What does it mean to be a born-again
Christian? 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 you He made alive, 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).
Sinners are spiritually “dead”; when they 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? 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 is saved, he/she has been born again, spiritually renewed, 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).
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- published: 28 Jun 2016
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