Is there re-birth?

To the question, "Is there re-birth?" The answer is "No!"

What is re-birth? Let us look at what Wikipedia says

Rebirth can refer to a number of different concepts within spirituality, depending on the school of thought. Hinduism and Buddhism, which both share roots with yogic philosophy, teach about rebirth.

In Hinduism, rebirth, or reincarnation, is a central tenet of the religious teachings. It refers to the idea that the spirit can begin a new life after the death of its physical body, in another body. This may be a human or an animal body.

In Buddhism, rebirth is the idea that when a being dies, this event is the catalyst for the creation of a new aggregation of consciousness. The new being is neither identical nor completely dissimilar to the previous life, but rather they form a continuous stream of consciousness.

The rebirth doctrine in Buddhism, sometimes referred to as reincarnation or metempsychosis, asserts that rebirth does not necessarily take place as another human being, but as an existence in one of the six Gati (realms) called Bhavachakra.[4] The six realms of rebirth include Deva (heavenly), Asura (demigod), Manusya (human), Tiryak (animals), Preta (ghosts), and Naraka (resident of hell)

(The above was retrieved from Wikipedia)

Now let us look at what the Son of God, Jesus says in Mark 12:26-27 NASB
"But regarding the fact that the dead rise again, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB'? [27] He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken."

Here Jesus was talking to some Sadducees who came to ask Him a question.

From what Jesus said, we know clearly that a person who dies will not be born again as a god, nor another human with another name(whether same identity and consciousness or not) nor as an animal, nor as a demon nor as a ghost or a resident of hell (believing in all this might lead them to hell). He or she will remain as the same person, with their souls and identities intact; Abraham as Abraham, Isaac as Isaac, Jacob as Jacob, Moses as Moses, You as You and Me as Me!

The body perishes but the soul lives on in eternity. Depending on how we live now on earth and on Whom we place our faith on(the object of our faith), we will live forever either in heaven or in hell. There is no rebirth at all.

You might ask, "Why does Jesus talk about being born again in the Bible?" The classic passage from the Bible that answers this question is John 3:1-21. The Lord Jesus Christ is talking to Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin (the ruling body of the Jews). Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night with some questions.

As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He said, “‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again”’” (John 3:3-7).

The phrase "born again" literally means "born from above." Nicodemus had a real need. He needed a change of his heart—a spiritual transformation. New birth, being born again, is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4,18). 
John 1:12, 13  indicates that being "born again" also carries the idea of "becoming children of God" through trust in the name of Jesus Christ.

The question logically comes, "Why does a person need to be born again?" The apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:1 says, "And He made alive, you, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (NKJV). To the Romans he wrote, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). All of us are sinners even at birth. We carry the original sin of Adam and Eve. Sinners are spiritually “dead” people. We have no access to, an all righteous, God unless our sins are completely wiped off. Only the blood of Christ can wash away our sins.  When we sinners receive spiritual life through faith in Christ, the Bible likens it to a rebirth. Only those who are born again have their sins forgiven and have a relationship with God.

How does that come to be? We receive grace from God. ( Grace is a chance to accept the price Jesus paid for us on the cross in exchange for our sins. Grace is a chance to repent and live a changed life again when we fall into sin.) Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

When one accepts Christ Jesus and the price He paid for us on the cross, he is saved, then he/she is born again, spiritually cleansed and is now a child of God by right of new birth.

Trusting in Jesus Christ, the One who paid the penalty of sin when He died on the cross, is the means to be "born again." "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Every person who accepts Christ Jesus is given the Holy Spirit of God. That means God Himself comes to live inside of us. The Holy Spirit will guide us to live a life pleasing to God. He will prompt us to seek forgiveness when we do something wrong and help us to live changed lives. He will help us to discipline our free will and surrender it to God. 

In short if we do not accept Christ Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we cannot have God's Spirit living in us. We then, will only have the law that guides us but not God's grace.

The Holy Spirit is poured upon all flesh (Joel 2:28/ Acts 2:17). He prompts us to seek the truth and accept Christ. But He will only live in you when you accept Jesus.

