{"id":200,"date":"2025-05-02T02:32:04","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T02:32:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theologyinsights.com\/?p=200"},"modified":"2025-07-24T09:06:44","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T09:06:44","slug":"born-again-salvation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theologyinsights.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/02\/born-again-salvation\/","title":{"rendered":"Born again + salvation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Questions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Is salvation about my decision, or God&#8217;s action?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Am I born again by saying a sinners prayer and accepting in my heart that Jesus is my saviour?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is Baptism required for salvation?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Are we \u201cborn again\u201d from:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Faith alone (the moment we decide to follow Christ) <\/summary>\n<ul>\n<li>John 3:3\u20135 NIV. <em>&#8220;Jesus replied, \u201cVery truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.\u201d \u201cHow can someone be born when they are old?\u201d Nicodemus asked. \u201cSurely they cannot enter a second time into their mother\u2019s womb to be born!\u201d Jesus answered, \u201cVery truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.&#8221;<\/em><br><br>Jesus links being born again not just to belief, but to water and Spirit\u2014a strong allusion to baptism, according to nearly all early Church Fathers.<br>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>John 1:12\u201313 NIV. <em>&#8220;Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God\u2014children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband\u2019s will, but born of God.&#8221;<\/em><br> <br>This says they are given the right to become children\u2014not that it automatically happens the moment they believe.<br>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Romans 10:9\u201310 NIV. <em>&#8220;If you declare with your mouth, \u201cJesus is Lord,\u201d and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.&#8221;<\/em><br><br>It shows that belief and confession are essential to salvation. This doesn\u2019t exclude baptism, which Paul elsewhere says is how we are \u201cburied with Christ\u201d and \u201craised to new life\u201d (Rom 6:3\u20134 NIV. <em>&#8220;Or don\u2019t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.&#8221;<\/em>).<br>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Baptism (the moment we are freed from original sin, become a member of the body of Christ, receive the Grace of justification and adoption)<\/summary>\n<ul>\n<li>The New Testament <strong>explicitly<\/strong> says baptism is the moment of new birth (regeneration) and adoption (sons of God). <br><br>Galatians 3:26\u201327 NIV. <em>&#8220;So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.&#8221;<\/em><br><br>Titus 3:5\u20137 NIV. <em>&#8220;he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.&#8221;<\/em><br>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Baptism is how we are joined to the Body of Christ, which is the Church. <br><br>1 Corinthians 12:13 NIV. <em>&#8220;For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body\u2014whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free\u2014and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.&#8221;<\/em><br>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Baptism is clearly tied to the forgiveness of sins, which includes both original sin and personal sin, especially for adults. <br><br>Acts 2:38 NIV. <em>&#8220;Peter replied, \u201cRepent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.&#8221;<\/em><br>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Edge cases<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>The thief on the cross<\/summary>\n<ul>\n<li>Luke 23:42-43 NIV. <em>&#8220;Then he said, \u201cJesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.\u201d Jesus answered him, \u201cTruly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise&#8221;.&#8221;<\/em><br><br>The thief was not baptized, nor did he have the opportunity to perform good works or participate in the church. His salvation appears to hinge on:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Faith and Repentance<\/strong>: He expresses faith in Jesus\u2019 kingship and acknowledges his own sinfulness, showing a heart of repentance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Divine Mercy<\/strong>: Jesus, as the one with authority to grant salvation, extends grace in this unique moment.<br><br>This suggests that in extraordinary circumstances, where baptism or works are impossible, sincere faith and repentance can suffice for salvation, particularly when directly affirmed by Christ.<br>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Zacchaeus<\/summary>\n<ul>\n<li>Luke 19:9 NIV. <em>&#8220;Jesus said to him, \u201cToday salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.&#8221;<\/em><br><br>Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector, seeks to see Jesus and hosts Him. He pledges to give half his possessions to the poor and repay fourfold anyone he defrauded (Luke 19:8). Jesus declares, \u201cToday salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham\u201d (Luke 19:9).<br><br>The text does not mention baptism or an explicit confession of faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Instead, salvation is linked to:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Repentance and Restitution<\/strong>: Zacchaeus\u2019 actions demonstrate a transformed heart, aligning with Old Testament calls to repentance and justice (e.g., Leviticus 6:1\u20135).