Born again Christian... any questions?

[HmmGrey]

Just that really. I came to faith last summer and it wasn’t in my plans. I was spiritual previously.

If there’s anything you would like to know then ask away

How did you come to faith ? Was it gradual or sudden ?

@Meadowland I came to faith through the spirit so it was quite sudden. I didn’t realise what was happening really. Now I look back with hindsight and it is clear. I can see each stage.

I’d been living with a secret and God had exposed the truth to me. I ended up going through therapy and I encountered God during that time.

Has this been an inner process, of feelings and realisations, or have you experienced any phenomena?

Can I ask if you were suffering addiction?

@Giggorata

A real mixture. So many revelations, a complete overhaul of my character, how I think etc. I’ve had some real WOW moments, when I’ve encountered Jesus.

I can share more if you would like some examples

@Spied

I was sexually abused as a child. God used my children to reveal the truth to me. I didn’t realise it was Him at the time. I’d been living in fear, wondering what if the same happens to them. (My mother wasn’t aware of what happened to me) He made me realise I wasn’t to blame and guided me into therapy.

Sorry if that’s a little heavy but I want to be upfront and as honest as possible.

Thankyou for sharing OP

I'd love to hear some of your experiences of how you have encountered God.

Lovely to share your testimony. I just want to be clear that all Christians are born again, it's a basic part of Christian theology and an overly misused term. I know what you mean of course

@Spied

When I first started reading the Bible, I immediately realised I was reading the truth. So I was trying to read whenever I could. I’d been reading all throughout the day, and then I was up late the same evening reading. God spoke to me and it thundered through my body. He said “pay for their belief” I had no idea what it meant but it so powerful. I know that it was the Father. I haven’t experienced His voice like that since.

When I first came to faith. I’d been reading the Bible (Old Testament) for a few weeks. I understood who Jesus was but I did really get it. A movie called The Passion of Christ kept cropping up online, on various platforms or in sermons. (Lockdown life ) I decided I was going to watch the movie and it lead to be repenting and being saved that night. It was Jesus helping me reach Him because, I was going to be in the Old Testament for a while!

I volunteered for a homeless charity at Christmas. I was tasked with delivering care packages. A woman, I had been assigned was quite unsettled and emotional. I heard “tell her Jesus loves her” I was saved last summer and hadn’t shared my faith like that before. I hesitated but I went for it and told her. She then proceeded to tell me that, she had just been praying waiting for a sign from God. There He was (through me). I got the privilege of seeing her again, a week later. The difference in her countenance was night and day.

He’s given me prophetic word to share with others. Waiting for the outcome currently.

I attended Alpha through my local church and encountered the Holy Spirit. I was prayed for and I felt a weight descend on my heart and fall into my stomach. The leader of the group asked if I was ok. When I tried to open my mouth, I started crying and then ended up in hysterical laughter. It was overwhelmingly emotional and amazing.

My most recent was with a new friend. I’ve struggled with trust all my life-I’ve rejected or purposely messed up, every friendship that’s come along. I hadn’t had a real friend in 10 years. I met with a woman who had recently joined the church. She was longing for healing so I shared what God had done for me. It has turned into the most amazing friendship. The amount of similarities are hilarious. We laugh about it frequently. It’s so surreal! We’re in contact everyday. It’s only been a month but it feels like a lifetime.

@PurBal

I respectively disagree I’ve encountered many people that call themselves Christians but don’t have a relationship with Jesus.

People can be brought up in Christian homes and follow the Christian faith that doesn’t mean they have been born again. The Holy Spirit descends on a believer once they receive Christ as their saviour and repent. Anyone can call themselves a Christian, it doesn’t mean they have given their life to Christ.

I don't mean to be rude: it sounds like you're describing yourself as a 'better' Christian than people who merely believe as You have a relationship with Jesus. I hadn't realised there was a hierarchy. I was under the impression that everyone can believe in their own way, however their faith 'presents' to them.

@SuperSange

I’m definitely not a ‘better’ Christian. I also don’t believe in a hierarchy. We are all equal. I go by what the Bible says: We all have a relationship with Christ.

I assume you are a believer?

I assume you are a believer?

You say that ' anyone can be a Christian, but not everyone gives their life to Christ'. I'm
sorry but you sound very much like there's a hierarchy. Have you considered that attitudes like that are why people are put off religion? That they won't be good enough, or do it wrong?
I'd live to attend a particular service at my local church, but I went once and can't remember feeling less welcome anywhere. Perhaps that's more a reflection on those individuals, but where was their Christian spirit? Love without judgement? That faith isn't one I recognise or would want to be part of.

@SuperSange

We all should have a relationship with Christ. If we’ve been saved then that’s what is extended to us. Whether it’s conceived in that manner, is different for everyone. If you’ve been born again, then you have a relationship with Jesus

That's amazing re that woman.
Prophetic words also sounds amazing, and also rather psychic. I wasn’t sure if the Church allowed that sort of thing... but maybe God does?

I imagine it's rarer for people not to begin with Jesus? He seems a bit more accessible to me, with his messages of love.

