and extending a hand/hug..WITH SINCERITY, not out of duty( there's a noticable difference) displays love. Satan has robbed the hearts of those who call themselves Believers. He's stolen their Love, and replaced it with a pathetic substitution. What does God say to one of the Churches in Rev ? You've lost your 1st love( and all other loves after that).....
I think church could have messed you up brother.
Chuck
Ya think,Bro Chuck? I believe inmy heart, that CHURCHES are being used by the Evil 1.
Bro.Butch, I have to disagree that all CHURCHES are being used by the EVIL 1.
You probally have'nt found the right one yet, but if you keep seeking you will
find one that will show you LOVE and comfort your problems. You should have
known me and the pepole I kept company with, before I accepted Chirst
in my life. Don't ever give up! Bless You Brother!
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Jesus said, "he who stands firm to the end will be saved" Mark 13:13.
Live Life in such a way that those who do not know Christ will come to know Him because they know you
St.John3:1-8 You must Be Born Again
