|
Hi, Gerard —
Thanks for the question.
Jesus is speaking of Baptism. Notice
that He adds that we must be born
of Water and the Spirit.
Historically, the Church has understood
this text as a reference to Baptism.
Now, the Church also recognizes that
sometimes Baptism is not possible.
For that reason, the Church understands
that there is such a thing as Baptism
of Desire and also Baptism
by Blood for martyrs who died
for the faith before they had been
baptized.
No where, does this text say anything
about accepting Jesus as personal
Lord and Savior.
That would make being Born Again
a human work — something
we do in order to gain entrance into
Heaven whereas in Baptism, the Holy
Spirit acts and brings about the
New Birth.
Grace always precedes faith and the
normative manner that grace is dispensed
is through the Church and the Sacraments.
That doesn't mean people can't have
legitimate conversion experiences
that begin life-changing transformations.
The Church recognizes and prays for
them but we don't confuse subjective,
emotional responses [from a congregation] to a high-charged,
emotional appeal of a preacher with the
New Birth which normally comes with
Baptism.
We don't become Christians.
Christianity is something given to
us by Grace through the instrument
that Christ left on Earth known as
the Church.
In addition, just because one is
Born Again, doesn't mean they are
guaranteed Heaven. Jesus told Nicodemus,
who was not born again, that
he needed to be. (John 3:1-5) That's like telling
a 6- year-old who wants to grow up
to be doctor and refuses to go to
school, that if he or she wants to
be a doctor, they have to go to school.
One can't become a doctor without
going to school but going to school
is just the start. It doesn't guarantee
the person will persevere until he
or she becomes a doctor. The same
holds with Baptism. It is, under
normal circumstances, a prerequisite.
It is the normal way of being born
again, and of receiving the Holy
Spirit.
Salvation is not a one time static
event. It is a process. It is a work
of Grace from beginning to end with
which we cooperate using our free
will. At the same time, it is a Sovereign
act of God to which we surrender.
St. Paul put it this way to the
Romans:
11 But
if the Spirit of Him who raised
Jesus from the dead dwells in
you, He who raised Christ from
the dead will also give life to
your mortal bodies through His
Spirit who dwells in you.12 Therefore,
brethren, we are debtors — not
to the flesh, to live according
to the flesh. 13 For
if you live according to the flesh
you will die; but if by the Spirit
you put to death the deeds of
the body, you will live.
Romans 8:11-13
Finally, Jesus died for the sins
of every man, woman, and child, who
ever lived. That means he offers
salvation to everyone; so while we
profess and believe that Baptism
is required to enter the Kingdom
of Heaven, we also know that God
is not limited to what He has limited
us to preach and do. He can save
anyone who cries out to Him in ways
known only to Himself. It is possible
for anyone of any faith to be saved
but it won't be because they are
a good person or because they followed
their religion. We are all saved
by Grace, through Faith but not all
of us know or understand the Gospel so God judges according to how a
person responds to the Grace given
them.
If a Buddhist, Muslim, or Hindu
is saved, it is because Jesus Christ
died for their sins so (he or she) is
saved by Jesus even if they don't
know Jesus in this life.
John
|
