What is the Meaning of “Born Again?” Part 1

Walking in the water

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Published July 2, 2019

When we see the term “born again” in the Bible, how are we to understand it? There has been a great deal of misunderstanding about this term. In the first of three parts in this series, pastor Rod Reynolds discusses in detail what it means to be born again.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

“What is the Meaning of Born Again? Part 1” by Messenger Church of God released under a Creative Commons [CC BY-ND 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/)]License:
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Biblical Fasting

The calm waters of the Jordan River flow south toward the Dead Sea in the land of Galilee, Israel.

Full Audio of Sermon: Biblical Fasting

Published February 16, 2019
Moses fasted, David fasted, Nehemiah fasted, Daniel fasted, Jesus fasted, as have many other men and women of faith. Jesus said his disciples would fast. But what does it mean to fast from the standpoint of the Bible? Why should one fast? How? How often? Learn the answers to these and other questions as Rod Reynolds discusses Biblical fasting.

“Biblical Fasting” by Messenger Church of God released under a Creative Commons [CC BY-ND 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/)]License:
This image released under a CC cc-by-nc-nd license. Click here for details.

The Two Covenants (Part 4)

What is the nature and effect of sin? Why is the Holy Spirit essential to salvation? How are these questions related to the “Old Covenant” that God made with Israel? Continue reading to find the answers!

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Does God Want People to be Deceived?

Question: I have read the article, “Are ‘Many’ or ‘Few’ Called in this Age?”. One part has me confused. It is Matthew 13:15: “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” (KJV).

I realize they could have seen but their hearts were dull, callous, insensible, their ears hard of hearing, and their eyes closed so they couldn’t see. That part I do understand. The part I don’t understand is the last part: “…lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart and should be converted and I should heal them.” Doesn’t that mean that their ears and eyes could be opened, which would lead them to understand with their heart?

If they were converted, would that mean that they repented and applied God’s law and obeyed Him, and He would heal them? If it isn’t referring to that, then I don’t understand what he was referring to. It sounds like He didn’t want them to understand or change. Would that mean that at times God doesn’t want someone to understand?

I don’t understand. I hope you can explain it for me. Thanks so much. Continue reading

Are the ‘Lost’ Predestined to Hell?

Traditional Christianity has taught that when one dies, whatever judgment awaits him is made and that is final. Some have gone so far as to teach that God chose and “predestined” some for salvation from the beginning of time, and that all others are destined for “hell.” Logically, this would mean many, even the vast majority, of humanity are “predestined” to be sent to hell for eternity (as hell is often imagined). Are the “lost” of this age predestined to eternal torment in hell? Continue reading