Born Again
Introduction: Throughout the United States, the phrase “born again” has been used both by those inside the church and those outside the church, but the difference in meaning is by no means inconsequential. When the world uses the phrase, despite any supposed great personal impact, it has no application beyond the grave. The Lord Jesus used this phrase in response to a man who came to him for answers, and it did not produce immediate understanding for that Jew even though he was a highly respected religious teacher in Israel. This study will attempt to bring together a variety of scriptures related to the new birth.
NOTE: Scripture passages are from the American King James Version, unless otherwise noted.
A — Jesus and Nicodemus
John 3 “1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus said to him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Comments: The text tells us that the first birth is “of the flesh” and the second birth is “of the spirit.” Nicodemus acknowledged that Jesus was authenticated as having come from God, by the miracles he had performed, but Jesus responded by saying that if he could not accept the “earthly things” then how could he accept heavenly things. It is not a matter of man's interpretation of miraculous events, or of his intellectual discernment of intricate concepts, that reveals spiritual truth. Therefore, it is necessary to be more than a natural man — for Jesus says unless you are born again you cannot see the kingdom of God. What an incredible gift from the LORD that we should be called the sons of God! The first birth alone will end in inevitable death, but the second birth is the beginning of new life in Christ that is eternal.
B — John the Baptist Knew That Jesus Was from Heaven
John 3 “27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 31 He that comes from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth: he that comes from heaven is above all. 36 He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God stays on him.”
John 10 “27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give to them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
Comments: Christians must remember that even though we are to be faithful in sharing the gospel, the Holy Spirit must do the work of causing the new birth. We should be cautious about any feeling of impatience toward other people, as we consider what has been revealed to our hearts through the grace of God. Could any one of us receive and accept the fact that Jesus, though born of a woman, came down from heaven for the miraculous conception within a virgin, if God had not made us different by giving us the faith required to receive that truth?
C — Our New Birth Should Result in Evidence of New Patterns of Growth
1 Peter 1 “22 Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit to unfeigned love of the brothers, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and stays for ever.”
1 Peter 2 “2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby: 3 If so be you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”
Ephesians 4 “22 That you put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
Comments: When we are born in the flesh as an infant, it is anticipated that there will be growth physically, emotionally, and intellectually to adulthood. When we are born of the Spirit, growth should take place in that new life toward maturity in the things of God. The flesh “wars against the spirit” and we must make conscious efforts to bear the fruit of our salvation in Christ. Jesus warned us to watch and pray because we need the Spirit to overcome the weakness of the flesh, and it is the Spirit that makes us truly alive. Just as there are things we can do to have a healthier and more productive physical life, so too we must make conscious effort to advance our spiritual growth and productivity in the Lord.
D — The Promise of Resurrection to Eternal Life
1 Corinthians 15 “42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.”
Titus 3 “5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Comments: Once we are born into the family of God, we have the certain and unchangeable promise of resurrection with a new body that is not perishable as is the physical body of the first birth. The natural body figuratively becomes the seed which carries the living spirit until the mature spiritual body is ready to be our habitation in eternity. Just as we believe that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, we must demonstrate our full faith that because of his resurrection, we have every confidence of our own resurrection. The Lord saves us by His mercy, not our own righteousness; we are washed of our sins and regenerated into that new life; and we then give further glory to the Lord as we are careful to maintain good works as the Holy Spirit works in us.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, as I read through your conversation with Nicodemus, I am reminded of the day you brought me to new birth as the previous scant knowledge of your Word was made real in my life. From that point I began to develop more of a hunger to eat of the bread of life from heaven that I might continue to grow in your grace. Thank you Lord for the scripture, and other Christians around me, that have made more sure my growth in this new birth. The pure milk of the Word is the necessary element for early growth and development, so that as other “food” becomes part of intake in the diet, there can be a discerning “taste” toward a healthy growth in the Spirit. I can joyfully say with Paul, “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” Help me Lord to honor you. Amen.
Published 23 May 2009; format revisions 1 February 2017