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[I published this a few issues ago, and gave it as a sermon-teaching in our Assembly, because of some who still believe the Protestant false teaching that we are instantly “saved” as soon as we are immersed, and that we are then “born again.” Later, I found that some misunderstood, and have expressed the belief that I must not have the Holy Spirit and am teaching false doctrine. This is to correct that impression. Please study these Scriptures carefully and prayerfully if you are one who believes this error.]

ome people believe that the Scriptures teach we are saved at conversion, baptism, confirmation, sprinkling, or whatever formula they use to denote repentance. Are you born again at this time? What does it mean to be “born again?” What does it mean to be begotten? When are you “saved?” Is there a difference?

Part of the confusion comes from not understanding Yahweh’s plan for us; and part from not understanding the scriptures on this and related subjects. I will endeavor to explain from the scriptures what the difference is, if any, and when we are actually “saved.”

One word in Greek (gennao) is used to translate two English words, “born,” and “begotten” in Scripture. And of course, they have different meanings in English. “Begotten” or “beget,” means to engender or father, as to impregnate a female. But “born” means to bring forth, produce, as “The child was begotten nine months ago, and was born this morning.”

When Yahshua was born, He was Yahweh’s only begotten son at that time (John 1:14). When He was resurrected, He was the firstborn from the dead (Col. 1:18). He was the first of many brethren (Rom. 8:29).

When we repent of our sins and are converted, we should be baptized as soon as possible (Acts 2:38), and have hands laid on us to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17, 19:6). Are we then saved? NO! We are merely begotten at that point. We are being saved. This is what Yahshua was explaining to Nicodemus in John chapter 3. First, we must repent and be baptized (water, v. 5), then receive the Spirit. This is a begettal. We have been engendered or begotten. Then, like a fetus in its mother’s womb, we have to grow to maturity. Then when we are ready, at Yahshua’s return we will be born into His kingdom. Yahweh will not have us be born before we are ready. That is why we have the admonition to “grow in grace and knowledge” in 2 Peter 3:18. That is also why we are admonished to be ready at all times, because we do not know when He is coming.

Then when He does come, He will send His angels to gather the Elect from the four corners of the earth (the Firstfruits). We will then be changed or resurrected, and given a Spirit body (1 Cor. 15:50-54 Note carefully in verses 52-53 the words “…the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

THIS is when we will finally and for all time, be born again as Spirits. We will be SAVED! HAlleluYAH!

But right now, we are merely seeking to be saved. (Rom 2:7 KJV) "To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:"

Salvation is something we seek for. We are now being saved, but will not actually BE saved until we are born into the kingdom with spirit bodies. Eternal life is a gift – not something that we earn.

(Rom 6:23 KJV) "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of Yahweh is eternal life through Yahshua the Messiah, our Master."

We are now seeking to lay hold on eternal life: (1 Tim 6:19 KJV) "Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

(Titus 1:1-3 KJV) "Paul, a servant of Yahweh, and an apostle of Yahshua the Messiah, according to the faith of Yahweh 's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after righteousness; {2} In hope of eternal life, which Yah, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; {3} But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of Yahweh our Saviour;…" (Titus 3:7 KJV) "That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

At this time, Yahshua only, HATH IMMORTALITY (from among men): (1 Tim 6:13-16 KJV) "I give thee charge in the sight of Yahweh, who quickeneth all things, and before Yahshua the Messiah, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; {14} That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Master, Yahshua the Messiah: {15} Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; {16} Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen."

WE SHALL BE SAVED (Rom 5:9-10 KJV) "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. {10} For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to Yahweh by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life."

“Frank, do you mean we are NOT saved now?” Yes, that’s what I mean, and no, we are not saved now, and won’t be until Yahshua changes this vile body into Spirit at His coming.

“But once we are saved, we are always saved, aren’t we?” Yes, that’s right – when we ARE actually saved (changed into spirit) – but not now, and not before. Even the Apostle Paul knew that he, after preaching all his life to others, could still lose his salvation if he did not remain faithful and obedient to Torah. He said, “I KEEP MY BODY UNDER SUBJECTION LEST AT ANY TIME I FIND MYSELF A CASTAWAY” (1 Cor. 9:27). Why would Paul say such a thing if he was already saved? I will let you answer that question.

We must endure to the end to be truly saved. Converted people can and do fall away. They turn back when the going gets tough, and walk with Yahshua no more. How sad! Hear the words of Yahshua in Matthew 10:22: And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

I believe that He knew what He was talking about, don’t you? May you grow in grace and knowledge as you study His Word, is my prayer. ~