Michael Brooks
The concept of being born again is a topic of discussion among Catholics and Protestants. Catholics believe that they are born again through the sacrament of baptism, which involves being reborn as a child of God, receiving forgiveness for original sin, and becoming part of the Church. Protestants, on the other hand, have different interpretations, with Evangelicals believing that being born again is about having faith in Christ and making a personal decision to follow Him, while Calvinists believe that regeneration by God precedes and leads to faith in Christ. The term born again itself is translated from the Greek phrase gennatha anothen, which can also mean from above. This ambiguity in translation adds another layer to the discussion. While Catholics and Protestants may differ in their understanding of being born again, they both agree on the necessity of this rebirth for salvation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholics are born again | Yes |
| Biblical term "born again" | No |
| Greek phrase translated as "born again" | Gennatha anothen |
| Translation of "anothen" | "Again" or "from above" |
| Other terms | Regeneration, new life, circumcision of the heart, new creation |
| Catholic belief | Salvation is a process involving God's grace and human cooperation |
| Protestant belief | Salvation is a one-time event |
| Catholic view of assurance of salvation | Not absolute |
| Evangelical view of born again | First moment of faith in Christ |
| Calvinist view of born again | Regeneration precedes faith in Christ |
| Catholic baptism | Available to believers and infants |
| Catholic baptism for infants | Requires post-baptismal catechumenate |
| Catholic baptism effects | Freed from power of darkness, adopted children of God, heirs to the heavenly kingdom, members of Christ's mystical body |
| Catholic salvation | Through the blood of Christ, gifts of the Holy Spirit |
| Catholic confession | Necessary after infant baptism |
| Catholic confirmation | Adolescence for Western (Latin Rite) Catholics, infancy for Eastern (Byzantine) Catholics |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics are born again through baptism
Catholics and Protestants agree that to be saved, one must be born again. However, the two denominations have different interpretations of what it means to be "born again". For Catholics, being "born again" refers to the transformation that occurs during baptism, where one is reborn as a child of God and receives forgiveness for original sin. This belief is supported by the Bible, specifically John 3:3, where Jesus says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." The Greek phrase "gennatha anothen", which can be translated as "born again" or "from above", appears in this verse and John 3:7.
Catholics believe that baptism is a sacrament, an action of Christ through his Church, where God's grace is poured out upon sinners. They view salvation as a gift from God that cannot be earned through works but is instead received through faith and baptism. This is in contrast to the Evangelical Protestant view, where being "born again" often refers to a person's decision to believe in Jesus Christ and accept him as their personal Lord and Savior. For Evangelicals, the sacrament of baptism merely ratifies this decision and is not necessary for salvation.
The Catholic teaching on being "born again" is clear: it occurs through baptism. This is supported by the Bible, specifically John 3:5, which states, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." Through baptism, Catholics are spiritually born or "born again" in water and the Holy Spirit. They become adopted children of God, heirs to the heavenly kingdom, and members of Christ's mystical Body, the Church.
While Catholics and Protestants may disagree on the specifics of being "born again", both denominations agree on the importance of salvation and the need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The term "born again" may not be commonly used by Catholics, but the concept of rebirth and transformation through baptism is central to their faith.
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Protestants believe in being born again but not through baptism
The term "born again" is used by several Christian denominations, including Catholics and Protestants, but there are disagreements on what the term means and whether members of other denominations are justified in claiming to be born-again Christians.
Baptists teach that people are born again when they start believing that Jesus "died for their sins", was buried, and rose again, and that by believing/trusting in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, eternal life shall be granted as a gift by God.
Evangelicals claim that one is born again at the first moment of faith in Christ. According to this theory, faith in Christ produces regeneration. They believe that sacraments like baptism are the actions of Christ through his Church, pouring out his grace on them as unmerited sinners.
Catholics, on the other hand, believe that they are born again through baptism. They believe that baptism is a sacrament, an outward expression of an inward commitment to serve God and live a righteous life. They believe that being born again is a transformation that God's grace accomplishes in them during baptism. Catholics argue that Protestants have not been born again "the Bible way" if they have not been properly water baptized.
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Catholics believe in salvation through the blood of Christ
The Catholic Church teaches that salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone, who is the "one mediator between God and man". Catholics believe that they were saved, are being saved, and will be saved, provided they persevere in faith and good works.
