When is the moment someone is born again?
I attended a baptism where the pastor stated, after the individual came up out of the water, that she was now born again. I am hoping this was more of a figure of speech but it got me thinking.
Shouldn't we say that a person is born again the moment one has been made aware of their total depravity and their need for redemption? How can someone become aware and then act upon that awareness if they are still dead in their sins?
struggling to answer that myself
I came to Christ a few years ago - I believe in Him as my personal saviour, who's brought me out of the hell of meaningless, selfish existence and into God's light, forgiveness and grace. I know that He alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life - and that I need His guidance at every step. Yet, I've remained largely out of the church for some reason and haven't undergone a water baptism. There are practical difficulties like not having a neighbourhood church (being in largely Hindu nation), confusion about denomations etc. But also there is genuine confusion regarding water baptism. God knows our heart, is the symbolic act essential then? If baptism led to persecution for the sake of Christ, then it would have been a neccessary act of faith. But frankly in our society, baptism certificate actually confers advantages in terms of admissions to / jobs in prestigious Christian institutions etc. Is my decision to keep Christ supreme in my life enough? Or does water baptism add something spiritually? Confused despite all my research.
Noshi