Expert: Dean Gade - 11/2/2007

Question
I hear so often the term "Born Again."  

What does it mean to a Lutheran?  What does it mean to a Batptist?

Julie


Answer
Lutherans believe that being "Born Again"  means becoming a child of God by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Just as we are born into a physical citizenship of the country we live in,  being "Born Again" is being born spiritually into God's kingdom.

When we are "Born Again"  we have all the rights and privileges as a child of God. We have faith in God's Word and His plan of salvation for us.  We have His grace (unmerited love, power).  We can pray boldly knowing that God wants to give us all things in Christ including a life which is full. Etc.

I'm not sure what the Baptists believe.  They seem to be a very diverse group and not have one teaching on this.

I know that we differ in that we know that we receive God's Spirit at our baptism at any age.  Since we are baptized into Jesus Christ, this gives us the privileges of God's child even though we are not yet aware of all that this mean.  But then, many if not all, those born again are not aware of all the blessings available to us as God's children.

I hope this helps at least to understand the Lutheran teaching.

John 1:10-13

10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
(from New International Version)


John 3:5-8

5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
(from New International Version)