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Faith Implied<\/strong>: His eagerness to see Jesus and willingness to host Him suggest an openness to Jesus\u2019 message, which may imply faith.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jesus\u2019 Authority<\/strong>: Jesus\u2019 pronouncement indicates that He recognizes Zacchaeus\u2019 heart and grants salvation.<br><br>Salvation here is tied to a demonstrable change in behavior (fruits of repentance, cf. Matthew 3:8) and Jesus\u2019 direct affirmation, even without explicit mention of baptism or a formal confession.<br>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Scripture suggests that while faith and baptism are the normative means of salvation, edge cases like the thief on the cross and Zacchaeus demonstrate that God can grant salvation based on:<\/summary>\n<ul>\n<li>Sincere faith and repentance (thief on the cross).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Demonstrable repentance and transformation (Zacchaeus).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Divine mercy in extraordinary circumstances (Cornelius, Old Testament figures).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>God\u2019s judgment of the heart and available revelation (those without access to baptism or full knowledge).<br>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Early Church Fathers<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Justin Martyr (c. 100\u2013165)<\/summary>\n<ul>\n<li><em>\u201cThey are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated\u2026 This washing is also called illumination, because they who learn these things are illuminated in their understandings.\u201d<\/em> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.newadvent.org\/fathers\/0126.htm\">First Apology, 61<\/a>)<br><br>Justin teaches that baptism is not symbolic\u2014it is the moment of regeneration and spiritual illumination, meaning it is necessary to enter the life of grace and salvation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130\u2013202)<\/summary>\n<ul>\n<li><em>\u201cFor as we are lepers in sin, we are made clean, by means of the sacred water and the invocation of the Lord\u2026 Being baptized, we are made clean.\u201d<\/em> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.newadvent.org\/fathers\/0134.htm\">Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenaeus, 34<\/a>)<br><br>Irenaeus ties cleansing from sin directly to baptism. This shows baptism is not just symbolic but an essential, grace-giving act.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Hippolytus of Rome (c. 170\u2013235)<\/summary>\n<ul>\n<li><em>\u201cThe Father of immortality sent the immortal Son and Word into the world\u2026 who came to man in order to wash him with water and the Spirit\u2026 in order that we might be born again and obtain eternal life.\u201d<\/em> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.newadvent.org\/fathers\/0523.htm\">Discourse on the Holy Theophany, 8<\/a>)<br><br>Baptism is presented as the way to be born again and to receive eternal life\u2014a direct tie to John 3:5. It is portrayed as salvific and essential.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Origen (c. 185\u2013254)<\/summary>\n<ul>\n<li><em>\u201cThe Church received from the apostles the tradition of giving baptism even to infants\u2026 the stains of birth are washed away by the sacrament of baptism.\u201d<\/em> (Homilies on Leviticus, 8:3)<br><br>Comment (excluding infant focus): Origen clearly believes baptism washes away sin and is necessary to be spiritually clean. This reflects the view that baptism is the point of entry into salvation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>My Conclusion:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Is salvation primarily about my response to God (faith)? Or is it primarily about God&#8217;s action through Grace and Sacraments\/Baptism?\n<ul>\n<li>Although salvation cannot come without faith, Scripture never says that a private, one-time decision to \u201caccept Jesus\u201d is the moment of being born again.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Faith is completed and made effective through baptism, where the person is actually born again and made a child of God.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exceptions like Zacchaeus and the thief on the Cross emphasise God\u2019s grace and sovereignty, but they do not negate the importance of baptism (Matthew 28:19\u201320).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Questions: Are we \u201cborn again\u201d from: Edge cases: Early Church Fathers: My Conclusion:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theologyinsights.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/200"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theologyinsights.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theologyinsights.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theologyinsights.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theologyinsights.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=200"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/theologyinsights.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/200\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":207,"href":"https:\/\/theologyinsights.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/200\/revisions\/207"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theologyinsights.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=200"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theologyinsights.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=200"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theologyinsights.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=200"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}