What Does It Mean to be Born Again?
The Bible teaches that God’s people are “destroyed for a lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).
I think we can say with absolute certainty that what you don’t know or understand can cost you. Scripture says that believers can be held spiritually captive (Colossians 2) by believing “hollow and deceptive philosophy” according to the traditions of men, rather than the teachings of Christ. So, we’re looking at the new birth in this series entitled “Salvation 101”. What does it mean to be born again? What does the Bible teach?
In the original Greek text in scripture, to be born again literally means to be born from above, or born of God. This is a spiritual birth that takes place in the heart (human spirit) of one who believes on Jesus, God’s only Son. The very moment you believe, God enters the heart of the believer and you become His temple.
The theme of being born again is fundamental to the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament in general. Some may say it is only allegory, yet others see a thread through scripture that points to the necessity of a new birth. More importantly, what does the Bible teach?
Jesus said in John 3, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Literally, the phrase “born again” can be translated “born from above”. According to the Greek Lexicon, you could say, “you must be born from above, from a higher place.” This new birth comes from Heaven, comes from God Himself.
Jesus Meets the Religious Leader
When we look at this passage in John 3, there is an account of a religious leader named Nicodemus who comes to Jesus secretly at night to speak with him.
“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”
Jesus never addresses what Nicodemus says about him but instead, Jesus moves directly to the topic that He wants Nicodemus to understand.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” I’m sure this surprises Nicodemus as he didn’t ask about such matters. However, Nicodemus hears what Jesus says but then asks Him the question, “what does being born again mean?” The asks, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
So, Nicodemus heard the words Jesus said but he didn’t understand. He saw and understood only the physical aspect of being born to his physical natural mother. Then Jesus added some further details,
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
The astounding thing is that Jesus is teaching a teacher here but not just any teacher. Nicodemus is a ruler of the Jews, a Pharisee. The Pharisees were enemies of Jesus and his mission. Jesus often rebuked them for their meaningless reliance on outward works and piety. Yet Nicodemus appears to be considering the words of Jesus, and more importantly that Jesus may actually be sent from God.
So, back to John 3 – Jesus says “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” What does that mean? Then Jesus says, “…that which is “flesh is flesh” and that which is “Spirit is spirit”.”
Jesus is saying – in order to be a candidate for being born again – one must be born in the flesh, from a woman and then reborn a second time, born of the Spirit of God.
You can’t live something you don’t understand.
In a very fundamental and practical sense, what does it mean to be born again according to scripture?
The new birth is an actual and literal spiritual birth that occurs on the inside of every person that believes on Jesus. The act of believing enables one to receive all that God has provided which includes a new spirit on the inside of the believer.
The Old Testament (prior to Jesus being born on the earth), foretold of a time when this would be available to believers. However, this was still a mystery to the people of Jesus’ day.
“And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” (Ezekial 11:19-20).
You Are the Temple of the Holy Spirit
In multiple places in the New Testament, we’re told that the believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3 and 6). If you are a believer in Jesus, being born again means that He, God Himself, comes and lives on the inside of you the very instant you believe on Jesus. Yes, you.
“Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:19).
Scripture talks about this new birth in 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God”
- Everything has become new?
- Am I a new creation?
- Old things are passed and now all things are of God?
Where did this take place? You may have looked in the mirror immediately after getting born again and thought – “Where did this change take place?” I’m not completely new. I haven’t changed and certainly, everything isn’t “of God”. I just don’t understand.
Spirit, Soul, and Body
Man is made up of 3 parts. Spirit, Soul, and Body (2 Thess. 5:23). So, if our bodies didn’t change when we were born-again then what changed? Was it my soul? No, it wasn’t your soul. Your soul is comprised of your mind, will, and emotions. So, if you struggled with grammar prior to receiving Jesus, then you’ll still struggle with grammar. If you had a difficult childhood and were called “stupid” at every turn, you’ll still struggle with believing you’re stupid until you start renewing your mind to what God’s thinks about you. So, where did this new birth take place?
Jesus said in John 3:6-7, “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.’”
If you’re a believer in Jesus, then you’ve been born again, born from above. God, Himself has deposited His spirit within you. You’re a new creation. Everything in your formally dead spirit is has been made alive by the life of God and everything has been made new. The old has passed away and now all things are of God. Hallelujah!
