Joshua Bennett
The term born again is used by several Christian denominations, but there are disagreements on what the term means, and whether members of other denominations are justified in claiming to be born-again Christians. Catholics and Evangelicals understand the term born again differently. Catholics believe that one is born again through baptism, which can occur when one is an infant or when one converts to Catholicism as an adult. However, Evangelicals believe that one is born again at the first moment of faith in Christ, and that faith in Christ produces regeneration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic Belief | Regeneration (being "born again") is the transformation from death to life that occurs in our souls when we first come to God and are justified. |
| Biblical Reference | The Greek phrase often translated as "born again" (gennatha anothen) occurs twice in the Bible—John 3:3 and 3:7—and there is a question of how it should be translated. |
| Catholic View | Catholics believe in the necessity of being born again through baptism, which is available to those who profess belief and ask for baptism and to infants whose parents' faith leads them to request baptism for their children. |
| Evangelical View | Evangelicals believe that one is born again at the first moment of faith in Christ, and that faith in Christ produces regeneration. |
| Calvinist View | The Calvinist position is the reverse of the Evangelical view, asserting that regeneration precedes and produces faith in Christ. |
| Catholic Criticism | Some argue that Roman Catholic teaching has led many astray, elevating the virgin Mary to a position that undermines the direct priestly ministry of Christ and emphasizing the Mass and the doctrine of purgatory. |
| Catholic Defense | Catholics respond by emphasizing the importance of good works as expressions of faith and viewing baptism as the "born again" experience, while also acknowledging the existence of genuine Christians within the Roman Catholic Church. |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics believe in being born again
Catholics do believe in being born again, but their interpretation of the concept differs from that of other Christian denominations, particularly Evangelicals and Baptists. The term "born again" is derived from the Bible, specifically John 3:3, where Jesus tells Nicodemus that one must be "born again" or "born from above" to see the kingdom of God.
Catholics interpret this to mean that baptism is the act of being born again in water and the Holy Spirit. They believe that through baptism, one is spiritually reborn as a child of God, freed from original sin, and granted eternal life. This belief is supported by early Christian figures such as Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, and Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, who linked baptism with spiritual regeneration.
In contrast, Evangelicals and Baptists have different interpretations. For Evangelicals, being born again is often associated with a personal decision to accept Jesus Christ as one's personal Lord and Savior, and the sacrament of baptism is seen as a ratification of that decision. They may view infant baptism, a common practice in Catholicism, as insufficient for true rebirth. Baptists specifically teach that people are born again when they believe that Jesus died for their sins, was buried, and rose again, granting them eternal life.
The disagreement between Catholics and other denominations often revolves around the role of sacraments, such as baptism, and the interpretation of biblical terms. Catholics emphasize that sacraments are not works of salvation but rather actions of Christ through His Church, pouring out His grace upon sinners. They argue that the Evangelical emphasis on the "sinner's prayer" as a means of salvation is, in fact, a form of ""salvation by works."
Despite these differences in interpretation, there is a shared belief among Catholics and other Christians in the need for spiritual rebirth or regeneration. The understanding and language used to describe this experience may vary, but the core concept of being born again is present in Catholic theology and practice.
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Evangelicals and Catholics disagree on the meaning of being born again
The term "born again" is used by several Christian denominations, but there are disagreements on what the term means. Catholics and Evangelicals understand the term "born again" to mean different things.
Catholics believe that being born again refers to the transformation that God's grace accomplishes during baptism. This is also known as baptismal regeneration, where regeneration occurs at baptism. Catholics believe that the sacraments are the actions of Christ through his Church, pouring out his grace on them as unmerited sinners. This is a continuing action, and Catholics believe that faith is a commitment and continuance in a newly graced way of life.
Evangelicals, on the other hand, believe that being born again is an experience of religious conversion, brought about by a commitment to one's own personal faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. This is often symbolized by water baptism but is not dependent on it. For Evangelicals, the sinner's prayer is an important aspect of being born again. By saying this prayer, the individual repents of their sins and turns to Jesus Christ for salvation. Once the sinner's prayer has been said, the individual has their "ticket to heaven", and nothing else is required.
The disagreement between Evangelicals and Catholics on the meaning of being born again stems from their differing interpretations of the Bible. Catholics point to the Bible's teachings on baptismal regeneration, while Evangelicals emphasize the importance of personal faith and the sinner's prayer.
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Catholics are born again through baptism
The term "born again" is used by several Christian denominations, but there are differing interpretations of what the term means. Catholics and Evangelicals understand the term "born again" differently. Catholics believe that they are "born again" through baptism, which is seen as a spiritual birth. This belief is supported by Martin Luther, who wrote in his "Short Catechism" that baptism "works the forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and grants eternal life to all who believe." This recognition of baptismal regeneration has been preserved by Lutherans and some other Protestant denominations.
The Bible mentions water twice in 1 Peter 3, paralleling baptism with the flood, where eight people were "saved through water," and stating that "baptism now saves you." Cyprian, the bishop of Carthage, also supported this view, stating that becoming Christians and receiving "the baptism of the Church" sanctifies them and makes them "the sons of God."
