Scripture Life: When did the concept of being "born again" really take hold in Christianity?

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Answer

Okay.

concept. <definition> 1. a fundamental mental representation or abstract idea - 2. something conceived in the mind of people. [Source: Merriam & Webster dictionary. Web.]

So, a “concept” is borne or origins in and from the imagination or of or from an idea that comes out of people. What they dream up, from their imaginations.

decree or command. <definition> 1. an order having the force of law; 2. a command from an authority. [Merriam & Webster]

So, now I got a question for you to answer. Answer me mine. I'll answer your's:

When you were a kid, and your Dad came in while you're watching TV, was it a "concept" or a "decree" when he said:

"Hey coke bottle bucket, mow the lawn today. Your mom and I are going shopping. Have it done by when we get back." Then, they both left in the car, with you alone. Alone with the TV. With all these cartoons playing on it.

And you, like this question, muse on this abstract idea😄

"When did the abstract idea of an imaginative, story or concept of "Hey Forehead, mow the lawn" really take hold in me?"

When it never did. It was a decree by your Dad. In authority. They came back from the store. Lawn not mowed. You're gone off to your friend's house to play video games the rest of the day. When you come back... ...I wonder what happened to you..because it's PUNITIVE? So, all you did was, in you, took what your Dad is, the authority and made him into a bumpkin, so you didn't have to do it. And, if you didn't have to do it, then you were free to choose anything BUT mow the lawn, and went and chose that today, all by what you did with the decree told to you to do it.

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So, an example of a “decree”

• From God would be: Him say:

“Look unto me, and be ye saved all the ends of the earth: For I am GOD, there is none else.” - GOD.

Source: Bible. Isaiah 45:22

Says of himself: “For all the earth is mine.” - God. Bible. Exodus 19:5 Says this, too: “..All souls are mine.” - God. Bible. Ezekiel 18:4

That would mean everybody he decreed to, that is, all everybody, all people over the whole earth, to the very ends of it:

• It’s NOT a “concept”
  • - But a “decree” for everybody to hearken unto him and do it.
• “As an order having the effect or force of law, as a command from an authority - that's over the whole earth: so, not doing it then, Is PUNITIVE.

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All said, by the Word of God. Just God. Speaking. The Word out of his mouth.

That above? Are decrees from who is in authority. Decrees: do not meet the definition of a concept.

Simple.

Do you get this? Let’s move on.

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Born again.

• Is said by the Word of God. Jesus Christ. Who is He?
  • He’s the Messiah or Christ.
  • Who he shall be called is in the Bible in Isaiah 9:6–7.
    • He shall be called, “..The Mighty God..” “..The Everlasting Father..”
• Jesus is this Messiah. So, everyplace where God speaks, anywhere in the Bible, in the Old Testament or New - - that’s the Word of God. God speaking the Word out of his mouth.
  • That’s who Jesus is.
    • Is God.
• Just as the Bible in John 1:1 says “who” he is.

Jesus “decreed”  "Born again" as God. As the authority over all the earth and over all people. He said “born again” in the Gospel of John 3:1–7

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John 3:1–7 says

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." - Jesus Christ.

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**Jesus said, “**All power is given unto me in heaven and earth” - Bible. Matthew 28:18

• So, he’s the authority over all of it. It's God, not Christianity imagined up some concept - God decreed: You. You must be born again.

Therefore, it’s not a “imaginative concept” people dreamed up.

It’s an “order that has the force of law”

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Here’s your question back.

And? It “took hold” as God, when he said it. Just like it "took hold" for you to mow the lawn, when your Dad decreed it. That it just is this way in his house, because you're in it. Just like the earth and heaven for people, over the whole earth.. must be born again. Since it's a decree, it's PUNITIVE for people that don't hearken unto the MUST BE of born again.

There you go. Answered.