Thanks for posting this :) I ran into this article the other day and wanted to raise some points on the WT propaganda presented.
BEING BORN AGAIN
The Road to Salvation?
HOW would you answer the question, “Are you born again?” Millions of believers around the globe would answer with an emphatic, “Yes!” They believe that being born again is a mark of all true Christians and the only way to salvation. They echo the view of such religious leaders as theologian Robert C. Sproul, who wrote: “If a person is not born again, . . . then he is not a Christian.”
Are you among those who believe that being born again puts you on the road to salvation? If so, you no doubt want to help your relatives and friends to find that road and to start walking on it. For them to do so, however, they need to understand the difference between an individual who is born again and someone who is not. How would you explain to them what it means to be born again?
Many believe that the expression “born again” refers to someone who makes a solemn promise to serve God and Christ and, as a result, is changed from being spiritually dead to being spiritually alive. In fact, a current dictionary defines a born-again individual as “a usually Christian person who has made a renewed or confirmed commitment of faith especially after an intense religious experience.”—Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary—Eleventh Edition.
Would you be surprised to learn that the Bible does not agree with that definition? Would you like to know what God’s Word really teaches about being born again? You will surely benefit from taking a closer look at this subject. Why? Because an accurate understanding of what it means to be born again will affect your life and your expectations for the future.
What Does the Bible Teach?
The only place in the entire Bible where the expression “born again” is found is at John 3:1-12, which describes an intriguing conversation that took place between Jesus and a religious leader in Jerusalem.
T he WT attempts to make being "born again" insignificant.
They ignore this verse at this point which also speaks directly of the term 1 Peter 1:23
However, it is not the term itself which is important but what it describes, becoming a "new creation".
There are numerous references to this metamorphosis or spiritually coming to life 2 Corinthians 5:17 Galatians 6:15 Romans 6:4
Note how Jesus in his discussion with Nicodemus underscored the importance of the new birth. He stated:“Unless anyone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) The words “unless” and “cannot” highlight the necessity of the new birth. To illustrate: If someone says, “Unless the sun shines, there cannot be daylight,” he means that sunshine is absolutely necessary for daylight. In a similar manner, Jesus stated that being born again is absolutely necessary for seeing God’s Kingdom.
The WT is clever here using the example of physical sight to relate to the Kingdom. However, read Jesus' words and it is clear, that is wrong thinking
Luke 17:20-21 (New International Version)
The Coming of the Kingdom of God
20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."
The kingdom of God that is "within you" is where the Holy Spirit dwells John 14 1 Corinthians 6:19 1 Peter 2:5
Since Jesus viewed the new birth as a matter of such great importance, Christians should make sure that they understand this subject accurately. For example, do you think that a Christian can choose to be born again?
Can a person choose to believe? If so, they are born again Romans 10:9-11
Can a person choose to proclaim Jesus as Lord? If so, they are born again 1 Corinthians 12:3
Can a person choose to enter through the narrow gate? If so, they are born again Luke 13:24
Can a person choose to come to Jesus for life? If so, they are born again Luke 18:16 John 5:39-41 Revelation 21:6
The invitation is to all Isaiah 55 Revelation 22:17 2 Peter 3:9
Jesus Christ and a group of fellow rulers chosen from mankind make up God’s Kingdom
Where is the seat of God’s Kingdom? “The kingdom of God” is also called “the kingdom of the heavens,” which shows that Jesus and his fellow kings rule from heaven. (Luke 8:10; Matthew 13:11) Thus, God’s Kingdom is a heavenly government made up of Jesus Christ and a group of fellow rulers chosen from among mankind.
Why did Jesus tell us to pray that the Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven if it it just going to stay there?! Matthew 6:10
Why did Jesus say the Kingdom was within the believer or amongst them on earth and not just in heaven? Luke 17:20-21 Matthew 18:20
Why did Jesus tell the disciples on earth to preach that the Kingdom was at hand? Matthew 10:7
Why did Jesus say that the Kingdom had been advancing since the days of John the Baptist ministry on earth? Matthew 11:12 Luke 16:16
Why did Jesus say the Kingdom had come to the Pharisees through Jesus' work on earth? Luke 11:20
Why did Jesus entrust the preaching of the Kingdom to Christians on earth when He left for heaven? Acts 8:12
There is one Kingdom of God, yes it is in heaven but also currently wherever Jesus is King, i.e. in the hearts of believers who proclaim Him as Lord where His Holy Spirit comes to live.
Yes, one day the Kingdom will be fully on earth as it currently is in heaven. The King of Kings will return physically and literally to earth to take His throne and reign.
Just decide if you want Him as King or you prefer the kingdom of darkness before you meet Him Matthew 8:12 Mark 9:46-48
Blessings,
Stephen