@HmmGrey.
I don't think you are describing yourself as a "better" Christian. I think you are giving an honest account of what happened to you.
Thank you for sharing and I'm glad you have found happiness.
I haven't been through anything like what you have, but when I do experience problems in my life my faith in God gives me so much peace and strength to get through them.

@SuperSange For example, an atheist could say they are a Christian but that doesn’t mean they are. Giving our lives is Christ is denying ourselves worldly things and putting Him first. That’s what I mean by that comment. He want to live out the will of the Father just like Jesus did.

I know what you mean. Your questions are the perfect things to be asking. It’s not about doing it wrong. I still get things wrong frequently but I try not to. It takes time to learn because there are so many layers. No one is good enough that why we need Christ because we are lost in a world of sin.

It’s such a shame and you’re right that sometimes it can be a reflection of the people. Ive heard my local church, was quite an unwelcoming place years ago. I wasn’t a part of it then but things have changed since then. New vicar, new believers etc.

It’s such a shame you’ve had an negative experience with your local church. Christianity is the truth and God loves us. He wants to liberate us. Please don’t give up because of that experience. I know what He did for me and God will do the same for anyone who seeks Him. You can seek Him from the comfort of your own home.

@Giggorata

Thank you. It’s a gift of the spirit. We all have different ones. Just had a quick Google because I’m not that well versed Have a read of 1 Corinthians 12 7-11

I think you’re probably right. My vicar encourages new believers to read New Testament first.

@Meadowland

Thank you for your kind words. He’s right by your side through thick and thin

@HmmGrey

Thank you for that; I was really put off and didn't want to go again. I think we don't have a vicar at the moment, the new one id due in a month I think. I'll try again once they're here. I hadn't considered that they might do things differently.

Glad you've found faith! I have a couple of questions.

What is it that makes you believe in Jesus' resurrection?

Do you believe in evangelising? What do you think of Christians who try to convert people from other religions?

@SuperSange

I’m glad you’re willing to give it another go If you want to dip your toe in meanwhile... There’s an app called the Holy Bible (YouVersion) All the content is free. There’s a daily story from different vicars across the world. Access to many translations of the Bible etc

@TeckanandMultra

Thank you!

I believe the words Jesus spoke about His death and resurrection are true. The written word is living because the word is God. I’ve personally experienced the death to my old self and have welcomed the reality, of being a new creation. The resurrection can appear only physical to some but there was so much happening spiritually. The change for me was spiritual. There’s probably more reasons that I haven’t thought of.

Evangelising... I think Jesus calls us to share the ‘good news’. I also believe we shouldn’t force our ideas, experiences and beliefs upon someone else. We should move with respect and the grace God gives us. I think we should live out our faith and try to represent Jesus, in all we do. I share my faith with non-believers in an organic way. For example: A mum from my daughters school told me her daughter was having night terrors. I said I would pray for her little girl. If she wants to ask me about my faith in the future, then I will happily share but I wouldn’t start preaching at the school gates

Jesus asked far more questions than He answered because He was looking to understand before being understood. I think I’ve got so much to learn from His approach with people.

Other religions... I believe Christianity is the one true religion like the Bible says. I recently spoke to a friend who is a Muslim. We discussed the similarities and differences in our faith. I told him what I believe and we were both respectful of one another. I think we can share with anyone but it should be done respect. It should be thought provoking conversation, rather than trying to convert someone. God calls His children home and we merely plant the seed.

[quote HmmGrey]@PurBal

I respectively disagree I’ve encountered many people that call themselves Christians but don’t have a relationship with Jesus.

People can be brought up in Christian homes and follow the Christian faith that doesn’t mean they have been born again. The Holy Spirit descends on a believer once they receive Christ as their saviour and repent. Anyone can call themselves a Christian, it doesn’t mean they have given their life to Christ.[/quote]
I agree with this statement "Anyone can call themselves a Christian, it doesn’t mean they have given their life to Christ" which is why I thought it important to share the misuse of the phrase "born again". You don't agree with me, and that's ok. I know being "born again" comes with it's own identity, I used to describe myself as a born again Christian too but now I'm content with simply: Christian. I was so excited by faith I did a lot of study but I'm not an expert. I studied theology alongside those training for the ministry (it was a mixed denomination theology college). My understanding of the term shifted as I studied more. To me, theologically, a Christian being "born again" is as fundamental a belief as belief in the Trinity.

@PurBal

I appreciate you sharing your opinion. Using the phrase ‘born again’ was actually purely for this thread. It’s a term, I believe, conveys I haven’t been a Christian all my life or perhaps haven’t always followed Christ. It reads, I’m a new creation (to me). I don’t use in day-to-day life. I’m a Christian.

Your theological perceptive definitely has weight. Although, I find when you try to iron out Christianity, categorising it within denominations and so on; the relationship with Jesus and what He did for us, gets lost in translation. It’s a relationship before a religion. He says in John 3:3 ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God’. The way in which He describes it here, is spiritual rebirth. That’s exactly what I experienced. I’m not defined by the term ‘born again’ but I will use it, to point to my experience with God.

I’m grateful that you’ve taken the time to comment but critiquing my use of language, was quite unhelpful. Let’s build one another up, instead of finding ways to pick