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Dec. 8, 2006 I read T. Franks’ “On Being Born Again”. There is a rule in Military Logistics that 70% Supply Accountability is not Supply Accountability. Supply Accountability is 100% one hundred percent of the time. I am not going to speak to being “Born Again” because I have already written much on that subject and everyone here should know where I am as opposed to the article of T. Franks. Here is the Apostle Peter however. You can read his words and determine for yourself where the 30% of Mr. Frank’s inaccuracies are. The scripture, in context and complete is from the book of First Peter Chapter one. “1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus , Galatia , Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia …” (vs.1) First, and importantly, note that Peter is writing to living, breathing, and human-type people. “2Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.” (vs.2) These physical humans are already part of the “elect” and have been “sanctified of the Spirit”. These physical folks are already separated. It is the blood of Jesus that identifies them as “elect”. “3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (vss.3-5) “Hath begotten us again” is a fact that we are already born “again”, sanctified and elect. The resurrection of Jesus is the event that secured this birth into God’s family. Although our inheritance is “reserved in heaven” it is reserved because we are already entitled to it through the promise of God and the resurrection of the Lord. We are “kept by the power of God” and we will not be un-kept. “6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” (vss.6-9) These physical, elect and sanctified individuals are undergoing physical trials. Knowing what they receive when they overcome the trials they can rejoice because they believe the promises of their Lord. “10Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.” (vss. 10-12) The Old Testament Prophets knew of this time. Their message was a message of faith in a Messiah that would come and secure the faith of many living, physical souls. The preaching of the Gospel of Christ brought the blessing of the Holy Spirit. Peter says that the angels desired to know how physical humanity would be drawn into the family of God. The Holy Spirit is the agent of man’s second birth. “13Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (vss. 13-16) The “grace” that is “brought” to the believer is brought “at the revelation of Jesus Christ”. Upon belief it is the grace of God that receives the believer into the Kingdom of God . “17And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” (vss. 17-21) You must never break context or tense with these words. They do not explain a future redemption but a present or current redemption; a redemption already settled by the blood of Jesus. All of that was “foreordained” before God even settled the creation (another time for that one). “22Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides for ever.” (vss.22-23) Peter’s bottom line in here; in context and tense we “are” born again. Peter isn’t writing to spirits or angels, he is writing to living breathing individuals who have expressed their faith in Jesus Christ. The Word of God who is Jesus is the “incorruptible” seed by which believers are born again. “24For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away: 25But the word of the Lord endures for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” (vss.24-25) Men are born again by the word of God; the Gospel, which is preached unto them. There are indeed “born again” people on the earth. Paul wrote: “You hath he made alive who were dead in trespasses and sins” We born again Christians may have once been dead, but hey, I believe the scriptures that explain my rebirth through the Holy Spirit. Just remember: 70% of the story is not the whole story. Scripture has a logical progression to guide one into “all truth”. Context and tense are important. But you are all quite free to make up your own mind. ------------ About the Author: Michael John McCrae has contributed over 500 articles to Useless-Knowledge.com. Email: macswordV@hotmail.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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