Being a Christian and Being Born Again is there a difference?
Or are they the same thing?
If so what are they?

Being a Christian and Being Born Again is there a difference?
Or are they the same thing?
If so what are they?

When you ask somebody what the Good News or gospel is, you can get quite a lengthy answer at times. But what Messiah preached was very simple:

Matt 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

We are simply called to repent, to turn away from our ungodly lives, from our lust filled worldly lives, and turn back to God and place our faith in him, instead of us. When we do that, we are getting rid of the old man (ok, woman) and putting on a new you. One molded according to the will of God. This is really what being born again is talking about. You are repenting of your old ways...turning away from them...DYING to them, and being born again, or born renewed in God. That's born again...and it is the initial step in our new walk in God. It is what makes you a believer, a Christian...Messianic...Nazarene...whatever you want to call youself.

Peace and blessings.
Ken

Okay so your basically saying there is no difference between the two? Am i correct?

I don't know. I know that there are many people who call themselves Christian who do not behave like Christians. And that there are some people who are very "good" kind people, who may even attend church and think they are Christian... but they don't know Christ. (yet.)

However, someone who is born again can't be classified the same way as a cultural Christian.

I do think that what the world calls Christian (ie, a way of behaving culturally) is not the same thing as someone who has been born from above, as Jesus describes.

But ideally all Christians would be born again, because Christians are supposed to follow Christ. Sadly, we're not in an ideal world yet... I tend to think there is a difference.

I would put it as one cannot be a Christian until they are born again. This relating to receiving the Holy Spirit upon regeneration.

And Mr. Holy Spirit at that. Can't have different amounts of Him He is either there in full or not there. A person of the trinity and not a force.

John 3 good read for this, and 1st Peter 1.

Peace,
Joe

Okay so your basically saying there is no difference between the two? Am i correct?

Right...you can't be a Christian if you haven't put away your old un-godly self. Until you are born again, which is the time you turn away (repent) of all your un-godly things, and turn to Him through Messiah, you are not a Christian. They go hand in hand.

I don't know why you asked the question to begin with...but if you are questioning your own walk to a degree, (which is a good thing) then answer this...to yourself. We don't need to know the answer, it is between you and God....

>> Assuming you grew up like everyone else, got a little wild, didn't always keep God as the centerpiece of your life....is that STILL you NOW...or have you put that life behind you and made a a genuine committment to God through Messiah? Is He now the centerpiece of your life, or are YOU?

If you are a different person now, living for Messiah, not getting all caught up in the world and the sin associated with so much of it...I would think, but I am not God...so take it for what it is worth...you are born again.

Peace.
Ken

Okay thanks guys that clears it up...So I guess in a nutshell it is safe to say not everyone that says there a christian is saved (born again). I got it!

Thanks Again!

Eh? I say I'm a Christian, and I THINK I'm saved!

I suppose it's like the logic example they teach in schools.

All Greeks are European, but not all Europeans are Greek.

HI daughter,

I think what our sister was saying was just missing the word "not"

not everyone who says they are a Christian is saved. Could be wrong....think I'm right ;)

Peace,
Joe

Actually, I just re read it... sorry JRF. Normally I'm a better reader than that, I've been having a bad few days, and my brain freezes on me. I literally read that completely wrong - sorry. :blush:

HI daughter,

I think what our sister was saying was just missing the word "not"

not everyone who says they are a Christian is saved. Could be wrong....think I'm right ;)

Peace,
Joe


yes thanks that is what I was trying to say. I need to work on proof reading my posts.

No Problem my dear it is okay!