Being Born Again

It is of the utmost importance that we have a clear understanding of what Jesus meant when speaking with Nicodemus said, "You must be born again." (John 3:1-21)

The new birth is a spiritual birth. It is as much a birth as the natural birth - it is not just a figure of speech. The first birth is the "seed of man." The second birth is the "seed of God." (1 Peter 1:23) Therefore you cannot become a child of God just be going to a church, any more than a parrot could become a person by wearing baby clothes.

The parrot could wear clothes and say words, and even act like a person, but it would only ever be a parrot. If the parrot could change into a man, then, and only then, could it be known as a man.

As Jesus says, the only way to become a child of God is to be born from above by the incorruptible seed of God. So what is the new birth?

The new birth is a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
The new birth is a spiritual resurrection. (Titus 3:5)
The new birth is partaking of the divine nature of God. (2 Peter 1:4)
The new birth is receiving Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord by faith. (John 1:12)
The new birth is being made the "righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
The new birth is compulsory if you are to become a child of God: "You must be born again."

1. Jesus and the two births. (John 3:1-8)
2. The new birth issues a new, sinless nature. (1 John 3:9)
3. The new birth is incorruptible. (1 Peter 1:23)
4. The new birth - its means. (John 3:14-18)
5. The new birth - its threefold proof. (1 John 5:1)