What Is The New Birth And How To Be Born Again.
The concept of the new birth
or being born again is a foundational teaching in the Bible. It is a spiritual transformation that results in a person becoming a new creation in Christ. This process is essential for salvation and is a work of God in the life of the believer. To understand the new birth and how to be born again, we need to look at its biblical definition, significance, and the steps involved.
1. What is the New Birth?
The new birth refers to a spiritual rebirth, where a person is regenerated by the Holy Spirit. This transformation is necessary because humanity is born with a sinful nature and is separated from God. The new birth is the process through which a person is brought into a new relationship with God, leaving behind the old, sinful nature, and becoming a new creation.
In the Bible, Jesus explains this concept in John 3:3, when He tells Nicodemus, a religious leader, that “unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Jesus further explains in verses 5-6: “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.”
This statement reveals that there are two kinds of births: the physical birth (born of flesh) and the spiritual birth (born of the Spirit). The new birth refers to the spiritual transformation that happens when a person accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
2. The Need for the New Birth
Before experiencing the new birth, every person is spiritually dead. The Bible teaches that all of humanity is born with a sinful nature inherited from Adam and Eve (Romans 5:12). This sin separates us from God and makes it impossible to enter God’s kingdom.
In Ephesians 2:1, Paul writes, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins.” This spiritual death is the result of sin, and it keeps us in bondage to the ways of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Therefore, to be reconciled to God and receive eternal life, a person must experience the new birth.
3. The Process of Being Born Again
Being born again is not a physical birth, but a spiritual one. It is a work of the Holy Spirit and occurs when a person places their faith in Jesus Christ. This transformation involves several steps:
a. Repentance
Repentance is the first step toward the new birth. To repent means to turn away from sin and turn towards God. In Acts 3:19, Peter calls people to “repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.” Repentance is essential because it acknowledges our need for forgiveness and marks the beginning of a new relationship with God.
b. Faith in Jesus Christ
The new birth is made possible through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Jesus, in John 3:16, clearly states that “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This faith is more than just intellectual belief; it involves trust in Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins.
In Romans 10:9, Paul writes, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” This confession and belief lead to the new birth and bring about salvation.
c. Receiving the Holy Spirit
The new birth is made possible by the Holy Spirit. When a person believes in Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within them. In John 3:5, Jesus says, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” The water symbolizes baptism (an outward sign of repentance and faith), and the Spirit represents the regeneration of the soul.
In Titus 3:5, Paul explains that “he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit cleanses and transforms the believer, making them spiritually alive and giving them a new nature.
d. New Creation in Christ
The result of the new birth is that the person becomes a new creation. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul writes, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” This means that the person’s old sinful nature has been replaced by a new nature empowered by the Holy Spirit. They are no longer bound by the power of sin but have the ability to live in accordance with God’s will.
The new birth also brings about a change in identity. As a new creation, the believer is now identified with Christ and no longer with their past sin. In Galatians 2:20, Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” This signifies that the believer’s life is now united with Christ, and they are empowered to live in a way that pleases God.
4. The Evidence of the New Birth
A person who is born again will experience evidence of this transformation in their life. Some of the key signs of the new birth include:
a. New Desire for Holiness
The believer will have a new desire to live in obedience to God’s Word. In 1 John 2:3-6, it says, “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.” The new nature given through the Holy Spirit produces a longing for righteousness and a desire to turn away from sin.
b. Love for Others
One of the primary marks of the new birth is love—especially love for fellow believers. In 1 John 4:7-8, it says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” This love is a reflection of God’s own love for us and is a natural outpouring of the new life in Christ.
c. Fruit of the Spirit
As the Holy Spirit works in the believer’s life, they will begin to bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). This includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities become increasingly evident in the life of a born-again believer.
d. Witness of the Holy Spirit
Another sign of the new birth is the witness of the Holy Spirit within the believer. In Romans 8:16, Paul says, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” This inner assurance and peace are given by the Holy Spirit, confirming the believer’s new identity as a child of God.
5. How to Be Born Again
To be born again, a person must:
- Repent of their sins—turn away from their old life of sin and ask God for forgiveness.
- Believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior who died for their sins and rose again, securing their salvation.
- Confess Jesus as Lord with their mouth and believe in their heart that He is the risen Savior.
- Receive the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ, allowing the Spirit to work in their life and transform them.
- Live as a new creation—walk in the new life that Christ offers, growing in holiness and reflecting His love.
6. Conclusion
The new birth is not just a theological concept but a powerful spiritual transformation. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, when a person repents, believes in Jesus Christ, and receives the Holy Spirit, they are spiritually reborn into a new identity in Christ. This rebirth marks the beginning of a new life—one that is marked by a desire for holiness, love for others, and the bearing of the fruit of the Spirit. The new birth is essential for salvation, and it is the gateway to entering the kingdom of God.
If you have not yet experienced the new birth, it is as simple as repenting of your sins, trusting in Jesus, and allowing His Spirit to make you a new creation. Through faith, you can experience the transforming power of God’s love and begin a new life in Christ.
