Torah Observant Apostolic’s Official Position on the Meaning of “Born Again”

by Pastor CW Mayberry

What is Born Again?

We as Covenant Apostolics believe in the Born-again experience described in John 3:1-8 and demonstrated in Acts 2:1-4, Acts 10:44-48, and Acts 19:5-6.

Some seeking to redefine Born Again have used the underlying Greek language to support their definition of the term and relegate it to a yet future date, namely the second coming.

Greek, like many other languages, often gives broad definitions to individual words. It is our opinion that some have used the narrowest possible definition in order to strengthen their position and force the verse to fit their narrative. We find this to be intellectually dishonest, to say the least.

The Greek word translated to “Born Again” is gennaō.

g1080. γεννάω gennaō; from a variation of 1085; to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate: — bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceive, be delivered of, gender, make, spring.

We believe that the term Born again refers to the regeneration or reconstitution of the soul. It is the spiritual relationship between God and the individual to a state like that of Adam prior to the fall in Genesis 3.

Although we have not published the full definition of g1080 gennao you will find that the definition is much broader than our detractors would have you to believe.

We believe that the term Born Again refers to an experience that effects the individual in this present life and does so immediately upon the baptism of the spirit.

We have identified an abundance of scripture to support our position. Among them are several key verses.

³¹ And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: ³² But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Luke 22:31-32

¹² But as many as received him, to them gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: ¹³ Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:12-13

Note in verse 13 that the timeframe is past tense, and the word born in the Greek is g1080 gennao. We can provide pages of such examples.

Filled With the Spirit and Speaking in Tongues

We believe that the only sign or evidence that an individual has received the baptism of the spirit is the phenomenon of speaking in tongues

⁴⁵ those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

Acts 10:45-46

g1100. γλῶσσα glōssa; of uncertain affinity; the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired): — tongue.

Nowhere in scripture is any other sign, miracle, or phenomenon offered as proof or evidence that an individual has received the baptism or infilling of the Holy Ghost/Ruach Hakodsh.

Many would attempt to say that the fruits of the spirit are evidence of the baptism of the spirit, but no Apostle ever makes such a statement.

Why is this important?

There are grave consequences for misrepresenting the scriptures. It is even more iniquitous to teach these things, purporting them to be truth.

¹⁸ How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. ¹⁹ These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

Jude 1:18-19

The Apostle is not speaking of non-believers. He is speaking of those who say they believe but have not received the baptism of the spirit and in fact have disdain for the experience.

How could this possibly be? It is a common progression that takes place when spirit-filled believers and groups begin to move away from the foundational principles of scripture. It is the result of compromise.

You will find this dynamic at work in many Pentecostal groups that have backed away from holiness standards. Fewer and fewer of their children and grandchildren have received the baptism of the spirit. They begin by making statements like tongues aren’t the only evidence of the baptism of the spirit. A generation later they will begin to say that the baptism of the spirit is a gift that some receive while others do not.

⁸ The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit

John 3:8

The word for wind is g4151. πνεῦμα pneuma; from 4154: spirit, the word for sound is g5456. φωνή phōnē; tone, language or voice.

it is the voice of the spirit speaking out of every individual who receives the baptism of the spirit. It is a confirmation for those seeking the baptism of the spirit as well as those who discipline them. It is a safeguard against corruption.

We understand that there will be sincere individuals who have difficulty receiving the baptism of the Ruach Hakodsh. This is usually due to spiritual issues, psychological blocks, or bad instruction. These things are easily dealt with, and we do not discount these people.

You Must be Born Again (before the Second Coming)

There are those that teach that the term born again should only be used to describe the verses of 1 Corinthians 15:50-52. the very simple fact is that these verses are speaking of the change of the physical state of the believer who has already been Born again.

⁵⁰ Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, ⁵² In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:50-52

The reconstitution of the soul is of paramount importance. The exchange of this present body or state of being will no doubt be glorious, but it is still the exchange of one body for another.

² For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. ²³ And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Romans 8:22-23

The soul has already been regenerated or reconstituted, what we need now is a body that is in agreement with the new man living within it.

²¹ I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. ²² For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: ²³ But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴ O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? ²⁵ I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Romans 7:21-25

The alternate teaching undermines the fundamental Apostolic beliefs regarding salvation. It erodes the very meaning of Acts 2:38 and other scripture that describes the biblical Born Again experience.

We are dealing with the spirit of Antichrist. This movement to change the definition of Born Again is demonic in origin. It is promoted by those who have already begun to move away from core Apostolic principles. Naturally, they will claim they affirm the baptism of the spirit but give them a generation and you will see that they have followed the path of so many others who strayed from biblical truth.

There is no new thing under the sun.

The truth is, we don’t have a generation to give them because it means sacrificing our children and grandchildren on the altar of apathy.

If you find yourself in this situation, get up and walk out. We are not going to go quietly into the night. We are rising and we will fight this corruption of Apostolic principles tooth and nail.

These groups are using your anointing to empower their agenda. And counting on your ignorance to blindly comply.

Remember, the serpent was the most subtle beast in the field – and it was in the garden.

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