“…Unless a man be born from God, he cannot see the kingdom of God…” –John 3:3
As leader of the Children of God Blood Kin of the Christ Church, or the Simbahang Anak ng Diyos Kadugo Ni Kristo (AND KNK), I received a response to a Facebook post on May 12 that asked, “Have you been born of God?” The message was sent to me by Pastor Ver Medina, who went on to say, “A person needs to be born again so he can be considered as having been chosen by God.”
AND KNK has already looked into this assertion and came to its own conclusion. In the discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus, as recorded in John 3, did Jesus really say “born again?” Accordingly, AND KNK is not a “born again” congregation but, according to John 1:12-13, it is born “from above,” or (more appropriately) from God. Members are not considered “born again,” but “born of God.”
Jesus did not use the words ‘Born Again’
What is the basis of the AND KNK doctrine? According to John 3:3, Jesus instructed Nicodemus on how man can enter the kingdom of heaven. In the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible, essentially, the “Born Again Bible,” it is said for man to enter the heaven, they must be “born again;” unfortunately, that is a flawed translation.
The NIV admits the flawed translation by including a footnote regarding the term “born again.” Read John 3:3 very carefully and that footnote will stand out. At the bottom of the text, it admitted, what Jesus really said was not “born again,” but “born from above,” or “born of God.”
Being ‘born again’ does not guarantee salvation
John 1:12-13 says, “Those who receive and have faith in Jesus become children of God, who are then born from God.” Therefore, it is clear, in order for man to enter the kingdom of God, they must be born from God – not born again. This is even more significant considering, when man is really sinful (as explained in Romans 3:23 and Genesis 6:7), they can be “born again” a million times over and remain one who is full of sin.
Given the defective translation of John 3:3 in the NIV – understanding “born again” is not what Jesus meant and that being “born again” does not really mean salvation – what is necessary is for man to be “born of God.” That is what AND KNK preaches.
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If anyone would like to ask me questions about the burning issues of the day, what we have discussed here, or to consult on a problem, please call 0917-984-2468, email at batasmauricio@yahoo.com, or post your concerns at facebook.com/attybatas. Promise, I will answer right away. Thank God in the Name of Jesus, Amen!/WDJ