However, many Protestants have abandoned this biblical teaching, substituting man-made theories on regeneration. There are two main views held by those who deny the scriptural teaching that one is born again through baptism: the Evangelical view, common among Baptists, and the Calvinist view, common among Presbyterians. Evangelicals believe that one is born again at the first moment of faith in Christ, while the Calvinist position holds that regeneration precedes and produces faith in Christ.
The Catholic Church teaches that under special circumstances, the need for water baptism can be superseded by the Holy Spirit in a "Baptism of desire," such as when catechumens die or are martyred before baptism. Pope John Paul II acknowledged the problem of infant baptism, which often occurs without a personal attachment to Jesus Christ. The modern expression "born again" refers to "conversion," which the National Directory of Catechesis defines as "the acceptance of a personal relationship."
While Catholics believe that one does not need to be aware of being "born again" for it to happen through infant baptism, Evangelical Protestants believe that only a mature person capable of making adult decisions can be effectively "baptized." They view accepting Jesus Christ as a personal Lord and Savior as the moment of rebirth, with the sacrament of baptism merely ratifying that decision.
In conclusion, Catholics are considered "born again" through baptism, which is seen as a spiritual rebirth and a transformation that God's grace accomplishes. This belief is supported by biblical passages and early Christian figures. However, it is important to note that other Christian denominations, such as Evangelicals and Calvinists, interpret the term "born again" differently and hold different views on the path to regeneration.
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Catholics believe in the necessity of being born again
The term "born again" is often associated with the biblical passage John 3:3, where Jesus tells Nicodemus that "no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above". The Greek phrase "gennatha anothen," which can be translated as "born again" or "born from above," appears in this passage and is central to the concept of being born again.
Catholics interpret "born again" primarily in the context of baptism. They believe that baptism is the sacrament through which individuals are spiritually born again in water and the Holy Spirit. This belief is supported by early Christian writings, such as those of Irenaeus, Cyprian, and the Catholic Encyclopedia. According to Catholic teaching, baptism washes away original sin, infuses individuals with sanctifying grace, and makes them adopted children of God, heirs to the heavenly kingdom, and members of Christ's mystical body.
In contrast, Evangelicals and Baptists have different interpretations of being born again. Some Evangelicals believe that saying the "sinner's prayer" is sufficient for salvation, without the need for any additional works. They view baptism as a ratification of their decision to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Baptists, specifically, teach that people are born again when they believe in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, and by trusting in Him, they receive eternal life as a gift from God.
The disagreement between Catholics and other denominations arises from their differing interpretations of biblical teachings and the role of sacraments, such as baptism and confession, in the process of salvation. Despite these differences, it is important to recognize that within the Catholic Church, there may be individuals who sincerely embrace Jesus and exhibit a genuine Christian faith, even if their understanding of being "born again" differs from that of other Christian denominations.
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Catholics are born again in water and the Holy Spirit
The term "born again" is used by several Christian denominations, but there are disagreements on what the term means and whether members of other denominations are justified in claiming to be born-again Christians. Catholics and Evangelicals understand the term "born again" differently. Catholics believe that one does not need to be aware of being "born again" for it to happen, as in the case of infant baptism. They believe that a person is born again when they are baptised, either as an infant or when they convert to Catholicism as an adult. This is supported by the Bible, specifically the first three chapters of St. John's Gospel, which are set in the context of baptism.
Baptism is available to those who profess belief and ask for baptism and to infants whose parents' faith leads them to request baptism for their children. Through baptism, Catholics are born again in water and the Holy Spirit. Water is the outward sign that signifies what is taking place spiritually. Spiritually, the soul is cleansed of original sin, then infused with sanctifying grace. The effects of baptism are phenomenal: we become adopted children of God, heirs to the heavenly kingdom, and members of Christ's mystical body, the Church. This is further reinforced in 1 Peter 1:23.
The Catholic Church also teaches that under special circumstances, the need for water baptism can be superseded by the Holy Spirit in a 'Baptism of desire', such as when catechumens die or are martyred before baptism. This is also referred to as conversion, which is defined as "the acceptance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ."
Some argue that the Catholic insistence that justification consists of the infusion of righteousness, which qualifies us to be accepted by God, is not the same as the biblical doctrine of God becoming one hundred per cent for us in the moment when, by faith, we are united with Christ. They also argue that the centrality of the Mass in Catholic practice, where the bread and wine are said to be transubstantiated into the physical body and blood of Jesus, is misleading. In addition, they are concerned about the doctrine of purgatory, where a person after death may be given another chance to bear some punishment.
However, despite these concerns, there are genuine Christians who are devout and inconsistent Roman Catholics. Devout in the sense that they are earnest, serious, and sincere, and inconsistent in the sense that their true heart embrace of Jesus is better than their mental ideas or doctrines.
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Frequently asked questions
Being "born again" refers to the Christian belief that all human beings must be "born again" of the spiritual seed of Christ. This is interpreted as being born of water and the spirit.
Catholics believe that one is "born again" through baptism, which can be performed on infants or adults. They also believe that faith is a commitment and continuance in a newly graced way of life.
Evangelicals believe that one is "born again" at the first moment of faith in Christ, and that faith in Christ produces regeneration. They also believe that baptism is a ratification of that decision. Catholics, on the other hand, believe that regeneration precedes and produces faith in Christ.
