<> Ask the Pastor Rev. Walter P. Snyder Thank God, it looks like our dry spell is over. All that time without rain and the ban on burning means that folks have a lot of combustible material stored up. After you've read this week's column, you can add it to the burn pile, getting ready for the ban to be lifted (unless you're afraid it's too flammable to burn in the open). Maybe you'd better keep a lot of water on hand, just in case. As usual, these opening comments get us ready for a question. It involves rebirth, new life, baptism (hence, the water), and all sorts of blessings from God - so of course it's controversial (thus, the flammability) and sure to have people approaching it from all directions. Q: What is meant by "born again," and who or what is a "Born Again Christian?" A: I've actually heard this question twice in the past ten days or so, from completely different sources on both sides of the Neches. In an election year, with the political activity of certain groups, such as the Christian Coalition, "born again" is heard even more than usual in general conversation. The phrase comes to us from John 3:3: "Jesus answered and said to [Nicodemus], Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'" Peter's first epistle also speaks of the believers as those who are "born again." Nicodemus' initial reaction to Jesus' words was confusion: "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" His confusion pales when we look at how different churches today interpret these words and this concept. Huge portions of Christendom accuse even larger segments of not being reborn, or of not understanding their rebirth. Others point fingers and say, "You are making the actions of God into the reactions of humans." Millions of people who are considered to be among the "reborn" by some church bodies are not thought of that way by others. How do we sort all of this out? Once again, my answer is, "Go to the Bible." Yes, there's going to be disagreement, but nothing less than God's Word has any chance of overcoming our differences. Much of the varied opinion centers on the same arguments we discussed concerning Original Sin and Baptism, so I won't go back through all of that. Essentially, what we have is the question, "Is rebirth my committing myself to God or is it God committing Himself to me?" Much of what is lumped together under the term "Protestant" or "Evangelical" will say that human response to the divine invitation defines the moment when one is born again. Most believe that all the preliminary work is done by God's Word and Spirit, but that it is the human "yes" to the Lord's promises that complete the rebirth. Water baptism then becomes a sign or token of the believer's commitment. Charismatic, Pentecostal, or Holiness churches often start with this concept, but add that full rebirth is finally reckoned from a time of deeper commitment or the first manifestation of one or more signs or gifts. Most common among these is probably "speaking in tongues," although others are also recognized. Jesus says in John 3:5, "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." This is often understood to mean two separate baptisms, or that Spirit baptism completes the believer's water baptism, finalizing the rebirth. In the rest of Christianity - including Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism, Anglican-Episcopalianism, and part or all of several other bodies - being born again is defined as that point where a sinner is saved by the work of God's Word and Holy Spirit apart from human effort. Normally, it is considered to be baptismal regeneration, as Paul writes in Titus 3:5-6, "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior." This regenerative washing is viewed by these Christians as being God's blessing to young and old alike, so members of these bodies would normally date their rebirth from whenever they were baptized as infants, when the Holy Spirit then took up residence in them. Those who came to faith as adults reckon rebirth from whenever it was that they first believed and trusted in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior from sin and became the Spirit's temples. Often, they don't know *when* they were born again, but their faith in Jesus tells them that they certainly *were* reborn. Until next week, when we enjoy more of your questions, remember to "Ask the Pastor" at P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; e-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or catch me around town. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1996 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.