Catholics believe that they are saved by God's grace alone, which is accessible through repentance, faith, and baptism. They believe that they are born again through baptism, which is a transformation accomplished by God's grace. This is in contrast to the Evangelical view, where being born again is often associated with a "'decision for Christ' and saying the "sinner's prayer". Catholics view this as a "'salvation by works'", as it involves an action by the individual. However, Catholics argue that their emphasis on sacraments and good works is a response to God's grace, and that even their obedience is impossible without God's grace.
The Catholic belief in salvation is closely tied to the Mass, where the bread and wine are believed to become the physical body and blood of Jesus, bringing salvation by the entering of Christ into the believer. This belief in transubstantiation is a point of concern for some, who see it as contradicting Scripture and leading people astray.
While the term "'born again' is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the concept of new birth or regeneration is described in various passages, such as receiving new life (Romans 6:4) and becoming a "new creation" (2 Corinthians). Catholics interpret being born again as a reference to the transformation that occurs during baptism, while others, like Evangelicals, may interpret it as the moment of faith in Christ.
In conclusion, Catholics do believe in salvation through the blood of Christ, but their understanding of how this salvation is achieved differs from other Christian interpretations, particularly in their emphasis on baptism, sacraments, and good works as a response to God's grace.
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Protestants believe in salvation by faith alone
Protestants believe that salvation is by faith alone, apart from works. This belief is based on their interpretation of the New Testament, specifically Paul's writings in Romans 3 and 4, where he argues that since salvation is based on faith alone, it cannot be boasted about. According to them, a Christian loses salvation not by failing to do good works but by ceasing to have faith in Christ.
This view, known as "sola fide," was popularized by Martin Luther during the Protestant Reformation, becoming a rallying cry for Lutheranism and distinguishing it from Catholicism. Luther added the word "alone" to his translation of Romans 3:28, emphasizing the Protestant belief in salvation by faith alone: "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."
The doctrine of sola fide, or justification by faith alone, has been a subject of controversy within Protestantism, with different interpretations held by various Protestant denominations. For instance, while Lutheran and Reformed Protestants adhere to sola fide, Anabaptists emphasize "faith that works," arguing that justification is a dynamic process by which believers partake of Christ's nature and are enabled to live like Him. Methodist doctrine, on the other hand, affirms justification by faith but holds that holy living and Christian perfection are essential for salvation.
The debate around sola fide also involves the comparison between Protestant and Catholic beliefs. Catholics argue that Protestants have led people away from the true Church, jeopardizing their eternal salvation. They believe that salvation is initiated by faith but maintained through good works. Catholics also critique the Protestant emphasis on the "sinner's prayer" as a form of "work" for salvation, while Protestants counter that Catholic sacraments, such as baptism, are also works.
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Catholics believe in the doctrine of purgatory
Catholics believe that the doctrine of purgatory has existed since before the time of Christ. They believe that it was practised by Jews during the time of the Maccabees and is still retained by Orthodox Jews today, who recite a prayer known as the Mourner's Kaddish for eleven months after the death of a loved one so that the loved one may be purified.
The doctrine of purgatory is also supported by early Christian writings outside the New Testament, such as the Acts of Paul and Thecla and the Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity, which refer to the Christian practice of praying for the dead. This indicates that early Christians believed in purgatory, even if they did not use that specific term.
According to the Catholic Church, purgatory is a place where souls are helped by the prayers of the faithful and the Sacrifice of the Altar. Augustine, an early Christian theologian, believed that punishment in purgatory is temporary and will cease, at least by the Last Judgment.
The doctrine of purgatory is rejected by some Protestant churches, who argue that it is not explicitly mentioned in the biblical canon. However, some Protestant denominations, such as Lutheran Churches, do teach the existence of an intermediate state, which they call Hades.
In conclusion, Catholics believe in the doctrine of purgatory as a place of purification and temporary punishment for souls before they can enter heaven. This belief is supported by early Christian writings, the practices of Jews before and after Christ, and the teachings of the Catholic Church. While it is rejected by some Protestant churches, others acknowledge the concept of an intermediate state after death.
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Frequently asked questions
Being born again refers to the transformation that God’s grace accomplishes in an individual. It is a new birth phenomenon, described as receiving new life, becoming a new creation, and being adopted as a child of God.
Catholics are born again through baptism, which is available to those who profess belief and ask for baptism, as well as infants whose parents request baptism for them. This belief is based on the Bible, specifically John 3:3, where Jesus says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Catholics and Protestants have different interpretations of being born again. For Catholics, baptism is the act of being born again, and it is followed by other sacraments such as Confession and Confirmation. Protestants, specifically Evangelicals, believe that being born again occurs at the first moment of faith in Christ, and it is often associated with saying the "sinner's prayer" and going forward to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.
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