If you have never trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, will you consider the prompting of the Holy Spirit as He speaks to your heart? You need to be born again. Will you pray the prayer of repentance and become a new creation in Christ today?  When you do you will rightfully become a child of Father God. "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God" (John 1:12-13).

If you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and be born again, here is a sample prayer.

Please remember, just saying this prayer or any other prayer will not save you. It is only when you really believe that Christ Jesus died on your behalf to save you from sin, you will be saved. This prayer is simply a way to express to God your faith in Him and thank Him for providing for your salvation through Christ Jesus.

Pray the following prayer when you are ready.

Prayer of Acceptance of God's Gift:-
"God, I know that I have sinned against You and am deserving of punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. I place my trust in You for salvation. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness—the 'Gift of Eternal Life' through Jesus Christ! Amen!"

For all who are still unsure, please listen carefully.

All other religions do not promise a good life after death. The life after death, for those in other religions, depends upon the good works done by each individual, and it is known as 'Karma'. Only in Christianity can you accept Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior and be saved without any hassle. Salvation does not depend on our good works but on our faith in Christ Jesus.

No other religion teaches you to forgive your enemy and do good to those who hate you, only Christianity does. 

No one else claimed to BE the Way, Truth and Life. Only Jesus did.

No one in all the other religions died for the sins of humanity to save us from God's righteous anger. Only Jesus did.

No religious leader has died and resurrected and lives even now. Only Jesus does.

Jesus says in John 14:6 NASB
Jesus said to Thomas, "I AM The Way, and The Truth, and The Life; No one comes to the Father BUT through Me."

What does He mean by that? Do you know that every religion teaches to offer sacrifices to God for their sins? What do they do? In ancient days they used to sacrifice babies to their gods. Now, they sacrifice animals, they offer money or other things to the temple priests, they say long prayers, they do charitable works, they try their best to keep all the laws rigidly (yet fail) etc. None of these acts can appease God's righteous anger.

Jesus says, "I Am The Way":- meaning 'The Ultimate Sacrifice'. " I Am The Truth" :- 'The True Sacrifice'. "I Am The Life":- 'The True Life - Through Me My Father's anger will be appeased'. We cannot stand before a righteous God without being punished unless we stand covered by the atoning blood of Christ Jesus. 

If Jesus, Who is the Christ(Messiah) of the world says all that, it either makes Him the Lord or a liar. If He is a liar He would not have died such a cruel death and risen on the third day; He would not have given His life for you and me so that when we accept Him as our Lord and Saviour, all our sins get wiped away and we are made clean and ready to enter heaven.

Please consider accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Just call upon Him and be saved.

If you my dear, who believe in many gods, if you are still confused and not sure whether you are doing the right thing by accepting Jesus, just be assured that you don't lose anything by calling upon Jesus now. Just call out His name aloud, and say this, " Jesus, You say that You are the only Way to God. I am confused. I don't know what to believe. I have tried to lead a good life. Now, I want to be sure that I am in heaven with God when I die (is that not what you desire?) I do not want to be born again and again as an animal or ghost etc as I have believed. Please Father God, send me Your Holy Spirit and enlighten me. Speak to me. Help me be open to Your voice and help me believe in the TRUTH! Father God I pray this in Jesus name. Amen."

Please just say the above prayer daily till God reveals the truth to you. Then when you are ready, there is a 'Prayer of Acceptance of God's Gift' above; Just say it.

Not that you have accepted Christ, what do you do? Look up a Christian church in your neighborhood and pay a visit and talk to the pastor or elders of the Church. They will guide you. You need a church community to motivate you to grow in your relationship with God.

Next you must read the Bible. It is God's Word. Although the authors are many it was the  Holy Spirit Who inspired them to write it. 

Just as you have read other books, I implore you to take the Bible and start reading it from the New Testament. Read the 4 Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and proceed to read Acts of the Apostles and then all the letters of Paul who previously was a persecutor of Christians, begining with Romans,  letters of other apostles and finally Revelation. If you read 2 to 4 chapters a day you will finish reading within a couple of months. God will speak to you through His Word in the Bible.

God bless you abundantly.
Praying for you always
Your loving
Maria

Mary Augustine

11/04/18